Florida State League Announces Hall of Fame Class of 2020

July 22, 2020

Vero Beach, Florida — Florida State League President, Terry Reynolds, has announced the 2020 inductee class for enshrinement into the Florida State League Hall of Fame. “Our 2020 class is one of the most decorated in our Hall of Fame history. The class includes one former and one current FSL Executive, one former FSL coach, one former FSL umpire, and 5 former FSL players. The Covid-19 Pandemic has erased any potential for a banquet in 2020 but plans to induct this class into our Hall of Fame in 2021 will be of our utmost importance.” The class of players is highlighted by Major League Baseball Class of 2019 Hall of Fame New York Yankee pitcher Mariano Rivera and also includes MLB Hall of Famer Atlanta Braves pitcher John Smoltz. Los Angeles Dodgers Manager Dave Roberts, six-time Major League All-Star Chase Utley of the Philadelphia Phillies, and Minnesota Twins Hall of Famer Michael Cuddyer. New York Mets Senior Advisor to Pitching, Phil Regan, was elected as a coach. New York Mets Executive Director of Minor League Facilities Paul Taglieri and Seattle Mariners Senior Vice President, Ballpark Operations Trevor Gooby were elected in the Executive category. Former FSL and MLB umpire Tim McClelland round out this stellar class of inductees.

Michael Cuddyer – Fort Myers Miracle – 1997

Michael Cuddyer was selected by the Minnesota Twins in the 1st round (9th overall) of the 1997 draft out of Great Bridge HS in Chesapeake, VA. He spent the entire 1999 season in the FSL with the Fort Myers Miracle. In 130 games, he hit .298/.403/.470 with 16 HR and 82 RBI. He also added 14 stolen bases in 18 attempts and participated in the MLB All-Star Futures Game. Cuddyer made his MLB debut with the Twins on September 23, 2001 and went on to a 15-year career in the big leagues (11 years with the Twins). He also spent time with the Colorado Rockies and New York Mets, winning the NL batting title with Colorado in 2013 (.331). In 1,536 career MLB games, Cuddyer hit .277 with 197 HR and 794 RBI.

Mariano Rivera – Fort Lauderdale Yankees – 1992

Mariano was a member of the 1992 Fort Lauderdale Yankees where he struck out 42 and walked only 5 in 10 games. After a career with the New York Yankees that saw him become a 13 time All-Star, 5X World Series Champion, World Series MVP in 1999, 2003 ALCS MVP, ML All-Star Game MVP, 5X Rolaids Relief Award winner and a ML record 652 career saves he was named unanimously to the MLB Hall of Fame in 2019. He also received the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his philanthropic efforts through his Mariano Rivera Foundation. MLB Hall of Famer (only unanimous HOF’er) 13x All-Star, 5x World Series Champion, 1999 World Series MVP, 2003 ALCS MVP, All-Star Game MVP, 5x Rolaids Relief Award Winner, MLB Record 652 career saves.

Dave Roberts – Lakeland Tigers – 1995

Roberts was a member of the 1995 Lakeland Tigers and an FSL All-Star. He ranked 4th in the league with 30 stolen bases. He played parts of 10 seasons in the Majors with the Indians, Dodgers, Padres, Giants and Red Sox. Roberts iconic moment came as a prolific base stealer for the Red Sox in the 2004 ALCS vs. the Yankees on the way to becoming a World Series Champion. Currently he serves as the manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers since 2016. As the first minority manager in Dodgers history he has led the Dodgers to two National League titles and was NL Manager of the Year in 2016.

John Smoltz – Lakeland Tigers – 1986

Smoltz was a part of the 1986 Lakeland rotation giving up just 86 hits in 96 innings. His time in Lakeland helped build a very successful 21 year in the Majors. Smoltz was a first ballot MLB Hall of Fame Inductee in 2015. He is the only pitcher in MLB history to record at least 200 wins and 150 saves. He was the 1996 NL Cy Young Award winner and 2002 NL Rolaids Relief Man of the Year. An 8 time All-Star and World Series Champion, Smoltz currently serves as a television color commentator and analyst nationally.

