Below is the text from the 2004 Inaugural Program.  To see the actual program from the induction ceremony, click the menu button at left.  (PDF, requires Adobe Reader)

Inaugural Long Beach Softball and Baseball Hall of Fame 2004  

Long Beach has been fortunate to he the cradle for many of professional sports’ most revered players. And when it comes to baseball and softball, our city has been blessed with a wealth of the games’ legendary figures. Bob Lemon, Bobby Grich, and Tony Gwynn are but a few of the major league baseball greats who began their careers here.  On the softball side, the legendary Nitehawks. Led by such gifted players as Paul “Lucky” Humiston and Joe Rodgers made an indelible mark on Southern California Softball.   

In addition to those who made their fame on the field, there have been hundreds of off the field players and supporters that have helped make Long Beach one of the country’s leading baseball and softball cities.

How fitting it is then that Blair Field is the new home of the Long Beach Baseball Hall of Fame, and the adjoining Joe Rodgers softball field is the site of the Long Beach Softball

Hall of Fame 

For several months now, two committees (one for baseball and one for softball) have been putting in countless hours writing the rules for selection to the Halls of Fame. Once that demanding task was complete, they each then endured the arduous task of narrowing down the field of proposed members for the inaugural class. Numerous names were submitted for selection and many of those not in the initial class will remain in consideration for future years. The large number of names given to the two committees speaks volumes about the quality of these two sports in Long Beach. 

The culmination of all of this hard work comes to fruition today as we induct 3 1 of Long Beach’s best into their respective 

BASEBALL HALL OF FAME

2004 Inductees  

BOB BAILEY

After graduating from Wilson High School in 1961, where he earned the title of CIF Player of the Year, Bob Bailey was honored as The Sporting News’ Minor League Player of the Year in 1962. Signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates for what was then a record $175,000 Bailey went on to play for a stretch of 17 years in the Major Leagues appearing in 1,931 games, hitting 189 Home Runs, averaging .257 at the plate and driving in 773 runs. Describing Bailey’s prowess at the plate, Pittsburgh Pirates manager Gene Mauch once said of his third baseman that, “Bailey means wood.” 

ROCKY BRIDGES

Elected as the All-CIF shortstop for Poly High School in 1945, Rocky Bridges carried his success over to the Majors where he played for seven different teams over the span of 11 years. His lifetime fielding percentage of .969 while playing second base, third base and shortstop is a testament to his skills with the leather. Hitting for a lifetime Major League hatting average of .248, Bridges spent two years as a coach for the Angels and had a successful 20-year career as a manager in the minor leagues. 

JEFF BURROUGHS

An astounding .569 hatting average helped earn Wilson High School star Jeff Burroughs the distinction of being named CIF Player of the Year in 1969. Voted California’s High School Athlete of the Year for the 1968-69 season, the hard hitting Burroughs became the nation’s number one draft pick for the Washington Senators in 1969.  In 1973 while playing for the Texas Rangers, the right fielder pounded out 30 home runs at a time when that number was considered the benchmark for long ball hitters. The next year was even more exceptional. In 1974 Burroughs was honored as Most Valuable Player by batting .301 with 25 homers and a League leading 118 RBI, In 1977, the then Atlanta Brave continued with his displays of power by crushing 41 homers while driving in 114. Over his 15 year Major League career, Burroughs played in 1,603 games, hit for a .261 batting average, knocked 234 home runs and drove in 854 runs.  As if these distinctions weren’t enough, Burroughs took to the field again in the early ‘90s and led a team from Long Beach Little League to back-to-back Little League World Series Championships in 1992 and 1993. 

