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1993-1994
Inductees ... 1995-1996 Inductees
... 1997-1998 Inductees
... 1999-2000 Inductees
2001-2002 Inductees ... 2003-2004
Inductees ... 2005-2006
Inductees ...2007 - 2008 Inductees
2009 - 2010 Inductees
POSTHUMOUS HALL OF FAME
These ball players are gone but not forgotten.These
players were the backbone of town team baseball in the 20's, 30's, 40's
and 50's. Its individuals like these that has brought forward and kept
alive the romance of small town baseball. Amateur baseball is indebted
to these men.
Ralph Bernick of Delano
Arguably Delano’s best left-handed pitcher with speed ”Buzz”
movement and great control. Pitched numerous no- hitters. Also an excellent
hitter and fielder and played minor league pro-baseball.
Lars Pierson of Maple Plain
Pitcher with a tremendous curve ball and excellent control. After
his playing days Lars became manager doing whatever it took to keep
baseball alive in Maple Plain. Players in agreement that Lars was fun
to play for.
Clay Calgren of Cokato
A lifetime .300 hitting catcher with excellent play calling abilities.
If Cokato did not advance to the state tournament, Clay was an automatic
draft choice by the other league teams.
Earl Miller of Darwin
Youngest of the well known, ball-playing Miller brothers. He was Darwin’s
shortstop or third basemen in the 20's and 30's. A .300 hitter who also
hit with power. Earl was an excellent fielder, playing in every league
All- Star game.
Bobby Olson of Watertown
Bobby was an excellent receiver, responsible for on the field
direction of the ball players for each game.
Stuart Brodin of Dassel
One of Dassel’s finest pitchers, whose wicked curve “Stu”
balls were tough on many opposing batters. Stu won 103 games pitching
for Dassel along with being a good hitter. After Stu’s playing
days, he managed in Dassel for many years. If it had not been for Stu
baseball may never have restarted after WWII in Dassel.
Valentine Styrbicky of Delano
Was an excellent second basemen starting with his days “Dutch”
at the U of Minnesota. Excellent left-handed hitter, (Starbuck) hitting
for a high average every year. Dutch acted as a manager on the field
since his great knowledge of the game and was usually a step ahead of
what needed to be done.
Les Gutzwiller of St Michael
Played all infield positions very well but, was renowned as a
shortstop with a great glove and arm. Not a big man but a complete package
as a ball player. Les was A light hitter but came through many times
with a hit when his team needed one.
Andy Hamm of Maple Lake
Excellent catcher with a great arm. Andy was not only a lifetime
.300 hitter, but also hit with power and was a great team leader. Later
in his career Andy moved to St Cloud where he continued to play and
was enshrined in the Minnesota State Baseball Hall of Fame.
Gordon Mills of Buffalo
Played second base and displayed a strong and accurate
“Scoop” arm. After his playing days he managed the Buffalo
team and was the main booster in lights being installed at the current
Buffalo field from the old high school field.
Joe Becker of Loretto
Joe was an excellent pitcher with tremendous control. Joe was
a great .300 hitter who hit with power. Possibly the best overall player
ever seen at Loretto.
Al Juelke of Delano
Al was a great left fielder who hit with home run power. Al had
the complete respect of his teammates as a team leader. After his playing
days Al managed Delano, whose teams advanced far in the playoffs every
year.
Balthes Smith of Darwin
Is a legend as Darwin’s catcher from 1908 to 1931. He played
into his 40's and in some seasons was a playing manager. Balthes was
a solid hitter, batting third or fourth in the lineup all through his
playing days. In his later years he managed Darwin’s second team
composed of younger players, making sure they learned how to play the
game correctly.
Richard Carlson of Maple Plain
One of the best utility players, as he played every infield
“Hobo” position very well, but pitching was his best position.
After his playing days he was assistant manager for many years helping
out wherever he could. A character, but in his early days....a fine
ball player.
Lem Norden of Dassel
Lem was Dassel’s first blue ribbon pitcher. Lem started
pitching at the age of 15, pitching for Dassel between 1911-1922. Lem
won 83 ball games by the age of 24. Lem was a natural pitcher who was
always helping out the younger ball players to learn the game.
Al Gutzke of Howard Lake
Undoubtedly one of the best all around players of the area during
the 1940's and 50's. Excelled as a center fielder, with outstanding
speed and an unusually strong arm. Maintained a .350 lifetime batting
average with a much better on base average.
Marshall Dainsberg of Delano
Right handed hitting first basemen, who was always “Bud”
above .300 with some power. His fielding skills at first base were renowned
throughout the league. An excellent team player who was respected by
everyone.
Gilbert Main of Howard Lake
Playing in the 1940's and the 1950's, Gib was one of the better
hitters in Wright County. Started as a shortstop but spent the majority
of his career as an outfielder. A very consistent .300 hitter and a
constant home run threat
Milo Fahse of Watertown
Outstanding defensive first basemen. An excellent .300 “Champ”
hitter who also hit with power. His glove and bat were counted on heavily
by his teammates. A “showy” player “Champ” amazed
everyone with his glove.
Kenny Faulk of Monticello
One of the most feared pitchers in the league as batters stayed away
from the plate because of his wild fast ball. Was an excellent hitter.
Could throw the ball over the backstop from deep center field at Monti.
“Earlie” Engleman of Howard
Lake
Played from 1957 to 1966. One of the better overall catchers
of the era. Joined the team as a sophomore in high school. Earlie was
a solid line drive hitter and hit over .300 all of his career.
Dave Dillon of Buffalo
Was a catcher with a great arm who repeatedly had hit over .300
every year. Dave also supplied power to his average making him one of
the feared hitters of the league.
William Stuhr of Maple Lake
Bill’s shortstop play was well noted around the league.
“Billy” His excellent fielding along with his .340 lifetime
batting average made him an automatic selection for many All- Star teams.
Jack Hetrick of Elk River
Excellent right fielder with a strong and accurate arm. Lifetime
.300 hitter with power. Jack was a feared batter as he started many
rallies for Elk River and won many games with his bat.
Ron Fricke of St Michael
Right handed pitcher, was an extremely hard thrower who didn’t
always have good control leading to many strikeouts. Known for a fine
competitive sprit and was well respected. Closed career on Rogers mound.
George Berkner of Waverly
Active from the early 1920's thru the 1940's. A very competitive
athlete and a strong leader resulting in his becoming a very successful
manager of Waverly baseball. George was a fine infielder and respected
hitter.
Don Greenhagen of Howard Lake
A great team asset. Played a good third base and could “Willy”
help out as a catcher, but was basically a strong armed pitcher. Willy
was a big hit man and also could pitch daily when needed. His career
spanned three decades.
Fisk Peterson of Cokato
An excellent fielding shortstop along with being a .300 hitter.
Many rallies were started with his bat as well as many opponent rallies
were ended with his glove.
Vernon Conzet of Rockford
Heavy set left hand hitter. Reportedly unable to see his belt
but had lightning quick bat and hit the inside pitch well. Hit for high
average and was a tough out. He was a good right fielder who played
his position well for his size.
Howard Pennertz of Forest City
Howie could be labeled the perfect ball player, as Howie “Howie”
never drank, smoked or swore and always played his heart out every game.
A natural shortstop and a good hitter who, with his glove and timely
hits, won many ball games for his team. Howie played town team baseball
for 40 years! He played with his sons and grandson! If there was an
award for Mr. Town Team Baseball, Howie would be the winner.
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