The following major teams have been inducted to the Manitoba Baseball Hall of Fame:
The Brandon Cloverleafs, 1954-1960 - Inducted in 1997
Members: Dave Adams, Barry Ballance, Ron Baryluk, Lloyd Brown, Bill Burns, Lorne Campbell, Steve Clark, Bob Cobb, Jack Denbow, George Dinsdale, Ross George, Laddie Hutchison, Don Hunter, Ray Kidd, Lorne Lilley, Bob Lees, Gerry Muirhead, Gerry MacKay, Morley Macfarlane, Frank McKinnon, Irv Powers, Ray Robinson, Jim Slevin, Don Sumner, Tom Town, Rudy Stritz, Gerry Smith, Bob Wilson, Mort Wright.
This team was one of the greatest amateur baseball teams ever assembled in Manitoba. It might be a long time before baseball fans are ever treated to a team like this again.
This was a proud team with a rich history and tradition. It all started back in 1948, before Brandon had any organized minor baseball. A bunch of young kids, pumped up from listening to the World Series, got together at a south end softball diamond. They each threw in two dollars for equipment, drew a name from a hat, and the Brandon Cloverleafs Baseball Club was born.
Dressed in uniforms that consisted of black sweat pants and white t-shirts, the young team played in pick up leagues and took in baseball tournaments around the country. They coached and managed themselves. They practiced and played on the Mental Hospital diamond with practices sometimes lasting 7 or 8 hours. As time passed, some players left the team and others took their place. Each year the team became more successful and eventually the club moved their games to the new Kinsmen Stadium.
In 1951 they joined the Central Manitoba Baseball Association, which at that time included 8 leagues with 40 teams. By 1954 the Cloverleafs had one of the most feared and exciting baseball teams in the history of the sport in western Manitoba.
From 1954 to 1960 the team won seven C.M.B.A. championships. They had great depth and were a perfect blend of youth and experience, strength and speed, pitching and fielding. Their playoff record during those years was a phenomenal 36 wins vs. 5 losses. In 1956, they played 60 games, won 54, lost 4, and tied 2. Three years later they won 38 of 44 starts.
They dominated the baseball tournament circuit, often winning premier tournaments such as those in Neepawa, Indian Head, and Keewatin. They also won various exhibition games with American teams, including one against the touring Kansas City Monarchs of the American
Negro League. They won this game 15-7.
They had developed from a rag-tag bunch of kids into one of the finest amateur teams in Manitoba. Their success often hinged on a special magic that went beyond talent. They were good friends. They worked together and stuck together. They were a family, and the family included wives, girlfriends and relatives.
It seems only fitting that the Cloverleafs of this era are the first team inducted into the Manitoba Baseball Hall of Fame. They were an outstanding team, and many members contributed to baseball after their playing days were over.
Fort Whyte Tournament Team 1954-1960 - Inducted in 1998
The Fort Whyte Tournament Team from 1954 to 1960 consisted of players from Winnipeg Senior Baseball league teams and outstanding Winnipeg Junior League players and occasionally players from riral Manitoba. They complete in tournaments from Souris and Elphinstone in the West, across the province to Keewatin and Dryden in Ontario. Averaging sixteen to eighteen open and invitational tournaments per year and playing against many excellent teams. They never lost more than two tournaments in any year.
Members: Ron Hewitt, Ab Bruce, Jim Wilson*, Ken Nicol, Mark Flynn, Ed Mazur*, Eddie McDonald, Terry Braunstein, Danny Allen, John Fisher*, Bill Nykaluk, Reg Chopp, Bruce Carmichael, Al Johnson, Al Seymour*, Gary Blaine, Gerry Bolin, Aggie Kukolowicz
*Deceased
Riverside Canucks 1973-1978 - Inducted in 1999
Manitoba Senior Baseball League & Manitoba Baseball Association Champions
Back Row (L-R): Earl Copeland, Ross Kinsley, Bill Campbell, Mark Fisher, Craig Bell, Grant Everard, Bob Williamson, Cliff Seafoot, Garth Seafoot, Maurice Myers, Dick Campbell.
