Western Massachusetts Baseball Hall of Fame

 

The Western Massachusetts Baseball Hall of Fame was founded in 2014 with the aim of not only recognizing the best and the brightest baseball figures in the region - but to also celebrate the area's long love affair with the game of baseball. For years, whether in Mackenzie Stadium or Pynchon Park; Forest Park & Rec fields throughout the Valley - the residents of Western Massachusetts have played, supported and facilitated the game of baseball.

The Hall of Fame's annual banquet - which takes place after the new year each year - is a staple of the Blue Sox and Pioneer Valley's calendar. It's during this time that we not only induct a fresh, new class into the Hall of Fame; but also allows us to take the opportunity to bring the entire Western Massachusetts Baseball Community together under one roof. 

If you think you know someone who's worthy of induction, then let us know! Simply download the nomination form below and send it to the following address: ATTN Valley Blue Sox, 100 Congress Street, Springfield, MA 01104.

Western Massachusetts Baseball Hall of Fame Inductees

 

Class of 2025

To be Announced in February 2025.  Ceremony to be held on Thursday, June 5, 2025 with the first annual HoF game held the following night at Mackenzie Stadium in Holyoke

 

 

 

Class of 2024

Earl Lorden - Head Coach of the 1942 Turners Falls Championship Team and UMass.  UMass Hall of Famer

Don Strange - 8 year professional career in Royals and Braves systems

Jeff Reardon - 16 Year MLB veteran, 4 time MLB All-Star and World Series Champion

Bob Taylor - 17 year professional career in Japan and the U.S. with the SF Giants

Ron Chimelis - Gary Brown Excellence Award.  Longtime Republican sports reporter and Red Sox beat report

Mark Simeone -  28 year coaching veteran with both AIC and Springfield College.  3 time coach of the year honoree

1942 Turners Falls Championship Team - Won the state championship days before the team graduated and shipped out to fight in WWII.  Received by sole surviving team member and WWII veteran George Bush

The Miracle League of Western Massachusetts - Recipient of the Ryan Doyle Courage Award 

 

Class of 2023

Doug Clark - MLB outfielder, San Francisco Giants and Oakland A's. 10 year professional career

Nick Gorneault - MLB outfielder, Anaheim Angels

Don Lavalle - Former Tri Country Baseball President, coach at Elms and UMass, 30+ years umpire

Chris Corkum - Tri County player/manager for over 30 years, founder of Corkum Baseball Inc

Steve Athas - Leader in Springfield baseball programs for over 50 years

1978 Holyoke High School State Championship team

Donna McLean - First ever woman to play in Westfield Youth Baseball, Little League All Star, Westfield State Softball 22x record holder

Gary Brown Excellence Award - Introduction of the Gary Brown Excellence Award for  excellence in baseball reporting in western Mass

 

Class of 2022

William Bathel - Western Mass. Fall Baseball League Co-Founder (2004)

Brian Collins - Revived the Springfield Post 21 baseball program (2010); Hampden County Commissioner of Legion Baseball from 2016-2018

Mark DiFranco - Western Mass. Fall Baseball league Co-Founder (2004)

Charles Roys - Esteemed collegiate coach, Springfield College from 1979 to 1996

Patrick Strange - MLB Pitcher, New York Mets from 2002-2003

Mark Wohlers - MLB Relief Pitcher (1991-2002), Atlanta Braves from 1991 to 1999

1967 Westfield High School Baseball State Championship Team

Jake Goodreau - Ryan Doyle Courage Award Recipient - Southwick Native; Boston College Baseball Player

 

Class of 2021

Adonis Terry (Westfield, MA) - Pitcher - 19th Century Major Leaguer 

Ulysses "Frank" Grant (Pittsfield, MA) - Middle Infielder - Negro League Star in the 19th Century; 2006 National Hall of Fame Inductee 

Jack Chesbro (North Adams, MA) - Pitcher - 1946 National Baseball Hall of Fame Inductee, New York Highlanders 

Romeo Cyr (Springfield, MA) - Community Leader - Chairman of the Springfield Parks Commission and founder of many youth sports programs

