Appalachian League elects two to Hall of Fame
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - The Appalachian League announced two new members have been elected to the Appalachian League Hall of Fame. The 2022 HOF Class included former Major League pitcher CC Sabathia and former Major League manager Jim Leyland. "It is truly an honor to announce our 2022 class of
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - The Appalachian League announced two new members have been elected to the Appalachian League Hall of Fame. The 2022 HOF Class included former Major League pitcher CC Sabathia and former Major League manager Jim Leyland.
"It is truly an honor to announce our 2022 class of the Appalachian League Hall of Fame,” said Bristol State Liners President/GM and Appalachian League HOF Committee Chairman Mahlon Luttrell. “These two individuals are being recognized for the valuable contributions they have made to the continued development and success of the Appalachian League.”
CC Sabathia: Drafted by Cleveland in the first round (20th overall) of the 1998 MLB Draft, Sabathia made his professional debut that season in Burlington, N.C., at age 17. He went 1-0 in five starts, striking out 35 in 18 innings. Sabathia compiled a career record of 251-161 with 3,093 strikeouts in 19 MLB seasons for Cleveland, Milwaukee and New York (AL). He received six All-Star selections and was a three-time Warren Spahn Award winner (given annually to baseball’s best left-handed pitcher). Sabathia won the American League Cy Young Award with Cleveland in 2007 at age 26, going 19-7. He was the 2009 ALCS MVP and won a World Series title with the Yankees that season.
Sabathia established The PitCCh In Foundation in 2008. The foundation showcases three signature programs that provide young people with the tools to be successful in school and on the field: All-Star Baseball Clinic, Youth Backpack Program and Field Renovations. In addition, Sabathia has supported numerous philanthropic organizations and worthwhile causes, including the Jackie Robinson Foundation, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Toys for Tots and the Baseball Assistance Team (B.A.T.).
“I am excited to be inducted into the Appalachian League Hall of Fame,” said Sabathia. “My time in Burlington was the first stop in my professional baseball career, and it brings back great memories to receive this honor.”
Jim Leyland: Leyland began his managerial career in the Appalachian League with the Bristol Tigers in 1971 at age 26, guiding the team to a 31-35 record. He served as a coach for the Chicago White Sox from 1982-85. He garnered National League Manager of the Year honors with Pittsburgh in 1990 and ‘92, and was named AL Manager of the Year with Detroit in 2006. Leyland managed 3,499 MLB games for the Pirates, Marlins, Tigers and Rockies, recording 1,769 wins in 22 MLB seasons. He is the only manager to win a World Series (Marlins, 1997) and World Baseball Classic (2017, USA) title. In 2017, Leyland was inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame.
“I am thrilled to be inducted into the Appalachian League Hall of Fame,” stated Leyland. “Managing there was the start of my 22-year managerial career. I’ll never forget it. Thank you.”
Click here for more information about the Appalachian League Hall of Fame and its members.
For more information about the Appalachian League, please visit appyleague.com or follow the league on Twitter and Instagram (@AppyLeague).
State Liners announce 2023 roster
BRISTOL, Va. — After the announcement of our 2023 on-field staff, the Bristol State Liners are excited to announce our 2023 roster, featuring 17 pitchers, three catchers, seven infielders and five outfielders. These players from around the country will be joined by a coaching staff comprised of manager Bill Kinneberg,
State Liners unveil 2023 coaching staff
The Bristol State Liners are excited to announce that our 2023 coaching and athletic training staff is now set. Please welcome these talented individuals that will join manager Bill Kinneberg for what is expected to be a very exciting 2023 season of Appalachian League baseball. TED POWER - PITCHING COACH:
Appalachian League's 2023 managers set to take the helm
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — Over the last several weeks, Appalachian League teams have announced their managers for the 2023 season. That group includes four brand-new faces with more than 150 years of combined experience in professional baseball. Former big league manager John McLaren, along with Dennis Cook, Bill Kinneberg and
Appalachian League participates in MLK Day of Service
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - Appalachian League executives participated in the 28th annual MLK Day of Service on Jan. 16, 2023, volunteering in nine communities across North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. Tabbed as a “day on, not a day off” to celebrate the life and legacy of the Civil
State Liners announce 2023 manager
The Bristol State Liners will be under a new manager in 2023. In its third year under the new Appalachian League, Bill Kinneberg will take the help as the new skipper for the State Liners. Kinneberg, born in Sewell, Chile, joins the State Liners with decades of prior coaching experience,
Appalachian League celebrates 2022 charitable contributions
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — The Appalachian League announced that the league’s charitable outreach grew to more than $3.4 million of gift-in-kind and monetary donations this year. Additionally, the league and its clubs volunteered more than 11,000 hours of community service. The league’s reach impacts the towns and cities their 10
Appy League adds Justin Morgenstern as director of player personnel
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — The Appalachian League is pleased to announce the hiring of Justin Morgenstern as the new director of player personnel. Morgenstern joins the Appalachian League from the Philadelphia Phillies, where he was an area scout since 2016. Morgenstern spent his first three years with the organization covering
