Led by former Chattanooga Lookouts hall of famer Harmon Killebrew and Trevor Hoffman, the Southern League of Professional Baseball Clubs announces the induction of 12 members to the Southern League Hall of Fame Class of 2015, as chosen by a panel of 30 voters.
Joining the Lookouts duo are Scott Brosius, Carlos Delgado, Rollie Fingers, Randy Johnson, Chipper Jones, Jason Kendall, Razor Shines, Frank Thomas, Turner Ward and Lou Whitaker.
As part of the second induction class to the Southern League Hall of Fame, one inductee was to be selected from each of the League's member clubs or its clubs from prior franchise history. According to League Hall of Fame rules, a tie between two nominees from an individual club results in the election of both, as was the case with Fingers and Thomas of Birmingham, bringing the total number to 11 nominees from the 2015 General Ballot. The 12th and final member of the 2015 Hall of Fame class, Killebrew, was chosen from the Special Consideration Ballot, which can include nominations from the original Southern League (1885-1899) and Southern Association (1901-1961) franchises. For the full list and bios of each inductee, please see the attached document.
The member clubs will honor its respective inductee or inductees during the 2015 season. The purpose of the Southern League Hall of Fame is to recognize individuals for their accomplishments and contributions to the League on the field of play or in an administrative role. This shall include, but not necessarily be limited to, players, managers, coaches, umpires, League and team executives, owners, and media members.
Chattanooga Lookouts Bios - Killebrew and Hoffman
Harmon Killebrew (Chattanooga Lookouts, 1957-58)
A baseball Hall of Famer, Harmon Killebrew hit 46 home runs with 155 RBIs in two seasons with the Lookouts … With 13 Major League All-Star selections and 573 homeruns, Killebrew is a baseball legend. No list of the greatest power hitters in baseball history can be complete without including the Hall of Famer’s name.
Having once hit a 520-foot homerun with the Minnesota Twins, Killebrew broke many American League records over his 22-year career. Signed by the Washington Senators in 1954 out of his native Idaho, “The Killer” made his major league debut four days later. After spending two years with Washington, Killebrew played three years in the minor leagues, two with the Southern Association’s Chattanooga Lookouts. In 1957, he played in 142 games, batted .279 with 90 runs scored, 145 hits, 30 doubles, seven triples, 29 homeruns and 101 RBIs. One year later, he returned to the Scenic City for 86 games, where he produced a .308 batting average with 17 homeruns and 54 RBIs. The right-handed slugger returned to the majors in 1959 on a permanent basis, earning 1969 American League MVP honors …The Twins retired Killebrew’s uniform number 3 in 1975, while he was the designated hitter for the visiting Kansas City Royals.
Chattanooga Lookouts Career
Year G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SO BB BA OBP SLG
1957 142 519 90 145 30 7 29 101 123 70 .279 .367 .532
1958 86 299 58 92 17 1 17 54 68 60 .308 .421 .542
Trevor Hoffman (Chattanooga Lookouts, 1991-92)
The first major leaguer to save more than 600 games, Trevor Hoffman was a mainstay at the closer’s position in the National League during the 1990s and 2000s. Drafted by the Cincinnati Reds out of the University of Arizona in 1989, Hoffman began his career as a shortstop before his conversion to the mound prior to the 1991 season.
Two Seasons with The Lookouts: The move paid immediate dividends, as Hoffman tossed 14 innings of sub-2.00 ERA baseball with the Chattanooga Lookouts in 1991. One year later, the righty started six games in the Scenic City, earning a 3-0 record with a 1.52 ERA, while striking out 31 in just 29.2 innings.
After the 1992 season, the Florida Marlins signed Hoffman in the ‘92 Expansion draft before moving him to San Diego in a blockbuster trade one year later. Hoffman would go on to save 601 games throughout his career, establishing a major league record. A seven-time All-Star and two-time Relief Pitcher of the Year, the Padres retired Hoffman’s uniform number 51.
Chattanooga Lookouts (1991-92)
Year W L ERA G GS CG SHO SV IP BB SO
1991 1 0 1.93 14 0 0 0 8 14.0 7 23
1992 3 0 1.52 6 6 0 0 0 29.2 11 31
---- Source: MiLB.com
Harmon Killebrew played with the Chattanooga Lookouts in 1957, 1958 when Cal Ermer, Jr. was the manager of the team.