Florida State League Hall of Fame Inductees

Florida State League Hall of Fame Inductees

The Florida State League Hall of Fame Committee announced today the 2011 Class of Inductees. The 2011 Class will be inducted into the Florida State League Hall of Fame on November 2, 2011 at the Plaza Resort and Spa in Daytona Beach. The 2011 Class is listed below with a short biography.

Pitchers

Gene Nelson- Gene was in the Florida State League in 1980 and won 20 games and lost 3. His ERA was 1.97. He started 25 games and completed 16 with 5 shutouts. He pitched 196 innings and had 130 strikeouts. Pitched in the Major Leagues from 1981-1993. Gene was a key member of the ace relief staff of the Oakland Athletics from 1988-1990.

Jose Rijo- Jose was in the Florida State League in 1983 and won 15 games and lost 5 with a 1.68 ERA. He started 21 games, 9 complete games, and pitched 167.2 innings with 160 strikeouts. Jose pitched in the Major Leagues for Cincinnati Reds (1988-1995 and 2001-2002). Recorded two victories in 1990 World Series, and was World Series MVP as the Reds won their first championship in fourteen years.

John Ivory Smith- In 1995 John was in the Florida State League and was 19-14 with a 3.66 ERA. Started 37 games and pitched 253 innings. He struck out 320 batters which is the All-Time Strike Out Record in the Florida State League

Players

Derek Jeter- Derek was the 1994 Florida State League Most Valuable Player and Minor League Player of the Year. He played 69 games in the Florida State League, had 13 doubles, 8 triples, 39 RBI's, and 28 stolen bases. His batting average was .329. He has won 11 All-Star selections, 5 Gold Gloves, 4 Silver Slugger Awards, and was 1996 America League Rookie of the Year. In 2000 he was the MVP of the All-Star Game and World Series.

Ivan "Pudge" Rodriquez- Played in the Florida State League in 1990 with the Charlotte Rangers. In 109 games, he had 117 hits, 17 doubles, 7 triples, and 2 homeruns. His batting average was .287. He was voted to the Florida State League All-Star Team. In the Major Leagues, he had 14 All-Star selections, 13 Gold Gloves, and 7 Silver Slugger Awards. Career .298 hitter with 309 homeruns, and 1313 RBI's in 21 big league seasons.

Manager/Coaches

Clint Hurdle- Clint directed the St. Lucie Mets to a 153-120 combined record in 1988 and 1989. In 1988, St. Lucie won the Florida State League Championship. In 1989, they won the play-off spot, but lost the championship. Clint is a former Major League out-fielder, and former manager of the Colorado Rockies. He is currently the manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates, and 2011 marks his 37th year in professional baseball.

Darold Knowles- Pitching Coach for Clearwater in the Florida State League from 1991-1999, and currently the Pitching Coach for the Dunedin Blue Jays. Darold has 16 seasons as a Pitching Coach in the Florida State League. Best known as a member of the Oakland Athletics bullpen in early 1970's and is the only player ever to pitch in all seven games in one World Series. He finished his career with 143 saves.

Executives

Warren Keyes- Warren was known as "Mr. Baseball", and worked as a business manager for several Major League Clubs in Class "A". He will be long remembered as the Business Manager of the Daytona Beach Islanders. He was a life long member and past president of the Daytona Beach Kiwanis, involved with Meals on Wheels, Clothes for Kids, and Christmas Food Programs.

Bob Sowers- Bob bought the West Palm Beach Expos in 1977, and ran it until his death in 1985. Mike Moore, past President of Minor League Baseball called Bob a fascinating man. Sowers had been with one of the largest advertising agencies in the world in New York City, when he retired and bought the team in West Palm and ran it. It was considered his baby. He had a very innovative mind, and talked a lot about the tremendous potential of the National Association, and what is should be, and could be if organized properly.

Chuck and Emo Murphy- Chuck has been the President of the Florida State League since his election in late 1989. During his tenure the League established a Scholarship Program, Sports Turf Awards, and the Hall of Fame. The League is built on sound checks and balances, and is financially stable. Chuck has received the Warren Giles Award in 1991, and the Friends of Baseball Chapel Award in 1994. Along side has been his wife Emo, who as a baseball fan, and executive has been a tremendous support and advisor. Emo is active in the office as a financial consultant, and is always available and willing to help. Chuck and Emo celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary in October 2010.

Umpire

Jeff Nelson- Umpire in the Florida State League in 1990-92. Jeff worked the play-offs, and in 1992 was promoted to the Eastern League. He was named Top Prospect at the Joe Brinkman Umpiring School in 1989. Jeff was promoted to National League prior to the 1999 season. Nelson is currently the Secretary/Treasurer of the Major League's Umpire Union, the World Umpires Association.

The ceremony is open to the public, and tickets are $75.00 per person. Dress is cocktail attire. More information will be available as we get closer to the event. If you have questions, please call (386)252-7479.