Larry Parrish to be inducted into IL Hall of Fame!

Former Mud Hens manager Larry Parrish - the winningest manager in franchise history - will be inducted into the International League Hall of Fame! The two-time big league All-Star served as the Mud Hens manager for a record eight seasons, highlighted by back-to-back Governors' Cup championships in 2005 and 2006.

Parrish, along with former outfielder Mack Jones (posthumously) and third baseman Don Richmond (posthumously), make up the International League Hall of Fame Class of 2013. The three men were elected to the IL Hall by a vote of living Hall of Famers, longtime executives, broadcasters, and members of the media.

The IL Hall of Fame, established in 1947, was dormant from 1964 until the League's 125th Anniversary season in 2008. Following a three-year transition period (2008-10) in which a total of 50 individuals were inducted after having been selected by a committee, the Class of 2013 was the third chosen by what will continue to serve as the annual election process. Each year the top three vote-getters who also receive a vote on the majority of ballots returned will be elected.

Complete statistical data and biographical information on all 110 members of the IL Hall of Fame, along with a copy of the International League Hall of Fame policies, procedures, and guidelines are available at www.ILBaseball.com.

Larry Parrish bio
A baseball lifer, Larry Parrish is both a student and teacher of the game who has sent many players to the major leagues. Parrish served as the Toledo manager for a record eight seasons, managing in over 1,120 games and becoming the franchise's all-time winningest skipper.

The Florida native had a memorable playing career, appearing in nearly 1,900 Major League games with the Expos, Rangers, and Red Sox. He appeared in two All-Star Games. Following two seasons in the Japanese Central League, Parrish retired in 1990 and became a full-time coach with the Detroit organization.

On May 2, 1994, Parrish took the reigns of the Toledo Mud Hens and guided the team to a 56-62 record. It would be nine years before he again donned the Mud Hens uniform. In September of 1998, Parrish replaced Buddy Bell as manager of the Detroit Tigers. He went 69-92 in 1999, his only full season as a big league skipper.

In 2003 Parrish returned to Toledo, and before long he led the Mud Hens franchise to unprecedented heights. He earned honors in 2005 as the International League Manager of the Year as well as the Sporting News Minor League Manager of the Year after guiding the Mud Hens to their first Governors' Cup title since 1967. Toledo racked up the best record in Triple-A Baseball (89-55) along the way.

He followed up the magical 2005 campaign by leading the Mud Hens to a second consecutive Governors' Cup in 2006, just the third IL championship in Toledo history. Health matters forced Parrish to sit out the 2007 season, but he was back for a third stint as the team's manager in 2008.

Parrish left the Mud Hens following the 2010 season to serve as hitting coach for the Atlanta Braves. Parrish rejoined the Detroit organization for the 2013 season as manager of the Class-A West Michigan Whitecaps.