George Case Jr – Trenton
Outfielder – 1997
During the 1930s, Trenton High was a state power and a dominate force in South Jersey Group 4 competition. Case’s outstanding pitching and hitting was a major reason for the Trentonians consistent championship play.
After starting at Trenton HS, he moved on to Peddie Prep and continued to excel both on the mound and at the plate. His efforts earned George All-State honors in 1935-36. He also proved himself to be an outstanding pitcher in the Burlington County Semi-Pro League before advancing to the Trenton Senators minor league club and eventually to the majors as an outfielder.
As a speedy outfielder, who spent 10 of his 11 years in the major leagues with the Washington Senators, he led the American League in stolen bases 6 times, equaling Ty Cobb’s record. Case also led both leagues in stolen bases 5 times. In addition, Case was selected 4 times to the American League All-Star team, and finished his major league career with a .283 lifetime batting average.
Case’s coaching and managerial career record was also impressive. As Rutgers University coach, he took the team to the 1950 College World Series. He coached professionally with the Washington Senators, Hawaii Islanders, Oneonta Yankees and Minnesota Twins. In addition, he serves as an instructor or scout for Baltimore, Seattle and Texas.
His honors include, Peddie Prep Athlete-of-the-Century in 1939, NJ Pro Athlete of-the-Year, NJ Sports Hall-of-Fame, District of Columbia Hall-of-Fame, and Trenton Hall-of-Fame.
Len Fox – Pleasantville
Infielder – 1997
During the mid-1940s, Len Fox was one of the very best mid-infielders in scholastic and amateur leagues in the State of New Jersey. At Pleasantville HS, he set records for hits, runs scored, and batting average over his 4 varsity years. He was twice named team captain, frequently selected for all area squads and all county teams. In 1947, Len hit .493, averaged 2 runs scored per game and nearly 2 hits per game over a 19-game season, while leading Pleasantville HS to South Jersey’s first Group II state championship. He was selected as 1st Team All-State.
After graduation, 8 major league teams tried to sign him to a contract. Fox however accepted a scholarship to Lafayette College, where he played for 4 seasons. He also excelled in his college career as he established himself as a career .300+ hitter and flawless fielding shortstop. He helped Lafayette capture 2 Mid-Atlantic NCAA titles, while gaining 2 All-Conference Team selections and being named an All-American. He then had offers from 10 major league clubs and signed with the St. Louis Browns. His pro career was cut short, however, by an illness.
Len came home and played brilliantly for many amateur teams, most notably the Pleasantville A’s and Jokers, The Inlet Athletic Club, and Farley’s Stars. Again, he was a frequent All-Star and twice named the Atlantic County League MVP.
Ben Lynch – Sewell
Contributor – 1997
Ben’s contributions to South Jersey baseball covers a span of 51 years. As a player at Bridgeton HS, Glassboro State College and South Jersey semi-pro leagues from 1947-1964.
As a coach and official, Legion helped get the American Legion Mid-Atlantic Tournament for South Jersey, which later evolved into the Bridgeton Invitational Tournament. His revolutionary contributions to this semi-pro event include speed up rules, as well as, the designated hitter rule later adopted by Major League Baseball.
Besides working relentlessly promoting South Jersey baseball, Ben was also a major force in getting baseball declared an Olympic Sport. For all his efforts, Ben was elected to the South Jersey Coaches Hall of Fame (baseball and basketball), Highland HS Hall of Fame, Cumberland County Hall of Fame, and now South Jersey Baseball Hall of Fame.
Al Radano – Gloucester Catholic
Coach – 1997
Starting in the late 1970s through the early 1990s, Al Radano led his Gloucester Catholic Rams to one of the most impressive scholastic parochial baseball records in state history. Locall, his teams captured 8 Olympic Conference titles and 7 South Jersey Parochial B championships. In addition, his 1980 team went 24-0 which was the first team to go undefeated since 1964, and selected the area’s #1 team .
At the state level, Radano’s teams won 8 Parochial B tiles, winning consecutive crowns from 1984-86. Seven times his Rams were ranked in New Jersey’s state final Top 20 poll. Eleven of his players received All-State honors, 32 players achieved All-Group honors and 34 players were selected to the All-South Jersey team while coaching the Rams.
Al’s career at Gloucester Catholic covered 22 seasons, 6 as assistant and 16 as head coach. His record was 321-107 for a .750 Winning Percentage, with an average of 21-7 per season over that span. He was selected the South Jersey Coaches Association Coach-of-the-Year in 1980 and the Hot Stovers South Jersey Coach-of-the-Year in 1983.
Ed Rieger – St. James/Pennsville
Pitcher/Coach – 1997
During the early 1960s, no pitcher in New Jersey dominated the scholastic baseball scene like St. James’ righthander Ed Rieger. He played 4 years (1960-63) of varsity competition while compiling a 31-1 record, never losing a game to a New Jersey school team. Ed also struck out 10 or more batters in 28 of his 31 pitching decisions, with 18 in one game.
Rieger’s Playing career highlights included a St. James record 32 game win streak, a personal high of 28 straight pitching victories, 4 Camden Diocesan titles, 4 South Jersey Parochial C Championships, All Parochial honors in ’62-’63, and All State in ’62 and ’63.
As a scholastic coach, Ed’s career spanned 19 years in South Jersey and 22 years overall. His accomplishments included 8 Tr-County crowns, 4 South Jersey titles, and 2 state championships. Rieger’s most successful campaign was in 1981 when his Pennsville HS club went 25-0 and became the first South Jersey team to be ranked #1 in the state. In addition, his consistent ability to produce winning programs was recognized when the Courier-Post selected his 1981 squad as South Jersey’s team of the 1980s.