RON FAIRLY

This 21 year Major League veteran began receiving notoriety in 1956 when he was selected as the CIF Player of the Year for his skills as an outfielder at Jordan High School. His 1958 season with USC, where he batted .348, with 9 home runs and 67 RBI earned him a place on the All College World Series Team. That same year was the beginning of Fairly’s Major League career, He would go on to play in four World Series with the Los Angeles Dodgers, hatting .300 in his 20 appearances while playing both first base and the outfield.  During his time in the Majors, Fairly played for Montreal, St. Louis, Oakland, Toronto and the Angels. He appeared in 2,442 games, holds a lifetime .267 average, hit 215 home runs and knocked in 1,044 runs.  Fairly has worked for many years in sports broadcasting and currently is the play-by-play announcer for the Seattle Mariners. 

JACK GRAHAM

Fresh from graduating Wilson High School, where he lettered for three years, Jack Graham began his professional career in 1936 when he was signed by the New York Yankees.  Graham, the son of Peaches Graham who played in the Majors from 1903 to 1912, followed in his father’s footsteps putting in two years in the Big Leagues in 1946 and 1949. In 1948, Graham played in the Pacific Coast League where hit a league leading 48 home runs for the San Diego Padres.  During his professional career, the first baseman hit .283, knocked out 422 home runs, had 2,145 hits and 3,979 RBI. In his post player days, Graham took the helm of the Legion Flyers as manager for 12 years and managed the Long Beach Rockets for 26 years. He also served as scout for the Toronto Blue Jays. 

BOBBY GRICH

After receiving honors as the Ali-CIF shortstop for Wilson, Bobby Grich was the first player drafted by Baltimore (19th overall) in 1967. In the late ‘70s and early ‘80s this six time All-Star was the premier second baseman in the American League. His hard charging style of baseball earned him four consecutive Gold Gloves and an astounding lifetime fielding percentage of .983. In 1985, Grich set a Major League record for the highest fielding percentage by a second baseman with .997 percentage. He also holds the Major League record for putouts by a second baseman, fewest errors, lifetime fielding percentage and most games played at the keystone.  His prowess with the glove were equaled by his skills at the plate. In 1979, one of his best seasons, Grich batted .294, slugged 30 home runs and drove in 101. During his 17 year career with both the Baltimore Orioles and California Angels, Grich batted .266, hit 224 home runs and drove in 864. 

TONY GWYNN 

One of the greatest pure hitters to ever play in the Majors, Tony Gwynn’s talents were first recognized while playing for Poly High School where he was named an Ali-CIF outfielder. Continuing his achievements at San Diego state, Owynn was further honored as an All-American and became a third ro’und draft pick for the San Diego Padres.  During his amazing 21 year career, this Long Beach native ~von eight batting titles tying Honus Wagner for the most in the National League, hit over .300 in 19 consecutive seasons (hitting over .350 from 1993 to 1997) and won five Gold Gloves. Gwynn is one of the few player to achieve the 3,000 career hits milestone and is ranked 17th all-time with 3,141.  His batting average of .394 in 1994 was the highest in the National League since 1930 and he is the only player in Major. League history to win four batting titles in two separate decades. This 15 ti~ne All-Star is currently Head Baseball Coach for San Diego State and is a baseball analyst for ESPN. 

JOE HICKS

As head baseball coach for die Long Beach City College Vikings from 1950-1975, Joe Hicks set a career record of 514 — 257 for an incredible .664 winning percentage. Hicks led his teams to a total of 13 Conference victories, eight Southern California and three State titles. During his tenure he was coach to 10 future Major Leaguers and eight future coaches. In 1988, Hicks was elected to the American Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame. He founded the very successful Diamond Sports company, a nationwide sports equipment business. 

BOB “RUPE” HUGHES

It is his numerous off the field’contributions that has earned Bob “Rupe” Hughes an honored place in the Long Beach Baseball Hall of Fame. For 20 years (1930-1950) Hughes coached in the Samuel Thomas American Legion league and with the semi-pro Elbees. Employed as a plummer, Hughes spent countless hours, and went to considerable financial expense, supporting youth and instructing them in the fundamentals of the game.  In his 20 years of coaching, at least 48 of his players signed professional contracts and at least 10 of those went on to play at the Major League level. Hughes, who throughout his career served as a scout for three major league teams, was personally responsible for signing Bob Bailey out of Wilson High School for a record $175,000. 

