Southern League Hall of Fame

The Southern League Hall of Fame is an American baseball hall of fame which honors players, managers, coaches, umpires, owners, executives, and media personnel of the Southern League of Minor League Baseball for their accomplishments and/or contributions to the league and its teams. The Hall of Fame inducted its first class in 2014. Through the elections for 2020, a total of 45 people have been inducted.[1]

Southern League
Hall of Fame
Established2013
TypeProfessional sports hall of fame
WebsiteOfficial website

In July 2013, the Southern League Board of Directors met to determine the first members of the league's Hall of Fame, which was to be celebrated in 2014 in conjunction with the league's 50th anniversary. Former league presidents Billy Hitchcock, Jim Bragan, and Don Mincher were unanimously selected. They and ten others, one chosen by each of the league's ten teams, were recognized as the inaugural Hall of Fame class at the 2014 Southern League All-Star Game in Chattanooga.[2]

For the 2015 class, each team nominated up to three individuals for consideration. A 31-person voting committee of Southern League and Minor League Baseball personnel then narrowed the list to just ten inductees, selecting one from each organization.[3] A tie vote for the Birmingham Barons' nominees resulted in the election of both Rollie Fingers and Frank Thomas.[4] A Special Consideration Ballot was introduced that year, which allows teams to nominate anyone who has made significant contributions to teams from the league's predecessors: the original Southern League (1885–1899) and Southern Association (1901–1961).[4] Harmon Killebrew became the first inductee to be elected via the Special Consideration Ballot in 2015.[4] A similar format was assumed in 2016, wherein each team submitted nominations but only the top three were chosen for induction by a 30-member voting committee.[5] The size of the voting panel has since fluctuated: 20 members in 2017, [6] 23 in 2018,[7] and 34 in 2019.[8] For 2020, the Hall of Fame committee endorsed a special proposal by league president Lori Webb to induct Frances Crockett Ringley, baseball's first female general manager, in addition to three regular inductees and a Special Consideration Ballot Hall of Famer.[9]

Sixteen Southern League Hall of Famers have also been inducted in the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. These are Sparky Anderson, Rollie Fingers, Tom Glavine, Roy Halladay, Trevor Hoffman, Reggie Jackson, Randy Johnson, Chipper Jones, Harmon Killebrew, Tony La Russa, Edgar Martínez, Willie Mays, Ryne Sandberg, Frank Thomas, Alan Trammell, and Larry Walker.

Table key
Year Indicates the year of induction
Position(s) Indicates the inductee's primary playing position(s) or role
Team(s) Indicates the team(s) for which the individual has been recognized
§ Indicates a member elected via Special Consideration Ballot or special proposal
Indicates a member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum[10]

