WINNIPEG, MB – The Manitoba Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum announced its 2017 inductees on Monday afternoon.
Charlie Argue, Vince Eastman, Orville Renwick, Shaun Cory, David Nychyk, Don Schmall, Lane Curry, Gord Paddock, and Peter Thomson will all be honoured as individual inductees. The Neepawa Farmers (1993-97) and the Ebb and Flow Lakers (1990-96) will be inducted in the “Major Team” and “Small Community Team” categories respectively. Additionally, Bob Boyce (umpire), the Eastern Manitoba All-Stars (1978), and the Gilbert Plains Legion Bantams (1965-68) join the Hall of Fame under the “Special” category.
The Manitoba Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum will hold its 21st annual induction banquet on Saturday, June 3rd, 2017. The event begins at 5:00 p.m. and takes place at the Morden Event Access Centre where the Hall of Fame is located.
Tickets are $70 for adults and $20 for children. For more information, contact the Manitoba Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum at (204) 822-4636 or at mbbbhof@mts.net
The Winnipeg Goldeyes will host their annual “Hall of Fame Game” around this time. The date and time will be made official when the American Association schedule is released in the coming weeks. For information on 2017 season tickets, 10-Game mini packs, or group outings, call the Goldeyes’ office at (204) 982-BASE, or visit the Goldeyes’ official website at www.goldeyes.com
2017 Manitoba Baseball Hall of Fame Inductees (information courtesy of Manitoba Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum)
Charlie Argue (1904-1991) Mather MB
Charlie Argue was the early driving force for several decades behind the still operating Border Baseball League. He served as president from 1930-60. Before, during, and after his long-time service as president, he was also involved as a coach, manager, team organizer, and even groundskeeper when necessary. For example, he coached and managed his hometown Mather Mudhens team for 20 years. Charlie also worked tirelessly for the young people and for the game of baseball in the communities of the RM of Roblin where he served as Reeve for 25 years. Although such long-term dedication doesn’t show up in any traditional baseball statistics Charlie deserves to be remembered and celebrated as a worthy Manitoba Baseball Hall of Fame member.
Shaun Cory (1967—) Wawanesa MB
For Shaun Cory 24 years of Senior baseball and always performing at an all-star level leaves a Hall of Fame legacy. His resume includes pitching on four Santa Clara League champions; winning two MSBL championships and two playoff MVP’s in 11 years with the Riverside Canucks and Baldur Regals; later capturing Manitoba Senior AA championships with the Wawanesa Brewers and the South West All-stars; and being named to numerous all-star teams. His final game pitched at the age of 42 in 2010 was a complete game win over Boissevain in the South West League finals. In U.S. College ball at Mayville State Shaun earned Academic All American honours. Shaun represented Manitoba nine times at Nationals or Westerns often pitching and winning in “must-win” situations to allow Manitoba to advance. He also provided Manitoba’s only wins in the 1991 Westerns and the 2006 Nationals. Shaun has also spent many years coaching minor ball in Wawanesa while also instructing at baseball pitching clinics and the Eclipse baseball school.
Lane Curry (1967—) Manitou MB
Lane Curry has been an outstanding performer on the field and valuable contributor off the field to baseball in Manitoba. Always a dangerous hitter Lane was an all-star in the Border League, Manitoba Junior League, the Manitoba Senior League and was often picked up by other teams for Westerns and National play. He was a member of the Manitoba champion St. Boniface team in 1988 and MSBL champions Hamiota Red Sox in 1990 and Riverside Canucks in 1992. Lane acted as playing manager/coach for Senior AA teams from 1997-2004 in Manitou, Lorne, Altona, and Morden winning three League championships. Lane is even more recognized for his tremendous effort in coaching and promoting baseball as a Baseball MB clinician, high school and minor baseball coach, and as a team Manitoba coach at the 1997 Summer Games. At Mayville State University Lane won the 1989 Conference Batting title and was inducted into their Sports Hall of Fame both as a baseball and football player on 1990 teams.