AL JOHNSON

Johnson began his coaching career in 1936 when he took coaching responsibilities for both Wilson High School’s baseball and football teams. He remained in his dual role for the next 10 years. During his span as baseball coach, he won seven baseball titles and was considered “the mold” for all great coaches. It has been estimated that the number of his former students who have gone on to become coaches would range in the hundreds. After his tenure at Wilson, Johnson continued his career in sports by serving as the Athletic Director and baseball coach at Long Beach City College, where he served from 1946 — 1949. Skip Rowland, a former Wilson High School Baseball coach and respected member of the Long Beach baseball community has said, “Al Johnson has had a greater positive influence on more people in the City of Long Beach than any person in history. For anyone and everyone who has ever been associated with him, he would rank as one of the top three most influential persons in their lives.” 

BOB LEMON

The early accolades for Bob Lemon include C1F Player of the Year for Wilson High School, and State Player of Year as a pitcher in 1938. A Major League star for 15 years, Lemon spent his entire career with the Cleveland Indians where he helped win the World Championships of 1948 and 1954.  Lemon was a seven time 20 game winner and led the Majors in complete games in five seasons. His lifetime record of 207 — 128 earned him an incredible .618 winning percentage. On June 30, 1948 Lemon joined an elite group of pitchers when he threw a no-hitter against the Detroit Tigers.  A two-time winner of the Manager of the Year award, Lemon managed the Kansas City Royals in 1970-’72, the Chicago White Sox in 1977-’78, the New York Yankees in 1978-’79 and again in 198 1-’82. He guided the Royals to their first winning season in 1971 and led the Yankees to a World Series victory in 1978. 

HARRY MINOR 

A graduate of Wilson High School in 1946, Harry Minor signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates organization in 1947 where he played until 1949. In 1950 and again in 1953-’54, Minor played in the Philadelphia Athletics organization and was invited to Spring Training with the A’s in 1954. He managed in the minors from 1957-1960.  Known as one of the best scouts in the business, Minor scouted for the Braves from 1960-67 and signed Tom Seaver to the Braves before the then Major League commissioner deemed Seaver a free agent.  Minor who began his long tenure as a scout for the New York Mets in 1967, has also served as the Assistant to the General Manager. Currently he works for the Mets as a consultant. 

LAUREN PROCTOR

This graduate of Wilson High School was owner and operator of a local sporting goods store from 1937 — 1962. As an activist for youth baseball, as well as all youth sports in general~ Proctor was known for his incredible generosity. All who knew him would talk of his giving ways and would speak of him giving away far more sporting goods than he ever sold.  If a child had a desire to play the game, Proctor was there to make sure that, no matter what the personal cost, that child would have the tools they needed to succeed. 

VERN STEPHENS

A Long Beach Poly High and Long Beach City College graduate, Stephens was noted as one of the hardest hitting shortstops in the history of the game. Until the arrival of Ernie Banks, Stephens was the best home run hitting shortstop in the Majors. In honor of his hitting prowess the top hitting award at Long Beach City College is named the “Vern Stephens Award” Stephens, who played at the MajOr League level for 15 seasons, is credited with dnving the then St Louis Browns to their lone World Series appearance in 1944. He led the league in home runs once, in RBIs three times and in 1949 he belted 39 homers, scored 113 runs, averaged .290 and garnered 159 RBIs. During his career, Stephens played in 1,720 games, batted 286, hit 247 home runs garnered 1,175 RBIs, and was named an All-Star eight times. 

