Inaugural Class Inducted into OKC Triple-A Baseball Hall of Fame
R.A. Dickey, Bobby Jones and Jason Botts inducted during pregame ceremony Aug. 5 as part of 25th anniversary celebration of Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark
Bobby Jones and R.A. Dickey returned earlier this month to Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark — the stadium where they spent parts of a combined 15 seasons managing and playing at the Triple-A level in the Texas Rangers organization.
Jones and Dickey joined Jason Botts as the first three inductees into the new Oklahoma City Triple-A Baseball Hall of Fame. The trio was honored during a pregame ceremony near home plate at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark before the OKC Dodgers played the Round Rock Express Aug. 5.
“Tonight, we get to create a little bit of history together,” OKC Dodgers President/General Manager Michael Byrnes told the crowd to begin the ceremony.
The Oklahoma City Triple-A Baseball Hall of Fame was formed this year as part of the 25th anniversary celebration of Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.
The first three selections were made by a five-person committee comprised of media members, baseball historians and civic leaders that worked alongside members of the Oklahoma City Dodgers front office. The committee and the Dodgers front office highlighted one position player, one pitcher and one coach or contributor.
Outfielder and designated hitter Botts, pitcher Dickey and manager Jones all played key roles in the team’s history during the franchise’s Bricktown era, which began in 1998.
“As we began to think about how we wanted to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the ballpark, it became clear that recognizing the extraordinary talent and personalities that have spent time here in Oklahoma City would be an important element of our celebration,” Byrnes said.
“This Hall of Fame will ultimately have representation from the full history of the franchise. Triple-A baseball began in 1962 here in Oklahoma City, but this year it felt particularly special to honor the Bricktown era as we celebrated this great ballpark,” Byrnes said.
Former Oklahoma City Mayor and current member of the selection committee Mick Cornett followed Byrnes at the podium and served as emcee for the ceremony.
“It is hard to believe it has been 25 years since this great ballpark opened,” Cornett said. “I can remember the excitement that we all felt that night as the first of the MAPS projects officially opened. I have heard historians say that night triggered the beginning of a run of positive energy in Oklahoma City that still exists today. This ballpark started it all.”
The first three inductees to the Oklahoma City Triple-A Baseball Hall of Fame each spent several seasons playing in Bricktown. Cornett went on to introduce each of them individually, listing their numerous accolades and important contributions to Triple-A baseball in Oklahoma City.
Dickey spent parts of seven seasons with the RedHawks, first between 1999–2003 and then 2005–06. He is the team’s all-time leader in games (141), starts (106), wins (49), innings (766.1) and strikeouts (477).
Dickey went to pitch during 15 seasons in the Major Leagues with the Texas Rangers, Toronto Blue Jays, New York Mets, Minnesota Twins, Atlanta Braves and Seattle Mariners. He earned 120 career wins and led or tied for the league lead in starts for three straight seasons between 2012–14. He won the National League Cy Young Award in 2012 with the New York Mets and captured a Gold Glove in 2013.
“It’s a great honor, and walking back into the park, I have a lot of memories about this place,” Dickey said. “My oldest two daughters were born while I was a member of the Oklahoma City RedHawks. I spent many a game right there on that mound getting taken out of the game by that man right there.”
Dickey pointed over to the pitching mound and then to his former manager Jones who was sitting a few feet away.
“This place is about building whatever your gift is in baseball, but also about building relationships, and I have some incredible relationships with people in this community and with this ballpark,” Dickey said. “I couldn’t think of a more worthwhile honor than getting to celebrate that with members of this community. So thank you so much, Oklahoma City.”
Jones was the manager of the RedHawks for eight of Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark’s first 13 seasons. During that time, his teams amassed 595 wins and won five division titles. The RedHawks led the league during the 2005 regular season with an 81–63 record, and in 2008, the team advanced to the PCL Championship Series.
Jones has managed the most games in OKC Triple-A history and is the franchise’s all-time winningest manager. He has worked as a coach and adviser in the Texas Rangers organization since 1998.
“Like R.A., this place has many memories for me,” Jones said. “We had some good teams come in here and you guys got to see some awesome ballplayers that come through here, end up in the big leagues and had some great careers — R.A. included. It’s been an honor to work here and manage games here in front of you people. Thanks a lot. I really appreciate it.”
Botts spent parts of four seasons in OKC between 2005–08 as a switch-hitting outfielder and designated hitter. He is the team’s career leader in RBI (230), ranks second in doubles (92) and walks (188), is tied for fourth all-time with 55 home runs and is fifth all-time in hits (348). During his time in OKC, he posted a career .299 batting average, .398 on-base percentage and .540 slugging percentage.
Botts, who was unable to attend the August ceremony, played parts of four seasons in the Majors with the Texas Rangers. He also spent portions of his pro career playing in Japan, Mexico and Puerto Rico.
A temporary display with this year’s Hall of Fame class is currently posted along the right field concourse near the Warren Spahn Gate entrance at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark, available for all fans to see.
The Oklahoma City Triple-A Baseball Hall of Fame also includes the re-enshrinement of 24 individuals who were selected as part of the Oklahoma City 89ers Hall of Fame between 1981–89, all of which are listed on the current display.
Video of the entire 2023 induction ceremony can be viewed here.
