 | QUINTIN BASCO - SECOND BASEMAN -
Quinn, after playing on several youth teams, became serious about baseball at Barberton High School, where he played three years at second base. His introduction into the AA League came as a 15 year-old with the Barberton Genets in 1945, playing every game. He continued to play on some of the area's premier teams, including the Farber Clothes and Barberton Merchants before joining the championship Smith Sheriffs. He signed a pro contract with the Cleveland Indian organization, being assigned to Midland, Texas of the Longhorn League. His pro career was interrupted by service in the Army, where he was able to play on the Base Nine. The team was located in Paris, France and competed in the European Theatre for two years. Following his service stint he returned to pro-ball with Abilene, Texas in the Tex-Mexico League. He later signed with the Philadelphia Phillies organization being assigned to Mattoon, Ill. of the Mississippi-Ohio Valley League. On his return to the greater Akron area he played with Zoff Heating, Krispy Kremes and Lakewood. At Lakewood he won the league batting title. He was a member of the first four All-Star teams representing Akron in the Akron-Canton series. All in all he played on eight championship teams. In 1990 he was elected to the Barberton Sports "Hall of Fame."
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 | RICK BROWN - FIRST BASEMAN -
As a member of the Euclid, Ohio 12 year-old league champions, Rick was introduced into top line competition by playing in the Little League World Series for three consecutive years. The Tals Beverage team had a 92-8 win-loss record, due largely because of his hitting ability. Rick played four years at Euclid High School, where he was captain and selected on the All-Ohio team during his senior year. Kent State recruited him, and he continued to raise havoc with opposing pitchers. During his senior year with the Flashes, he was All-Mid American Conference, led the entire nation in slugging with a .718 percentage and 15th with a .418 batting average. His play and hitting in the AA League helped Eaton Sports Pride win the 1972 City Championship. He also played for Akron Insulating and Tals Beverages teams during his AA tenure. This 6'1", 220 pounder was always among the league leaders in homeruns, RBIs, batting average and getting hit by the pitcher. Rick has continued his association with baseball as a high school coach, having spent five years at Wickliff High and is presently at his Alma Mater, Euclid High.
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 | WILMER "DEAN" CHANCE - PITCHER -
From the Hot Stove League through American Legion and high school baseball, the brilliance of Dean Chance's pitching ability was evident. He provided West Salem's young teams with four championships. At Northwestern High School he won 51 games losing only one, pitching them to a state championship in 1959. He pitched for Erhart Kramers in the AA circles before signing a pro contract with the Baltimore Orioles. He was assigned to Bluefield, W. VA., of the Appalachian League. During the expansion draft of the 1960's, he was picked up by the Los Angeles Angels. He became the American League Rookie (righthander) of the Year, according to Topps Baseball Card Co. This beginning was a prediction of things to come. In 1964 Dean had a career year, pitching 11 shutouts (five of them 1-to-0 games), had a 20-9 win-loss record along with an ERA of 1.65. All of this resulted in his winning the 1964 "Cy Young Award." He concluded his professional career in 1971 with Detroit, after stints with Minneapolis, Cleveland, and the New York Mets. Dean had a total of 128 victories of which 33 were shutouts, with two no-hitters. In 1967 there were two All-Star games and he started both of them. Dean still holds a couple of pitching records that (what with the way pitchers are now being used) may never be broken. Perhaps Tom Gaffney, Akron Beacon Journal staff writer, expressed our sentiments best, when he wrote, "Thanks for the lasting memories, Dean."
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 | WILLARD "WILLIE" CRAMER - CATCHER -
"Willie" began his catching duties at an early age, with the White Trucks and the Shamrocks A.C. Class C & B teams. Since his high school had no baseball program he played with the Post #209 team Class A League entry. At Kent State he became the first team receiver and was named captain during his senior year. Following his college career he played 10 years in the AA League with such teams as the Army-Navy Post #102, Norka Plating, and the Smith Sheriffs. When his active playing days were over, he began coaching at the high school level, having assignments at Norton and Buchtel. During the next 11 years his teams would win a City Championship, be percentage champions five times, win two division titles, and were regional runner-up in 1964. All in all a pretty impressive accomplishment. Among the many young people he helped with the rudiments of the game are Hall of Famers Art Kusnyer and Dan Costill, a couple of pretty fair catchers.