SOFTBALL HALL OF FAME    

PATTY GASSO

 Patty Gasso set the standard for Long Beach City College softball when she amved in 1990 Dunng her five season run at LBCC, she compiled an overall record of 161-59-1 Gasso’s teams won four South Coast Conference titles and twice captured the Southern California Regional  In 1992 she was named California Community College Coach of the Year and the National Fastpitch Coaches Association West Regional Coach of the Year. Following the 1994 season, she accepted the head coaching position at the University of Oklahoma and for the past 10 years has molded the OU softball program into a national power. In each of her nine years, Gasso has led the Sconers to an NCAA Regional. Her 2000 team won the NCAA National Championship in its 1st NCAA Women’s College World Senes appearance. Prior to this season, Gasso’s career collegiate coaching record is 611 wins against 199 losses, a .754 winning percentage. 

CLEO GOYETTE

Cleo began his softball career with the Mary All-Stars, in San Pedro in 1951. He was a part of three National Softball Congress Championship teams and was named tournament MVP in 1953. Softball Hall of Fame 2004 Inductees Mr. Goyette joined the Nitehawks in the mid 1950’s and went on to win six International Softball Congress World Titles. He earned All-World honors from 1952 through 1961 and again in 1963. Considered the best second baseman in the history of the game, Cleo was inducted into the ISC Hall of Fame in 1971. Goyette is considered as one of the top five players to ever play the game. 

NICK HOPKINS Hopkins signed with the Boston Red Sox organization and played professional baseball for five years after graduating from Wilson High School. Nick combined softball and baseball for six years playing with the Long Beach Rockets. He played for one year with the Long Beach Fire Fighters in the Western Softball Congress before joining the Nitehawks in 1959 where he played shortstop for 18 years (1959 — 1977). He was named to the Western Softball Congress All-Star team 15 times and was a member of six International Softball Congress World Tournament winners. He was named to the ISC All World Team in 1966 and in 1969 and was named WSC MVP in 1966, 1968 and 1974 and was inducted into the ISC Hall of Fame in 1992. Often accused of playing a shallow left field, Hopkins had arguably the best range of any shortstop to ever play the game. He once handled 125 chances without making an error. 

PAUL “LUCKY” HUMISTON

After playing high school baseball in Bakersfield with Ted Williams, among others on the Hawaiian Islands during World War II, Lucky joined the Nitehawks in 1952. He played center-field for the Nitehawks from 1952 to 1971.  Lucky was a member of nine Nitehawks ISC World Championship teams where he was named tournament MW twice. He also was named a Western Softball Congress All-Star four times and named to the ISC World team six times.  After he won his last World Title with the Nitehawks in 1971, Lucky went on to manage the Burbank Comets to an ISC World Title in 1972, beating the Nitehawks in the championship game. A Long Beach Fire Captain for 31 years, Lucky was instrumental in bringing the ISC World Tournament to Joe Rodgers and Blair Field in 1976. 

NICKI KEPHART

Nicki is arguably the greatest pitcher the Long Beach City College softball program has ever seen. She finished her career at Long Beach City in 1993 and still holds nine school records and ranks among the top three in 12 categories.  As a sophomore in 1993, she earned first-team All-American and first-team All-State honors. She was also named South Coast Conference Pitcher of the Year while leading the Vikings to an SCC title and fourth place finish in the State Championships. That season she set school records with 280 innings pitched, a 0.35 ERA, 234 strikeouts, 22 shutouts, seven one-hitters and three no-hitters.  During her 2-year career at Long Beach City College, Kephart tossed 390 innings, struck out 320 batters, threw four no-hitters and had a career ERA of 0.43, all current school records. 

MARY LETOURNEAU

Mary was a pitcher on four Women’s College World Series teams, the 1990, 1991, 1992 and 1993 Long Beach State softball squads. As a freshman in 1990, she was named first-team All-Big West, first-team All-West Region and second-team All-American. In 1993, her Senior-year, she also earned second-team All-Big West honors.  Ms. Letourneau ranks atop the 49er record books in several pitching categories. She is number one with 131 games pitched, number one with 92 complete games and is number one with nine saves. She is also second all-time with 37 career shutouts. Mary ranks fourth with 324 career punch-outs and a career ERA of 0.87. Her Earned Run Average of 0.46 was second lowest in Long Beach State University history. She also tossed two perfect games at Long Beach State. Mary was inducted into the Long Beach State Hall of Fame in 1999. 

