| WINSTON AUSTIN Kenmore Little League and Kenmore High All-Star who played 24 years in the AA League, covering four decades. All-City catcher at Kenmore in 1959, and he also handled outfield, first base, and DH duties in AA action. Played on eight title teams including the Akron Pirates, Eaton Sports Pride, Crocker's Restaurant, Forest City, and Custom Trophies. Only player to ever win the Frank Garcia Award twice, in 1975 and 1982. Selected to 19 All-Star teams, won eight hitting titles and four homerun crowns. He also played for Nino's, Akron Dodgers, Azar-Denholm, Pfeifle's, Genessee Beer, Akron All-Stars, and Ellet Graphic Arts. |
| JIM BALL Tough, hard-nosed catcher who began playing with the YMCA Legion team in 1934. Played in the Legion Title team in 1935, and the South High Title team in 1937. Moved into the A League with the Silver Seals, Goodrich, and Simpsons Market before advancing to the Mid-Atlantic League with Zanesville in 1941. After a stint in the army, Jim played with the Moore's Wrestlers team from 1946-48. |
| THOMAS W. "BILL" BUTCHER Versatile infielder especially at third base for Champ Post 209 Legion teams ('54-'55) and Ellet High ('55 Metro Champs). Lettered four years at Akron U. Started freshman season at first base, then at third base. Made All-OAC next three years, led OAC in hitting with .465 average in '58. In AA League began with Chester's Diner (.368 top avg. in 1957), Zoff's in '58 (.360), Krispy Kreme ('59-'61), picked up by Black Labels for '61 State and National Tournaments and then stayed with the Champ Labels teams 1962-64 and led in hitting with .367 average in '64. Was selected to eight All-Star teams. |
| AL CARISS Went into Marines after two All-Star shortstop years at Frankford High (Phil., PA) and played on Okinawa & Phillipines League and Tourney Championship teams. At Kent State was a four-year letterman, All-MAC in '68 and '69; once held 11 KSU baseball records (presently has one: 44 career stolen bases.) In AA League was All-Star shortstop six times for Black Labels, Wayne Knolls Farms, and Akron Insulating title teams. Excelled in leadoff spot, leading league in stolen bases six times; runs scored six times; had a career .360 batting average; hit 17 leadoff homefuns, including ten on first pitch of ten different games. Now coaching Linfield High in Temecula, CA. (Won or tied for League Title for of last five years. Managed Temecula Ambassadors to District AA titles last two years.) |
| AL FRANCESCONI Enjoyed 14 years on the Sandlots beginning as a second baseman with the National A.C. Title teams, 1935-38. At Buchtel High he also handled third base and catching duties and helped the Griffs to their first ever title in 1940. Played 2nd and 3rd for Champion Sohio A.C. teams in '41-'42 and then after a stint in the Navy, played for Moore Wrestlers, Goodyear Wingfoots, and closed out his career as a catcher for the Smith Sheriff Title teams in 1949 and 1950. |
| JEFF HALL A native of East Liverpool where he was All-League for the Potters High School team, the 5'10", 165-pound righthander with a devastating fork ball, had four outstanding seasons at Kent State U, capped by a senior season when he posted a 9-1 record, was All-MAC and played for the USA College All-Stars on a tour in Japan. In between a stint with the Yankees Albany team, he had five All-Star years with Akron Insulating, leading them to three titles and leading the league in most wins, most strikeouts and best ERA - a total of eight times. |
| DICK HAMLIN Rated as one of the Top Ten Best Baseball players ever in the Akron Amateur Ranks and proved it with his fine hitting and splendid outfield play. Always around the .400 batting mark, even when he began playing in the youth leagues of South Akron and through his high school days at St. Mary and with the Akron Orphans in A ball. Was named to five All-Star teams. Played in Giants Minor League system for five years before injury curtailed his career. Managed Zoff Heating ('56-'57), won League Title in '57 and managed All-Star team. Played college at Cal-Poly. |