Front Row: Gene Cory, Gord Hunter, Eddie Beare, Morley Hartel, Ron Seafoot, Lyle Anderson, Robb Medoff, Lorne Lilley.
The Riverside Park was originally at the junction of Highway 10 and the Souris River, and the Riverside Canucks functioned for over 50 years (1946-96) as a great tournament club.The four Seafoot brothers; Ken, Morris, Garth, and Cliff were a major part of the Riverside Canucks for many years. Form 1973-1978 Riverside won M.S.B.L. and M.B.A. titles in 1973, 1974 and 1978. From 46-84 teams won 926 times of 1480 games with 17 ties.
St. Boniface Native Sons 1955-1959 - Inducted in 2000
Front: (L-R)John Rendall, Ron Hewitt, Ken Little, Garnet Boutet, Ken Nicol (coach), Curt Grapentine.
Back: Doug McGhee (manager), Russ Smith, Al Johnson, Jim Wilson, Gordie Simpson, Fred Dunsmore, Don Craw.
Missing: Ron Hogue, Ken Nicol, Johnny Warren, Sid Humphries, Gordie Simpson, Joe O'Sullivan, Russ Smith, Ken Little, Bob Conacher, Pete Rettie, Ed Mazur, Fred Dunsmore, Reggie Abbott, Doug McGhee, Bob Hansford, Joe Barron, Bruce Hudson, Don COllins, Gordie Miller, and Porky Campbell, Gerry Brisson, Garry Aldcorn, Jack Warwick, Ken Busby, Murray Couch.
The Native Sons were formed in 1932 and terminated operations in 1998. In the six years, from 1953-1958, they won the Winnipeg Senior League crown five times. They were known as the Yankees of the west. In the 1950's they won the Senior League title seven times in nine years, losing in the finals the other two years. They were talented at all positions. Among the prominent players, 1953-1958, were pitchers Ed Mazur, Bruce Pell, Bruce Jones, John Robertson, Joe Baron, and Pete Rettie, catchers Bruce Hudson and Don Collins, outfielders Ken Little, Gord Simpson, Reg Chopp, and Ray Hayes, infielders Jim Zarie, Al Johnson, Bob Hansford, Ken Ridley, and Fred Dunsmore, coaches Terry Hind and Doug McGhee.
Blessed with a depth of talent in all positions the Native Sons won the Greater Winnipeg Senior League crown five times in the six year span and became known as the Yeankees of the local senior circuit. They won the Leage also in 1951 and were finalists in 1952 and 1954. Some team members included Bruce Hudson and Don Collins (catcher), Ed Mazur, Bruce Pell, Bruce Jones, John Robertson, Joe Baron, Pete Rettiel (pitchers), Ken Little, Gord Simpson, Reg Chopp, Ray Hayes (outfields, Jim Zarie, Al Johnson, Bob Hansford, Ken Ridley, Fred Dunsmore (infielders), Terry Hind, Doug McGee (coaches). The Native Sons were formed in 1932 and terminated in 1998.
Transcona Atomics 1963-1968 - Inducted in 2001
Back Row: (L-R) Alf Sobkowich, Ken Highmoor, Bob Audette, Barry McFarlane, Bob Hunter, Terry Moore
Middle Row: Larry Hart, Dan Yackoboski, Tom Trosky, Joe Psooy, Al Hunter, Jerry Mercier
Front Row: Ron Matthews, Alex Sereta, Len Harvey, Don Bamburak, Doug Lund, Garry Shan
Missing: Gary Baxter, Gerry Bolin, Paul Chartrand, George Dawson, John Holt, Howie Hughes, Cam Hurst, Ken Ingram, Buzz Lamond, Jerry Lavery, Bob Leiter, Norm Rogoski, Jack Shuba, Brian Stastook, Ron Twedochlib, Danny Yackoboski
Transcona dominated the Winnipeg Senior Baseball League in the mid 1960's. They were finalists in 1963, then won five straight titles. The Atomics won the provincila senior title in 1964, 1965 (co-winners with St. Lazarre Athletics), 1966, 1968, abd lost in provincial finals in 1967. In 1969, the Atomics represented Manitoba in Halifax at the first Canada Summer Games. Manager Alf Sobko's Atomics were blessed with great pitching, especially from Bob Hunter, Terry Moore, and Bob Audette, played great defense, and had a superb group of hitters.