PETE MANARINO  

No coach in the history of Long Beach State Athletics has won more games with the’49ers than softball coach Pete Manarino. He currently has 763 career victories and a career winning percentage of .620, all at Long Beach State. He has been named Big West Coach of the Year in 1986, 1997, 1999 and 2003 and has made Long Beach State one of the nation’s most respected and prominent softball programs. Since he took over the softball program in 1984, the 49ers have won three Big West Conference Titles, made 14 NCAA Regional appearances and have advanced to the NCAA College World Series five times. In addition to his duties as softball coach and instructor in the Physical Education Department, Pete also makes it a priority to serve the local community. He was the original coordinator of Long Beach State’s “Beach Buddies” program, in which student-athletes work with high school students by motivating them to stay in school.  Mr. Manarino has also received the Long Beach Century Club’s “Brian Michael Warren Award for his confributions to~furthering women’s athletics. 

SHELLIE MCCALL

Shellie McCall and winning have become synonymous when it comes to Long Beach City College softball. In her nine years as head softball coach at Long Beach City College, McCall has won two state championships, eight South Coast Conference titles, and before this season, had an overall record of 377 — 66 —2, an .847 winning percentage. During her nine-year reign at the helm, the Lady Vikings are 134 — 7 in conference games. In 2002, McCall won her 300th game at LBCC and closed the season with a 47 — 6 record.  She was voted SCC Coach of the Year and led City College to a state championship runner-up finish. Shellie has seen 46 of her student-athletes transfer to four-year institutions across the country. 

IRVIN “RED” MEAIRS

A graduate from Wilson in 1941, Meairs also played baseball at Long Beach City College. After earning All-Southern California honors at City College, Red signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers organization in 1943. His professional days were short lived and he returned home to play with the Long Beach Rockets.  After a stint in the Navy he began playing with the Nitehawks in the early 1950’s. As a player, Red was a part of 7 ISC World Championship teams. He also led three Nitehawk teams to World Titles. Meairs was inducted into the ISC Hall of Fame in 1988.  In a career that spanned over 30 years, Red Meairs and the Long Beach Nitehawks were linked as one. Devotion to the team was Red’s, strongest attribute. The same could be said for his wife Connie, who put in countless hours in the concession stand in order to financially support the team until the Nitehawks stopped playing in 1988.

ISIDORE PERRUCCIO

Mr. Perrucio’s impact on baseball and softball has been tremendous over the past 35 years. From 1969 to 1981, he was a coach for the Kid’s Baseball Association of Long Beach. He worked with 11 and 12 year olds teaching them the rules, fundamentals and sportsmanship.  In 1981, the City of Long Beach organized a senior softball league at Joe Rodgers field. In addition to being league commissioner from 1990 to 1995, Izzy was an active player and ambassador for the league. In 1986, he pitched all six games while leading the Long Beach Snappers 60+ team to a World Series title. He was also named series MVP and was selected to the All-World team.  Izzy has been honored by the Long Beach Poly Elks Club supporters, for his contributions to the Kids Baseball Association and also by the Long Beach Department of Parks, Recreation & Marine for the Mary Dell Butler award, given to outstanding City volunteers.

JOE RODGERS

 As founder, owner, manager and shortstop of the Long Beach Nitehawks, Joe Rodgers is soley responsible for putting Long Beach on the map in the fastpitch softball scene. He brought Friday night softball to Long Beach and saw his teams play to standing room only crowds.  Under Joe Rodgers’ direction, the Nitehawks won seven ISC World Titles. He also served as Vice President of the ISC from 1952 to 1967. Joe Rodgers was inducted to the ISC Hall of Fame in 1970 and he has also been inducted into the Helms Hall of Fame.  As the original owner of what is now Joe Rodgers Field, he donated the land to the City of Long Beach for recreational softball play. 

