It’s Hall of Fame Day!
Happy Hall of Fame Day, Charlotte Knights fans!
Every January, I look forward to the day when new members are elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame. As a kid growing up in Brooklyn, NY, I couldn’t wait for the day that my idol, Gary Carter, received his call to Cooperstown.
Similarly, there is a Hall of Fame in Charlotte in which members are selected each year. I look forward to that even more!
Although the Knights were unable to hold induction ceremonies in 2020 and 2021, the team is set to announce a new member later today!
CHARLOTTE BASEBALL HALL OF FAME HISTORY
Originally started in 1982 by the Crockett Family, the Charlotte Baseball Hall of Fame had five election years (1982–1985 & 1987).
The inaugural class of 1982 featured the following inductees: Roberto Estalella, Phil Howser, Harmon Killebrew, Minnie Mendoza, Tony Oliva, Frank Packard, Hoyt Wilhelm and the 1965 Post 9 Team.
Over the course of five election classes, names such as Eddie Murray (1983), Early Wynn (1983), Cal Ripken Jr. (1985) and Ralph Rowe (1985) were elected.
The final election took place in 1987 with the Crocketts inducting Ellis Clary, Grady Little, Red Robbins, Ray Smith and Jimy Williams. After the team was sold to George Shinn, the Charlotte Baseball Hall of Fame remained dormant.
Many years later — with the Triple-A All-Star Game set to come to the Queen City in 2016 — the Knights revived the Charlotte Baseball Hall of Fame and renamed it the Charlotte Baseball Round Table of Honor.
That year, Charlie Manuel, Jim Thome and Frances Crockett were inducted!
Since then, a total of five members have been selected from 2017 to 2020 — four inducted during on-field ceremonies (2017–2019). The last ceremony took place in 2019 when the Knights honored Joe Borchard before a game at Truist Field.
MORE ON JOE BORCHARD’S INDUCTION
Former Knights outfielder Billy McMillon was selected in 2020 and was scheduled to be inducted during an on-field ceremony that year, but the season was later cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. An induction ceremony did not take place in 2020 or in 2021.
Here is the full list of the Charlotte Baseball Round Table of Honor:
2016: Charlie Manuel, Jim Thome & Frances Crockett
2017: Don Beaver & Drungo LaRue Hazewood
2018: Brian Daubach
2019: Joe Borchard
2020: Billy McMillon (season was cancelled due to COVID-19. Induction ceremony to be held at a later date)
2021: No induction ceremony was held
A new member will be announced later today on January 25, 2022. Who will it be? Stay tuned!
