MOORHEAD, MN – The American Affiliation of Skilled Baseball Corridor of Fame will welcome 5 new members within the 2024 class when the league holds induction ceremonies as a part of the American Affiliation All-Star Sport festivities in Kansas Metropolis, KS on July 23. The 5 inductees are David Espinosa (participant), Sam Katz (proprietor), Hal Lanier (supervisor), Ben Moore (participant) and Curt Smith (participant).
The 2024 Corridor of Fame Luncheon and induction ceremony will probably be held on Tuesday, July 23 on the Buck O’Neil Schooling and Analysis Heart in Kansas Metropolis, MO. – the historic constructing the place “Rube” Foster established the Negro Leagues in 1920.
“Our league members and Corridor of Fame Committee have introduced ahead 5 very deserving inductees for the American Affiliation Corridor of Fame,” stated Commissioner Joshua Schaub. “Every inductee has made an incredible influence on the American Affiliation each on and off the sector. We’re as proud and excited to honor them and our league’s historical past as we proceed to construct on the foundations they helped put down.”
Brief biographies of the inductees are listed under.
- Grand Prairie – American Affiliation, 2008-11
- Lincoln – American Affiliation, 2012-13
- Kansas Metropolis – American Affiliation, 2014
- Wichita – American Affiliation, 2014-15
- St. Paul – American Affiliation, 2015
A two-time league champion and proprietor of a .314 profession AAPB batting common, Espinosa ranks first in league historical past with 46 triples, second with 529 runs scored and third with 801 hits. The 2010 postseason all-star shortstop additionally holds Grand Prairie profession data with 314 video games performed, 268 runs, 394 hits and 63 doubles over his 4 seasons with the AirHogs. After his taking part in profession, he grew to become an unbiased scout for the Miami Marlins and the Cincinnati Reds.
Sam Katz
- Winnipeg Goldeyes – Northern League, American Affiliation, 1994-present
Proprietor and Director of the Winnipeg Goldeyes, Katz returned skilled baseball to Winnipeg in 1994. He spearheaded the constructing of Blue Cross Park in downtown Winnipeg, which opened in 1999 and based the Goldeyes’ Subject of Desires Basis which advantages . Katz additionally served has Mayor of Winnipeg from 2004-2014.
- Winnipeg Goldeyes – Northern League, 1996-2005
- Joliet JackHammers – Northern League, 2006-07
A former Main League participant and supervisor, Lanier joined the Winnipeg Goldeyes as supervisor in 1996 and crafted a 472-360 document in ten seasons. His golf equipment superior to the post-season yearly he was supervisor. Lanier spent over ten seasons in Main League baseball as a participant and managed the Houston Astros from 1986-88 and was named the Nationwide League Supervisor of the 12 months in 1986.
- Winnipeg – Northern League, 2006-07
- Sioux Falls – American Affiliation, 2008-11, 2013-14 (participant), 2017-20 (coach)
- Laredo – American Affiliation, 2016 (coach)
Second in league historical past and first in Canaries AAPB historical past with 55 profession victories, 701 strikeouts and 797.1 innings pitched, Moore led the league in strikeouts 3 times and was named a post-season all-star twice. He was a member of Sioux Falls’ 2008 championship squad, whereas his 144 Ks in 2011 are fourth-most in league historical past.
- Lincoln – American Affiliation, 2011, 2013, 2015-2021
The face of the Saltdogs for a decade and a two-time post-season league all-star, Smith ranks third in AAPB historical past with 151 profession doubles, fourth with 794 hits and 441 RBI and sixth with 96 dwelling runs. Assembling a .309 batting common over eight seasons with Lincoln, he leads the membership in almost each profession offensive document throughout its AAPB tenure. The Curacao native additionally represented the Kingdom of the Netherlands at numerous worldwide tournaments, together with the 2009, 2013 and 2017 World Baseball Classics.
The American Affiliation of Skilled Baseball (www.aabaseball.com and www.aabaseball.television) is a Main League Baseball Companion League that operates in 9 states and one Canadian province. Shaped in 2006, the league consists of twelve member golf equipment with many starting play in 1993. By the tip of 2023, over 55 gamers with American Affiliation expertise had made their debut with MLB golf equipment after having first performed within the American Affiliation.