About Inductee

The 1955 Huntsville Parkers were the Alabama Semi-Pro State Champions in 1955. The Parkers defeated the Georgia State Champs to win the Southeast Regional Championship and earn a spot in the National Tournament in Wichita, Kansas. In the first game of the tournament, Huntsville defeated the Kentucky State Champs by a score of 12 to 3. The second game was played against the number three team in the nation, the Pennsylvania Midland Steelers; the Parkers defeated that team by a score of 4 to 1. Next, the Parkers defeated the State Champions of Florida by a score of 6 to 4. The fourth game was played against the St. Joseph Michigan Ausacos who were the number 1 rated team in the nation and were picked to win the tournament. The Parkers defeated them 4 to 1. The Huntsville Parkers and the Wichita Boing Bombers were the only two undefeated teams left in the National Tournament. Wichita defeated The Parkers and went on to win the National Championship with The Parkers finishing fourth. The manager of The Parkers, Lester Sonnyboy Westbrooks won the sportsmanship award. First baseman Donnie Mincher and Bill Stewart were selected to the All American Team. Mincher was selected the nations best sandlot player in America and was chosen as the player most likely to succeed in professional baseball. Tom Bragg, Bill Gant, John Gaught, W.C. Baker and Bill Stewart made the All State team. Members of the team were: Manager Lester "Sonnyboy" Westbrooks; Assistant Manager Floyd Kelly; Pitchers Bill Stewart, Tom Bragg, George Burns and Harold Hill; Catchers Bill Gant and Jimmy Faulkenberry; First Base Jim Talley; Second Base Fred Hammonds; Third Base James Mathis; Shortstop John Gaught; Outfielders H.T. Watson, Bill Michael, W.C. Baker, Donnie Mincher and Pitcher/Outfielder Cliff Coggins. The Batboy was Johnny Marks.