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 | JAMES "JIM" FENTON - SHORTSTOP -
Jim's baseball career began in the Firestone Park program with the Akron Yankees, moving on to Garfield High School as their regular shortstop for three years. His steady play helped Garfield win the City Championship in 1950 and into the finals for the State Tournament. He played four years at The University of Akron, being awarded the MVP honors in 1952 and 1953. During the summer months he played for H.O.F. Frank Garcias' Borden Autos on their championship teams for the next five years. During his tenure in the AA League he also played for the Smith Sheriffs, Souvenir Beers, Howe Construction, and Old Dutch Beers. His 10 years of AA play was interrupted by military service in Korea. While stationed their he starred for and later coached the base team. Jim, always a slick fielding shortstop, got his share of timely hits and invariably played on the area's top teams.
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 | RICK FLETCHER - SECOND BASEMAN -
Baseball has been forever a way of life for Rick and all the Fletchers. He joins his father, Dick, a 1983 inductee as the ninth father-son combo to have been so honored. Rick began in the Wadsworth Little League, advancing to Babe Ruth and American Legion Baseball, showing outstanding qualities all the way. At Wadsworth High School he left his mark as a superior defensive player, being selected All-County and named the MVP his junior and senior years. He moved into the Junior College ranks with Brewton-Parker, then to Toledo University for two years before graduating from Malone. He was awarded four Golden Gloves during his college years. Joining the AA League he spent his playing days with Acme Ash, Akron Insulating, and Forest City before signing a professional contract with the Chicago Cubs organization. He was assigned to the Auburn, N.Y. Red Stars in the New York-Penn. League. Following the stint with the pros, he returned to conclude his AA career with the Ewing Chevy's and Oakwood Bar. All told Rick helped his teams win 10 championships and was voted on six All-Star teams.
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 | CHARLES C. HOSTETLER - OUTFIELDER -
The GABHOF has started a program segment to honor those whose playing days began in the early 20s, and before. We are indebted to Phil Dietrich (retired Akron Beacon Journal staff writer) and Paul Bauer (Old & Rare Book Store) for furnishing the committee with information concerning these venerable players. The first to be so honored is Chuck Hostetler, whose Akron association was with the General Tire team in 1925, and again in 1927 as a member of the Akron Tyrites of the Central League. Chuck was born in Pennsylvania and raised in the Ravenna area. After playing for the Generals, he signed a pro contract with Providence, R.I. then to Akron. He was sold to Tulsa, OK in the Western League, and played a while for Topeka, KS. In 1944 the Detroit Tigers brought him up to the majors when he was 41 years of age, perhaps the oldest rookie ever, prior to "Satchel" Paiges' entry into the American League. In any event he hit an outstanding .298 for 98 games. The following year he was relegated to a pinch hitting role. His contributions helped Detroit into the World Series with the Chicago Cubs. Chuck was a big favorite with the Akron fans during his playing days here.
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 | CARLOS MATTHEWS - SECOND BASEMAN -
Carlos joins his brother "Pete" as the eleventh set of brother inductees. Most of their playing days were spent as teammates, so it is only fitting they be united in the Hall of Fame. Carlos was the second base half of a double play combination that helped the Krispy Kremes, Canton Road Furniture, and the Redl Golf teams to several AA Championships. In addition to those teams Carlos played for Springfield High School, Lakemore Night Club, Krumroy Markets, J.Q.U.A.M. and Wadsworth Merchants. A service stint in the U.S. Air Force enabled him to play for the base team in Charleston, S.C. When he was shipped overseas he made the Wake Island Base team that played other service teams on the Pacific rim. His smooth fielding and timely hitting gained him All-Star status on two occasions.
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 | ROBERT "BOB" MCCRACKIN III - CATCHER -
Bob began playing in the Tallmadge Little League at age 10. At age 12 his team of District All-Stars were the district's runner-up. At age 15 his team was runner-up in the state tournament. Each year of his Little League play, his teams were involved in championship play. At Tallmadge High School he won four baseball letters and he won All-Metro honors in 1972 and 1973. Also in 1973 he was All-District, MVP and won the first Joe Winkler Award given to a high school player. He played for New York "NYACK" College. Bob spent four years in Akron AA League, helping Acme Ash and Akron Insulating teams win three championships. He was selected on four All-Star teams. He was an outstanding catcher and in 1975 he threw out 19 of 23 base stealing attempts and batted .397. In his four years of AA play, he had a lifetime average of .360. He received "Free Agent" tryouts with the Kansas City Royals, and the Pittsburgh Pirates. An injury cut short his playing days. In 1984-85 he began coaching in the Tallmadge Class EE League with great success. Bob has been head baseball coach at Akron's North High School since 1994. His 1995 North High Vikings won the City Series Championship. He is truly dedicated to Akron baseball.
