1993-1994
Inductees ... 1995-1996 Inductees
... 1997-1998 Inductees
... 1999-2000 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 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 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. Playing in the 1940's and the 1950's, Gib was one of “Gib” 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.
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 Gruenhagen 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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