 | BOB ADDIS - OUTFIELDER
Bob becomes the 13th honoree who made it all the way to the big leagues. While at Barberton High School he received 12 letters and led the baseball team in every offensive category. That feat led to a professional contract with the New York Yankees and a professional career that would last more than 12 years with time out for WWII service in Guam and China with the Marine Corps. He spent the baseball seasons playing with such teams as the Boston Braves, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Brooklyn Dodgers and finally with the Pittsburgh Pirates. While in the American Association he won the batting title with a .323 average in 1950. His lifetime batting average was .304 and in 1951 his .333 average as a pinch-hitter led the National League in that category. In the winter months he attended Kent State University, where he received his B.A. and Masters degrees in education. Following his baseball career he taught and coached baseball at Euclid High School. His teams won 12 League championships and 402 games under his tutelage. He retired from the Euclid Public School System after 27 years of dedication to the young people of that city, as Athletic Director of the system. In 1972 he was inducted into the Summit County Hall of Fame.
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 | HARRY ANDERSON, JR. - FIRST BASEMAN
Harry was a complete and outstanding athlete from the Kenmore area. He lettered in every sport at Kenmore High School. As a junior he was offered a bonus contract to play pro baseball, which his father declined for him, stating his education was more important than money. During the summers he played for the Kenmore Taverns and Kenmore Blues before joining the first Akron Orphan team of City All-Stars. Upon graduation he and nearly every classmate were drafted for World War II, so his professional start was again delayed. Following the war he went to Kent State University for a couple of years and to Goodyear for a short period. He signed with the Butler Yanks in 1946 to begin a 9 year pro career that looked like a U.S. travelogue: Butler and Youngstown (Mid Atlantic League), Tucson (Texas & Arizona League), Waterloo and Keokuk (3-I League), and Fort Lauderdale and St. Petersburg (Florida International League). Always a superior fielding first baseman, Harry developed into a power hitter to help the St. Petersburg Saints gain the play-offs on several occasions. He became dissatisfied with the lack of progress and earnings and returned to Akron. He was employed by 1991 Hall of Famer, Glen West, in the automobile sales business. Harry now resides in Sun City, Arizona and is an avid golfer.
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 | WILLIAM "BILL" EPLING - PITCHER
Starting with the youth teams in Barberton, Bill became one of Barberton High's premiere pitchers accumulating a 7-1 record during his senior year. He played with the Slovene Center, Barberton Merchants and Smith Sheriffs prior to joining the army. He played with the 18th F.A.GRP. team, receiving MVP status from the "Stars and Stripes" player poll. He pitched in 18 of 24 games for the Eastern Conference to win the European title. Upon his return to Akron he pitched for P.O.C. Beers, Zoff Heating, Borden Autos, finishing with the Tramonte Black Label team in 1966. He was named to four All-Star teams and played for 8 championship teams. An arm injury prevented an assignment in the St. Louis Cardinal organization.
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 | IRA FELTON, JR. - OUTFIELDER
Ira is another player upholding the long tradition of East High Schoolers who have entered the G.A.B.H.O.F. As a youth he played in the Little Leagues at Reservoir Park Field before he became the Oriental's regular center fielder. From East High he got a scholarship to the University of Illinois, playing third base and hitting Big 10 pitching at a .317 clip. He left college for a pro contract with the Chicago Cubs organization, being assigned to the Class AA Club in Albuquerque, N.M. in the Texas-New Mexico League. Deciding that the hardships of minor league baseball were not for him, he returned to Akron and began playing with the Zoff Heating Team. In 1960 he joined the Black Label team and for the next 9 years he was a member of that championship team. Ira was a consistent .300 hitter and excellent defensive player.
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 | RUSS HOWARD - FIRST BASEMAN
After an impressive start in the youth leagues where he excelled as a hard hitting first baseman, Russ became Kenmore High's leading hitter for four years. He earned four letters, was All-City three times, MVP and was team captain as a senior at Kenmore. He was a four year starter hitting well over .300. During the summer months he played AA baseball with Azar-Denholm, Nino's, Weather Seal and the Red Peppers. He retired from the AA League in 1982 after stints with Magic City Lanes, Burger King, Pfeifle Funeral Home, Ellet Graphic Arts, Dr. Peppers, Isler Refuse, and Suarez Construction. Russ' illustrious career includes 12 All-Star Team honors, 12 championship teams, leading hitter in the league in various categories on eight separate occasions. He came out of retirement to aid the Akron Blues of the Senior League in their winning ways. Russ is truly one of the area's great baseball players.