Carman Goldeyes 1983-1988 - Inducted in 2002
Back Row: Brian McNaughton, Pat Irving, Pat Temmerman, Larry Falk, Bill Whithead, Kelly Murray, Jack Sayer (Coach), Gord Selinger, Ken Kettles, Brian Reid
Front Row: Hank Lamoine, Pat Kirby, Gerry Falk, Shane Moffatt, Jack Mutcheson, Joe Mutcheson, Ray Mutcheson, Chad Falk (Bat Boy), Justin Ried (Bat Boy),
Missing: Roy Lee, Ron Bartley, Terry Letkeman, Rick Lemoine Rod Fallis
The Carman Goldeyes won six consecutive Red-Boine League crowns, 1983-88 inclusive. In five of those years they beat out Western Manitoba teams for the Frank Richardson Trophy, emblematic of Manitoba's senior chamionship. The Goldeyes won the silver medal at Western Canadian championship tourney in Red Deer, 1984.
Binscarth Orioles 1969-1974 - Inducted in 2003
Back Row (L-R): Sam Jamieson, Herb Andres, Brian McCauley, Ron Low, Ross Lynd, Dale Gies, Bob Kutzan
Front Row: Don Gies, Reg Parton, Garth Neville, Glen Hodgson, Bob Wasslen (coach/manager), Ron Falloon, Bruce Stevens
Middle: Donald Schaak (bat boy)
Binscarth was perennial champions in the North West League and won the provincial senior B crowns in 1969-70-71.
In 1972 the Orioles moved to the Manitoba Senior League which they won with a 16-4 pennant record and the provicial senior A title. In 1973 Binscarth won the M.S.B.L. pennant, Binscarth played in many big Western Canada tournaments (Regina Langenberg, Moose Jaw, Melville, Saskatoon, Saltcoats, Lacombe Alberta).
Garth Neville who also played with Team Canada, was their main pitcher but the Orioles combined youth, speed, great defense and stong hitting.
Although American imports were not used by the Orioles then, manager Bob Wasslen was a good recruiter.
Hamiota Red Sox 1959-1964 - Inducted in 2004
Front Row: (L to R) Garry Kidd, Gord Lyall, Gladwyn Scott (Playing Coach), Denny Smith, Frank McKinnon, Glennis Scott
Back Row: Lynn Caldwell, Bob Brooks, Dallas Smith, Buck Mathison, Jim Hunter, Gerald Mathison, Al Robertson
Missing Members: Jim Grant, Larry Gilchrist, Neil Amy, Lorne Caldwell, Don Lee, Wayne McConnell, Warren McKinnon, Ken Morton, Sam Phillips, Don Smith, Bryan Smith, Mel Smith, Rick Robertson, Garry Van Buskirk, Glen Woods, Ellis Woods, Murray Zuk
The Hamiota Red Sox were Central Manitoba Baseball Association Champions (eight leagues), co-champions in 1959 with the Brandon Cloverleafs, then finalists in 1960. The Red Sox were MSBL pennant winners in 1961, 1962, 1964, and MSBL champions in 1962, 1963, and 1964. The team won prestigious Birtle July 1st tournament for eight consecutive years, from 1955-1962. The hamiota Red Sox were an excellent young team managed by Gladwyn Scott and Lorne Caldwell, and had no out-of-province imports.
