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Eugene Church · 07-04-2014, 09:15 PM

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Monday, July 1, 2047

6 IPA LEGENDS INDUCTED TO HALL OF FAME
The Baseball Sportswriters Association were in an approving mood at this year's election process for the Islandian Pro Alliance Hall of Fame. They named six players to the hallowed baseball museum, headed up by Corbett Brooks, the number two all-time home-run hitter. Three other position players also were inducted: Johnny Petrak, Nicky Farrugia, both recently retired, and old-time star Fred Collins, who seemed to fall through the voting cracks and had almost been forgotten. Two pitching greats, David Michael and Terry Richards were also honored by the BSA.

BROOKS INDUCTED INTO HALL OF FAME
"From the first time I saw him play, I knew he had the potential to be one of the best," Corbett Brooks' first manager Mack Connery said, "and the more I saw him play, the more certain I was that he would reach that potential."

Brooks retired at the age of 41 with a .263 career batting average. The legendary slugger mainly played right field, participated in 3187 games, collected 3008 hits, 727 home runs and batted in 1980 runs. He played with four clubs from 2022 until 2044. Only famed immortal Jack Elliott outhomered him in his career. Elliott is the all-time IPA home-run leader with 848. Brooks was a four-time All-Star and won a Golden Glove early in his career. Sadly, he never got to play in the playoffs. Much of his career Brooks labored in obscurity.

Connery was just one of the people there at Brooks's enshrinement in the Islandian Pro Alliance Hall of Fame. It was a celebration of the career of one of the shining stars of his generation.

His teammates loved him and opposing fans loved to hate him, but respect followed him everywhere, as evidenced by the large crowd at the ceremony. Not only were teammates there, but opposing players and managers as well, along with a large throng of fans.

The man of the moment was overcome with emotion when he finally took his turn at the podium to speak. "This is one of the greatest moments of my life and to share it with all of you here is... simply amazing. I would just like to thank my family and all my teammates for their support during my journey here. Individual honor was never my goal, winning was, but this is more than I could have ever dreamed."

MICHAEL JOINS GREATS IN IPA HALL OF FAME
What does it take to make the baseball Hall of Fame? One sometimes wonders when you see a player with Fred Collins' credentials left out for some many years.

Well, whatever it is, David Michael has it. He was inducted into the Islandian Pro Alliance Hall of Fame today.

Retiring at age 40, Michael had one of the most illustrious careers ever with a 315-234 won-loss mark and a 3.11 ERA. Michael was a mainstay of the North Hills Hawks from 2029 to 2047 and led them to four Pro Cup crowns and 11 pennants in his 19 years with the club. Michael was especially effective in the postseason where he registered a 20-13 record in 38 starts and posted a superb 2.32 ERA against the best of the IPA. He was 7-0 with a 1.96 ERA in the 2034 playoffs, won by the Hawks. He was voted the Pro Cup MVP that year. Michael also copped the MVP honor in 2038 with a 4-1 mark and a 1.34 ERA when the Hawks won their second Pro Cup trophy.

Asked by reporters to describe what it takes to become a Hall of Famer, he replied, "I guess it all started at my high school graduation. The speaker said to be successful in life, you needed to find 'something you love.' I am here today because I found something I love. Baseball has been my life. It has never been a job. I have been able to have fun playing a game and making a wonderful life for myself and my family. I am a kid that never really had to grow up. Just go to the ballpark each day and throw strikes. That's it."

David Michael closed by saying, "God gave me the talent and blessed me with great coaches, managers, and teammates, who helped me develop it."

HOF HONORS JOHNNY PETRAK
During his tenure in the Islandian Pro Alliance Johnny Petrak was nothing but class, on the field and off the field. Now he is part of the Hall of Fame class of 2047. Lifetime Petrak hit for a .315 average and totaled 2441 hits, 280 home runs and 1197 RBIs. Petrak was an 8-time All-Star and Gold Glover, who played shortstop and second base for the Eastshore Elegants from 2034 to 2047. In 2034 he batted .382 in his only postseason appearance, playing in seven games. The Elegants lost in first round action.

The fine infielder was officially inducted today and took his place among baseball's best. He recently retired at the age of 41.

Teammate Troy McFarland told the audience, "The greatest thing he taught me was on my first day in the big leagues -- it was the hustle. He hit two one-hoppers to the pitcher and ran as hard as he could to first base. Johnny set a great example for me to model my career. His hustle and desire -- those were the little things that stood out for me. Plus he's one of the best hitters I've ever played with."