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 | CHARLIE KETCHUM - PITCHER -
In the annals of Akron's baseball history only the legendary feats of Charlie Ketchum were able to capture the area's imagination to the extent they did. His no-hitters, while a member of the General Tire Industrial League Team, were the center of our sports enthusiasm. Our local papers were full of his exploits. Major League scouts attended many of the General Tire games. Richard McBane, Akron Beacon Journal staff writer, detailed his accomplishments with a feature article titled "Eight Days of Glory." During eight days in August 1926, Ketchum pitched a no-hitter against New Castle of the Ohio-Penn League. Three days later, he hurled a one-hitter against Youngstown of the Ohio-Penn League. He reached the pinnacle of his career three days later by no-hitting the then "World Champion Pittsburgh Pirates" in a Sunday exhibition game. He played professionally four years with Columbus of the American Association, Akron Tyrites (Central League), Buffalo & Newark (International League), and Birmingham (Southern League). He then opted to play with General Tire rather than spend time in the Minor League at much less money than at a regular, year-round position at General Tire. In addition to his prowess as a pitcher, he was a gifted golfer, winning the Summit County Golf Championship in 1926. He served as pro for several area public courses and one in Toledo, Ohio. Charlie Ketchum died in 1944 at age 48. But history will record his accomplishments as one of our area's greatest ever.
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 | LARRY "PETE" MATTHEWS - THIRD BASEMAN -
Pete played American Legion Baseball with the Post #209 team for several years before joining the Army. He played with the Camp Gordon Team in Georgia prior to shipping out to Africa. There he played for the U.S. Army Team, managed by Zeke Bonora of the Chicago White Sox. Following his Army commitment, he returned to play for the Springfield Merchants and "Tiny" DiMenna's Lakemore Night Club. He joined the Canton Road Furniture Team for several years, leading them in several offensive categories. When Bob Simmons (1984 Hall of Famer) began to manage in the AA League, he recruited Pete who was one of his premiere performers. Pete stayed with Bob's teams, Redl Golf Shop and finally the Championship team Krispy Kremes until the end of his great career. All in all he played 17 years in the area and was a member of 10 championship teams and was selected to the AA League's All-Star Team on five occasions.
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 | JAMES "JIM" MILLER - PITCHER -
Jim pitched three years for Field High School before becoming one of the nation's outstanding college pitchers at West Virginia University. During the summers of his high school days, he pitched for Brimfield in the Portage County League and then with the Black Labels in Akron. He put the knowledge and experience gained with the Labels to good use at West Virginia University where he was recognized in the nation's top 20 pitchers. During the 1966 and 1967 season he had a combined record of 45 and 16 with a 2.31 ERA. Returning to Akron he pitched for Ninos, Dairy Queen, Pfeifle Funeral Home, Erhart, and the Black Labels. He moved to Canton, playing in the Canton AA League with such success, that in 1992 he was inducted into the "Greater Stark County Baseball Hall of Fame." Throughout his baseball playing days, he led the league in innings pitched several times and had the league's lowest ERA on three occasions, plus the most wins. He was a member of 10 All-Star Teams and played on 11 championship teams.
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 | BRUCE MOORE - SHORTSTOP -
Bruce Moore's success as a youth has continued from playing on the All-Star Team that participated in the "Pony League World Series" in Washington, PA, finishing 3rd, to his present position as Phys. Ed & Health teacher and baseball & basketball coach at Ellet High School in Akron. All the stops in between have documented his ability as evidenced by awards and honors bestowed upon him, beginning at Central High School where he was All-City 3 years and All-State 1 year. He passed up a pro contract with the Philadelphia Phillies, opting instead for a scholarship at the University of Florida. There he received "All South Eastern Conference" honors as an infielder. He returned to the Akron area as a teacher & coach. During the next 10 years he competed in the AA League with such teams as the Krispy Kremes, John Brown's Winding Bar and the Airmatic Valves. He was a member of 6 All-Star teams, and on 12 championship teams. As Ellet High School's baseball coach his teams have won 8 city series titles and he was named "Akron City Coach of the Year" in 1992 and 1993.
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 | GEORGE "BILL" OSTRANDER - 3rd BASEMAN -
Prior to High School, George played softball, but at Cuyahoga Falls High he was quickly converted to a baseball third baseman. He won three letters in high school and during the summer months he played for Klages Coal and Ice team. Following graduations he played four years with the Falls Moose Club, Wooton's Tavern, Smith Sheriffs and the West Chevrolets, before joining the U.S. Navy for WWII. After his service commitment he played a year with the Goodyear Wingfoots, before starring four years at the University of Akron. He led the team in batting, hitting .433 one season and .459 the next season. He was recruited by Borden Auto's and played on the championship teams in the 50's. Later he played on the semi-pro Ravenna Vets, a barnstorming team that played such teams as the Homestead Greys, House of David, and the Indianapolis Clowns. He led the Vets in hitting and home runs. He moved to the Cleveland area, participating in the AA League with the Collier Construction Team. A brief pro career in Beaver Falls, PA (a St. Louis Browns affiliate) was cut short by a severe auto accident injury. George spent 19 years in baseball and played on four All-Star Teams and on eight championship teams.
