Four added to Sacramento MSBL Hall
The Sacramento MSBL welcomed four new members to its Hall of Fame on June 28.
Dick Adams, Fred Creal, Bill Bailey and Dave Lewis have earned their spot in the hall next to 61 other members.
The Sacramento MSBL christened its hall in 2007 by inducting 26 members. The league was founded by Hall of Famer Val Lewis in 1984 and allied with the MSBL in 1988.
The inaugural Hall of Fame class in 2007 included two league founders-Lewis and Greg Elmasian. Former major leaguers Jim Barr, Don Carrithers, Ron Brand, Leron Lee, Butch Metzger, Ray Newman Jr., Bob Oliver, Jim Willoughby and Lowell Palmer were inducted, along with Lou Zabbia – a guy who played for one year and managed for 16.
Members in the Sacramento Hall have to meet six if nine criterion – only one of which is related to on-field performance. Nominees must be at least 50 years old, must have played or managed a minimum of 10 years in the league, and must be recognized for displaying personal character, integrity, leadership, and sportsmanship.
"You join a most impressive list of former inductees whose past contributions, like yours, allow the over 500 playing members in your league to enjoy recreational baseball in a professionally run environment,” said MSBL President and Founder Steve Sigler.
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Adams, who worked as a scout with the Cincinnati Reds and Atlanta Braves, and who coached baseball at the high school and college levels, played in the Sacramento MSBL's from 1991 until 2000 when bad knees – his -- forced himinto retirement.
Creal never quite made it to the majors, but some of his teammates from a farm team in the Kansas City Royals organization did including Frank White and current Texas Rangers skipper Ron Washington. As a manager with the Tigers he won two division titles.
Bill Bailey played in several adult baseball leagues in Sacramento, and also played two years of baseball while in the U.S. Navy. He is a charter member of the Sacramento MSBL, helped pitch his Phillies to a wood bat division title in 2003, and owns three MSBL World Series rings.
Dave Lewis joined the Sacramento MSBL in 1985. Unlike many others in the league, Lewis played very little organized baseball until adulthood. Rather, he was a standout in track who nearly qualified for the 1976 Olympics in the pole vault.
Essentially new to the sport, Dave benefitted from the advice of ex-pro teammates like Bob Oliver and Don Hammit. Now 26-years into his time with the Phillies, he is the team's all time leader in RBI, doubles and triples.
Editor's Note: If your league has a hall of fame, or honors league members in any other way, or if you have a story worth sharing, send an email to us at msblmcgaw@comcast.net. |
| Top to bottom: Dick Adams, Fred Creal, Bill Bailey and Dave Lewis have earned their spot in the hall next to 61 other members. |
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