In his speech Petrak expressed his thanks and gratitude to the many people who helped make this wonderful day possible.
"I have been truly blessed. I have been able to do something I love and get paid very well for it. There was no place that I ever wanted to be, but on the baseball diamond every day doing what I love."

WACKY RICHARDS MAKES IPA HALL OF FAME
Terry Richards was a happy-go-lucky hurler that didn't seem to take baseball too seriously. But Richards was good enough to chalked up 306 victories. Much to the dismay of his managers, the gifted pitcher was fond of making esoteric and philosophical observations like, "People are too hung up on winning. I can get off on a really good helmet throw."

Whether he believed that or not, the baseball writers took his accomplishments on the mound seriously and voted him into the prestigious Islandian Pro Alliance Hall of Fame.

At his induction today Richards told the press, "I played the game for fun. That didn't mean I wasn't giving it my all. I wouldn't be here today, if I hadn't given it my all."

Richards retired at age 37 in 2045. In his superb career he compiled a fine ERA of 3.14 with 306 victories and 221 defeats and held opponents to a .246 batting average. All total he pitched in 680 games and struck out 3654 batters in 4856 innings. Richards played 18 years for the Waleska Westerners beginning in 2028. The Westerners won three Pro Cup titles during his tenure with them. They captured their first in his rookie year when he went 4-1 in the playoffs with a 3.08 ERA. Richards also played a big part in the 2037 Pro Cup run with a 4-1 mark and a 2.98 ERA, good enough to be a very close second to pitcher Craig Nash (3-1/2.08) for the Pro Cup MVP. He was injured when the Westerners took the IPA crown again in 2039. Waleska still won it even without their ace, who was 18-8 in the regular season with a sparkling 2.64 ERA.

The eccentric and irreverent pitcher closed out his speech in style: "Baseball's a very simple game. All you have to do is sit on your butt, spit tobacco and nod at the stupid things your manager says."

FARRUGIA JOINS HOF IMMORTALS
Thousands of fans braved the scorching sun to watch and cheer as baseball's latest legend, Nicky Farrugia, was inducted into the Islandian Pro Alliance Hall of Fame today. With his 365 home runs, 2215 hits and lifetime .321 batting average, everyone knew the gifted right fielder belonged with the immortals of the game. Still, Farrugia remained humble.

"I'm a very lucky person to be born with the skill to play baseball and through baseball I built a name for myself," said Farrugia. Now finally his career as a baseball player is complete, "This seals it," he said. "To get the recognition that every ballplayer seeks -- this is completion for me."

Farrugia retired recently at 37. In his epic 14-year career (2034-2047) with the St. John Crusaders he played in 1704 games and finished with 1204 RBIs and 1131 runs scored. Five times he made the All-Star team and won the Ruthlandian Golden Bat and Most Valuable Player honors in 2039. Farrugia only played in the postseason on two occasions, but swatted .352 in 22 games with 6 homers and 12 RBIs.

COLLINS FINALLY GETS CHOSEN TO THE HALL OF FAME
A great injustice was made right this year by the Hall of Fame electors. Fred Collins, the great center fielder and consummate professional, was finally inducted into the Islandian Pro Alliance Hall of Fame today after being overlooked and bypassed for almost three decades. Collins played from 2001 to 2020 with three clubs, Blue Lake, Sligo and Mahaska. He was a four-time All-Star and was twice the Ruthlandian Batter of the Year, winning the Gold Bat in 2010 and 2011. Collins was the Ruthlandian Union Most Valuable Player in 2011.

The 68-year-old honoree quipped, "Although you don't like to give up at anything, it was beginning to look hopeless for me. I'm just glad that they didn't vote me in posthumously while I was alive."

His all-time numbers show Collins compiled a .305 batting average and collected 2707 hits, 401 home runs and 1446 RBIs. In all, he played in 2634 games. Collins retired from baseball at the age of 41. He also scored 1665 runs, stole 481 bases, walked 1407 times and put up a lifetime .406 on-base percentage. He batted .328 in 16 playoffs games.

At the induction ceremony, he grew misty-eyed as he recalled the highlights of his playing career: his first base hit, his first home run, and -- humorously -- the first time he was thrown out at home plate. Collins says he barged through his third base coach's stop sign. As he returned to the dugout, his manager Eddie Keys simply glared at him. "His eyes just burned a hole right through me. If looks could kill, I wouldn't be here today," he chuckled.

