Well Jim Rice has finally made the Hall of Fame, although not the one that he really wants to be a part of. The International League has decided to bring back it’s Hall of Fame and will elect 27 members as part of their 125th anniversary celebrations.
The International League announced on Monday that Rice, former PawSox and Red Sox manager Joe Morgan and current PawSox Ben Mondor will be elected to IL Hall of Fame. They will be inducted before a PawSox game this season.
Rice was a member of the PawSox in 1973 and 1974 and was the last member of the IL to win the triple crown. He hit .337 with 25 home runs and 95 RBIs in 1974. He was also named the International League MVP, the International League Rookie of the Year and was also the minor league player of the year in 1974 as well.
Morgan was in Pawtucket as the manager from 1974 to 1982. Morgan then finished the 1988 season as the Red Sox manager and was there through the 1991 season.
Mondor bought the club in 1977 and has been the owner ever since. He is also of one of Rice’s big supporters for the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY.
With Bobby Kielty and Eric Hinske likely signing with other teams, the Red Sox may look at Brandon Moss as the utility outfielder. As has been reported, Moss has been working at first base during winter ball in the Dominican Republic and could fill a role Hinske had for the Sox last year as a backup 1B/OF.
International League salutes Mondor, Morgan, Rice [Pro Jo]
