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Whitecaps Sophomore Hall Of Fame Class Announced

January 6, 2010 - Midwest League (MWL1)
West Michigan Whitecaps News Release


COMSTOCK PARK, MI - The West Michigan Whitecaps announced its second Hall of Fame inductee class today. The lone inductee to the Hall of Fame is former manager Bruce Fields. He will be inducted into the Whitecaps Hall of Fame in a ceremony that will take place at the Whitecaps Winter Banquet presented by Varnum on Wednesday, January 20, at the Frederik Meijer Gardens. Fields will be returning to Grand Rapids to attend the banquet for the awards ceremony.

Fields managed the Whitecaps from 1997 through 2000, compiling an impressive four-year record of 331-220. He was a two-time Midwest League Manager of the Year and won the league championship in 1998. In three of his four seasons, the Whitecaps posted the league's best record, including the astounding 1997 season when the team had the best record in all of professional baseball at 92-39 (.702 winning percentage). After his stint with the Whitecaps, he went on to manage the AAA Toledo Mud Hens for two seasons, then joined the Detroit Tigers as hitting coach from 2003 to 2005. He is currently the Cleveland Indians Minor League Coordinator. Before his coaching career, he played 13 seasons in the Minor Leagues (mostly in the Detroit organization) and appeared in 58 Major League games with Detroit and Seattle from 1986 to 1989.

Fields is the fourth member of the Whitecaps Hall of Fame, joining inaugural inductees pitcher Francisco Cordero (1997), first baseman/catcher Robert Fick (1997) and catcher Brandon Inge (1999). Fields managed all three of the inaugural inductees during his stint as Whitecaps manager.

Fans voted online from a list of 15 former Whitecaps players and managers. Inductees are determined by a committee that included front office members, local media personalities and a fan, as well as the fan votes. Eligible candidates in the player and coach categories must be out of the organization for a minimum of five years. Players are judged over the individual's entire career with an emphasis on his achievements while with the Whitecaps. Candidates can also be judged on his or her impact on the community, character, sportsmanship and integrity. Fans and front office personnel are also eligible for nomination.

A maximum of three nominees may be inducted per year, but in order to be inducted, a nominee must appear on three-quarters of the ballots. Fields was the only candidate to meet that criteria.

The Whitecaps Winter Baseball Banquet presented by Varnum will be held on Wednesday, January 20, at the Frederik Meijer Gardens in Grand Rapids. Fields will be joined by new Tigers coach and former Whitecaps manager Tom Brookens; Tigers Vice President and Assistant General Manager Al Avila; his son Alex Avila, a current Tigers catcher who played for the Whitecaps in 2008; and 2009 Whitecaps pitcher Mark Sorensen. Proceeds from a silent and live auction will go to the Whitecaps Inner-City Youth Baseball and Softball Program and the Detroit Tigers Foundation. The Tigers guests will be available to the media from 5 to 5:30 at the Frederik Meijer Gardens. This will be the only opportunity for interviews. Credentials will be required and can be obtained by contacting the Whitecaps Media Relations Department at (616) 726-7067.

The event begins at 6 p.m. with a silent auction of sports memorabilia and other items, followed by dinner, a live auction and the featured program.

Two ticket options are available for fans interested in attending the event. Corporate tables include 10 tickets to the banquet, 40 raffle tickets and preferred seating, and are $850 each. Individual tickets are $75 per person. Raffle tickets are $5 each or five for $20. Those unable to attend but interested in supporting the Inner City Youth Baseball and Softball program may sponsor a volunteer for $100 or sponsor a child for $50.

The deadline to purchase tickets to the banquet is Monday, January 11. Tickets may be purchased by calling the Whitecaps at (616) 784-4131. Fans should note that this is not an autograph event. Although patrons are welcome to bring cameras and take pictures with Tigers guests, outside memorabilia is not allowed into the Banquet and autograph collecting will not be permitted.

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