07-04-2014, 09:15 PM	#4265
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,877	THE ISLANDIAN TIMES Monday, July 1, 2047 6 IPA LEGENDS INDUCTED TO HALL OF FAME The Baseball Sportswriters Association were in an approving mood at this year's election process for the Islandian Pro Alliance Hall of Fame. They named six players to the hallowed baseball museum, headed up by Corbett Brooks, the number two all-time home-run hitter. Three other position players also were inducted: Johnny Petrak, Nicky Farrugia, both recently retired, and old-time star Fred Collins, who seemed to fall through the voting cracks and had almost been forgotten. Two pitching greats, David Michael and Terry Richards were also honored by the BSA. BROOKS INDUCTED INTO HALL OF FAME "From the first time I saw him play, I knew he had the potential to be one of the best," Corbett Brooks' first manager Mack Connery said, "and the more I saw him play, the more certain I was that he would reach that potential." Brooks retired at the age of 41 with a .263 career batting average. The legendary slugger mainly played right field, participated in 3187 games, collected 3008 hits, 727 home runs and batted in 1980 runs. He played with four clubs from 2022 until 2044. Only famed immortal Jack Elliott outhomered him in his career. Elliott is the all-time IPA home-run leader with 848. Brooks was a four-time All-Star and won a Golden Glove early in his career. Sadly, he never got to play in the playoffs. Much of his career Brooks labored in obscurity. Connery was just one of the people there at Brooks's enshrinement in the Islandian Pro Alliance Hall of Fame. It was a celebration of the career of one of the shining stars of his generation. His teammates loved him and opposing fans loved to hate him, but respect followed him everywhere, as evidenced by the large crowd at the ceremony. Not only were teammates there, but opposing players and managers as well, along with a large throng of fans. The man of the moment was overcome with emotion when he finally took his turn at the podium to speak. "This is one of the greatest moments of my life and to share it with all of you here is... simply amazing. I would just like to thank my family and all my teammates for their support during my journey here. Individual honor was never my goal, winning was, but this is more than I could have ever dreamed." MICHAEL JOINS GREATS IN IPA HALL OF FAME What does it take to make the baseball Hall of Fame? One sometimes wonders when you see a player with Fred Collins' credentials left out for some many years. Well, whatever it is, David Michael has it. He was inducted into the Islandian Pro Alliance Hall of Fame today. Retiring at age 40, Michael had one of the most illustrious careers ever with a 315-234 won-loss mark and a 3.11 ERA. Michael was a mainstay of the North Hills Hawks from 2029 to 2047 and led them to four Pro Cup crowns and 11 pennants in his 19 years with the club. Michael was especially effective in the postseason where he registered a 20-13 record in 38 starts and posted a superb 2.32 ERA against the best of the IPA. He was 7-0 with a 1.96 ERA in the 2034 playoffs, won by the Hawks. He was voted the Pro Cup MVP that year. Michael also copped the MVP honor in 2038 with a 4-1 mark and a 1.34 ERA when the Hawks won their second Pro Cup trophy. Asked by reporters to describe what it takes to become a Hall of Famer, he replied, "I guess it all started at my high school graduation. The speaker said to be successful in life, you needed to find 'something you love.' I am here today because I found something I love. Baseball has been my life. It has never been a job. I have been able to have fun playing a game and making a wonderful life for myself and my family. I am a kid that never really had to grow up. Just go to the ballpark each day and throw strikes. That's it." David Michael closed by saying, "God gave me the talent and blessed me with great coaches, managers, and teammates, who helped me develop it." HOF HONORS JOHNNY PETRAK During his tenure in the Islandian Pro Alliance Johnny Petrak was nothing but class, on the field and off the field. Now he is part of the Hall of Fame class of 2047. Lifetime Petrak hit for a .315 average and totaled 2441 hits, 280 home runs and 1197 RBIs. Petrak was an 8-time All-Star and Gold Glover, who played shortstop and second base for the Eastshore Elegants from 2034 to 2047. In 2034 he batted .382 in his only postseason appearance, playing in seven games. The Elegants lost in first round action. The fine infielder was officially inducted today and took his place among baseball's best. He recently retired at the age of 41. Teammate Troy McFarland told the audience, "The greatest thing he taught me was on my first day in the big leagues -- it was the hustle. He hit two one-hoppers to the pitcher and ran as hard as he could to first base. Johnny set a great example