Dauphin Redbirds 1958-1963 - Inducted in 2005
Backrow: Larry McDougall, Jack Hrehirchuk, Lloyd Yerama, Roland Secord, Del Anderson, Pat Fitzpatrick, Dennis McAuley, Dick LaFramboise
Middle Row: John Lesyshen, Jerry Shumanski, Arnold Staub, Don Menzies, Stan McPhee, Jerry Verbiwski, Reg Johnson, Lou Hill
Front Row: Al Evason, Fred Shumanski, Andy Newton (manager), Clarence "Coots" Riehl (president), Bob Kabel, Bill Murray
Bat Boy: Ken Buchy
Missing Members: Alan "Ladie" Hutchison, Chick Lintick, Jack Koshey, Orville Mayor, Ron Cox, Bill Berezinski, Neil Amy, Barry Sharpe, Bob Manns, Alex Kurceba, Bob Kutzan, Harry Mayor, Mickey McBride, Ernie Black, Bob Cruise
The Dauphin Redbirds of 1958-1963 had a core of great players who all figured into the teams success. They had solid pitching and solid fielding, and good and solid hitting.
The Redbirds were oustanding when it counted. In the days of Tournament Baseball they were difficult to beat. They won in Elphinstone, Birtle, Gilbert Plains, and Ste. Rose in 1958.
Also in 1958 the Dauphin Redbirds defeated Binscarth in 4 games in a best of 5 series to advance to the Northern Manitoba Finals. They then beat Erickson 8-2 and 11-3 to advance to the Manitoba finals where they were defeated by the Brandon Cloverleafs.
In 1959 the Redbirds were strong again in Tournament play, winning in Dauphin and Bowsman and losing in the final at Grandview. In the Provincials they lost to Brandon Again 6-2 and 6-5 in 10 innings.
In 1960 the Redbirds won the Tourney in Elphinstine and won in Roblin and Yorkton. The Redbirds went on to defeat Binscarth 2-1 and 5-4 in the Provincials to win the North- (no further games were played). Dauphin then joined the MSBL in 1961 and played Mediocre baseball all summer untill the playoffs. They beat Binscarth in the Semis and beat the Hamiota Red Sox in the final. The Series went 7 games. Dauphin won 3 at home and Hamiota won 3 at home.
The series featured great pitching by both sides, as well as great running in the series. Bob Kabel stole 2nd, 3rd, and home to score the winning run in the bottom of the 8th inning to edge Hamiota 4-3 in game 6 of the Series.
The seventh game in Hamiota was attended by the biggest crowd seen in the area.In a well played game the Redbirds beat Hamiota 6-3. Bob Kabel and Jerry Shumanski hit homers off Glennis Scott. Bill Murray made a great double play, Al Evanson made a game saving running shoe string catch in left field and Dick Lafromboise caught a huge blast off the bat of Don Smith.
Dauphin won the Manitoba Stark trophy Championship by defeating the Oakland Braves 13-1 and 13-3 in the Manitoba Finals.
In 1962 Hamiota returned the favour by beating the Redbirds 4 straight after an opening day tie. In 1963 Dauphin lost to Riverside in 6 Games.
Individual Accomplishments:
Dauphin had two batting champions in their lineup- Bob Kabel who won in 1962 and Bill Berezinski in 1961.
All Stars were Kabel, Jerry Shumanski, and Dennis McAuley.
The Brandon Greys, 1948-1951 - Inducted in 2006
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Back Row: Ernie Montgomery, Bus Vasquez, Thad Christopher, Gerry MacKay, Coney Williams, Ron Reynoldson, Steve Wylie, Ian Lowe, Bob Sumner
Front Row: Ralf Cabrera, Frank Watkins, Al Truelove, Jerry Montgomery (bat boy), Jack Sinclair, Tony Tascona, Steve Clark
Missing Members: Don Gardner, Dirk Gibbons, Ross Pollock
The Brandon Greys, who played as a part of the Manitoba Senior League and the Mandak League from 1948 to 1951, were symbolic of the colourful and pulsating excitement of Baseball in Manitoba following World War 2.
