Red Wings announce Hall class

The Rochester Red Wings announced Tuesday that former Red Wings P.J. Forbes, Curt Motton and Bill Virdon will be inducted into the Red Wings Hall of Fame.

Forbes and Motton will be inducted on Friday, August 11 while Bill Virdon will be enshrined Thursday, August 17.

The Red Wings Hall of Fame was established in 1989 to recognize individuals who made unique contributions to the history of professional baseball in Rochester, both on and off the field. After the August 11 and 17 ceremonies, the Red Wings Hall of Fame will include 66 members.

Infielder P.J. Forbes was one of the most popular players in the history of Frontier Field. The scrappy infielder endeared himself to the fans with his hustle on the field and his friendly, accommodating nature off the field. Played parts of three seasons (1997-1999) with the Red Wings and was named to the Triple-A All-Star team in 1998. During the inaugural season at Frontier Field (1997) he was the sparkplug of the Red Wings offense and played second base, third base, and shortstop for the Governors' Cup Champions. He'll go down in history as the man who made perhaps the greatest defensive play in the history of the franchise - otherwise known as "The Catch" - when he made a diving catch in the ninth inning of the final game of the 1997 Governors' Cup Championship to help seal the Cup for Rochester. Forbes went on to play in the major leagues for the Orioles and Phillies.

Outfielder Curt Motton played parts of four seasons (1966, 1967, 1973 & 1974) with the Red I. He was the offensive catalyst for Earl Weaver's 1967 Red Wings that finished second in the IL. Motton went on to play parts of eight seasons in the major leagues with the Orioles, Brewers and Angels. He was also Johnny Oates' hitting coach when the Red Wings captured the 1988 Governors' Cup. He endeared himself to fans at Silver Stadium as a coach by throwing candy into the stands on his way to the first base coaches' box.

Outfielder Bill Virdon spent one stellar season in Rochester before embarking on a 12-year major league playing career. In 1954, he led Harry Walker's Red Wings to an 86-68 record by winning the International League batting title by hitting .333 with 22 home runs and 98 RBI. Virdon played in the major leagues with the St. Louis Cardinals and the Pittsburgh Pirates, and helped the Pirates win the 1960 World Series over the New York Yankees in seven games. Virdon was also a manager for the Pirates, Astros, Yankees and Expos.

All three inductees will be on-hand to accept their Hall of Fame honors.