for me to model my career. His hustle and desire -- those were the little things that stood out for me. Plus he's one of the best hitters I've ever played with." In his speech Petrak expressed his thanks and gratitude to the many people who helped make this wonderful day possible. "I have been truly blessed. I have been able to do something I love and get paid very well for it. There was no place that I ever wanted to be, but on the baseball diamond every day doing what I love." WACKY RICHARDS MAKES IPA HALL OF FAME Terry Richards was a happy-go-lucky hurler that didn't seem to take baseball too seriously. But Richards was good enough to chalked up 306 victories. Much to the dismay of his managers, the gifted pitcher was fond of making esoteric and philosophical observations like, "People are too hung up on winning. I can get off on a really good helmet throw." Whether he believed that or not, the baseball writers took his accomplishments on the mound seriously and voted him into the prestigious Islandian Pro Alliance Hall of Fame. At his induction today Richards told the press, "I played the game for fun. That didn't mean I wasn't giving it my all. I wouldn't be here today, if I hadn't given it my all." Richards retired at age 37 in 2045. In his superb career he compiled a fine ERA of 3.14 with 306 victories and 221 defeats and held opponents to a .246 batting average. All total he pitched in 680 games and struck out 3654 batters in 4856 innings. Richards played 18 years for the Waleska Westerners beginning in 2028. The Westerners won three Pro Cup titles during his tenure with them. They captured their first in his rookie year when he went 4-1 in the playoffs with a 3.08 ERA. Richards also played a big part in the 2037 Pro Cup run with a 4-1 mark and a 2.98 ERA, good enough to be a very close second to pitcher Craig Nash (3-1/2.08) for the Pro Cup MVP. He was injured when the Westerners took the IPA crown again in 2039. Waleska still won it even without their ace, who was 18-8 in the regular season with a sparkling 2.64 ERA. The eccentric and irreverent pitcher closed out his speech in style: "Baseball's a very simple game. All you have to do is sit on your butt, spit tobacco and nod at the stupid things your manager says." FARRUGIA JOINS HOF IMMORTALS Thousands of fans braved the scorching sun to watch and cheer as baseball's latest legend, Nicky Farrugia, was inducted into the Islandian Pro Alliance Hall of Fame today. With his 365 home runs, 2215 hits and lifetime .321 batting average, everyone knew the gifted right fielder belonged with the immortals of the game. Still, Farrugia remained humble. "I'm a very lucky person to be born with the skill to play baseball and through baseball I built a name for myself," said Farrugia. Now finally his career as a baseball player is complete, "This seals it," he said. "To get the recognition that every ballplayer seeks -- this is completion for me." Farrugia retired recently at 37. In his epic 14-year career (2034-2047) with the St. John Crusaders he played in 1704 games and finished with 1204 RBIs and 1131 runs scored. Five times he made the All-Star team and won the Ruthlandian Golden Bat and Most Valuable Player honors in 2039. Farrugia only played in the postseason on two occasions, but swatted .352 in 22 games with 6 homers and 12 RBIs. COLLINS FINALLY GETS CHOSEN TO THE HALL OF FAME A great injustice was made right this year by the Hall of Fame electors. Fred Collins, the great center fielder and consummate professional, was finally inducted into the Islandian Pro Alliance Hall of Fame today after being overlooked and bypassed for almost three decades. Collins played from 2001 to 2020 with three clubs, Blue Lake, Sligo and Mahaska. He was a four-time All-Star and was twice the Ruthlandian Batter of the Year, winning the Gold Bat in 2010 and 2011. Collins was the Ruthlandian Union Most Valuable Player in 2011. The 68-year-old honoree quipped, "Although you don't like to give up at anything, it was beginning to look hopeless for me. I'm just glad that they didn't vote me in posthumously while I was alive." His all-time numbers show Collins compiled a .305 batting average and collected 2707 hits, 401 home runs and 1446 RBIs. In all, he played in 2634 games. Collins retired from baseball at the age of 41. He also scored 1665 runs, stole 481 bases, walked 1407 times and put up a lifetime .406 on-base percentage. He batted .328 in 16 playoffs games. At the induction ceremony, he grew misty-eyed as he recalled the highlights of his playing career: his first base hit, his first home run, and -- humorously -- the first time he was thrown out at home plate. Collins says he barged through his third base coach's stop sign. As he returned to the dugout, his manager Eddie Keys simply glared at him. "His eyes just burned a hole right through me. If looks could kill, I wouldn't be here today," he chuckled.