IL Hall will give inductees statue

The International League announced today that inductees into the circuit's Hall of Fame will be presented with a special memento to honor their designation among the league's immortals. The International League's 125th Anniversary Committee has commissioned the creation of a statue which will be presented to members of the IL Hall of Fame upon their formal induction. The statue, a replica of a player tipping his cap to the fans, is symbolic of having been recognized for a job well done.

The Committee began the project in 2007 in preparation for the formal revival of the International League Hall of Fame in 2008. The goal was to create an award that was unique and distinguished to appropriately recognize the contributions made to the League by its Hall of Famers. Working in conjunction with American Awards in Grove City, Ohio and West Art Custom Sculptures in Salford, Penn., the Committee was aiming for something different than other awards and honors commonly given for special achievements, in an effort to fully acknowledge the rare and exceptional contributions that only a Hall of Famer can make.

The name of the sculpture, "The Curtain Call," is engraved across the bottom of the award just below the player himself. The design is that of a veteran ballplayer tipping his cap, an appropriate gesture during the moment he is being recognized by the entire League for his achievements and contributions -- symbolizing in fact the ultimate "Curtain Call." The player, metallic mahogany in color, wears a vintage uniform with "IL" on the chest, the number one on the back, and stands 16 inches tall on top of a two-inch wood base.

2008 Hall of Fame Scheduled Inductions
Date April 18 June 7 June 20 June 28 June 30 July 20 July 30 Aug. 3 Aug. 15 Aug. 23 Aug. 31	Place Durham Louisville Indianapolis Lehigh Valley Rochester Columbus Pawtucket Norfolk Buffalo Syracuse Toledo Richmond	Inductee Hobart "Rabbit" Whitman Dale Alexander, Bobby Tiefenauer Don Buford Robert "Lefty" Grove Joe Altobelli, Russ Derry, Morrie Silver Frank "Pancho" Herrera Ben Mondor, Joe Morgan, Jim Rice Dave Rosenfield, Frank Verdi Luke Easter Hank Sauer, Anthony "Tex" Simone Gene Cook, Frank Gilhooley Sr. Tommie Aaron, Ralph Garr, Ollie Tucker
--Info from International League.

International League President Randy Mobley, on behalf of the IL's 125th Anniversary Committee and the entire League, will make the first public presentation of "The Curtain Call" on Friday, April 18 in Durham, N.C. At the first of several IL Hall of Fame inductions to take place around the League in 2008, Mobley will posthumously induct Hobart "Rabbit" Whitman (11 seasons -- seven teams -- lifetime .326 average) at a pre-game ceremony at Durham Bulls Athletic Park.

The Class of 2008 marks the formal revival of the International League Hall of Fame, dormant since 1964. Details on each Hall of Famer can be found by visiting www.ILBaseball.com.