Bob Bonifay

Bob Bonifay was the General Manager of a record six (6) South Atlantic League teams (Augusta, Columbia, Jacksonville, Knoxville, Macon, and Montgomery). After a highly successful baseball career, Bonifay retired from the Macon Baseball Club in 1968 to become Executive Director of the Georgia section of the Professional Golf Association. The entire South Atlantic League was deeply saddened to hear that Bonifay passed away on February 17th, 2003.

Dave Bristol

Dave Bristol, a native of Macon, GA, managed the Macon team in the SAL in 1962 and 1963, winning 161 games in those two seasons. Bristol went on to an 11-year career as a major league manager with Atlanta, Cincinnati, Milwaukee, and San Francisco.

Cecil Darby

Cecil Darby is a longtime sports writer and former Editor of the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer. Darby began his baseball career as the Clubhouse man and bus driver for the Columbus Baseball Club. Darby is a well-known historian who is relied upon by many ball clubs and journalists for "Sally" League and Southeastern baseball history.

Bob Gibson

Bob Gibson played for Columbus in the SAL in 1957. He became a star with the St. Louis Cardinals, winning 251 games, including seven (7) World Series victories. Gibson has a lifetime 2.91 ERA and posted an incredible 1.12 ERA in 1968. Gibson was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1981.

Leon "Goose" Goslin

Leon "Goose" Goslin led the SAL in hitting in 1921 with a .390 average while playing for Columbia. Goslin also led the SAL in total bases and runs in 1921 while driving in 131. Goslin became a legend in majors while playing for Washington, St. Louis, and Detroit. He led the American League in hitting in 1928 (.379). Goslin played 18 years in the majors and has a lifetime batting average of .316. Goslin was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1968.

Al Lopez

Al Lopez hit .326 for Macon in 1928. Lopez was a solid major league catcher for 19 years, catching 1,918 games, which stood as a record for 40 years. Lopez managed in the majors for 17 seasons, winning 1,410 games. Lopez managed the 1954 Cleveland Indians team that won 111 games.

Enos Slaughter

Enos Slaughter hit .325 for Columbus in the SAL in 1936. He led the SAL in triples in 1936 with 20. Slaughter's aggressive "all-out" style became the trademark of the St. Louis clubs he played on in the 1930's and 40's. Slaughter collected 2,383 hits in his major league career and has a lifetime batting average of .300. Slaughter was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1985.

Don Stafford

Don Stafford was the winner of the Spaulding Rookie of the Year in 1948. He won the Hillerich "Sliver Bat" Award in 1952 as the minor league batting champion. Stafford was a four-time All-Star in seven minor league seasons.