HomeNews Goldklang Group Announces Inductees To Professional Baseball Scouts Hall of Fame
Goldklang Group Announces Inductees To Professional Baseball Scouts Hall of Fame
The Goldklang Group and Topps to Honor Twelve Scouts with Ceremony
The Goldklang Group
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FLORHAM PARK, NEW JERSEY & NEW YORK (MAY 12,2008)- The Goldklang Group today announced the induction of the inaugural class of twelve scouts into the Professional Baseball Scouts Hall of Fame (PBSHOF) sponsored by The Topps Company Inc. The Group-affiliated clubs (Charleston RiverDogs, Ft. Myers Miracle, Hudson Valley Renegades, St. Paul Saints, Brockton Rox, Sioux Falls Canaries) will honor the inductees with an on field ceremony along with the unveiling of their bronze plaque.
The following scouts and ceremony dates shall represent our 2008 Inaugural Induction Class:
HUDSON VALLEY RENEGADES- JUNE 21 John Tumminia – Chicago White Sox Tom Giordano – Texas Rangers
FORT MYERS MIRACLE- JULY 12 Tom Kotchman – Los Angeles Angels Rudy Satin – San Francisco Giants
BROCKTON ROX – JULY 20 Lennie Merullo – MLSB Buzz Bowers – Boston Red Sox Lennie Merullo
Lennie Merullo got his start in professional baseball back in 1941 with the Chicago Cubs. He played seven seasons with the Cubs including the 1945 World Series against the Detroit Tigers. Merullo ended his playing career in 1947 but returned to the game shortly after as a scout for the Cubs in 1950. Merullo spent more than two decades, 1950 – 73, as the Cubs chief scout signing the likes of Moe Drabowsky. From 1973 until 2002 he acted as a veteran scout for the Major League Baseball Scouting Bureau. In 1990 the Scouting Bureau selected Merullo as the Scout of the Year and then in 2002 the MLB Commissioner’s Office recognized him with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his many years of service to the game. During his tenure as a scout he traveled 20,000 miles a year, criss-crossing six New England states evaluating players. He became a fixture at high school, college, American Legion and other amateur games forging a reputation as one of the game’s most-liked and most respected scouts.
Charles “Buzz” Bowers Bowers’ career spanned 58 years of professional baseball distinction as a player in the Phillies organization and as a scout. During his career in professional baseball he spent the better part of four decades as a scout for the Phillies, Los Angeles Dodgers and the Boston Red Sox. In 2007 Buzz received the Andy Blalock Award from the New England Intercollegiate Baseball Association. The award is given out to an individual whose contribution lead to the betterment of New England college baseball. Buzz is a graduate of Michigan State University.
In conjunction with the ballpark campaigns, Topps plans to feature scouts on their trading cards including the creation of special cards to share with each inductee. Criteria upon which selection was based: Minimum 20 years professional scouting experience. The selection of inductees shall be based on a combination of quantifiable success in the field, contributions made to the game in other areas of the sport whether professional or amateur, and importantly their involvement and dedication to the local community that is honoring them through induction.
CHARLESTON RIVERDOGS – JULY 25 Lon Joyce- LA Dodgers Donny Rowland- New York Yankees
SIOUX FALLS- AUGUST 8 Brad Sloan – Los Angeles Angels Art Stewart – Kansas City Royals
ST. PAUL SAINTS – AUGUST 15 Phil Rizzo – LA Dodgers Hep Cronin – Atlanta Braves
ABOUT THE GOLDKLANG GROUP The Goldklang Group is a sports entertainment consulting and management firm. The Group provides operational consulting and management services in all areas relating to sports franchise and event acquisition, promotion and operation.
The principals in the Group are Marvin Goldklang and Mike Veeck. Goldklang is a noted owner and operator of several highly successful minor league baseball franchises, Chairman of M.S. Goldklang and Company, a New Jersey-based merchant banking firm, and a limited partner in the Yankees. Veeck is a noted public speaker and author, as well as an owner and operator of minor league baseball clubs that continually are recognized nationally for their promotional innovation and financial success. (www.goldklanggroup.com)
ABOUT THE TOPPS COMPANY, INC. Founded in 1938, Topps is a leading creator and marketer of sports and related cards, entertainment products, and distinctive confectionery. Topps entertainment products include Major League Baseball, NFL, NBA and other trading cards, sticker album collections, and collectible games. The Company's confectionery brands include “Bazooka” bubble gum, Ring Pop,” “Push Pop,” Baby Bottle Pop” and “Juicy Drop Pop” lollipops. For additional information, visit http://www.topps.com/.
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