1993-1994
Inductees ... 1995-1996 Inductees
... 1999-2000 Inductees At the September 14th, 1992 meeting of the North Star League, the membership voted unanimously for the league to have its own Hall of Fame. Six members were selected and awards were first presented during the 1993 season. 1997 & 1998 Inductees 1997 Jack Trask of Elk River Jack played third base and was Elk River's fifth pitcher when needed. Jack won the league batting title in 1955 with a .438 average leading Elk River to the state tournament. Jack continued his clutch hitting by batting .460 in the state tournament. Winton Dixon of Rockford Winton was a career .300 hitter who hit for power along with being an excellent fielding third baseman and an excellent knuckle ball pitcher and was the number two pitcher behind Mike Rux in the Rockford pitching rotation. Dick Shaver of Delano Dick played first base and pitched for Delano and was a career .300 hitter. Dick also served as coach and manager when needed; doing whatever it took to help the team. Manager Rich Ditty called "Ish" Shaver the greatest clutch hitter he was ever associated with. Bill Fairbanks of Buffalo Bill played first base winning the league batting title in 1952 with
a .381 average. Bill also managed his team for many years. In retirement
Bill served as league president for 9 years and was also elected to
the Minnesota Baseball Hall of Fame.
1998 Cliff was one of the best left-handed junker ball pitchers in the league. Cliff, after his playing days, managed the town team baseball along with the American Legion team. Cliff worked countless hours behind the scenes fixing the playing field. Cliff Hayes of Long Lake Cliff was a catcher and outfielder playing town team baseball for over 20 years. Cliff was a lifetime .300 hitter who was very active with youth baseball after retiring. Don Gutzke of Howard Lake Played baseball for Howard Lake for 8 years before a degenerative hip
forced his retirement from the game. Don was an excellent first basemen
and hitter batting any where in the lineup and doing an excellent job.
In his retirement Don has been extremely helpful in upgrading Howard
Lake's ballpark. Bob was considered the best third basemen in the league during his
playing days. Bob was a lifetime .300 hitter and his fielding was surpassed
by none. Bob also spent countless hours getting the field ready to play
before the ball games. Great team leader. |
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