Inductees
Billy Hitchcock served as president of the Southern League from 1971 to 1980.
Chipper Jones played shortstop for the Greenville Braves in 1992.
Roy Halladay pitched for the Knoxville/Tennessee Smokies in 1997 and 2001.
Year Name Position(s) Team(s) Career Ref.
2020 Sparky Anderson Manager Asheville Tourists 1968 [11]
2018 Curt Bloom Broadcaster Huntsville Stars/Birmingham Barons 1991–present [7]
2014 Jim Bragan League president Southern League 1981–1994 [12]
2016 Peter Bragan Jr. Team president/general manager/owner Jacksonville Suns 1985–2015 [5]
2014 Peter Bragan Sr. Team president/owner Jacksonville Suns 1984–2012 [13]
2015 Scott Brosius Second baseman/shortstop Huntsville Stars 1989–1990 [14]
2014 J. Frank Burke Team general manager/owner Chattanooga Lookouts 1995–2014 [15]
2014 Mike Darr Outfielder Mobile BayBears 1998 [16]
2015 Carlos Delgado Catcher Knoxville Smokies 1993 [17]
2019 Joe Engel§ Team president Chattanooga Lookouts 1929–1965 [18]
2015 Rollie Fingers Pitcher Birmingham A's 1967–1968 [19]
2018 Terry Francona Outfielder/manager Memphis Chicks/Birmingham Barons 1980–1981, 1993–1995 [20]
2018 Andrés Galarraga First baseman Jacksonville Suns 1984 [21]
2017 Tom Glavine Pitcher Greenville Braves 1986 [22]
2019 Roy Halladay Pitcher Knoxville Smokies/Tennessee Smokies 1997, 2001 [23]
2014 Billy Hitchcock League president Southern League 1971–1980 [24]
2015 Trevor Hoffman Pitcher Chattanooga Lookouts 1991–1992 [25]
2014 Rosemary Hovatter Team executive Huntsville Stars 1985–2014 [26]
2014 Bo Jackson Outfielder Memphis Chicks 1986 [27]
2014 Reggie Jackson Outfielder Birmingham A's 1967 [28]
2015 Randy Johnson Pitcher Jacksonville Expos 1987 [29]
2015 Chipper Jones Shortstop Greenville Braves 1992 [30]
2017 Gabe Kapler Outfielder Jacksonville Suns 1998 [31]
2015 Jason Kendall Catcher Carolina Mudcats 1994–1995 [32]
2015 Harmon Killebrew§ Third baseman Chattanooga Lookouts 1957–1958 [33]
2017 Tony La Russa[lower-alpha 1] Second baseman/manager Birmingham Barons/Mobile A's/Knoxville Sox 1965–1967, 1978 [34]
2020 Edgar Martínez Third baseman Chattanooga Lookouts 1985–1986 [35]
2018 Willie Mays§ Outfielder Birmingham Black Barons 1948–1950 [7]
2014 Don Mincher[lower-alpha 2] Team executive/owner/league president Huntsville Stars/Southern League 1985–2011 [36]
2014 Dale Murphy Catcher Savannah Braves 1976 [37]
2019 Sal Rende[lower-alpha 3] First baseman/manager Chattanooga Lookouts/Memphis Chicks 1978–1982, 1987–1988 [38]
2020 Frances Crockett Ringley§ Team general manager/owner Charlotte O's 1976–1987 [9]
2014 Ryne Sandberg Manager Tennessee Smokies 2009 [39]
2016 Larry Schmittou§[lower-alpha 4] Team president/owner Nashville Sounds/Huntsville Stars 1978–1996 [40]
2015 Razor Shines[lower-alpha 5] First baseman/manager Memphis Chicks/Birmingham Barons/Chattanooga Lookouts 1981–1983, 2004–2005, 2014 [41]
2016 John Shoemaker Manager Jacksonville Suns 2001, 2005–2008 [42]
2020 Brian Snitker[lower-alpha 6] Manager Greenville Braves/Mississippi Braves 2002–2005 [43]
2015 Frank Thomas First baseman Birmingham Barons 1990 [44]
2014 Alan Trammell Shortstop Montgomery Rebels 1976–1977 [45]
2020 Wade Vadakin§ Batboy Mobile BayBears 1997–2019 [9]
2015 Turner Ward Manager Mobile BayBears 2011–2012 [46]
2014 Tim Wakefield Pitcher Carolina Mudcats 1991 [47]
2019 Larry Walker Outfielder Jacksonville Expos 1987 [48]
2016 Larry Ward Broadcaster Chattanooga Lookouts 1989–present [5]
2015 Lou Whitaker Second baseman Montgomery Rebels 1977 [49]

Notes
  1. Tony La Russa played for the Birmingham Barons in 1965 and 1967 and the Mobile A's in 1966. He managed the Knoxville Sox in 1978.[34]
  2. Don Mincher was general manager of the Huntsville Stars from 1985 to 2000 and part owner from 1994 to 2000. He served as league president from 2000 to 2011.[36]
  3. Sal Rende played for the Chattanooga Lookouts from 1978 to 1982. He managed Chattanooga in 1987 and the Memphis Chicks in 1988.[38]
  4. Larry Schmittou was team president and part owner of the Nashville Sounds from 1978 to 1996. He was part owner of the Huntsville Stars from 1985 to 1993.[40]
  5. Razor Shines played for the Memphis Chicks from 1981 to 1983. He managed the Birmingham Barons from 2004 to 2005 and the Chattanooga Lookouts in 2014.[41]
  6. Brian Snitker managed the Greenville Braves from 2002 to 2004 and the Mississippi Braves in 2005.[43]

