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INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE HALL OF FAME
EST. 1947
www.ILBaseball.com
- International League Announces 2015 Hall of Fame Class Bombard, Brant, and Labbruzzo to be Enshrined
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JANUARY 27, 2015
The International League announced today that former Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and Charlotte manager Marc Bombard,
1980 League MVP Marshall Brant, and former Buffalo, Syracuse, and Rochester General Manager Don Labbruzzo will
be inducted into the circuit's Hall of Fame as members of the Class of 2015. The three men were elected to the IL Hall by
a vote of living Hall of Famers, longtime executives, broadcasters, and members of the media.
Members of the Class of 2015 have been added to the International League Hall of Fame plaque display. The inductees or
their families will be presented with “The Curtain Call” statue during individual enshrinement ceremonies to take place
during the coming season. The IL Hall of Fame plaque display does not have a permanent home, but rather serves as a
traveling testament to the storied legacy of the International League.
Marc Bombard piloted the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons to four consecutive playoff appearances from 1999-2002,
a run which concluded with a franchise-record 91 wins and honors as the IL Manager of the Year and the Sports Weekly
Minor League Manager of the Year. He won 700 games in the IL, including a record of 574 wins with the SWB franchise
that stood until being surpassed by Dave Miley in 2014. Bombard was also the International League All-Star Team
manager in both 2000 and 2003. He is the last IL manager to lead a team to 90 wins in a single season.
Former first baseman Marshall Brant crushed 122 home runs over five-plus seasons in the International League. After
two years with Tidewater, Brant joined Columbus in 1980 and led the League in homers, RBI, and fielding percentage to
earn MVP honors. The two-time IL All-Star and two-time Governors' Cup champion is the only player in Clippers
franchise history to have his uniform number retired, and he remains its all-time leader in RBI with 302.
Rounding out the Class of 2015 is former longtime executive Don Labbruzzo, who worked for four International League
franchises between 1954 and 1978. He was an Assistant GM in Columbus before serving as General Manager of the
Buffalo, Syracuse, and Rochester franchises. Before retiring he also had a stint in the American Association as Executive
Vice-President in Louisville. Labbruzzo was recognized during his career as the Sporting News Triple-A Executive of the
Year, and in 1959 his Bisons were awarded the prestigious Larry MacPhail Promotional Trophy for excellence in the area
of promotions. He passed away in 1999.
The IL Hall of Fame, established in 1947, was dormant from 1964 until the League's 125th Anniversary season in 2008.
Following a three-year transition period (2008-10) in which a total of 50 individuals were inducted after having been
selected by a committee, the Class of 2015 was the fifth chosen by what will continue to serve as the annual election
process. Each year the top three vote-getters who also receive a vote on the majority of ballots returned will be elected.
Complete statistical data and biographical information on all 116 members of the IL Hall of Fame, along with a copy of
the International League Hall of Fame policies, procedures, and guidelines are available at ILBaseball.com.
International League of Professional Baseball Clubs, Inc. * 55 South High Street, Suite 202 * Dublin, OH 43017 * (614) 791-9300 * Fax (614) 791-9009
INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE HALL OF FAME
CLASS OF
2015
Marc Bombard
- MANAGER -
Scranton/WB 1997-2004
Charlotte 2007-08
* 2002 IL Manager of the Year
* IL All-Star Team Manager 2000 & 2003
* 700 Wins, 4 Playoff Appearances
Marshall Brant
- FIRST BASEMAN Tidewater 1978-79
Columbus 1980-83
* 1980 IL Most Valuable Player
* 1980 & 1982 IL Postseason All-Star
* Played for 1980 & 1982 Gov. Cup Champs
Don Labbruzzo
General Manager, Buffalo
1958-60, 1970
General Manager, Syracuse
1961-69
General Manager, Rochester
1977-78
* 1959 MacPhail Promotional Trophy
* 1972 Triple-A Executive of the Year
* Buffalo Baseball Hall of Famer
Marc Bombard began his career in professional baseball as a pitcher in the Cincinnati farm system, where he
played from 1971-76. Working as both a starter and reliever, he won 39 games in the minors and even tossed
a perfect game in 1975, but he never reached the majors as a player. He moved into the coaching ranks as a
minor league instructor beginning in 1977. He assumed his first managerial position in 1982 with Billings, and
just one year later he claimed the Pioneer League Championship. “Bomby” also won a Midwest League title
in 1988 with Cedar Rapids. He moved on to manage in the Milwaukee and Pittsburgh organizations before
returning to the Reds in 1993.