| JEFF HOGAN Began play in Firestone Park L.L. in 1956, then with Ellet L.L., Colt & Pony Leagues as outstanding pitcher/shortstop. At Ellet High was All-City in baseball as well as basketball and as a senior joined Erhart Kramers AA team where he became an All-Star shortstop. Continued All-Star performance with Tramonte Black Labels (1966 Frank Garcia Award) and in 1967 led Labels in hitting, homeruns, and RBI as they won city and state titles. Went to Florida State on Hoop Scholarship, but also became starting shortstop for three years after which he played in Tigers organization for five years. Became Head Baseball Coach and Athletic Director at Tallahassee High in 1980 where his teams have posted a 200-44 record and captured five District and two State titles. |
| ART HOLLOWAY An outstanding left-handed pitcher and first baseman for 12 years, beginning in the A League at age 15 in 1946 with Krispy Kreme where he fashioned a 10-1 record. He then toiled for Champion Borden Autos ('47-'48) before spending two years in the army where he continued to pitch for the Far East Command team and hurled the title game in 1950, winning 2-0, striking out 19 and was named Tournament MVP. After signing with Cincinnati in late '50, was called back into service for the Korean War. In '52 signed with Red Sox and played in the Tri-State League for two years. Art returned to Akron in '54 with Jones Trucking and closed out his career with four years with Zoff's, always hitting around the .350 mark. |
| TONY JERINA Played on a number of Barberton area Title teams in his youth where he developed as a strong right-handed pitcher, and because of his natural feel for all parts of the game, was also called on to play any position when his teams needed help somewhere. Was the leading force for the competitive Slovene Centers team that always was a contender in the leagues that it played in. |
| LOUIS "BONY" JUHASZ After a great career on the football sandlots as an 108-pound running back who starred on the Famous Red Pepper Grid teams and a stint in the army, Bony began sponsoring youth teams in all sports, including baseball in 1945. He prided himself as one who loves amateur sports of which he was a product of. As the years grew, so did his restaurant, the Red Pepper Steak House, and the number of teams he sponsored. To help facilitate his teams, he built a baseball field still being used. Besides paying the bills for many Barberton and Norton youth league teams, Bony sponsored his Red Pepper teams in AA ball in the late sixties and was rewarded with a sweep in league honors in the Pepper's 1974 championship year. |
| JAMES "SID" LARIA A fine athlete during his South High days -- "All-City Sid" parlayed his athletic ability and knowldge of baseball along with a flambouyancy and flair and keen sense of sportsmanship into becoming one of the better umpires in the Akron area for 22 years. He was always involved in the game and enjoyed the competition on the field. |
| JACK LYTLE Played on a number of top GABF teams including National A.C., East Akron Eagles, Nashm Jr. Optimists, and Post 209. At Central High was a three year starting right-hander (All-City 1949). Hurled A ball for Kalmer Dance Studio, Howe Construction, Zoffs, and Black Labels, making the 1952 All-Star team with Kalmers. Spent 1953-56 in Giants organization (1954 Kitty League, Mayfield, KY.) Pitched 224 innings and won 10 games. Spent latter part of '56 through '58 with U.S. Marines and pitched a one-hitter in the '57 Military Tournament. Closed out his career with Labels 1959-61. |
| TOM POKOROSKY They called him "Pokey," but it was a misnomer as far as his moving on the diamond went. His base stealing, bunting, and ability to patrol the outfield was extremely outstanding. Started in youth leagues at age 12, but by 16 was in A ball with Goodyear where he spent most of the next 20 years. Besides the Wings, he also played for Kenmore Pioneers, Youngstown Slovaks, Smith Sheriffs, and had a two year stint in the army at McCain, Miss. Always batted over .300 with power and led various leagues in stolen bases. Named to All-Star teams twice each in Akron, Cleveland, Youngstown, and Army leagues. Played in four National Tournament Finals, twice with the Sheriffs, and twice with the Slovaks. |