References
  1. "Southern League Hall of Fame". Southern League. Minor League Baseball. Retrieved January 30, 2020.
  2. "Southern League Announces Hall Inductees". Southern League. Minor League Baseball. May 20, 2014. Retrieved January 30, 2020.
  3. Hill, Benjamin (February 6, 2015). "Southern League Joins Hall of Fame Fray". Minor League Baseball. Retrieved January 30, 2020.
  4. "Southern League Names 12 New Inductees Into Hall Of Fame". The Chattanoogan. March 6, 2015. Retrieved January 30, 2020.
  5. "Southern League Announces 2016 Hall Class". Southern League. Minor League Baseball. February 16, 2016. Retrieved January 30, 2020.
  6. "Southern League Announces 2017 Hall of Fame Class". Ballpark Digest. February 16, 2017. Retrieved January 31, 2020.
  7. "Southern League Announces 2016 HOF Class". Southern League. Minor League Baseball. March 5, 2018. Retrieved January 30, 2020.
  8. "Southern League 2019 Hall of Fame Class". Southern League. Minor League Baseball. February 11, 2019. Retrieved January 30, 2020.
  9. "Southern League Unveils 2020 Hall of Fame Class". Ballpark Digest. February 7, 2020. Retrieved February 7, 2020.
  10. "MLB Baseball Hall of Fame Inductees". Baseball Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved January 30, 2020.
  11. "Sparky Anderson Minor League Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved February 7, 2020.
  12. "Peters 2014 Southern League Jimmy Bragan Executive of the Year". Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp. Minor League Baseball. September 4, 2014. Retrieved January 31, 2020.
  13. Reichard, Kevin (July 9, 2012). "In Memoriam: Peter Bragan Sr". Ballpark Digest. Retrieved January 31, 2020.
  14. "Scott Brosius Minor League Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved January 31, 2020.
  15. "$13 Million Lookouts Sale "a Relief" to Frank Burke". Chattanooga Times Free Press. December 11, 2014. Retrieved January 31, 2020.
  16. "Mike Darr Minor League Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved January 31, 2020.
  17. "Carlos Delgado Minor League Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved January 31, 2020.
  18. Haman, Ansley (April 1, 2012). "Joe Engel's Legacy as Big as Engel Stadium". Chattanooga Times Free Press. Retrieved January 31, 2020.
  19. "Rollie Fingers Minor League Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved January 31, 2020.
  20. "Terry Francona Minor League Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved January 31, 2020.
  21. "Andrés Galarraga Minor League Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved January 31, 2020.
  22. "Tom Glavine Minor League Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved January 31, 2020.
  23. "Roy Halladay Minor League Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved January 31, 2020.
  24. "Southern League History". Southern League. Minor League Baseball. Retrieved January 31, 2020.
  25. "Trevor Hoffman Minor League Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved January 31, 2020.
  26. McCarter, Mark (May 20, 2014). "Rosemary Hovatter Represents Huntsville Stars in First Southern League Hall of Fame Class". Advance Local. Retrieved January 31, 2020.
  27. "Bo Jackson Minor League Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved January 31, 2020.
  28. "Reggie Jackson Minor League Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved January 31, 2020.
  29. "Randy Johnson Minor League Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved January 31, 2020.
  30. "Chipper Jones Minor League Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved January 31, 2020.
  31. "Gabe Kapler Minor League Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved January 31, 2020.
  32. "Jason Kendall Minor League Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved January 31, 2020.
  33. "Harmon Killebrew Minor League Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved January 31, 2020.
  34. "Tony La Russa Minor League Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved January 31, 2020.
  35. "Edgar Martínez Minor League Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved February 7, 2020.
  36. Aaron, Marc C. "Don Mincher". Society for American Baseball Research. Retrieved January 31, 2020.
  37. "Dale Murphy Minor League Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved January 31, 2020.
  38. "Sal Rende Minor League Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved January 31, 2020.
  39. "Ryne Sandberg Minor League Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved January 31, 2020.
  40. Nipper, Skip (2007). Baseball in Nashville. Charleston, South Carolina: Arcadia Publishing. p. 115. ISBN 978-0-7385-4391-8.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  41. "Razor Shines Minor League Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved January 31, 2020.
  42. "John Shoemaker Minor League Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved January 31, 2020.
  43. "Brian Snitker Minor League Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved February 7, 2020.
  44. "Frank Thomas Minor League Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved January 31, 2020.
  45. "Alan Trammell Minor League Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved January 31, 2020.
  46. "Turner Ward Minor League Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved January 31, 2020.
  47. "Tim Wakefield Minor League Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved January 31, 2020.
  48. "Larry Walker Minor League Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved January 31, 2020.
  49. "Lou Whitaker Minor League Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved January 31, 2020.
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