NASHVILLE, Tenn. – University of South
Carolina Aiken head baseball coach Kenny Thomas will be inducted
into the Nashville Old Timers Baseball Association Hall of Fame on
Thursday, Jan. 22, 2015, at the Nashville Airport Marriott.
Thomas was a three-sport standout at Stratford H.S. He accepted a
scholarship to Trevecca University. During Thomas' senior
year, he was named a first-team NAIA All-American catcher.
Thomas began coaching summer baseball and took his Stan Musial (19
and over) Webb Flooring Co., team to the Stan Musial World Series
in Battle Creek, Mich., three years in a row. His squad finished
runner-up in 1984, won it all in 1985 and finished third a year
later.
Thomas was named head coach at Volunteer State in Gallatin, Tenn.
While there, he took his team to the Junior College World Series in
1995 and 1999.
Now in his 16th year at the helm of USC Aiken, Thomas
is the winningest coach in school history. In 27 seasons as a
coach, Thomas is 1,065-530, including 545 victories as a Pacer.
The featured speaker will be former Atlanta Braves star Dale
Murphy. With 18 seasons in the Major Leagues, including 15 with the
Braves, Murphy also suited up for the Philadelphia Phillies and
Colorado Rockies. A two-time National League Most Valuable Player
in 1982 and 1983, he was a seven-time all-star while winning five
Rawlings Gold Gloves and four Silver Slugger Awards.
Murphy was the 1988 recipient of the Roberto Clemente Award, given
annually for outstanding service in the community. The Portland,
Ore., native finished his career with 2,111 hits and 398 home runs.
Banquet tickets are $60 each and may be purchased from any Old
Timers board member, or Hit after Hit, the Nashville Sounds at
Greer Stadium, and Nashville Sporting Goods. The doors open at 5:30
p.m., and the banquet begins at 6:30 p.m.
Call Old Timers president Bart Leathers (586-0352), Farrell Owens
(269-7348), Rip Ryman (319-8459) or visit www.otbaseball.com for
more information.
Formed in 1938 by a group of local baseball enthusiasts, the Old
Timers organization is one of the oldest such organizations in the
United States, celebrating its 77th year of existence in 2015.