Chase Utley – Clearwater Phillies – 2001

An iconic Philadelphia Phillies player, Chase was a part of the 2001 Clearwater Phillies and FSL All-Star. He was selected to play in the 2001 MLB All-Star Futures Game. Over his 16-year MLB career Utley was a 6-time All-Star, 4-time Silver Slugger and 2008 World Series Champion. Nicknamed “The Man” he was recently voted the most popular player in Phillies history according to a fan vote conducted by The Athletic. He beat out legendary Phillies like Mike Schmidt and Steve Carlton.

Phil Regan – Pitching Coach – 2009-2015 St. Lucie Mets

Phil Regan was the St. Lucie Mets Pitching Coach from 2009 through 2015 during which he oversaw the development of two time Cy Young Award winner Jacob deGrom, 2016 AL Rookie of the Year Michael Fulmer, All-Star Noah Syndergaard, All-Star Matt Harvey, All-Star Jeurys Familia, Zack Wheeler, Steven Matz, Seth Lugo and Robert Gsellman. His staff led the FSL in ERA in 2012. In a baseball career that has spanned almost seven decades Regan has been a player, scout, coach and Major League Manager. He was a NL All-Star pitcher with the Dodgers in 1966 and also led the NL in saves in 1966 and 1968. Phil was the Pitching Coach for the gold medal winning United States Olympic team in the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

Trevor Gooby – Executive – Bradenton Marauders

Trevor Gooby is currently the Senior Vice President, Ballpark Operations for the Seattle Mariners. Gooby began his Major League Baseball career with the Los Angeles Dodgers where he served seven years as the General Manager of the Vero Beach Dodgers and oversaw baseball operations at Dodgertown. He was hired by the Pirates in 2004 to oversee the team's Spring Training operations in Bradenton, Florida. Gooby was responsible for ballpark operations, concessions, custodial services, marketing and ticket sales at LECOM Park (formally McKechnie Field), the Grapefruit League home of the Pirates. He also oversaw the day-to-day operations of the Bradenton Marauders. Gooby represented the Pirates during the multi-million-dollar renovations of McKechnie Field and Pirate City, the team's Spring Training and Gulf Coast League home. A native of Ipswich, Massachusetts, Gooby is a 1998 graduate of Emerson College where he received his B.S. in Communication and Media Studies.

Paul Taglieri – Executive – St. Lucie Mets

Paul Taglieri began his career with the New York Mets as the St. Lucie General Manager in 1999. His involvement in the Florida State League led to him being named Executive of the Year in 2001. He served on the Executive Committee and was also Vice President of the East Division. The Mets promoted him to Director of Florida Operations, and then in 2013 to his current role as Executive Director of Minor League Facilities. Paul manages Spring Training for the New York Mets and oversees the ballpark and facility operations for the Mets affiliates in Port St. Lucie, Syracuse, Brooklyn, Kingsport and the Dominican Republic. He has spearheaded the planning and coordination of multiple large-scale renovation and construction projects. Most recently he was part of a team that managed the $57 million renovation of Clover Park that debuted this Spring. Prior to joining the Mets in St. Lucie, Paul was the General Manager of the Auburn Doubledays in the NYP League and Assistant General Manager of the Sarasota Red Sox in the FSL. He is a 1991 graduate from Florida Southern.

Tim McClelland – Umpire – Florida State League 1976

As a graduate of Michigan State University, McClelland was a Florida State League umpire during the 1976 season. In 1983 he made it to the Major Leagues where he umpired his last game in 2013, retiring in 2014. During his time as a Major League umpire, Tim umpired 4 World Series, 3 All-Star games and 8 League Championship Series. He was part of several memorable crews including working the George Brett “Pine Tar” game and Sammy Sosa’s corked bat game. Additionally, he was the home plate umpire for David Wells perfect game in 1998. Tim currently resides in Des Moines, Iowa.