Darryl Strawberry, Bruce Bochy, Charlie Manuel, and John Boog Powell have been elected into the Appalachian League Hall of Fame. The announcement was made by the league, recognizing the valuable contributions of these four individuals to the development and success of the Appalachian League.
Darryl Strawberry, a former Major League player who began his professional career with the Kingsport Mets in the Appalachian League, was selected with the No. 1 overall pick in the 1980 MLB Draft. He had an impressive rookie season, winning the NL Rookie of the Year award and going on to win three World Series championships with the New York Mets and Yankees. During his 16-year career, Strawberry achieved 335 home runs, 1,000 RBIs, and 221 stolen bases.
Bruce Bochy, the current Major League manager of the Texas Rangers, played with the Covington Astros in the Appalachian League in 1975. Bochy had a successful career as a player and manager, winning the 1996 National League Manager of the Year Award and leading the San Francisco Giants to three World Series titles. He is the only manager in Major League history to win 900 games for two different teams.
Charlie Manuel, a former Major League player and manager, played for the Wytheville Twins in the 1963 Appalachian League. Manuel had a notable career as a player, transitioning to a managerial role with the Cleveland Indians and the Philadelphia Phillies. With the Phillies, Manuel led the team to five consecutive NL East titles, back-to-back pennants, and a World Series championship in 2008.
John Boog Powell, another former Major League player, played for the Bluefield Orioles in the 1959 Appalachian League. Powell had an outstanding season, leading the league in several categories and establishing himself as a star player throughout his 17-year career. He was a four-time All-Star, won two World Series championships, and earned the MVP Award in 1970.
The induction of Strawberry, Bochy, Manuel, and Powell into the Appalachian League Hall of Fame is a well-deserved recognition of their remarkable achievements and contributions to the league. These individuals have left a lasting impact on the sport of baseball and have become icons in the baseball community.
The announcement of their induction was met with gratitude and honor from the inductees. Darryl Strawberry expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to start his career in the Appalachian League, stating that it was the beginning of his journey to becoming a professional athlete. Bruce Bochy shared his fond memories of his time in Covington and the mentorship he received from manager Billy Smith. Charlie Manuel expressed his gratitude for the honor and reflected on his time in the league, where he learned and developed his baseball skills. John Boog Powell voiced his appreciation for Bluefield and how it played a crucial role in his early career.
The induction of these four baseball legends into the Appalachian League Hall of Fame highlights their significant impact on the league and the sport as a whole. They have set a standard of excellence and have left a lasting legacy that will inspire future generations of players. The Appalachian League celebrates these exceptional individuals and their invaluable contributions to the game of baseball.