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 | RICK REMBIELAK - SHORTSTOP -
The current and highly successful Kent State University head baseball coach receives this honor in conjunction with his playing ability. Rarely is a skilled player able to impart his excellence to others. Not so for Rick, as attested by the Flashes winning of the Mid-American Conference title in 1994 and the high finishes in 1995. Rick grew up in the Cleveland area, played Little League in Morgana Park and with a number of other youth teams. At Cleveland Catholic High School he received All-Conference honors three of his four years there. During his senior year he was also accorded All-State recognition. He went to Miami of Ohio where he helped them win the MAC Championship in 1979. He played several years in the Canton AA League before joining Akron's C&P Sales team. He has the distinction of making the All-Star team in both leagues. Rick was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles and played 3-1/2 years in their system prior to being traded to the Chicago Cubs organization. Spent 2-1/2 years with the A & AA teams, winning a MVP award with their Winston-Salem League championship team. Feeling it was time to move on he joined the Kent State coaching staff as an assistant and was appointed head coach in 1994. His success as a coach can be documented by the number of high draft choice players he had produced, as well as his record at Kent State.
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 | CLARENCE SOKOL - PITCHER -
The City of Barberton has sent many premier baseball players into the GABHOF, and Clarence ranks among the best. He developed his pitching skills at Tallmadge High School, where he managed a 23-8 win-loss record. Upon moving to Barberton he began playing on the area's top teams until his enlistment in the U.S. Marine Corp. While in the service he pitched against such big league stars as Ted Williams and Willie Mays. His catcher was Wes Westrum of New York Giant fame and he compiled a 13-3 record. Following his service commitment he returned to Barberton and played the next six years with such teams as the Clark Excavators, Wadsworth Merchants, Borden Autos, Krispy Kremes, P.O.C. Beers, and Ohio Merchants, having had winning records with each team. In 1956 he finished second in the voting for the Frank Garcia Award, losing to Hall of Famer Dean Dutton. Clarence was a member of eight championship teams and was selected on three All-Star teams.
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 | GEORGE ELLIS - UMPIRE -
George umpired in the AA League for 11 years, most of that time as a member of the "George" Team. He and George Joyce (1984) as a team were regarded as one of Akron's best. George had a superior sense of humor, perhaps a necessary requirement to be an official. His ability soon established him as a top quality umpire, and he began to receive assignments in the Mid-American and Big 10 Conferences. In addition to baseball, he officiated football and basketball equally well. His skills took him to the National Football League level. George had the distinction of being the only umpire to be invited to golf in the Ex-Baseball Players Golf League. In 1978 he was honored by the Summit County Sports Hall of Fame with induction. George's colorful career was cut short at age 54, by cancer in 1974, a severe loss to the Akron sports scene.
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 | LESTER "LES" SCARR - MANAGER -
Certainly no one was more dedicated to the youth of our community than was Barberton's Les Scarr. He coached the "Magics" for 19 years. He imparted his knowledge of our game to the players, and held clinics for any who wished to attend. Many of our current GABHOF members gained their basic foundation from his teachings. His teams won 253 games, four regional championships, reaching the state finals on two occasions. His 1947 team lost a heartbreaking extra inning final game to Upper Arlington for the State Championship. The team's record of 18 and 2 was a school high that stood for many years. Les was the very first baseball coach to have been inducted into the Ohio High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame. He was similarly honored by the Summit County Sports Hall of Fame with enshrinement in 1975. Perhaps one of the reasons his high school did so well was that he used his players as a nucleus for the summer teams he managed in the Greater Akron and Portage County Leagues. He won three titles in Portage County and was nearly always a strong contender in the Greater Akron area. Les died in 1974.
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 | RUDY F. PIEKARSKI - SPONSOR -
GABHOF can never pay just due to those people who have throughout the years provided our youth the opportunity to play baseball. One of the very best is Rudy Piekarski Sr. His willingness to furnish support for teams over the years ranks him with the Bordens, Wests, Lombardis, Arthurs, Tramontes, Crockers, Richardsons, Stembridges,and Smiths, just to mention a few to whom we are so indebted. Rudy's involvement began in 1953 when he helped St. Mary's Grade School field a team, and continued through 1975. His C&P Sales teams became one of the dominant nines in the AA circles. Rudy Senior's help was not limited to just his teams, he gave financial assistance to other teams managed by son Rudy Jr., even though other companies were the "name" sponsor. Indeed, the very existence of the AA League during the lean years of the 80's may well have been due to his support. His active participation as a board member in our Hall of Fame is another example of his commitment to Greater Akron Baseball.
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