Headed to the Baseball Hall of Fame

Details

Published on Thursday, October 27, 2016

Left to right: Don Schmall, Mike Levandosky and Vince Eastman.

By Eoin Devereux

The Neepawa Banner/Neepawa Press

Neepawa’s presence within the Manitoba Baseball Hall of Fame is growing significantly. The 1993-1997 edition of the Neepawa Farmers, as well as for Farmers pitchers Don Schmall and Vince Eastman will be honoured with induction in 2017.

Schmall and Eastman are two of nine former players entering the Hall as part of the individual category.  Also being honoured are Gord Paddock of Oak River, Charlie Argue (Mather), Lane Curry (Manitou), David Nychyk (Winnipeg), Orville Renwick (Melita) and Peter Thompson (Winnipeg). Along with the Neepawa Farmers, the 1990-1996 Ebb and Flow Lakers are going into the Hall in the small community team category.

Left to right: Bob Argue (representing his late father Charlie), Gord Paddock, Orville Renwick, Shaun Cory, Don Schmall and Vince Eastman pose for pictures after being announced as part of the 2017 Manitoba Hall of Fame induction.

Schmall’s baseball career included stints with both the Neepawa Cubs (1977-1981) and Farmers (1982-1994). To this day, he still holds several pitching records for the Farmers, including innings pitched (609), wins (39) and strikeouts (274). He was named the team’s regular season MVP in 1984 and 1992 and also claimed the Manitoba Senior Baseball League (MSBL) playoff MVP award in 1991. As well, Schmall pitched for Team Manitoba in several Western Canadian and National championships, helping the province to earn two gold, two silver and one bronze medal during the ’80s. His dedication to the game continued off the diamond, as he served as secretary-treasurer of Baseball Manitoba for five years and has been active with the Neepawa Minor Baseball Association

After the formal announcement of the 2017 inductees at a press conference in Brandon on Monday, Oct. 24, Schmall said that receiving this recognition is an incredible honour, made even more significant due to the inclusion of the club.

“It’s special going in with your team because as a pitcher, you are not successful unless you have a good group of players behind you. Those teams were something special. We had good coaching and a talented roster. The thing I really remember about those teams though, was that we had fun together. When you step away from the game, the thing that you end up missing most are the little things, like the bus trips and the practices and just the comradery. It’s really special when you can go at the same time as your team,” said Schmall.

Former teammate Vince Eastman is joining Schmall in the 2017 class. Eastman was considered one of the very elite pitchers in Manitoba during the 1990’s. Considered a workhorse with exceptional control, Eastman had a lengthy career that included success in the U.S. college, professional Prairie Leagues and senior ranks. He was an eight time MSBL all-star (Three first team selections - five second team selections) and helped the Farmers to a provincial title in 1997. That year, Eastman posted an 8-1 regular season record and was 5-0 in the playoffs. That exceptional effort earned him playoff MVP honours, as well as being named the Senior AAA Player of the Year by Baseball Manitoba. He was also selected as the top pitcher at the Western Canadian Championship in 2000, as a member of the MSBL all-stars.

Eastman said the concept of being selected as part of the Hall of Fame is still sinking in. “I can’t believe it still. To be a part of the Hall of Fame and to be with this group of guys [selected for induction], is amazing,” stressed Eastman. “I look around this room today and see so many former players I respected and admired during my playing days. To be thought of as an equal amoung them is humbling. I’m glad to be here and proud to be inducted with the Neepawa Farmers.”

Both Eastman and Schmall are technically double inductees, as they were part of the rosters for the 93-97 Farmers, which was elected as the major team induction for 2017. Those clubs were a powerhouse within the MSBL, going to the championship five straight years and winning the top prize in 1993 and 1997. The Farmers capped off their five year run by winning the provincial AAA championship. Excluding Schmall and Eastman, four other members of those teams have already been inducted into the Hall of Fame. One of them was Mike Levandosky, who was in attendance for the announcement. He said that run of success was something special.

“We had such a talented group of players and this was back in an era where the MSBL was just so strong. There were several teams that were competitive. We were just fortunate to have things work out for us,” stated Levandosky.

The 2017 induction ceremony on Saturday, June. 3, at the Morden Event Access Centre, where the Hall of Fame and Museum is located. The following day, the Winnipeg Goldeyes will host the inductees at one of its regular season games and wear Neepawa Farmers replica jerseys.

The Sept. 1, 1997 front page of the Neepawa Banner, with the MSBL champion Neepawa Farmers.