Vince Eastman (1967—) Virden MB
Vince Eastman was one of the very elite Senior AAA pitchers in Manitoba during the 1990’s. A real workhorse with a rubber arm and great control Vince had a lengthy career that also included success pitching for US College, professional Prairie League, and Senior AA teams. Vince was a regular all-star in the MSBL with five second team and three first all star selections. He led the Neepawa Farmers to their only provincial title in 1997 by posting a league best 8-1 regular season record and a 5-0 playoff MVP performance. That year Vince was also named the Senior AAA Player of the Year by Baseball Manitoba. He was named the top pitcher at the Western Canadians with the title winning MSBL all-stars in 2000. Vince was always heavily recruited throughout his career by Manitoba teams at all levels of competition from Bison to Senior AAA to pitch at Provincial, Western, and Canadian championships. This was not only because of his obvious talent but also his durability, competitiveness, and sportsmanship.
David Nychyk (1968—) Winnipeg MB
David Nychyk has over 35 years of being involved with baseball in Manitoba as a player and a coach. He has played on six provincial champion teams from Midget to Senior AAA and is a two time Western Canadian Senior champion with the 1990 Teulon Cardinals and 2002 Elmwood Giants. Dave was also an all-star wherever he played highlighted by being named tournament MVP at both the 1985 Midget Provincial championships and the Senior AAA 1990 Westerns. From 1989-95 David had an outstanding career playing for and coaching US college teams. He was a member of the 1995 Manitoba all-star team that defeated the Canadian National Team. In 1992 Dave founded the Legion 141 Senior Baseball Club and served as vice president of the North Winnipeg Baseball Association for eight years. David was the recipient of the annual Manitoba Junior Baseball League’s Brain Domes Award in 1995 for dedication to baseball in Manitoba. In 2013 he was named Baseball Manitoba’s High Performance Coach of the Year. He now coaches the Winnipeg Junior Goldeyes Baseball Academy, supported by Home Run Sports.
Gord Paddock (1964—) Oak River MB
Gord Paddock has worked very hard for many years to promote baseball in the Oak River area as a player, coach, team manager, tournament organizer, and facility manager. Like most great players he started as a teenager in Senior AAA ball performing for the Hamiota Red Sox in 1982. He then spent over 30 years playing or coaching competitively with his hometown Dodgers and other local Senior teams. In 1992 Gord was named the Senior AA Player of the Year in leading the Dodgers to the Manitoba Senior AA championship. He has coached minor and high school ball in the Oak River area for many years. Gord was the coach of the Senior AAA Oak River Dodgers in the MSBL from 2011-2015. In the MSBL’s last year of operation, the Dodgers captured the 2015 League title which allowed them to represent Manitoba at the 2016 Nationals held in New Brunswick.
Orville Renwick (1945—) Melita MB
Orville Renwick has been an outstanding baseball promoter in South West Manitoba for many years. Orville started out as a player with the Coulter Red Sox, an Intermediate team that lost the provincial finals in 1968 to the Thompson Reds. Orville then coached the Red Sox for a few years before putting his talents to work for the betterment of all the South West baseball region. He started umpiring for minor and Intermediate ball in 1978 and didn’t retire until 2010. Not content to merely contribute on the field Orville also served as the South West League President from 1980-97. He also served as an area director for the Manitoba Baseball Association for six years and was made a member of the Manitoba Baseball Honour Society.
Don Schmall (1959—) Neepawa MB
Don Schmall pitched 18 years in the MSBL for the Neepawa Cubs (1977-81) and Neepawa Farmers (1982-94) when most teams relied on import pitchers. He is the Farmers all time leader in innings pitched (609), wins (39), and strikeouts (274). Don pitched a no-hitter against Dauphin Redbirds, June 28, 1991, and was named the MSBL playoff MVP that season. Don was also named the Farmers regular season MVP in both 1984 and 1992. Don pitched with the Team Manitoba All-stars at several Western Canadian and National championships. He helped Manitoba collect two gold, two silver, and one bronze medal during the 1980’s. Off the field Don served as Secretary-treasurer of Baseball Manitoba for five years and has been active in coaching minor fastball and serving on the Neepawa Minor Baseball Association Executive.