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 | JOHN RASICCI - OUTFIELDER -
In the youth leagues John intimidated the other teams of the Cuyahoga Falls-Stow area with his hitting and pitching. He compiled a no-hitter, several one and two-hit games and was voted the League's best pitcher. Moving into the high school circles he became an outfielder at Hoban High School. At Hoban, he won four letters and was named to two All-City teams. At Kent State University he continued to excel, hitting over .300 and earning four letters. He began playing Akron AA League baseball in 1973 with Bolin Oil. He also played with the Acme Ash and Akron Insulating teams. While a member of the Akron Insulating team in 1976 he was presented with the prestigious "Frank Garcia Memorial Award," earning it by having a career year as he led the league in hits, runs, homeruns, walks and stolen bases. He was named to three league All-Star teams. His stellar play resulted in a pro contract with the San Francisco Giants in the California Scout League in 1977. He went to spring training with the Giant AA Team at Casa Grande. He returned to Ohio for a try-out with the Cincinnati Reds, however soon after that John opted for the ministry and is founder and pastor of his own church "Word of His Grace" in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio.
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 | ROBERT "BOB" WEIRATH - FIRST BASEMAN -
Weirath, a right-handed throwing, left-handed batter, spent his playing days as a first baseman. Starting in 1930 with the Barnett Grocers and then with the Shaffer Field All-Stars, he made his presence known as a difficult out. In 1934 and 1935 his play helped the Akron Pelicans win two Class B City titles. This team became the Silver Seals and won league championships in 1936 and 1937. Having obtained work at B.F. Goodrich Co., he played with the Goodrich Local #5 team for four years, helping them win the AA Title in 1941. Joining the service he played for the Honolulu Athletics in the Hawaiian League. He signed a Boston Red Sox organization contract and was assigned to the Class C Canton Terriers of the Mid-Atlantic League. But he refused a reassignment to a D League because of work related commitments. He continued to play in the AA League with the Moore Wrestlers until 1948, an active baseball life of 18 years, which included seven championships and three All-Star honors. He once had a streak of 10 hits in 10 consecutive at bats. He maintained a lifetime batting average of over .333.
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 | JAMES "JIM" LEES - UMPIRE -
Before beginning his career as an umpire, Jim coached baseball in the CYO and high school circles for 10 years, winning six championships. Then for the next 25 years he umpired baseball at all the levels of the game - all Greater Akron Baseball Leagues, the Mid American College Conference, Ohio Valley Conference, Mid Ohio and the Ohio Conference. He was assigned to all championship games. He was a much sought after official for the Akron area play-off games. His knowledge of the rules made him a valuable asset for rules interpretation meetings. He served as business manager of the Umpires Association, responsible for the assignment of officials for many years.
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 | RUDY R. PIEKARSKI - MANAGER -
Rudy's concern for baseball has been well documented. He has done it all, played, coached, organized, recruited, been groundskeeper, managed and served as commissioner of the league. Perhaps 1983 Famer Don Lombardi described Rudy best when he said, "Whatever needed to be done, Rudy was always there to do it." His greatest achievement was the founding of the "The Greater Akron Baseball Hall of Fame." But today we are honoring him for his managing talent, sometimes overlooked due to the success of this fine organization. He started playing as a 12 year old with St. Mary's grade school. He began his managing-coaching career in 1960 with a championship for St. Mary's CYO team. Following is a list of teams he coached or managed: Revere High J.V., Kenmore High Varsity to two City Championships, Blatz Beers, Krispy Kremes, John Brown Winding Bar, Joe's All-Stars, Nino's Lounge, Magic City Lanes, Akron Insulating, Acme Ash and C & P Sales. He was selected to manage three AA All-Star Teams to play the Canton AA All-Star Teams in the annual game. Akron won all those three games. Two of his teams: The 1963 Krispy Kremes and the 1970 Nino's Lounge participated in the NABF Tournament in Louisville, KY. The 1969 Nino's Lounge Team finished as runner-up in the AABC Tournament in Lakewood, Ohio.
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 | MARSHALL SNIDER - SPONSOR -
The G.A.B.H.O.F. has always maintained, the most important part of our history has been that of our sponsors, without whom we would not have organized baseball. Certainly none have handled the role better than Marshall Snider. He founded the Sohio A.C., a team that played out of Maple Valley Field. During those bleak days of the depression, he provided the means for hundreds of young athletes to participate. He sponsored two teams, a home town team and a traveling team that helped to spread Akron's baseball name around Northern Ohio. He shuffled the players from team to team depending on the strength of the opposition. His generous attitude prompted Phil Dietrich, sports writer for the Akron Beacon Journal, to write a tribute, following his demise February 26, 1965, at the age of 67. Many of our current Hall of Famers owe their baseball start to this man's devotion to the youth of the Maple Valley area, coupled with his love of baseball. He was a lean, lanky, tobacco chewing character who operated a Sohio gas station at the corner of Copley Rd. and Hawkins Avenue. It was not an unusual sight to see him raking and working on the ball field between oil changes and fill-ups.
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