IN MEMORY OF Doug Schaefer
The Greater STL Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame is mourning the loss of Doug Schaefer. Schaefer was inducted into our Hall of Fame in April of this year and passed suddenly at the age of 69 at his home in Phoenix, AZ on July 23, 2023. Doug was a great player at Lindbergh High School, the University of Oklahoma and in the San Francisco Giants organization where he made it to the AAA level prior to retiring from professional baseball. An excellent right-handed pitcher who also coached for several youth teams in the St. Louis area prior to moving to Phoenix and coached in the Phoenix area after his relocation. The Greater STL Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame sends sincere condolences to the Schaefer Family.
IN MEMORY OF MARTIN L. MATHEWS
The Greater STL Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame has lost a cherished member in Martin L. Mathews who died on November 9, 2022, at the age of 97. Mathews was an inaugural member of the Hall of Fame in 1974 and longtime board member and advisor. His contributions to the St. Louis community are immeasurable. Praised by U.S. Presidents, civic leaders and community service members, Mathews was an iconic figure on the St. Louis landscape. The Mathews-Dickey Boys and Girls Club stands as one of the most successful youth outreach facilities in St. Louis history. Founded in 1960 with his friend Hubert "Dickey" Ballentine, the Boys and Girls Club continues to serve hundreds of families each year. A regular fixture at the Greater STL Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremonies each year, he could always be counted on to provide encouragement and wisdom to the hall of fame family. Martin Mathews was a true legend. He will be greatly missed in St. Louis, but his legacy will most certainly live on. The Greater STL Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame sends sincere condolences to the Mathews family.
In Memoriam
We mourn the RECENT passing of the following members or friends of the ABHOf:
Doug Schaefer Inducted as a Player 2023 Died July 23, 2023
William "Bill" Becher Inducted as a Coach 2022 Died April 7, 2023
Frank R. Houston Inducted as a Player 2012 Died February 11, 2023
Martin L. Mathews Inducted as a Contributor 1974 Died November 9, 2022
Marvin Stendel Inducted as a Player 1983 Died August 4, 2022
Fred Walton Inducted as a Player 2007 Died February 28, 2022
Norm Ochsner Inducted as a Coach 2019 Died December 1, 2021
Robert Dunard Inducted as a Player 2012 Died June 21, 2021
Lee L. Basso Inducted as a Contributor 1995 Died March 21, 2021
Richard Schuchardt Inducted as a Contributor 1986 Died January 2, 2021
Harry Lemakis Inducted as a Player 2017 Died December 27, 2020
Leonard Wiesner Inducted as a Player 1994 Died December 5, 2020
William "Bill" Volz Inducted as a Contributor 1992 Died November 8, 2020
Ralph H. Stephenson, Jr. Inducted as a Contributor 2001 Died September 22, 2020
Greg Marecek Inducted as a Contributor 2002 Died September 13, 2020
Brian Richardson Inducted as a Player in 2007 Died September 8, 2020
Ed Wheatley Sr. Inducted as a Player in 1989 Died July 8, 2020
Al Grosch Inducted as a Contributor in 1976 Died April 7, 2020
Dennis Strickland Inducted as a Player in 2013 Died February 15, 2020
John McArthur Sr Inducted as an Umpire in 1984 Died February 10, 2020
Walter J. Lembeck Inducted as a Player in 1997 Died September 19, 2019
J. Kim Tucci Advisory Board Member Died March 25, 2019
Ed Barry Inducted as a Player in 1986 Died August 26, 2018
Hank Greifzu Inducted as a Player in 1980 Died May 24, 2018
Jim Brady Inducted as a Player in 2008 Died November 23, 2017
Ernest "Turk" Jacobs Inducted as a Player in 1996 Died October 12, 2017
James R. Muskopf Inducted as a Contributor in 2001 Died July 5, 2017
Mal Murphy Inducted as a Player in 1988 Died April 2, 2017
Richard Meisemann Inducted as a Player in 1993 Died February 11, 2017
Garland Goodwin Inducted as a Player in 1996 Died July 11, 2016
Lloyd G. Rupp Inducted as a Player in 1979 Died August 5, 2015
Dr. Robert E. Ryan Sr. Inducted as a Player in 1996 Died March 30, 2015
IN MEMORY OF LEE BASSO
The Greater STL Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame mourns the loss of a great amateur baseball advocate and contributor with the passing of Lee L. Basso. Lee passed away on Sunday, March 21 at the age of 98. Lee was a long time baseball coach and contributor in the St. Louis area. He was inducted in 1995 as a contributor at the age of 72. His induction bio read:
A sandlotter from Staunton, IL, where high school ball was not played, he played third base for Illinois College until 1943. At age 35, he moved into team organizing and managing, including Pine Lawn - Normandy Legion Team. His T. A. McGuires, named for an ardent supporter, made the Legion playoffs 11 of 13 years. Won six American Legion league titles and seven in Khoury League competition, helping players get college scholarships.