Under his tutelage, a total of 28 of his players were All-Group selections and 13 received All-State honors. His personal awards include a National Coaching honor in 1984, Philadelphia Inquirer Coach-of-the Year in 1984, South Jersey Baseball Coaches Association Coach-o-the-Year in 1987, and Hot Stovers Coach-of-the-Year in 1987.
Mike Schick – Cherokee
Pitcher – 1997
One of South Jersey’s outstanding left-handed pitchers and hard-hitting outfielders from 1982-1985, Mike helped lead Cherokee High to its most successful baseball era in school history. In 1985, he led the Chiefs to their first South Jersey and State Group IV championships, resulting in Cherokee’s first #1 state ranking and the first area Group IV to be so honored.
Upon graduation, Mike set 23 combination pitching/hitting records, was named All-State and All South Jersey outfielder in 1984, and obtained the same two honors as a pitcher his senior year. In 1985 Schick was selected Varsity Magazine’s and the Hot Stovers MVP in South Jersey.
Mike accepted a baseball scholarship to Villanova University where he helped the Wildcats to three straight record-breaking seasons, and the school’s first ever Big East and NCAA tournament appearances. During that period, Schick set a then team record for pitching wins. He led the NCAA in triples for the 1988 season. In college tournament play, he collected first-ever hit, home run and game-winning RBI in school history. He also tied a Big East Tourney mark for total bases in one game. Mike earned All-Big East honors along with future MLB players Mo Vaughn, Craig Biggio, Jose Valentin and Charles Nagy.
A shoulder injury prevented a pro career, but Mike did go on to compete for years at the semi-pro level in NJ, PA, and Florida.
Vic Voltaggio – Vineland
Umpire – 1997
Born in Vineland, Nj in 1941, Vic played basketball and baseball at Vineland HS before going on to East Carolina University. After college, he joined the Marines and served in Vietnam and returned to Vineland after his honorable discharge.
A friend and former coach, Tom Appleby, convinced Vic to go into officiating local baseball and other local amateur sports. His passion was for baseball and he joined the local Umpire’s Association. Over the next few years Vic umpired high school, Atlantic County League and Cumberland County College games.
In December of 1972, he resigned from the Vineland Police Department and reported to a Florida Umpiring Training School. After completing the course, Vic received the Ed Doherty Award as the graduate “Most Likely to Reach the Major Leagues”. Upon graduation, he was assigned to the Midwest “A” League in 1973, then to the Carolina “A” League in 1974. He was promoted to the “AA” Southern League in 1975, and then to the “AAA” Pacific Coast League in 1976. Finally, he was offered a contract with the American League in March 1977.
Vic retired in January 1997 after 24 years umpiring Major League games. His career highlights included working American League Playoffs in 1981, ‘86, ‘88, and ‘90, the Major League All-Star game in 1983 and ’87 and the World Series in 1989.
Vic has been an active supporter of the Marine Corp League, and, along with his wife, a strong supporter of the Special Olympics.
Steve Flowers – Gloucester
Pitcher – 1997
In the mid 1970s, Steve Flowers was one of the premier right-hand pitchers in the state of NJ. His 19-3 record over the 1973-74 seasons was a key factor in the Gloucester HS Lions most successful baseball era in school history.
Flowers’ strong arm made the Lions a consistent contender in the Tri-County Conference, and for South Jersey’s Group 1 crown. In 1973, he led his teammates into to the South Jersey Group 1 final, finished the season at 6-2 and an excellent 1.21 ERA, plus 63 strikeouts in just 58 innings. His performance earned him All Group 1 and All South Jersey honors.
The following year saw Gloucester High experience the most successful season in school history, capturing the Tri-County Conference, South Jersey and NJ Sate Group 1 championships. Steve also enjoyed his finest season, posting a 13-1 record, tying the area record for most wins in a season. He became only the 4th pitcher in South Jersey high school baseball history to accomplish that. In addition, he led all area hurlers in strikeouts with 130, and also strikeouts per inning that year. In 1974, Steve was selected All Group 1, All South Jersey, and All-State First Team.
After graduation, Flowers continued his excellent pitching at Atlantic Community College, establishing himself as the team’s ace. In 1976, Steve led ACC to the Junior College Regional Championship and his team lost 1-0 despite his giving up just 1 hit. He finished that season at 10-2 and was named Regional Tournament MVP.
His outstanding two-year career performance gained him All Conference honors and the school retired his number as a symbol of his contribution to the school and the baseball program.
Sam Croge – Woodrow Wilson
Pitcher – 1997
During the 1950s, coach Binny Pawlak’s Woodrow Wilson High teams were among the area’s very best, and his ace righthander Sam Croge one of the elite hurlers in the state of New Jersey.
With Croge handling the key game pitching assignments, Woodrow Wilson dominated area and regional competition to the tune of 3 straight Camden City Series titles, plus 2 South Jersey Group III championships, at one point winning 25 games in a row.
A varsity starter all 3 years of his scholastic career, Sam was recognized for his outstanding pitching efforts with All-State honors both his junior and senior years. In 1958, he was South Jersey’s top hurler with a 11-3 record, while averaging 11 strikeouts per game. He finished his brilliant career with a 20-3 record.
After graduation, Sam was offered a number of baseball and basketball scholarships, but decided to pursue a professional baseball career, signing with the Philadelphia Phillies. He completed a minor league career with a 28-11 record and 2 league championship wins.
Upon returning to South Jersey, Croge played for a number of semi-pro squads, earning All-Star selections, including Camden Suburban, Burlington County and PennDel League honors.
In addition to his baseball talents, Sam was an outstanding basketball and softball player. He was inducted into the South Jersey Scholastic Basketball Hall-of-Fame, and led the Ivy Viking team to many regional and national softball tournaments throughout the 1970s and ‘80s.