Appalachian League announces Humanitarian of the Year nominees
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — The Appalachian League announced the 10 nominees for its 2022 Humanitarian of the Year award. The Humanitarian of the Year award is given to the Appalachian League player that has been judged to have made the most notable contributions in his community during the season through
2022 All-Appalachian League Team announced
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — The Appalachian League announced the 2022 All-Appalachian League Team. The honorees were nominated and voted on by the league’s managers. The All-Appalachian League Team is highlighted by Bluefield’s Jackson Feltner, who was named Player of the Year, and Burlington’s Mason Ruh, who earned Pitcher of the
Johnson Jr. hits walk-off single, East tops West at 2022 Appy League All-Star Game
BURLINGTON, N.C. -- The East defeated the West, 6-5, at the 2022 Appalachian League All-Star Game presented by Visit Alamance on Tuesday night at Burlington Athletic Stadium. After Greeneville's Brock Daniels (Missouri) hit a game-tying two-run single with two outs in the top of the ninth, Danville's RJ Johnson Jr
Roster announced for 2022 Appy League All-Star Game presented by Visit Alamance
The Appalachian League announced the rosters for the second Appy League All-Star Game presented by Visit Alamance. The rosters will feature 44 of the league's top players from the East and West Divisions, as nominated and voted on by the league's managers. The Visit Alamance All-Star Game is scheduled to
River Riders-State Liners postponed due to COVID-19
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- In accordance with Appalachian League guidelines, tonight's game between the Bristol State Liners and Elizabethton River Riders has been postponed due to COVID-19 protocols. The two teams are following Appy League and local public health guidelines to prioritize the health and safety of all athletes and
Appalachian League introduces new extra-innings format
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — The Appalachian League announced the addition of a "sudden death" extra-innings rule and the return of seven-inning games on Sundays. EXTRA INNINGS: Similar to the Frontier League and MLB Draft League, the Appalachian League will implement a "sudden death" extra-innings format. During the plate meeting prior
State Liners unveil 2022 roster
BRISTOL, Va. — On the heels of our manager announcement, the State Liners are thrilled to announce our 2022 lineup! In the second year under the new Appalachian League format and rebrand of the Bristol club, the State Liners enter 2022 seeking to improve on the .522 season with Barbaro
State Liners announce Barbaro Garbey as 2022 manager
BRISTOL, Va. — The Bristol State Liners are excited to announce Barbaro Garbey will manage the Bristol State Liners for the 2022 Appalachian League season. Garbey, entering in his second year with Bristol, served as the State Liners hitting coach during the 2021 inaugural season. Before joining the Appalachian League,
Appalachian League participates in MLK Week of Service
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - Appalachian League executives participated in a Week of Service, volunteering in 11 communities across North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. Jan. 17, 2022 marked the 27th annual MLK Day of Service. Tabbed as a “day on, not a day off” to celebrate the life and
Bristol State Liners unveil 2022 schedule
BRISTOL, Va. — The Bristol State Liners have released their official 2022 season schedule. In their second year in the new Appalachian League, the State Liners will play host to 29 home games and 29 away games. The State Liners will begin the season on the road with a two-game
Appalachian League announces 2021 executive awards
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- The Appalachian League today announced its end-of-year awards for the 2021 season. Executive of the Year—Kat Foster, Greeneville Flyboys Kat Foster, general manager of the Greeneville Flyboys, has been named the 2021 Appalachian League Executive of the Year. The award is presented to the one executive
2021 All-Appalachian League Team, award winners announced
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – The Appalachian League announced its 2021 All-Appalachian League Team prior to the completion of its inaugural season as a collegiate summer league as part of the MLB and USA Baseball Prospect Development Pipeline (PDP). The honorees were nominated and voted on by the league’s managers and
Kight, Peddycord earn weekly honors
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – The Appalachian League announced that Bristol's Tate Kight and Greeneville's Sam Peddycord were named Player and Pitcher of the Week, respectively. Kight hit .455 (10-for-22) in six games this week to lead Bristol at the plate. The Homerville, Ga., native collected at least one hit in
Power on display in inaugural Appy League All-Star Game presented by Pennzoil
PULASKI, Va. – Dylan Rogers (Princeton) blasted a three-run homer in the first inning – the first of the game’s six total homers – as the East and West All-Stars played to a 6-6 tie in the 2021 Appalachian League All-Star Game presented by Pennzoil at Calfee Park in Pulaski,
Rosters announced for Appy League All-Star Game presented by Pennzoil
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- The Appalachian League announced today the rosters for the inaugural Appy League All-Star Game presented by Pennzoil. The rosters feature 46 of the league’s top players from the East and West Divisions, as nominated and voted on by the league’s managers. The 2021 Appy League All-Star
Crist, Trembley to manage Appy League All-Star teams
The Appalachian League announced today that Pulaski’s Clark Crist and Bristol’s Dave Trembley will manage the East and West teams for the Appalachian League All-Star Game, respectively. The inaugural All-Star Game is set to take place Tuesday, July 27, at Calfee Park in Pulaski, Virginia. The managers will be joined