TROY — The New York State Baseball Hall of Fame will induct another class of celebrated New Yorkers from the baseball world at its annual dinner at the Hilton Hotel on Sunday, Nov. 13 at 4 p.m.
Eighteen individuals, ranging from professional players to high school coaches, are to be enshrined. The class includes the following list of New Yorkers: John Cerutti (MLB pitcher), Joe Hesketh (MLB pitcher), Michael Kay (YES Network), John Franco (MLB pitcher) Joe Brown (SUNY Cortland), Willie Randolph (MLB second base), Jay Miner (umpire) Omar Minaya (MLB general manager), Orel Hershiser (MLB pitcher), Jerry Katzke (New York City Bonnies Baseball program), David Palmer (MLB pitcher), Andy Van Slyke (MLB outfielder), St. Louis Cardinals, Jim Mecir (MLB pitcher), Duke Beck (high school baseball coach), Joe Henkel (amateur baseball coach), Fred Pidgeon (Albany Twilight League Baseball Hall of Fame), Edsall Walker (Negro Leagues), Lipman Pike (baseball pioneer).
Former New York state Senator Joseph Bruno is also to receive the Johnny Evers Community Award from the Hall of Fame.
Like the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, the NYS Baseball Hall of Fame has a selection committee that weighs the merits of the individuals brought to its attention. Unlike Cooperstown, those who are ultimately honored are not judged by statistics alone.
“We select players based upon their body of work and the legacy they left for the game,” said Rene LeRoux, executive director of the New York State Baseball Hall of Fame. ‘It’s not just data: home runs and wins. But, instead, what kind of guy are you?”
The 2016 class will be the sixth induction class for the hall of fame that includes household names as well as local. LeRoux said Cooperstown helps with providing historical perspective of professional players. Major League Baseball teams chip in as well. Professional players can be enshrined under a team they played for. Those teams provide jerseys for those players to wear, one more time. Frank Viola, Dennis Leonard, Ken Singleton, John Franco were among last year’s induction class who attended in person.
The reception starts at 4 p.m., followed by a dinner at 5 p.m. To purchase tickets please contact Executive Director, Rene LeRoux, at (518) 877-5170 or [email protected]. Tickets are $75.00 per person and must be purchased in advance.