Bombard’s Triple-A managerial days began in the American Association, winning three division titles and three
AA Manager of the Year Awards in four years as the skipper of Buffalo (1992) and Indianapolis (1993-95).
His 1994 Indians club won the AA Championship. In 1997 Bombard joined the Philadelphia organization and
began an eight-year run as the manager of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons. Prior to his arrival in 1997,
the franchise had made just one playoff appearance. During his tenure, the Red Barons reached the postseason four times and advanced to the Governors’ Cup Finals in both 2000 and 2001. His 2002 club set an
all-time franchise mark of 91 wins, helping him earn honors as the IL Manager of the Year and the USA Today
Sports Weekly Minor League Manager of the Year. The 91 wins were the second most in the IL since 1963,
and since Bombard’s departure no other IL manager has guided a team to 90 wins in a single season.
After departing in 2005 to become first base coach for the Phillies, he owned the franchise’s all-time record for
managerial victories (574) until surpassed by IL Hall of Famer Dave Miley in 2014. Bombard later returned to
the IL as manager of the Charlotte Knights for two seasons, before moving on to Round Rock of the Pacific
Coast League in 2009-10.
California-native Marshall Brant starred collegiately for Sonoma State University before being selected by the
Mets in the 4th round of the 1975 draft. The slugger powered his way through the Mets farm system in the
late 1970’s, enjoying two solid seasons in Tidewater upon reaching the Triple-A level.
In 1980 his contract was purchased by the Yankees. Brant joined the Columbus Clippers, and that season
he hit .289 and led the League with 23 home runs, 92 RBI, and a .993 fielding percentage on his way to
the Most Valuable Player Award. The following season he finished 2nd in the IL in both homers and RBI (to
teammate and fellow IL Hall of Famer Steve Balboni) and once again led the Clippers to the Governors’ Cup
championship. In 1982 he earned honors as an IL Postseason All-Star for the second time, thanks in part to a
career-best 31 long balls and 96 RBI in what proved to be his final full season in the circuit.
With other first base prospects like Don Mattingly and Steve Balboni keeping Brant from an opportunity with
the Yankees, he was dealt to Oakland in 1983. He appeared in five games for the A’s, recording his first
MLB hits and RBI, but was released in the off-season. He prolonged his career by signing with the Nippan
Ham Fighters in Japan, which was owned by the Nippan Meat Company. He played for the Fighters for two
seasons before retiring from professional baseball.
Brant is the only player in Clippers history to have his uniform number retired. He remains the franchise’s alltime leader in RBI (302), and is also among the leaders in home runs (86), total bases (733), runs (256), walks
(196), and hits (395). He is a member of the Columbus Baseball Hall of Fame, the Sonoma State University
Athletics Hall of Fame, the Santa Rosa Junior College Athletics Hall of Fame, and the Rancho Cotate High
School Athletics Hall of Fame.
Don Labbruzzo was a graduate of the Ohio State University and a World War II veteran who then entered a
career in professional baseball that lasted for 32 years. He was the Public Relations Director for the Syracuse
Chiefs in 1954 before returning to Ohio to become the Assistant General Manager of the Columbus Jets for a
three-year stint beginning in 1955.
Then in 1958 Labbruzzo was hired as General Manager in Buffalo. Labbruzzo enjoyed three successful years
with the Bisons, highlighted by the team being honored as the 1959 Larry MacPhail Promotional Trophy winners for excellence in the area of promotions. After guiding the Bisons to an attendance of over 1 million in
three seasons (something never before done by a Triple-A club), he was let go by team President John Stiglmeier, with whom he had constantly been at odds. He then returned to Syracuse as general manager, asked
by the League to help revive the franchise that had failed several times. Labbruzzo remained in Syracuse
through 1969.
In 1970 Labbruzzo returned to Buffalo to try and save a failing franchise. That year Minor League President
Phil Piton called him “The best front office and promotion man in the minors over the past ten years”, but even
Labbruzzo couldn’t save baseball in Buffalo. After taxpayers voted down a new ballpark, the League forfeited
the franchise and it was moved to Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Labbruzzo, who had used his own money
and borrowed on his life insurance to pay the bills, took heavy personal losses.
He would later serve as Executive Vice President of the Louisville Redbirds of the American Association,
where he helped the team set attendance records in 1982 and 1983.
Labbruzzo returned to his hometown upon retiring, where he performed volunteer work for the Youngstown
State University Athletic Department. He passed away in 1999 at the age of 81.
HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE - 2015
Marc Bombard
Manager
Born
Bats/Throws
Height
Weight
November 15, 1949 in Baltimore, MD
Right/Left
5'8"
180
NOTES:
2002 IL Manager of the Year
2002 USA Today Sports Weekly Minor League Manager of the Year
IL All-Star Team Manager 2000 & 2003
Formerly held SWB franchise record for managerial wins (574)
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2007
2008
Scranton/WB
Scranton/WB
Scranton/WB
Scranton/WB
Scranton/WB
Scranton/WB
Scranton/WB
Scranton/WB
Charlotte
Charlotte
W
66
67
78
85
45
91
73
69
63
63
IL MANAGERIAL CAREER
L
%
POS
76
.465
3rd
75
.472
6th
66
.542
1st North Division Champions
60
.590
1st North Division Champions
33
.545
2nd Wild Card (Phillies coach 5/6-7/14)
53
.632
1st North Division Champions
70
.510
3rd
73
.486
4th
80
.441
4th
78
.447
3rd
TOTALS
700
664
.513
Marc Bombard won 39 games as a minor league pitcher, including one perfect game in 1975, but he never reached the majors as a player.
He moved into the coaching ranks as a minor league instructor beginning in 1977. He assumed his first managerial position in 1982 with
Billings.
Bombard began his Triple
Triple-A
A managerial career in the American Association
Association, winning three division titles and three AA Manager of the Year
Awards in four years as the skipper of Buffalo (1992) and Indianapolis (1993-95). His 1994 Indians club won the AA Championship. In 1997
Bombard began an eight-year run as the manager of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons. Prior to his arrival in 1997, the franchise had
made just one playoff appearance. During his tenure, the Red Barons reached the postseason four times and advanced to the Governors'
Cup Finals in both 2000 and 2001. His 2002 club set an all-time franchise mark of 91 wins, helping him earn honors as the IL Manager of
the Year and the USA Today Sports Weekly Minor League Manager of the Year. The 91 wins were the second most in the IL since 1963.
After departing in 2005 to become first base coach for the Phillies, he owned the franchise's all-time record for managerial victories (574)
until surpassed by IL Hall of Famer Dave Miley in 2014. Bombard later returned to the IL as manager of the Charlotte Knights for two
seasons, before moving on to Round Rock of the Pacific Coast League in 2009-10.
HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE - 2015
Marshall Brant
First Baseman
Full Name
Born
Bats/Throws
Height
Weight
Marshall Lee Brant
September 17, 1955 in Garberville, CA
Right/Right
6'5"
185
NOTES:
1980 IL Most Valuable Player
Member of 1980 and 1982 IL Postseason All-Star Team
Led IL in home runs (23), RBI (92), and fielding percentage (.993) in 1980
Led IL in game-winning RBI in 1981 (15)
Played for 1980 and 1981 Governors' Cup Champions
Uniform #33 retired by Columbus
Member of Columbus Baseball Hall of Fame (1989)
Columbus Clippers All-Time leader in RBI (302)
1978
1979
1980
1981
1982
1983
Tidewater
Tidewater
Columbus
Columbus
Columbus
Columbus
AVG
.262
.252
.289
.261
.280
.193
IL PLAYING CAREER
G
AB
R
H
119
389
50
102
138
488
58
123
126
409
69
118
127
456
80
119
132
482
86
135
37
119
21
23
2B
23
21
22
19
21
2
3B
3
2
5
1
1
1
HR
14
22
23
25
31
7
RBI
54
65
92
95
96
19
SB
2
0
0
1
0
0
TOTALS
.265
679
108
13
122
421
3
2343
364
620
Marshall Brant enjoyed two solid seasons in Tidewater before joining the Columbus Clippers in 1980, a year in which he led the League in
home runs and RBI on his way to the MVP Award. Brant came in 2nd in the IL in both categories the next year (to teammate and fellow IL
Hall of Famer Steve Balboni), leading the Clippers to another Governors' Cup Championship.
Brant is the only player in Clippers history to have his uniform number retired. In 1989 he was inducted into the Columbus Baseball Hall of
Fame. He remains the franchise's all-time leader in RBI (302), and is also among the leaders in home runs (86), total bases (733), runs
(256), walks (196), and hits (395).
Brant played eight games as a major leaguer, coming with the Yankees in 1980 (3) and A's in 1983 (5).
HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE - 2015
Don Labbruzzo
Executive
Full Name
Born
Died
Donald V. Labbruzzo
July 20, 1918 in Youngstown, OH
December 14, 1999 in Youngstown, OH
NOTES:
PR Director, Syracuse Chiefs, 1954
Assistant General Manager, Columbus Jets, 1955-57
General Manager, Buffalo Bisons, 1958-60 and 1970
General Manager, Syracuse Chiefs, 1961-69
General Manager, Rochester Red Wings, 1977-78
Member of Buffalo Baseball Hall of Fame (1987)
Winner of 1959 MacPhail Promotional Trophy for outstanding promotions
1972 Sporting News Triple-A Executive of the Year
Don Labbruzzo was a graduate of the Ohio State University and a World War II veteran who then entered a career in
professional baseball that lasted for 32 years. After working for the Syracuse and Columbus clubs in the mid-1950's,
Labbruzzo was hired as GM in Buffalo in 1958.
Labbruzzo enjoyed three successful years in Buffalo, highlighted by the team being honored as the 1959 Larry MacPhail
Promotional Trophy winners for excellence in the area of promotions. After guiding the Bisons to an attendance of over 1
million in three seasons (something never before done by a Triple-A club), he was let go by team President John Stiglmeier,
with whom he had constantly been at odds. He then returned to Syracuse as general manager, asked by the League to help
revive the franchise that had failed several times. Labbruzzo remained in Syracuse through 1969.
In 1970 Labbruzzo returned to Buffalo to try and save a failing franchise. That year Minor League President Phil Piton called
him "The best front office and promotion man in the minors over the past ten years", but even Labbruzzo couldn't save baseball
in Buffalo. After taxpayers voted down a new ballpark, the League forfeited the franchise and it was moved to Winnipeg,
Manitoba, Canada. Labbruzzo, who had used his own money and borrowed on his life insurance to pay the bills, took heavy
personal losses.
He would later serve as Executive Vice President of the Louisville Redbirds of the American Association, where he helped the
team set attendance records in 1982 and 1983.
INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE HALL OF FAME
EST. 1947
www.ILBaseball.com
CURRENT MEMBERS OF THE INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE HALL OF FAME
As of January 27, 2015 (116 Members)
Aaron, Tommie
Alexander, Dale
Alston, Walter
Altobelli, Joe
Arlett, Russell "Buzz"
Balboni, Steve
Barrett, Charles "Red"
Baylor, Don
Bentley, Jack
Berly, Jack
Betzel, Christian "Bruno"
Boggs, Wade
Boley, Joe
Bombard, Marc
Boone, Ike
Brant, Marshall
Brown, Joe
Buford, Don
Carnegie, Ollie
Carswell, Frank
Cazen, Walter
Collins, James "Rip"
Cook, Gene
Cooper, Harold
Crabtree, Estel
Demeter, Steve
Derry, Russ
Dunn, Jack
Earnshaw, George
Easter, Luke
Eiland, Dave
Ens, Jewel
Evers, Bill
Garr, Ralph
Gilhooley, Sr., Frank
Grich, Bobby
Grove, Robert "Lefty"
Hamlin, Luke
Hauser, Joe
2008
2008
2010
2008
2009
2011
2009
2010
1958
1955
1957
2011
1954
2015
1957
2015
1962
2008
1947
2010
2009
1951
2008
2007
1953
2009
2008
1950
1956
2008
2012
1950
2012
2008
2008
2010
2008
1955
2008
Herrera, Frank "Pancho"
Holly, Ed
Hopper, Clay
Howley, Dan
Hutchinson, Fred
Jacobsen, Merwin
Jones, Mack
Keller, Charlie
Kelly, Bill
Kisinger, Charles "Rube"
Knight, Joe
Labbruzzo, Don
Lanigan, Ernest
Lasorda, Tommy
Maisel, Frederick "Fritz"
Mamaux, Al
Manley, William
Manto, Jeff
McCarthy, Joe
McGowan, Frank
Mele, Albert "Dutch"
Merkle, Fred
Merrill, Carl "Stump"
Meyer, Bill
