Saskatchewan Baseball Hall of Fame inducts class of 2019

Twelve individuals, three teams, one family, and a city were inducted into the Saskatchewan Baseball Hall of Fame Saturday night in Battleford.

Around 500 people were in attendance to see the group enshrined into Saskatchewan Baseball history at their 35th annual induction dinner.

Inducted into the “individuals” category were Don Anweiler (Saskatoon), Gary Brotzel (Regina), Sharon Clarke (Regina), Bernie Eiswirth (Regina), Elmer Franks (Weyburn), Don McIntyre (Neilburg), Ernie Moser (Mendham), Dean Pylypow (North Battleford) and Lawrence Sloan (Glaslyn).

Posthumously inducted were Dwayne Andreen (Saskatoon), We Reader (Lafleche), and Bill Sobkow (Calder).

In the team category, the Hyas Baseball team of the 1920s to 1930s, the Mendham Monarchs (1961-93), and the Mervin Juvenile Legionnaires (1948-52).

The Beck Family (Lang) and the community of Weyburn rounded out the class of 2019.

Along with the inductees, the guest speaker in Canadian Baseball icon Ferguson “Fergie” Jenkins entertained the crowd.

The 2019 Sask Baseball Hall of Fame Induction ceremony is underway, with Canadian @MLB icon @31fergiejenkins as the guest speaker.

“Fergie” has been a hit up here in Battleford. Around 500 have showed up for the 35th annual induction. #SKBHOF pic.twitter.com/HBVztwz5Hj

— brady lang (@BradyLangSK) August 18, 2019

Jenkins played in the majors for 23 years, amassing 3,192 strikeouts, 284 wins and an ERA of 3.34 in his time in the MLB with Philadelphia, Texas, Boston and Chicago.

Jenkins was also inducted into the Saskatchewan Baseball Hall of Fame.

Despite also being inducted into the Canadian and National Baseball Hall of Fames, Jenkins said the Saskatchewan Baseball Hall of Fame induction is something special.

“Being a part of tonight’s evening was the icing on the cake,” he said. “Getting inducted into another hall of fame, especially in Canada … I was quite surprised.”

Shury plans to step aside after decades of service

Saskatchewan Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum CEO and President Jane Shury made a surprise announcement as the ceremony concluded Saturday night.

Jane Shury, along with Erna Sobkow accepting the late Bill Sobkow’s induction into the Saskatchewan Baseball Hall of Fame on August 17, 2019 (Brady Lang/650 CKOM)

Shury announced her plans to step away from the organization after being involved since its inception in 1983.

She and her late husband, Dave — who passed away in 2008 — were involved in baseball in Saskatchewan since the mid-1950s.

Shury said it wasn’t an easy decision, and she still plans to stay in a role on the board as long as she’s voted back in.

“It takes time to do what’s necessary to improve,” she said. “The time has come that I have (to) stop and think that we have to do this before I’m not able to (continue).”

Shury said her plans are to continue in her position until she finds a suitable replacement.

“I’ve been thinking about it for a long time,” Shury said. “If I get the right person that has the passion for baseball and a deep understanding of history and how important it is, I’ll do all I can to get that person (to take over).”