RECORD SIX INDUCTED AS CLASS OF 2053 INTO SIMBL HALL OF FAME: CARL CHAULK, BILLY LYNCH, TODD NEWELL, JIMMY DIETZ, AKATO SAKATA & KEITH COOPER JOIN SIMBL LEGENDS

SIMBL Hall Of Fame Inducts Longtime Hustler Carl Chaulk

The baseball legends today welcomed to their exclusive club a new third baseman by the name of Carl Chaulk. His induction ceremony was held today at the SIM Baseball League Hall of Fame.

"I remember thinking to myself after I had had a couple of good years that if I keep doing this, maybe I just might make it to the Hall of Fame. The dream became a reality today and I must say this is a very proud day.

Over his career Chaulk batted .250 and collected 3190 hits, 577 home runs and 1901 RBIs. He played in 3396 games and retired from baseball at age 43. His best years came as a member of the Las Vegas Hustlers, whose hat he wore at his induction ceremony.

His former manager introduced Chaulk saying, "The big thing about Carl is that he could hit any pitch. I don't mean only strikes. He could hit a ball off his ankles or off his ear."

Longtime Giants Ace 264-Game Winner Billy Lynch Elected To SIMBL Hall Of Fame

What does it take to make the baseball Hall of Fame?

Well, whatever it is, Billy Lynch has it. He was inducted into the SIM Baseball League Hall of Fame today.

Retiring at age 43, Lynch had one of the most illustrious careers ever with a 264-209 won-loss mark and a 3.51 ERA. He racked up 604 mound appearances and struck out 3792 in 4220 innings.

Asked by reporters to describe what it takes to become a Hall of Famer, he replied, "I guess it all started at my high school graduation. The speaker said to be successful in life, you needed to find 'something you love.' I am here today because I found something I love. Baseball has been my life. It has never been a job. I have been able to have fun playing a game and making a wonderful life for myself and my family. I am a kid that never really had to grow up. Just go to the ballpark each day and throw strikes. That's it."

Billy Lynch closed by saying, "God gave me the talent and blessed me with great coaches, managers, and teammates, who helped me develop it."

Elite Reliever Todd Newell Latest SIMBL Hall Of Fame Inductee

Move over, you Hall of Fame starting pitchers, you are going to have to make room for a reliever. Todd Newell has just been called in from the bullpen and selected to the SIM Baseball League Hall of Fame.

Commenting on his selection, he said, "It's a dream come true. Every player, I don't think you consciously think about it, but every player would like to be part of the Baseball Hall of Fame."

During his outstanding career Newell pitched in 1252 games, rung up 510 saves, had 1115 strikeouts in 1372 innings and posted a 104-105 won-loss mark with a lifetime 3.00 ERA.

"Relievers are having more and more impact on the game. I'm glad we're starting to get some recognition," said Newell.

He was 46 when he retired from baseball.

Two-Time Hurler Of The Year, 209-Game Winner Jimmy Dietz Enters SIMBL Hall Of Fame

The newest member of the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame looked impressive standing in front of the assembled crowd. The bronze plaque shined in the bright sun, gleaming from the fresh polish. "Man, that guy is handsome!" Jimmy Dietz commented. "I never realized that I looked so good!"

One of the most colorful characters in league history, Dietz was also one of the league's most dominant starting pitchers. Racking up a career record of 209-140, he was a pitcher that no manager ever worried about while he was on the mound. Off the field, however...

"We always had to be careful in the locker room," one of his former managers remembered with a laugh. "If you weren't paying attention, you would fall victim to one of his infamous pranks. There was never a dull moment when this guy was around."

"I always felt that if I could bring the guys together by making them laugh, then I was doing my job on the days I wasn't pitching," Dietz explained. "We play a kids' game after all, so why shouldn't we have some fun? In fact, it was probably the key to my success. I just hope the other statues in the Hall are prepared; I'm sure this guy will keep them on their toes."

He retired at the age of 40. In his outstanding career Dietz appeared in 459 games, pitched 3106 innings, fanned 1811 batters, walked 980 and compiled a 3.37 ERA.

Two-Time Slugger Of The Year, 11-Time All-Star, 4-Time Silver Slugger Akato Sakata Latest SIMBL Hall Of Fame Legend

The way Akato Sakata played baseball made the word "superstar" seem inadequate. He played the game at an even higher level and that's why he is now one of the immortals in the SIM Baseball League Hall of Fame.

Sakata played in 2437 games with a .306 lifetime batting average. Among his 2835 hits were 411 doubles, 18 triples and 410 home runs. He also scored 1367 runs and drove in 1424 runs. Sakata was 38 when he retired.

One of his teammates described the talented first baseman this way: "The greatness of Akato Sakata was something that had to be seen... and to see him was to remember him forever."

Akato Sakata was inducted into the Hall of Fame today after being elected by the Baseball Writers Association.

The new Hall of Famer told the audience, "I just went out and did my job every day... and I guess I must have done it well. Thank you for the honor you have given me today."

Three-Time Slugger Of The Year, 11-Time All-Star Keith Cooper Joins SIMBL Hall Of Fame Immortals

"From the first time I saw him play, I knew he had the potential to be one of the best," Keith Cooper's first manager said, "and the more I saw him play, the more certain I was that he would reach that potential."

He was just one of the people there at Cooper's enshrinement in the SIM Baseball League Hall of Fame. It was a celebration of the career of one of the shining stars of his generation. His former teammates loved him and opposing fans loved to hate him, but respect followed him everywhere, as evidenced by the large crowd at the ceremony. Not only were many of his former Indianapolis Rams friends there, but opposing players and managers as well, along with a large throng of fans.

The man of the moment was overcome with emotion when he finally took his turn at the podium to speak. "This is one of the greatest moments of my life and to share it with all of you here is... simply amazing. I would just like to thank my family and all my teammates for their support during my journey here. Individual honor was never my goal, winning was, but this is more than I could have ever dreamed."

Cooper retired at the age of 40 with a .290 career batting average. He mainly played first baseman, participated in 2686 games, hit 567 home runs and batted in 1876 runs.

28 Hits Shy Of 3000, 10-Time All-Star Tyler Conway Honored By First Ballot Selection To SIMBL Hall Of Fame

A huge crowd watched Tyler Conway become the newest member of the SIM Baseball League Hall of Fame today.

"I'm a big believer in whatever you want, if you want something out of this game, you've got to put the work in it. You've got to work hard," said the outstanding third baseman, whose new plaque described him as "an artisan with a bat whose daily pursuit of excellence produced a .301 lifetime batting average, 2972 hits and 434 home runs."

Conway was just 28 hits away from becoming the 12th player in the SIMBL's 49-season history to amass 3000 career hits.

After the induction ceremony Conway was asked what was the most thrilling moment in his career. He responded quickly, "No doubt about it, your first hit in the big leagues. That's tops. It means you're on your way. When you get the first hit, then you can get the rest."