2000 INDUCTEES

KEVIN DUNN One of the founding fathers of Manchester A's traveling baseball teams, along with Jerry Vance and Bill Round. The success of the various age levels A's teams have been remarkable: 13 appearances in various World Series, 23 various State Championships. Kevin's record as manager of 14 year old teams is fantastic: 959 wins, 291 losses, five World Series, 18 State Championships. Since beginning in 1979 Dunn has directed the A's programs to being highly competitive while playing the best teams in Ohio and nationally. Kevin's motto is: "We want kids who are serious about baseball, who want to take their games to the next level."

BILL GODDARD An outstanding lefty pitcher and centerfielder in Wadsworth Youth Leagues and at Wadsworth High, Bill furthered his career at Akron U for years, patrolling center for the Zips while becoming 1980 Captain and Outstanding Defensive Player. He at one time held held Zip record for most hits in a season. In Class AA action, Bill played for champion Akron Insulating teams, 1976-80; was with Medina Merchants '81-85; was named to 8 All Star teams and once posted a 36 game hitting streak. From there Bill moved into the Hobbs baseball action and became head coach of Wadsworth and has posted more wins than any other coach in Grizzlie history. Bill was inducted in the Wadsworth Hall of Fame in 1987.

RICK JOHNSON Played with numerous south Akron and Kenmore youth teams including Red Barn, Akron Credit Union, Kenmore Hawks before playing at Kenmore High ('78 City Champs) and Class D Tallmadge Clark Plumbing state tournament finalists. A strong defensive and hard-hitting catcher/-outfielder, Rick then went to Malone College as a four year letter winner, including a .342 average for the 1981 Pioneers who won the NAIA District Championship. In class AA he played on five title teams during 10 years with C+P Sales and was named to five All Star teams.

CARL NERONI An outstanding shortstop, leadoff batter with speed, .300 and over hitter with great defensive skills since his youth baseball days on Cleveland's west side. He was second team All Crown Conference ('70) and MVP ('71) at Lakewood St. Edward High. Carl also played for champion Milrose teams and became a four year starter at Akron U where he was Defensive Player of the Year, '73-75 and Zips Captain in '75. In Akron AA, Carl played with Pfiefle Undertakers, was an All Star shortstop for Akron Insulating and Champion Acme Ash teams. Carl closed his career with AAA Ferry Cap & Screw and Lake County Gar-Hall in the early '80s.

KEN ROBINSON A package of inspiration, leadership and dynamite since his outstanding youth days with championship Manchester A's teams, he was an aggressive player for any spot on the field and eventually excelled as a right-handed pitcher and spark plug catcher. At Hoban High he became a two-time Beacon Journal Player of the Year for great defensive catching, clutch hitting and superb pitching. After a stint at Cleveland State U, Ken moved to Florida State primarily as a pitcher where he did very well. He played for the Tallmadge Stars, C+P Sales and Crockers during early college years and was drafted out of Florida State by the Toronto Blue Jays and had brief stints with the Jays and K.C. Royals, and although only 5'7"(but 185 pounds) put up some fine numbers as a reliever. In spring of 1999 Ken was on the Arizona Diamondbacks roster when a tragic traffic accident took his life. He is the 17th ex-major leaguer to be inducted.

ED VARGO A .400 hitting outfielder and strong lefty pitcher, he began his career in the Firestone Park Youth leagues playing with numerous title teams and then at St. Vincent-St. Mary High and Hoban Merchants and Akron Knights title teams. While at Xavier University, Ed also played with Akron Omnicor and Crocker's on title and All-Star teams. At Xavier Ed hit .300+, was Midwestern City Conference All-Tournament, '85. In ten AA seasons Ed hit .400+ five times, the best was .458 in '89. Pitching-wise he was first called on as reliever at Xavier, and in AA after starting as a youngster became one of the top pitchers in AA. Ed received the AA Frank Garcia Outstanding Player Award in 1984 while hitting .439, 31 RBI, 21 steals and only 6 strikeouts in 132 at bats. He was named to 10 All-Star teams.

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Last modified December 27, 2000
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