He served his country in World War II as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy and was a member of the William-Owen-McGuire American Legion Post 161 for 47 years. He was a tireless worker as a member of the board of directors for the Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame for 15 years. Lee was a remarkable man and a great friend.
A sandlotter from Staunton, IL, where high school ball was not played, he played third base for Illinois College until 1943. At age 35, he moved into team organizing and managing, including Pine Lawn - Normandy Legion Team. His T. A. McGuires, named for an ardent supporter, made the Legion playoffs 11 of 13 years. Won six American Legion league titles and seven in Khoury League competition, helping players get college scholarships.
He served his country in World War II as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy and was a member of the William-Owen-McGuire American Legion Post 161 for 47 years. He was a tireless worker as a member of the board of directors for the Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame for 15 years. Lee was a remarkable man and a great friend.
IN MEMORY OF BRIAN RICHARDSON
BRIAN RICHARDSON, SR.
(1948-2020)
The Greater STL Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame lost one of its best players on Tuesday, September 8, 2020. Brian Richardson, treasurer and member of the executive committee of the board of directors was fatally injured in a highway accident while on vacation in Wyoming. He was 71. Brian joined the board of directors in 2010 and was named Treasurer in 2014. He was a proud member of the Hall of Fame, inducted in 2007 after an outstanding career as a pitcher and coach in the St. Louis area. He was a crafty right-hander at Southwest High School, Meramec Community College, Mizzou and the St. Louis County Summer League. He also served as head baseball coach at Harris-Stowe State College and managed several outstanding players who followed him into the Hall of Fame. Quite simply, he loved baseball. No one worked harder to keep the heritage and tradition of amateur baseball alive in St. Louis.
He was a passionate and tireless supporter of our Hall of Fame. He was our friend and teammate. He will be dearly missed.
He was a passionate and tireless supporter of our Hall of Fame. He was our friend and teammate. He will be dearly missed.
IN MEMORY OF FRED WALTON
The Greater STL Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame mourns the loss of a great hurler in Fred Walton who threw his last pitch on February 28, 2022 at the age of 84.
Fred was a hardworking, successful business owner for 50+ years. He was a professional baseball player who had a brief stint with the Brooklyn Dodgers organization in 1956. He was inducted into the St. Louis Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame in 2007. An outstanding pitcher for many years on the St. Louis amateur baseball circuit. He also coached, was a referee, and umpired various amateur sports. He loved his family, his church, and enjoyed spending time with friends.
The Greater STL Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame honors the great career of Fred Walton. Our condolences to Fred's family, friends and teammates.
Fred was a hardworking, successful business owner for 50+ years. He was a professional baseball player who had a brief stint with the Brooklyn Dodgers organization in 1956. He was inducted into the St. Louis Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame in 2007. An outstanding pitcher for many years on the St. Louis amateur baseball circuit. He also coached, was a referee, and umpired various amateur sports. He loved his family, his church, and enjoyed spending time with friends.
The Greater STL Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame honors the great career of Fred Walton. Our condolences to Fred's family, friends and teammates.