Plumas' 'Mr. Baseball' enters Hall of Fame

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Published on Friday, June 12, 2015

(L to R) Tom Yandeau and Gladwyn Scott at the Manitoba Baseball Hall of Fame ceremony

By Eoin Devereux

The Neepawa Banner

There are 13 new members of the Manitoba Baseball Hall of Fame, including one whose name is very familiar to the baseball scene in Plumas. Tom Yandeau was one of the individuals who was honoured at a ceremony held at the Morden Event Access Centre on Saturday, June 6. 

Yandeau’s playing career included 247 home runs and a .440 lifetime batting average with the Plumas Pirates in the Santa Clara Baseball League. He also played on teams representing Manitoba at Western Canadian championships in 1995, ’96 and ‘98 and received the 2007 MBA Volunteer of the Year award.  Yandeau and his families commitment to the game continued off the field as well, as they have worked to raise over $40,000 over the years to assist with upgrades to the Plumas ball park including a red clay infield, dugouts, batting cage and outfield fence.

Yandeau noted the true significance of the accomplishment didn’t really sink in for him until the day of the induction ceremony.

“When my family and I arrived we were met at the doors and one of the greeters said to me ‘Welcome to the Hall of Fame, Mr. Yandeau,’ and it started to sink in for me,” said Yandeau. “Then the ceremony began and it was just thoroughly impressive. There were about 500 people in attendance, maybe more. To be considered an equal to these other individuals honoured, it was humbling.”

Manitoba Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum Board member and 1998 inductee Gladwyn Scott nominated Tom for the Hall of Fame. Scott added that it was wonderful seeing Yandeau honoured in this manner.

Seven other individual players, as well as three team and one organization were also a part of the 2015 Hall of Fame. The other people who were inducted were Kevin Booker, John Melnick, Art Penning and Winston Smith of Winnipeg, Ken Pringle of Boissevain, Russ Reid from Lac du Bonnet and Ross Lynd of Melfort, Saskatchewan. The 2003-2008 Stonewall Blue Jays, 2006-2011 Baldur Regals and 1964-1969 Steinbach Millers and 1945-1950 ‘Rosedales’ Organization were also enshrined.