International League
Heading into its 125th season of operation, the International League announced today that 27 individuals will be inducted into the circuit's Hall of Fame as members of the Class of 2008. The IL Hall, dormant since 1964, welcomed former General Managers and League Presidents Harold Cooper, Jr. and George Sisler, Jr. last August in a special enshrinement ceremony. This year the formal revival of the International League Hall of Fame will be highlighted by the largest induction class in history.
The International League plans to enshrine members of the new Class in a series of inductions held throughout the League's ballparks during the course of the 2008 season. Each ceremony will give fans an opportunity to see the official International League Hall of Fame Display. The display includes an exact replica of the original IL Hall of Fame plaque, listing all 51 members inducted from 1947-1963, alongside a new plaque that will feature the names from the Classes of 2007, 2008, and beyond. The IL Hall of Fame Display will not have a permanent home, but rather serve as a traveling testament to the storied legacy of the International League.
The 27-member Class of 2008 represents a wide variety of contributors to the International League's past and present. The most obvious contributions are on the field, as evidenced by the fact that 22 new inductees played in the League, a group consisting of infielders, outfielders, and pitchers. The new Class also includes individuals with experience as managers, general managers, owners, and broadcasters. The Class of 2008 has ties to the International League dating as far back as 1913, and a handful are still involved today.
Many of the greatest accomplishments in International League history have been made by members of the Class of 2008. Four new inductees - Dale Alexander, Frank "Pancho" Herrera, George Puccinelli, and Jim Rice - were winners of the Triple Crown, a feat achieved by only six players in League history (along with current Hall of Famers Jack Bentley and Glenn "Rocky" Nelson).
Puccinelli is also the IL's all-time hitting champion (.334), one of several 2008 inductees whose name is still featured prominently in the League Record Book. Joe Hauser established the International League's single-season standards for home runs (63), runs (173), and total bases (443) in 1930. Robert "Lefty" Grove's total of 330 strikeouts in 1923 has not been topped, nor has the mark of outfielder George Quellich, who set a professional baseball record in 1929 with 15 consecutive hits.
Eight former International League Most Valuable Players are among the Hall of Fame's 2008 Class, as is the 1958 Most Valuable Pitcher Tommy Lasorda. Three former IL Managers of the Year are also among the inductees - Joe Altobelli, Joe Morgan, and Frank Verdi. Not to be outdone, five members of the Class of 2008 are being recognized for their contributions to the League off the field. Gene Cook, Ben Mondor, Dave Rosenfield, Morrie Silver, and Anthony "Tex" Simone have won a combined total of eleven IL Executive of the Year Awards. Two of this year's inductees, Grove and Lasorda, are members of the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
A full list of the 27 members of the International League Hall of Fame Class of 2008, along with more detailed biographies, can be found at
International League: Home. Also available are the IL Hall of Fame Policies, Procedures, and Guidelines adopted in 2007, which give more information on eligibility, selection criteria, and future inductions.
Recognition of these 27 legends highlights a year-long celebration of the International League's 125th Anniversary in all 14 ballparks. Commemorative memorabilia, historical features, and a regular season game held at Cooperstown's Doubleday Field are also on tap for the 2008 campaign.
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nternational League Announces 2008 Hall Of Fame Class
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