Miley, Dave
Mondor, Ben
Morgan, Joe
Moss, Howie
Murray, Bill
Nelson, Glenn "Rocky"
Ogden, Jack
O'Neill, Steve
Onslow, Ed
Parnham, James "Rube"
Parrish, Larry
Pennock, Herb
Petagine, Roberto
Porter, Dick
Powers, Pat
2008
1949
2009
1950
1954
1955
2013
1947
1954
2009
2009
2015
1947
2008
1959
1951
1953
2014
1956
1947
2009
1953
2009
1949
2014
2008
2008
1960
1952
1960
1952
1947
1951
1957
2013
1948
2009
1963
1961
Puccinelli, George
2008
Quellich, George
2008
Rice, Jim
2008
Richmond, Don
2013
Ripken, Jr., Cal
2011
Ripple, Jimmy
1956
Robinson, Jackie
1960
Rosenfield, Dave
2008
Rudolph, Dick
1948
Ryba, Mike
2010
Sankey, Ben
1947
Sauer, Hank
2008
Schoendienst, Red
2009
Seeds, Bob
2010
Selkirk, George
1958
Shaughnessy, Frank
1947
Short, Bill
2009
Silver, Morrie
2008
Simone, Anthony "Tex"
2008
Sisler, Jr., George
2007
Smythe, William "Harry" 1959
Southworth, Billy
1947
Stallings, George
1959
Stevens, Ed
2009
Tamburro, Mike
2012
Thomas, Alphonse "Tommy" 1948
Tiefenauer, Bobby
2008
Toporcer, George
1949
Triplett, Coaker
2010
Tucker, Ollie
2008
Verdi, Frank
2008
Walker, Fred "Dixie"
1947
Walker, Harry "The Hat" 2009
Walsh, Jimmy
1958
Weber, Jim
2014
Whitman, Hobart "Rabbit" 2008
Wilson, Archie
2008
Wiltse, George
1952
International League of Professional Baseball Clubs, Inc. * 55 South High Street, Suite 202 * Dublin, OH 43017 * (614) 791-9300 * Fax (614) 791-9009
INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE HALL OF FAME
EST. 1947
www.ILBaseball.com
- International League Hall of Fame Fact Sheet Facts About the 116 Members of the IL Hall of Fame
IL MOST VALUABLE PLAYERS
IL BATTING CHAMPIONS
Aaron, Tommie
Barrett, Charles “Red”
Boone, Ike
Brant, Marshall
Buford, Don
Carnegie, Ollie
Grich, Bobby
Herrera, Frank “Pancho”
Hutchinson, Fred
Manto, Jeff
McGowan, Frank
Morgan, Joe
Moss, Howie
Nelson, Glenn “Rocky”
Petagine, Roberto
Puccinelli, George
Rice, Jim
Ryba, Mike
Sauer, Hank
Schoendienst, Red
Wilson, Archie
TOTAL = 21
Alexander, Dale
Bentley, Jack
Boggs, Wade
Boone, Ike
Buford, Don
Carswell, Frank
Collins, James “Rip”
Garr, Ralph
Grich, Bobby
Herrera, Frank “Pancho”
Jacobsen, Merwin
Keller, Charlie
Knight, Joe
Nelson, Glenn “Rocky”
Porter, Dick
Puccinelli, George
Richmond, Don
Rice, Jim
Robinson, Jackie
Schoendienst, Red
Triplett, Coaker
Walsh, Jimmy
TOTAL = 22
IL MOST VALUABLE PITCHERS
IL HOME RUN CHAMPIONS
Eiland, Dave
Lasorda, Tommy
Short, Bill
TOTAL = 3
Alexander, Dale
Bentley, Jack
Herrera, Frank “Pancho”
Nelson, Glenn “Rocky”
Puccinelli, George
Rice, Jim
TOTAL = 6
*TOTAL IN IL HISTORY = 6
Alexander, Dale
Altobelli, Joe
Arlett, Buzz
Balboni, Steve
Bentley, Jack
Brant, Marshall
Carnegie, Ollie
Carswell, Frank
Collins, James “Rip”
Derry, Russ
Easter, Luke
Grich, Bobby
Hauser, Joe
Herrera, Frank “Pancho”
Jones, Mack
Kelly, Bill
Manto, Jeff
Moss, Howie
Nelson, Glenn “Rocky”
Puccinelli, George
Rice, Jim
TOTAL = 21
ALSO INDUCTED IN COOPERSTOWN
IL ERA CHAMPIONS
IL MANAGERS OF THE YEAR
Altobelli, Joe
Bombard, Marc
Miley, Dave
Morgan, Joe
Parrish, Larry
Verdi, Frank
TOTAL = 6
BATTING TRIPLE CROWN WINNERS
Alston, Walter
Boggs, Wade
Grove, Lefty
Lasorda, Tommy
McCarthy, Joe
Pennock, Herb
Rice, Jim
Ripken, Jr., Cal
Robinson, Jackie
Schoendienst, Red
Southworth, Billy
TOTAL = 11
Barrett, Charles “Red”
Bentley, Jack
Berly, Jack
Hamlin, Luke
Mamaux, Al
Tiefenauer, Bobby
TOTAL = 6
(Updated January 27, 2015)
International League of Professional Baseball Clubs, Inc. * 55 South High Street, Suite 202 * Dublin, OH 43017 * (614) 791-9300 * Fax (614) 791-9009