Even though Jackie Robinson broke the Major League colour barrier in 1947, there were hundreds of players still playing in the Negro Leagues in the United States – some came to Canada and to Brandon. 1948 marked Brandon’s return to the Manitoba Senior League. The backers of the Greys hired Ian Lowe of Bradwardine as player/manager of the team. They also secured some of the best players in Western Manitoba – like Gerry MacKay, Steve Clark, Frank Watkins, Jack Sinclair and also added Tony Tascona from Winnipeg. Most importantly, the Executive of the Greys turned a good club into a potential Championship Team by the signing of players from USA and Cuba, like Armando “Bus” Vasquez, Dirk Gibbons, Coney Williams, Rafe Cabrera, Ramon Rodriquez. A dream team may only be on paper but it was the leadership of Ian Lowe who “cast the mould” to turn the Brandon Greys into a League and Tournament threat for the next four years.
The Brandon Greys entertained and thrilled large crowds, which ranged from 4000 to 6000 and they raised their fans level of excitement and passion for the game. Young players began to emulate their heroes and the enthusiasm for baseball was contagious throughout Manitoba.
The team won three of four Provincial Championship from 1948 to 1951. In 1950, they were runners-up to the Winnipeg Buffaloes. The most impressive year of their four-year run was in 1949 where the Greys played 108 games in 113 days and had a record of 87 wins, 18 losses and 3 ties. They won the Provincial Championship in 15 innings (2 – 1) over the Elmwood Giants before a crowd of 5200 at Kinsmen Stadium. Frank Watkins of the Greys and the Giants Lefty Hal Price hooked up in a fantastic pitching dual. To add to the hysteria of the game, pitcher Watkins won the game with a single down the 3rd base line to score Rafe Cabrera for the winning run.
In 1949, the Greys won six Tournament Championships out of nine entered, winning the Prestigious Indian Head, Saskatchewan Tournament which attracted 27,000 over 3 days of competition. The Brandon Greys were truly a “dream team” from 1949 to 1951.
Neepawa Cub, 1955-1960- Inducted 2007
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Back Row (L-R): Don Martin, Jerry Carter, Ed Crabbe, Ron McLaren, Ed Sage, Ron Buchanan, Ron Blenkhorn Middle Row: Bill Fisher, Jim Schmall, Merv Buchanan (Manager), Clem Murray, Doug Birch Front Row: Barry Mongomery, Harvey Maetin (Bat Boy), Wayne Murray
Missing: Bob Allen, Terry Brown, Gerald Buchanan, Earl "Sam" Doherty, Howie Hawkins, Dave hay, Ken Hockin, Lorne Kilburn, Lawrence McDannold, Terry Oliver, Ray Simms, Wayne Sparling, Murray Stewert, Dale Williams, Gary Martin, Len Bolton, Cecil Bolton, Roy McDannold, Glen Yerex, Harvey Russell, Gordon McCracken, Henry Ohirko
This young team coached by Merv Buchanan and Doug Birch, started out as juveniles in the early 50's before winning the Neepawa and District League in 1955 & 56, 59 & 60.
The Cubs won six more crowns in the next decade and were a dominant tournament team in this golden era of Manitoba baseball. Their league consisted of Eden, Wellwood, Springhill, Plumas Birnie and the Neepawa Farmers.
St. Boniface Native Sons, 1989-1993- Inducted 2007
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The St. Boniface Native Sons accompllished what no other Manitoba Secior baseball team has done, winning the Redboine League championship and the Frank Richardson Trophy, emblematic of Provincial supremacy, for five consecutive years. The Native Sons also captured a Western Canadian Championship in 1993.
The Sons success came about as a result of five year players , Jeff Bouchard, John Kraupner, Rob Lebleu, Dave Lemoine, current Hall of Famer Don Maskiw, Garth Watkins, former National team member Fred Matsabara, Jason Schwabe, and former Winnipeg Goldeye coach Scott Neiles.
