Nice ballpark feature added to FirstEnergy Stadium, as the Reading Fightin Phils (Class AA; Eastern League) unveiled a tribute to the 38 America’s Classic Ballpark Hall of Famers, whose careers led them through Reading.
“What’s amazing is that 38 members of the National Baseball Hall of Fame have participated in a game right here at this historic stadium,”said Scott Hunsicker, general manager of the Reading Fightin Phils. “It’s not just that they played a game in Reading, but the fact that they participated in a game right here in this same ballpark, on this field. As you look at the names and photographs, it really hits you that these 38 icons of the game of baseball were right here, standing right where you are standing. You can almost picture them here on the field as you soak it in. It really is amazing, and historic, and what makes America’s Classic Ballpark so special.”
The area will consist of 38 vinyl portraits of all the hall of famers who played here at FirstEnergy Stadium. Each portrait will feature the year they were inducted into the Hall of Fame and the years they played here at America’s Classic Ballpark.
“We’re honored to play a part in Fightin Phils history with sponsoring the new Hall of Fame section,” said Scott McDevitt, President/CEO, Translogistics, Inc., sponsors of the display “We hope the people in the local community enjoy it as much as we’re grateful to be part of the Berks County business community.”
Here’s a full list of the 38:
Mike Schmidt
Reading Phillies 1971
Inducted National Baseball Hall of Fame 1995
Ryne Sandberg
Reading Phillies 1980
Inducted National Baseball Hall of Fame 2005
Jim Bunning
Reading Phillies Manager 1972
Inducted National Baseball Hall of Fame 1996
Robin Roberts
Reading Phillies 1967
Inducted National Baseball Hall of Fame 1976
Wade Boggs
Visiting Player Bristol Red Sox 1978 & 1979
Inducted National Baseball Hall of Fame 2005
Ricky Henderson
Visiting Player Jersey City A’s 1978
Inducted National Baseball Hall of Fame 2009
Gary Carter
Visiting Player Quebec City Carnavals 1973
Inducted National Baseball Hall of Fame 2003
Jim Rice
Visiting Player Bristol Red Sox 1973
Inducted National Baseball Hall of Fame 2009
Ken Griffey Jr.
Visiting Player Vermont Mariners 1988
Inducted National Baseball Hall of Fame 2016
Bobby Cox
Visiting Manager West Haven Yankees 1972
Inducted National Baseball Hall of Fame 2014
Carlton Fisk
Visiting Player Pittsfield Red Sox 1969, Pawtucket Red Sox 1970
Inducted National Baseball Hall of Fame 2000
Andre Dawson
Visiting Player Quebec City Carnanvals 1976
Inducted National Baseball Hall of Fame 2010
Barry Larkin
Visiting Player Vermont Reds 1985
Inducted National Baseball Hall of Fame 2012
Pedro Martinez
Reading Phillies MLB Rehab Appearance 2009
Inducted National Baseball Hall of Fame 2015
Greg Maddux
Visiting Player Pittsfield Cubs 1986
Inducted National Baseball Hall of Fame 2014
John Smoltz
Visiting Player Glens Falls Tigers 1987
Inducted National Baseball Hall of Fame 2015
Earl Weaver
Visiting Manager Elmira Pioneers 1962-1965
Inducted National Baseball Hall of Fame 1996
Tim Raines
Visiting Coach Harrisburg Senators 2007
Inducted National Baseball Hall of Fame 2017
Nellie Fox
Exhibition Game Danny Litwhiler All-Stars 1951
Inducted National Baseball Hall of Fame 1997
Al Lopez
Exhibition Game Cleveland Indians Manager 1952, ’53, ’54, ‘55
Inducted National Baseball Hall of Fame 1977
Larry Doby
Exhibition Game Cleveland Indians 1952, ’53, ’54, ‘55
Inducted National Baseball Hall of Fame 1998
Ralph Kiner
Exhibition Game Cleveland Indians 1955
Inducted National Baseball Hall of Fame 1975
Carl Yastrzemski
Exhibition Game Boston Red Sox 1964
Inducted National Baseball Hall of Fame 1989
Dick Williams
Exhibition Game Boston Red Sox 1964
Inducted National Baseball Hall of Fame 2008
Ernie Banks
Exhibition Game Chicago Cubs 1964
Inducted National Baseball Hall of Fame 1977
Billy Williams
Exhibition Game Chicago Cubs 1964
Inducted National Baseball Hall of Fame 1987
Ron Santo
Exhibition Game Chicago Cubs 1964
Inducted National Baseball Hall of Fame 2012
Lou Brock
Exhibition Game Chicago Cubs 1964
Inducted National Baseball Hall of Fame 1985
Steve Carlton
Exhibition Game Philadelphia Phillies 1972, ’74, ’75, ’76, ’77, ’78, ’80, ’81, ’82, ’83, ‘85
Inducted National Baseball Hall of Fame 1994
Early Wynn
Exhibition Game Cleveland Indians 1952, ’53, ’54, ‘55
Inducted National Baseball Hall of Fame 1972
Bob Lemon
Exhibition Game Cleveland Indians 1952, ’53, ’54, ‘55
Inducted National Baseball Hall of Fame 1976
Bob Feller
Exhibition Game Cleveland Indians 1952, ’53, ’54, ‘55
Inducted National Baseball Hall of Fame 1962
Happy Chandler
Commissioner of Major League Baseball 1945 – 1951
Keynote Speaker at stadium’s formal dedication – July 15, 1951
Inducted National Baseball Hall of Fame 1982
Pat Gillick
Visiting Player Elmira Pioneers 1963
Inducted National Baseball Hall of Fame 2011
Juan Marichal
Visiting Player Springfield Giants 1959
Inducted National Baseball Hall of Fame 1983
Jeff Bagwell
Visiting Player New Britain Red Sox 1990
Inducted National Baseball Hall of Fame 2017
Bill Mazeroski
Visiting Player Williamsport Grays 1954
Inducted National Baseball Hall of Fame 2001
Leon Day
Visiting Player Scranton Miners 1952
Inducted National Baseball Hall of Fame 1995