Peter Thomson (1930—) Winnipeg MB
Peter Thomson had a relatively short but outstanding baseball playing career in Manitoba. He started out with his hometown Miami senior team in 1945 as a 15 year old shortstop with good range in the field and speed on the bases while pitching occasionally. He became an outstanding pitcher after moving to Winnipeg and joining the CUAC Blues of the Winnipeg Senior League in 1953 while also playing several other positions. In the 1954 league semi-finals against Transcona Peter was the winning pitcher in all four CUAC victories. In 1955 he was the winning pitcher in the League all-star game but arm problems limited him to being primarily a position player in 1956-57. During this era he also played tournament ball for Miami and was a member of the Miami 1956-61 team inducted in 2013 to the Hall of Fame. After the Winnipeg Senior League folded in 1958 Peter went on to a successful fastball career and later a slow pitch career while also helping to coach Little League and Senior teams to championships.
Major Team: Neepawa Farmers (1993-1997)
The Neepawa Farmers achieved their greatest success as a member of the Manitoba Senior Baseball League during the five years from 1993-1997. They went to the MSBL finals all five years. In 1993 and 1997 they won league titles, and in the latter year they capped off the five year run by winning provincial AAA championship. Their ‘93-97 regular season MSBL stood at 59 wins and 43 losses but they were particularly good in playoff action with 31 wins against only 16 losses. Four members of their roster have already been inducted as individuals into the MB BB HOF with two more entering in 2017.
Small Community Team: Ebb & Flow Lakers (1990-1996)
The Ebb and Flow Lakers representing the Ebb and Flow First Nation in central Manitoba were a very successful tournament team during the early 90’s not only in the province but also in Saskatchewan, Alberta, and Minnesota. Although no statistical records were kept, the team had an estimated .900 winning percentage against several levels of competition including such top teams as the Elmwood Giants, Teulon Cardinals, Reston Rockets. Competing one year in the provincial intermediate playoffs they were runner-ups to the Waskada Orioles. Their successes culminated in 1995 at Blaine, Minnesota, when they won the North American Indigenous Games final by a score of 4-1. Archie McIvor pitched a three hitter to beat the state-selected team representing Minnesota.
Special Category: Bob Boyce-Umpire
Bob Boyce (1950-2013) umpired Junior and Senior baseball for over 30 years in the Winnipeg area. He travelled to and from most of his games by city transit which was viewed as a tremendous sign of dedication. He also mentored and evaluated many young umpires who developed into top level umpires. For many years Bob assigned the umpires to Junior and Senior games, often on short notice, making sure the games had competent umps. He refused however to provide replacement umpires when Northern League umps went on strike in 1995. Bob was highly respected among other prominent Manitoba umpires and the Winnipeg baseball community in general for his competency and long-time dedication and service to the game.
Special Category: Eastern Manitoba All Stars 1978
This team was formed from members of the Eastern Manitoba intermediate Baseball League to compete in a provincial playoff to determine the Manitoba representative at the Western Canadians to be held in Nanaimo. Two separate simultaneous provincial tournaments were held with the two winners, Carman and Eastern All-stars, meeting in a best of three game final series. In their tournament held at Carberry the All-stars lost the first game and were required to win five straight 9-inning games to earn the victory. They also lost the first game against Carman in the finals but Don Maskiw pitched and won two 9-inning games on the same day to secure the trip west. That trip was almost cancelled when Air Canada went on strike but a chartered DC3 and a bus ride got them to Nanaimo just four hours before their first game. However, the All-stars were determined and talented as they went undefeated, climaxed by a 10-3 win over B.C. for the title. Carl Watson earned the top pitcher award in the tournament and John Hindle earned the top hitter award.
Special Category: Gilbert Plains Legion Bantams 1965-68
Made up almost entirely of local players this small country town youth team dominated the Bantam age baseball classification in Manitoba and Western Canada for an amazing four year period from 1965-68. Organized, managed, and coached by MB Baseball Hall of Fame inductee Mel Stoughton (2016) the team won five Manitoba titles in the four years and captured three Western Canadian championships. Originally a Bantam B classified team from 1965-66 they won the Manitoba and Western Canadian titles both years. After winning the Bantam B provincials again in 1967 they moved up to the Bantam A class for playoffs that season. They then won the provincial Bantam A title while finishing as Western Canada finalists and in 1968 they captured both Manitoba and Western Bantam A championships.
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