They were an unbeatable force. The Native Sons were led on the Field by Coaches Hank Gibson (deceased), Cam Bouchard and GM Wes Powell.
The Sons won championships with great pitching, defense and timely hitting. This truely was a team effort as all players who were involved over the 89-93 seasons played and contributed to their success.
Morden Mohawks, 1987-1992- Inducted 2008
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Picture: Inserts L-R: Lyle Hope, Ron Meakin, Steve Rach, Pat Temmerman, Wayne Bergman, Kenton Hildebrand, Sheldon Friesen, Cory Friesen, Phil Hildebrand. Back Row L-R: Joe Wiwchar (coach), Bob Williams, Cam Owens, Mark Thiessen, Dale Hosea, Kevin Krueger, Scott Unrau, Angus Kyle, Wayne Sager. Front Row: Jerry Fehr, Gerry Leiding, Steve Sager, Troy Ehnes, Doug Hamm, Darrell McElroy, Brian McElroy.
Missing: Jay Rach, Fred Zaplitney, David Leever, Ryan Rach, Lon Rach
The Mohawks entered the Border League in 1970. The League consisted of teams from Pilot Mound, Crystal City, Clearwater, Mather, Cartwright, Snowflake, Manitou, Kaleda, Winkler, and the Dogers and Mohawks from Morden.
The Mohawks were League Champions in 5 out of 6 years and finalists in 1989. The team was lead by DOug Hamm and Darrell McElroy and coached by Joe Wiwchar.
The team represented the Border League in the 5 years they were League Champions in the Provincial AA Championships. The team also participated in many tournaments at towns within the League.
St. Lazare Athletics, 1962-67 - Inducted 2009
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Picture: Back row: Isaac Walker, Don Jamieson, Mike Jones, Leon Garinger, Rick Dale, Garth Sararas, Ross Jamieson. Front row: Bill Walley, Wally Fleury, Oscar Walker, Dave Pearson, Ray Simms, Fred Chabiel
The Athletics had a powerful team with devoted, enthusiastic fans. St. Lazare certainly demonstrated that a small town could support a high quality team. They competed in the Manitoba Senior Baseball League. They won the League pennant in 1964 and lost in the finals in 1964. In 1965 they won the League championship and then the provincial Senior AAA championship. Among the top players were Dave Pearson, Oscar Walker, and Ike Walker, all recruited from Satchel Paige's touring all stars. Southpaw Bill Cundiff struck out 170 in 1963, still an MSBL record. Others on the team were Manitoba Hall of Fame members Ray Simms, Bob Thompson, Roy Cuthill, Claude Lambert, Paul Chartrand.
Players: Ron Baron, Dave Bender, Al Bray, Fred Chabiel, Paul Chartrand, Vern Coulter, Bill Cundiff, Rick Dale, Randy Earl, Bill Fairbairn, Ron Falloon, Don Fleury, Wally Fleury, Leon Garinger, Louis Guay, Mervin Haney, Eric Ireland, Don Jamieson, Ross Jamieson, Gord Johnston, Garry Keating, Merrill Kiliwnik, Elgin Knight, Claude Lambert, Dale Lowes, Jim McLachlin, Roy McLachlin, Larry McWilliams, Reg Parton, Dave Pearson, Keith Redman, Russ Reid, Marv Robinson, Garth Sararas, Wade Sauter, Ray Simms, Delmar Stainer, Orville Stainer, Bob Thompson, Mickey Torrez, Barry Underwood, Bill Walley, Ted Woods, Isaac Walker, Oscar Walker,
Executive Members: Roy Cuthill, Tom Dale, Eileen Dale, Frank Dale, Eugene Fouillard, Jacques Guay
Brandon Cloverleafs, 1966-1971 - Inducted 2010
Winner of 5 MSBL, 4 Manitoba, and 1 Canadian Senior AAA Championships.