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Donors Hall of Fame




2019 Awards


VANCE TOLINE-STROMSBURG-PLAYER


This left hander may have been an integral part of one of the finest baseball teams in the state

of Nebraska in the late 40's. This fireballing left hander shared pitching duties with another Hall of Famer, Max Quick. Other powerful teammates included 5 Kaeding boys. They could play the game!

This lefty was dominant as clippings show. Striking out 18 in a no hitter while winning 1-0. His performance was not unusual. He did not need a reliever as he just went out and won games on that strong arm. Bruce Connatser, the Detroit Tigers scout continued to pester Vance to sign professionally. UNL wanted him to play football but he remained at home to help on the farm. Finally the professional money talked and he signed with the Detroit club in 1947 for $150 a month. He had a strong spring training and was planning to return with the big club. In the off season he returned home to work on the farm where he was in the barn and fired a corncob at a rat, threw his arm out seriously and his pitching career ended. What a shame. It is an honor to have Vance Toline enter the Nebraska Baseball Hall of Fame.


VIRGIL RICHARDSON-FAIRBURY-PLAYER (D)


From the age of 5, baseball was Virgil's first love and he vowed someday to play professionally. He was playing semi-pro ball while still in high school for the locals as well as with Superior and other Kansas teams in the Ban Johnson league. A short time later he signed professionally and took off for the West Texas New Mexico League. This big 1st baseman was a switch hitter and was equally strong from either side of the plate. In “48” he was the MVP for the Lubbock “Hubbers” with a batting average of .397 with 38 home runs and 196 RBI's. (That's no mistake). After baseball Virg returned to Fairbury and became a successful businessman. But as his buddy, Bill Cummins stated, “You can take the man out of baseball but you can't take the baseball out of the man.” Virgil continued work with baseball in his home town helping youngsters and became an outstanding umpire always giving of his time an expertise. Another buddy, Frank Rice another Hall of Famer stated, “Virgil was a polished and dedicated player who loved to win.” It makes us all proud to welcome Virgil Richardson to the “Hall.”



JEFF GRAVER-FREMONT- UMPIRE


The road to the Hall of Fame begins with a nomination, and progresses with testimonials and documentation concluding with committee discussions and votes. The discussion regarding Jeff Graver was short and the vote unanimous. Here's Why! Testimonials from peers already in the Hall had some of the following comments: “Hard Worker, Dedicated, Earned the respect of players, coaches and peers at every level he worked; Upheld the integrity of the game; The game was never about him; Never worked with a better partner; instrumental in my development and countless others as an umpire.” This man in blue holds experience at all levels from Nebraska high schools, NAIA, NCAA both at division 1 and 2 and professionally in the Northern League. Of course he was the lead official in the Dodge County League also. Isn't it appropriate that Jeff Graver be honored tonight as one of Nebraska's all-time best umpires? Welcome to the “Hall.”



PAUL MEYERS-OMAHA- PLAYER


Paul, wearing #4 on his back, was a 'five tool player.' That, in baseball parlance, indicates he could hit, hit with power, throw, run and field...all with 'plus talent.' Paul capped a great career as a Nebraska Husker, being named All-American by 'The Sporting News' in 1986. A lifetime .350 hitter for the Big Red, he still ranks among school leaders career homers, RBI's, total bases and hits. He once knocked in 10 runs in one game. That tied Hall of Famer Gene Torczon at the time and has since been tied by Husker Coach, Darin Erstad. Paul spent the summer of his freshman year playing for the Beatrice Bruins and was labeled by Major League scouts and Jayhawk League managers as one of best to ever play for the Bruins'. That's quite a compliment when you consider the great ones that have come and gone from that organization. He was selected in the fourth round by San Francisco in the 1986 draft and carved out a five-year Minor League career with the Giants. His first season was in A ball but he moved up to AA for two seasons and then progressed to AAA for his final two seasons. A true Hall of Famer, Paul Meyers. Omaha



BOB GIBSON-OMAHA- PLAYER


Bob Gibson, from Omaha, is one of the 'very best of the best,' anytime, anyplace! Any questions! Didn't think so! A fiery competitor, he was perhaps the most intimidating pitcher in history. Bob was also a gifted all-around athlete who excelled at basketball and performed with the legendary Harlem Globetrotters. He played baseball for Creighton and recent anecdotal testimony indicates he played some semi-pro baseball in the Nebraska-Iowa regions. A listing of all his MLB accomplishments would fill a newsletter,. Here are some of the most amazing: A 17 year career with the St. Louis Cardinals; a 1.12 ERA* and 13 shutouts, plus 17 K's in Game 1 of the 1968 World Series*; 9 time Gold Glove Awards, 26 consecutive 'quality starts'*; All-Century MLB Baseball Team; MLB Cooperstown HOF, 1981; 251 career wins; over 3150 K's; 9 time MLB All-Star; 2 time Cy Young Winner, including MVP and Cy Young Winner, 1968. Bob's signature season in in 1968 changed the game of baseball by resulting in the lowering of the mound. The Nebraska Baseball Hall of Fame was formed in 1976. Had this Board of Directors been in operation at that time, and knowing what we know now, Bob Gibson would have been inducted in 1976. Congratulations, 'Gibby'!



TIM CARROLL-LINCOLN- PLAYER


'The Triple Crown in Greatness might best describe Tim Carroll. This 3-sport high school star from Colorado came to Nebraska to play baseball for Coach Sanders and became All-Big-8 as a player. He was the first Afro-American in Husker baseball history to receive a baseball grant-in-aid. He more than earned his way by becoming a first team All-Academic All American, in addition to his outstanding performance on the diamond. He was signed to a pro contract with the Chicago Cubs by the famous scout/player/Hall of Famer, Buck O'Neal, and later played professionally in the Chicago White Sox organization. Tim played several seasons with the Beatrice Bruins and was named to the NBC All-American Team after an outstanding tournament in Wichita. This outstanding young man touched many lives while serving as a school administrator in the Lincoln Public School system. Unfortunately, Tim was 'called to the Bigs' several years ago in an automobile accident. The letters of testimonial and recommendations of his coaches, peers and teammates were overwhelming and attest that he is a truly worthy addition to the Nebraska Baseball HOF.



BILL LARSON-LYONS- DISTINGUISHED SERVICE


In the early decades of the 20th century, Bill was one of the original promoters of the game of baseball. It's possible that the most prominent baseball promoter, if not all time, Bill Veeck, 40's and 50'smay have picked up a few tips from him! A barber by trade, Bill purchased land next to the city park in Lyons and developed a well-groomed diamond with a scoreboard, underground dugouts and a grandstand. Bill not only played a competent first base, he was also the team manager, the publicity agent, the groundskeeper and the ticket taker. Bill realized that winners produced crowds and crowds generated income, so he scouted the region as far as Omaha and hired key players for money to play for Lyons. Our own Hall of Famer, Roy Pounds, benefited from this. Larson was right...Lyons won, crowds came and he took in some serious cash. Northeast Nebraska towns loved baseball, loved to compete and followed suit. For many years, some of the best baseball in the state was played in that area, mostly due to Larson and his 'hired gun' policies. Facilities in the area were also improved to try to match that showplace ballpark in Lyons. Distinguished service? Bill Larson was guilty in the first degree! Welcome, Bill!