DON SARNO

Don pitched for 30 years and played for the Long Beach Nitehawks from 1965 to 1979. He was a member of five ISC World Championship teams-and has been named tournament MVP and Most Valuable Pitcher. He has also been named an ASA All-American and All-World Team three times. Inducted into the ISC Hall of Fame in 1980, Don was the pitching coach for the 1994 USA Women’s Softball team. He also served as the pitching coach for the 2000 Olympic team in Sydney, Australia. Mr. Samo is still active with the USA Olympic effort, serving as treasurer of Southern California Olympic teams.

 SHADIE SICKLES

Shadie will long be remembered as one of the best hitters to play softball at Long Beach City College. As a sophomore in 1997, Sickles nearly became the only player in LBCC history to bat .500. She finished the year with a school record .493 average, while banging out an all-time City College best 71 hits. Her 13 doubles ranks #3 and her 44 RBI is the sixth best in school history. Sickles was named first-team All-American and first-team AllState along with South Coast Conference Player of the Year. Her career batting average of .426 still ranks number one at LBCC. She also ranks third in career doubles with 18, fifth in hits withl03 and is eighth all-time with 59 RBI. After playing at Long Beach City College, Sickles continued her career at Baylor University.

KIM SOWDER

The former Kim Kostyk, Sowder was a speedy, slick fielding shortstop and Long Beach State from 1989 — 1992. A 1991 third-team All-American, she helped the 49ers to three trips to the NCAA College World Series. She also earned second team All-Big West honors as a junior in 1991. Sowder is the school’s all-time leader in stolen bases with 50 and her 19 thefts in 1991 is still the single season high at Long Beach State. She ranks in the top five in career at bats, runs, walks, hits and sacrifices. Defensively, she holds three out of the top four 49er single season assist marks. Sowder is currently in her ninth year as associate head coach at the Beach and works the hitters and defense. Under her tutelage, the 49ers have posted the four highest batting averages in the history of the program. The 1998 squad led the nation in fielding with a school record .978 fielding percentage. Kim was inducted into the Long Beach State Hall of Fame in 1998.

STACY VAN ESSEN

 Stacy lettered at Long Beach State from 1991 — 1994 and was a member of three College World Series teams. She earned second team All-West Region honors in 1991, 1992 and 1993. She is the only 49er to ever be selected first-team All-Big West four times. Stacy is the career leader at Long Beach State in at bats and ranks second in doubles with 31 and second in runs batted in with 105. She also ranks second with 251 hits and 12 triples. She is fourth in career home runs with 8 dingers. As a pitcher, she is the all-time leader at Long Beach State with 65 wins and 408 strikeouts. She also ranks second in career innings, games. She tossed 80 complete games, which is also second all-time at the Beach. Stacy has also thrown two no-hitters. She is 2003 Long Beach State Hall of Fame Inductee 

STAN WHITE

A lifelong resident of Long Beach, Stan White was a standout baseball player at Wilson High School. World War II interfered with his pursuit of a professional baseball career and after a shoft stint in the Brooklyn Dodgers farm system, Stan began his 20-year career with the Long Beach Nitehawks.  During his career, Stan was named All-American an unprecedented [5 times. He is also an inductee of the International Softball Congress Hall of Fame. Describing his abilities, Red Meairs said it best, “Anyone who doesn’t know that Stan was far and away the greatest catcher to play the game, iust hasn’t followed softball.” 

LEROY ZIMMERMAN

After a nine-year career in the National Football League. Leroy took up softball at the age of 32. As a pitcher, he was named to the International Softball Congress All-World Team 10 times while playing for the Fresno Hoak Packers and the Long Beach Nitehawks.  He played on nine JSC World Championship teams and was named ISC World Tournament “Outstanding Pitcher” five times. He has also tossed six no-hitters in World Tournament play. Leroy is also remembered for never wearing a fielder’s glove while amassing 32 victories in World Tournament play. He is called by many the “best softball pitcher ever.”