Stuart "Stu" Miller (Northampton, MA) - Pitcher - St. Louis Cardinals, Philadelphia Phillies, New York/San Francisco Giants, Baltimore Orioles and Atlanta Braves

Kevin Collins (Springfield, MA) - Infielder - New York Mets, Montreal Expos, and Detroit Tigers 

Trey Mancini - Ryan Doyle Courage Award Recipient - 2011 Alum of the Holyoke Blue Sox, Current Baltimore Orioles Infielder

1950 & 1953 Holyoke High School State Championship Teams - Holyoke, MA

 

Class of 2020

Steven 'Turk' Wendell - Player - Atlanta Braves, Chicago Cubs, and New York Mets

Peter Bergeron - Outfielder - Montreal Expos

Harry Dalton - General Manager - Baltimore Orioles, California Angels, and Milwaukee Brewers

Kevin McGurk - President of the Tri County Baseball League - Member of the Western Mass Baseball Umpires Association

Dan Genovese - Founder - Westfield Wheelmen Vintage Baseball Team

Ryan Doyle - Ryan Doyle Courage Award Recipient - Gifted Minnechaug Regional High School Athlete

1979 Chicopee Comprehensive High School Baseball Team - Chicopee, MA

 

Class of 2019

Mark Belanger - Position Player - Baltimore Orioles

Candy Cummings - Pitcher - Elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1939

Jim Jachym- Pitcher - University of Connecticut and Houston Astros

Mike Laga - Player - Detroit Tigers, St. Louis Cardinals and San Francisco Giants

Dana Levangie - Pitching Coach - Boston Red Sox and Catcher at American International College 

Karl Oliveira - League President/Player/Manager - Tri County League

Justine Siegal - Founder & Executive Director - Baseball For All (youth baseball gender equity organization)

2019 Pittsfield Little League Team - Pittsfield, MA

 

Class of 2018

Chris Capuano - Pitcher - Milwaukee Brewers

Dan Duquette - General Manager - Boston Red Sox, Baltimore Orioles, Montreal Expos

Bart Giamatti - Commissioner - Major League Baseball

Arthur "Ace" Adams - Pitching Coach - Boston Red Sox, Florida Marlins, St. Louis Cardinals, Detroit Tigers, Houston Astros

Archie Allen - Manager - Springfield College

Steve Newell - Position Player - University of Massachusetts-Amherst

Julio Vazquez - Former Director/Founder - Springfield City Hawks

Brady Kahle - Founder - Cards 4 A Cause

1985 Holyoke High School State Championship Baseball Team - Holyoke, MA

Class of 2016

Carl Beane - Public Address Announcer - Boston Red Sox

Howie Burns - Player, Coach - Springfield Tech, American Legion, Central

Leo Durocher - Player, Manager - Four-Time World Series Champion

Ray Fagnant - Scout - Boston Red Sox

Wayne Granger - Pitcher - Cincinnati Reds

Dave Grills - Coach - Hampshire Regional High School

Fran Healy - Player, Broadcaster - New York Mets

1961-1963 Chicopee High School Baseball Teams - Three Straight Championships

 

Class of 2015

Joseph Castiglione - Broadcaster - Boston Red Sox

Richard Bedard - Former Athletic Director, Baseball Coach - American International College

Stan Ziomek - Former Director/Founder - Amherst Youth Baseball 

Art Ditmar - Pitcher - New York Yankees

Vic Raschie - Pitcher - New York Yankees

Joseph McCarthy - Former Head Coach - Holyoke High School

1934 American Legion Post 21 Baseball Team - Springfield, MA

 

Class of 2014

Dan Dulchinos - Former Head Coach - Chicopee Comp

Garry Brown - Sportswriter - Springfield Republican

Mike Trombley - Pitcher - Minnesota Twins

Walter "Rabbit" Marranville - Baseball Hall of Fame - Boston Braves

Bill Thurston - Former Head Baseball Coach - Amherst College

Al Stanek - Pitcher - San Francisco Giants

Peter Brown - President - John L. Sullivan Youth Baseball Program