[reds1]

Second Hall of Fame Class Sees Four More Players Inducted
Great Pelicans, Legends Teams Recognized in this Year’s Class

Balmoral, Oxford, May 5 (BP) – Two championship teams, the Brunswick Legends and Kingston Pelicans were front and center at this year’s Hall of Fame Induction ceremony, as four players from their respective championship years received this country’s highest baseball honour – induction into the Braeland Baseball Hall of Fame. Kingston’s 1B Fergus Chitty and OF Jayden Tennant as well as Brunswick’s SP Matthew Monroe and OF Mark Elston share no less than thirteen United Cup championship rings among themselves, as the Pelicans and Legends combined to win six United Cups between 1937 and 1945 (Fergus Chitty was also a member of the 1945-46 Stratford Barons championship team).

The selections were made once again by the Baseball Reporters Association of Braeland (BRAB) and the six-member Braeland Hall of Fame panel. The inductions are part of the Hall of Fame’s mission to recognize the early pioneers for their excellence and impact on the United Leagues in the relatively short period they played in the Leagues. This brings the total number of inductees to eight, joining Okura Ito, Paul Hooks, Brady Murdy and Neil Guerin, who were inducted in 1947.

Panel’s Mission Winding Down

However, it’s believed that the initial phase of inductions is winding down and the task of electing future members will be left solely to the BRAB with more weight being given to a player’s ‘career value’ and less on short-term impact. Hall of Fame Panel spokesman Fred Rutherford explained that the latest review process made a “couple of tough choices” – namely, that additional players were carefully considered but ultimately did not make the cut. “This doesn’t mean that players that didn’t make the cut this year will not be considered in the future”, explained Mr. Rutherford, “But the panel’s feeling was that these two groups [of Hall of Fame members] represent the players that met the level of excellence in the early years of the Leagues. Going forward, we believe it’s best for the process be carried out by the Reporters Association.”

Hall of Fame Member Returns to Return the Favour

With the new Hall of Fame and Museum currently under construction in the historic Exchange District of downtown Balmoral, Gilbert Hall located on the grounds of King Hugh University once again served as the host for this year’s festivities. But in addition to the induction of the new four ballplayers, the undoubted highlight for the 9,000 in attendance, as well as the entire nation, was the heavily anticipated return of Okura Ito who was one of the original four players inducted in 1947. At the time, Ito whereabouts was unknown. Forced to leave Braeland in 1941 due to the severing of diplomatic relations with Japan and eventually compelled to serve in the Imperial Japanese Army, Ito remained unaccounted for until October 1947, when he returned to his native home from the Dehli Japanese prisoner of war camp. Ito miraculously survived the destruction of Japan’s armed forces and has spent the last couple of years recuperating in his native hometown of Kasakake, Japan.

But now, the former Kingston Pelican infielder has returned to Braeland for the first time in 8 years to a hero’s welcome; feted with a parade in Kingston and an honorary Braeland citizenship at a ceremony in the Nation’s Capital. He also attended the ceremonies in Balmoral to induct his former teammate Fergus Chitty into the Hall of Fame, just as Chitty did for Ito two years ago.

Highlights of the Player Inductions


Sherburn Tigers 1937; Kingston Pelicans 1937-1945; Stratford Barons 1945-1947

Notable Achievements:
Player of the Week: 8
Batter of the Month: 4
Babe Ruth Awards: 2
All-Star Selections: 7
Pennant Series MVP: 1 (1938)
All-Braeland Teams: 2

Other Selected Achievements:
Second in Career OBP: .423
Second in Career OPS: .944
Holds career post-season records for OPS (1.077), Runs (51), Total Bases (149), Doubles (27), HR (13) and BB (59)
Led Western League in HR 3 times (Led ULB in HR once)

Hall of Fame Metrics:
JAWS: 38.6 (average HOF 1B – 38)
Black Ink: 36 (average HOF – 30)
Gray Ink: 124 (102)
HOF Standards: 31 (36)
HOF Monitor: 121 (121)

As he made his way onto the stage using a cane that recently replaced the crutches he used as he recuperated from his war-time ordeal, Okura Ito received a sustained standing ovation from the crowd. When it finally died down to let him speak, Ito, in his much-improving English, acknowledge the reception and then turned his attention to the exploits of his former teammate, Fergus Chitty:

“Thank you for that. Well, it took a while, but I finally made it [back]. It’s great to be back, too. I would also like to give belated thanks to ‘Fergie’ for the induction speech he gave to me two years ago, when I was a bit preoccupied. Fergie was the ultimate teammate: he’d pick you up if you were struggling and he’d knock you down a peg if needed whenever you were riding a hot streak and was letting everyone know about it. But Fergie led by example – whenever we needed a hit, a run – he delivered. I can still see that fluid, compact swing of his that came through time and time again. He’s a champion in every sense of the word, and I’m proud to be here to welcome him into the Hall of Fame.”

