INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE HALL OF FAME

7/29/07: Heading into its 125th season of operation, the International League announced today that 27 individuals will be inducted into the circuit’s Hall of Fame as members of the Class of 2008. The IL Hall, dormant since 1964, welcomed former General Managers and League Presidents Harold Cooper, Jr. and George Sisler, Jr. last August in a special enshrinement ceremony. This year the formal revival of the International League Hall of Fame will be highlighted by the largest induction class in history.

The International League plans to enshrine members of the new Class in a series of inductions held throughout theLeague’s ballparks during the course of the 2008 season. Each ceremony will give fans an opportunity to see the official International League Hall of Fame Display. The display includes an exact replica of the original IL Hall of Fame plaque, listing all 51 members inducted from 1947-1963, alongside a new plaque that will feature the names from the Classes of 2007, 2008, and beyond. The IL Hall of Fame Display will not have a permanent home, but rather serve as a traveling testament to the storied legacy of the International League.

Click here to read the entire press release (PDF file)

Click here to read the players' bios (PDF file)

Click here to see the 2008 Inductees' stats (PDF file)

Click here to see a complete list of International League HOF members (PDF file)

Click here to read the press release with details of "The Curtain Call" statue

Previous Coverage:
7/24/07
During a press conference held at Frontier Field in Rochester, NY, the International League today announced that in conjunction with the League’s 125th Anniversary Season to be celebrated in 2008, the League will revive its Hall of Fame which has been dormant since 1964.

The International League Hall of Fame, created in 1947 by the International League Baseball Writers’ Association, was a
functioning body for 17 years and has 51 current members. Former Syracuse manager and two-time League Batting Champion (1924 & ’27) Dick Porter was the last inductee in 1963.

During the League’s recent all-star game meeting in Albuquerque, NM, League Directors passed legislation that included Policies, Procedures and Guidelines for the revival of the Hall of Fame. Included in this legislation is a provision for a special induction to be held in August of this year to enshrine former International League General Managers and League Presidents Harold Cooper, Jr. and George Sisler, Jr. An August 20 ceremony has been scheduled for Cooper Stadium in Columbus, OH prior to the evening’s Clippers vs. Louisville Bats game at which time Mr. Cooper and Mr. Sisler (posthumously) will be formally inducted.

Click here to read the entire press release (pdf file)

Click here to read more about 2007 HOF Inductees Cooper and Sisler (pdf file)

Click here to read "A Tradition Revived - The International League Hall of Fame" with photos and stats of IL Hall of Fame members including Rochester's Billy Southworth, Dixie Walker, Ed Holly, Specs Toporcer, Rip Collins, Estel Crabtree, Jack Ogden, Ed Onslow, Fred Merkle, Jack Berly, Bill Kelly, Merwin Jacobson, Jimmy Ripple, Jack Bentley, George Selkirk, George Stallings, Pat Powers, Joe Brown, and Rocky Nelson