| MALCOLM "MAL" RUSH SR. Began playing in his yough in Salem, Ohio as a pitcher and, after four years of training at the hot spot at third base at Bethany College, moved to Akron to work and play with Goodyear in 1931. For the next ten years, except for a brief trial with the Cardinals Little Rock Travelers team, Mal held onto that third base spot with Goodyear. His solid defensive play and clutch hitting helped make the Wings a contender all ten years he played in the Industrial League. |
| CLIFTON "CLIFF" SKEEN Played on youth title teams in Class E, F, and D including Bowmanville Peppy Lunch Tigers, National A.C., Post 209 teams and at East High where he consistently hit over .300 and always had a winning record as a right-handed pitcher. Also played for Kenmore, Army-Navy, Norka Plating, and Tiny's Orphans in AA ball. After his playing days, Cliff became even more successful as a manager, piloting East Akron Merchants, Papik Brothers Garage, and the Akron All-Stars to six city titles and reached the state Hot Stove Finals four times. Currently State of Ohio Representative from the 69th. Has continued in youth activities as one of the major sponsors of local teams in Summit County. |
| HAROLD SLOOP A bulldog of a catcher with the General Tire teams in the '20-'30s and a teacher of the game as a coach at Cuyahoga Falls and Stow High for 30 years and at Akron U for five years, Harold's hard work over the years has paid off as his being one of the more respected baseball men ever in Summit County. Coached and developed five members of the elite Frank Garcia Award Group |
| DICK TODD Career began in '44 with Akron Yankee Jr. team in Firestone Park, was a three-year starter and All-Metro as a centerfielder for Coventry High; played 10 years "AA" ball with Turner Wallpaper, Army-Navy 268, Canton Road Furniture, Tiny's Orphans, and Champion Borden Autos. Was a three-year letterman at Kent State and captain his senior season. Was named to five AA All-Star teams for his fine defensive play, clutch hitting, and led league in runs scored four times. Finished his career with Elizabeth City, N.C. and then coached several youth championship teams in the Firestone Park-Coventry area. |
| THURSTON WALKER Outstanding three-sport star at West High in football, basketball, and baseball. Proved very versatile on the diamond as he blended his defensive skills to be able to handle the second-third-shortstop spots and the outfield while displaying hitting with power and excellent base-stealing ability. Played for championship class B, C, and D teams from 1941-44 and at West High, '45-47. Played for Holland Furnace, then moved to Stembridge All-Stars (1949 All-Star shortstop), Elite Billiards, and Royal Vagobonds. After a stint in Korea, he finished with the talented Krispy Kremes, 1953-55. |
| BOB WEYRAUCH From the Kenmore Blues where he recorded a 21-1 record, Bob duplicated that feat at Kenmore Kigh and led Cardinals to first ever City Title in 1938, defeating Central, 1-0, in eight innings. That senior season he began a successful trek into A ball with Simpson Market and then had winning seasons with Moore's Wrestlers and Goodrich. The strong right-hander was drafted by Killian Celtics for the '39 NABF Tourney. Signed with the Yankees in 1940, pitched Butler to Penn State League Title with three playoff wins, a 16-5 record, and made the All-Star team. |
| GENE WOODLING Outstanding career began in the youth leagues in East Akron and at East High where he excelled as a hitter and fine defensive outfielder that propelled him to the big leagues including many storied years with the New York Yankees. After playing with Doylestown in the A League, he won the first of four Minor League hitting titles with Mansfield in 1940 when he slugged out a .398 average. After leading the Pacific Coast League in 1948 (.385), he was purchased by the Yankees from San Francisco where he played on a record five consecutive World Series Title Clubs from 1949-1953. He hit .318 in five World Series. Gene closed out his after-Yankee life with Baltimore, Cleveland, Washington, and the New York Mets. Was named World Series MVP three times. |