--------


Brunswick Legends 1937-1947; Wellington Athletics 1947-1948

Notable Achievements:
Player of the Week: 1
Pitcher of the Month: 3
Satchel Paige Awards: 1
All-Star Selections: 9
Pennant Series MVP: 1 (1939)
United Cup MVP: 1 (1943)

Other Selected Achievements:
Third lowest Career ERA (2.86)
Led ULB in Wins twice
Holds Career Post-Season record for wins: 14

Hall of Fame Metrics:
JAWS: 43.8 (average HOF SP – 33)
Black Ink: 15 (average HOF – 27)
Gray Ink: 117 (98)
HOF Standards: 29 (23)
HOF Monitor: 133 (103)

The third pitcher elected into the Hall, Matthew Monroe quickly established himself as the Brunswick Legends’ ace in their inaugural season and then went on to comprise part of the most formidable pitching tandem in the United Leagues with Anastasio Rodríguez for the next several years. In all, he helped lead the Legends to five Eastern League Pennant and three United Cup championships. Four of those five United Cup battles were against the Kingston Pelicans, and Monroe acknowledged that in his remarks:

“Seeing Fergus Chitty, Jayden Tennant and of course, Okura Ito here today, brings back a lot of memories – some good, some tough – but they constantly reminded us how hard we had to play to match them and reach the summit. Somehow, we managed to get a few things to come together for us and win it all over some amazing competition. I was just proud to be part of the ride. I never thought that I would get the call – to be here with Mark [Elston] and the rest of these incredible players – I’m truly honoured.”

--------



Brunswick Legends 1937-1947

Notable Achievements:
Player of the Week: 10
Batter of the Month: 8
Babe Ruth Award: 1
Top Fielder Award: 1
All-Star Selections: 6
ULB-wide Triple Crown: 1 (1942-43)
Pennant Series MVP: 1 (1943)
All-Braeland Teams: 1

Other Selected Achievements:
Led Eastern League in HR 3 times (Led ULB in HR once)
Led ULB in AVG (.334), HR (29), RBI (111), OBP (.469), SLG (.567) and OPS (1.036) in 1942-43.
Led Eastern League in BB 3 times (Led ULB in BB once)

Hall of Fame Metrics:
JAWS: 36.3 (average HOF RF – 30)
Black Ink: 36 (average HOF – 30)
Gray Ink: 113 (102)
HOF Standards: 31 (36)
HOF Monitor: 108 (121)

For eight consecutive seasons, there was no question who was the Brunswick Legends clean-up hitter. That slot belonged to their leader in right-field – Mark Elston. With the exception of half a season in 1941-42 when he suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon, there was no question who drove the Legends offense. Now, he takes his rightful place as a Hall of Fame legend.

“I just loved playing the game of baseball. I didn’t set out to achieve any particular goals or anything. Just the play the game everyday – and get paid doing it – was reward enough. And to echo Matty’s words, to play against some of the best the United Leagues had to offer and hang right there with them, that was unforgettable. I thank the Legends organization – and my wife Mabel – for allowing me the chance to pursue my dream.”

--------


Kingston Pelicans 1937-1947

Notable Achievements:
Player of the Week: 9
Batter of the Month: 4
Babe Ruth Award: 2
All-Star Selections: 7
Pennant Series MVP: 3 (1941, 1943, 1945)
United Cup MVP: 2 (1938, 1945)
All-Braeland Teams: 2

Other Selected Achievements:
Led Western League in HR 4 times (Led ULB in HR 3 times)
Led Western League in RBI 2 times (Led ULB in RBI once)
Holds career post-season records for Hits (90), Singles (64) and RBI (53)

Hall of Fame Metrics:
JAWS: 29.0 (average HOF LF – 28)
Black Ink: 32 (average HOF – 30)
Gray Ink: 92 (102)
HOF Standards: 28 (36)
HOF Monitor: 105 (121)

With the likes of 1B Fergus Chitty, SS Katsunan Chikafuji and later C Danny Trowbridge in the Kingston mighty lineup, LF Jayden Tennant seldom found himself batting higher than 5th. But that was more a reflection of the depth the Pelicans enjoyed in their heyday, as Tennant was certainly no slouch with the bat. Two Babe Ruth Awards and seven all-star selections can attest to that. But as solid as he was in the regular season, the Australian native from Sydney just seemed to step up his game whenever the Pelicans made the playoffs – which was an annual event in Tennant’s career. In all, he won five playoff MVP awards, helping Kingston take home three United Cups. He is the second Aussie to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, following in the footsteps of Paul Hooks.

“Back in 1937, I was just trying to escape the depression like a lot of others were. Baseball was my first love, but it had always been a fringe sport in my native country. So, when I heard that a baseball league was starting up in Braeland and that you could get paid playing it, I felt I had little to lose in coming here for a tryout with the Pelicans. Little did I realize how the next few years would play out. Braeland gave me a place to play, to live and raise a family. That alone was enough. So, to be given this honour, to be inducted in the Hall of Fame, I’m truly humbled.”