The Australian Baseball Hall of Fame has inducted some of the most influential figures in the history of Australian Baseball, bestowing them with the highest playing or coaching honor an individual in our sport can receive. This year is no exception, as Baseball Australia announces the Class of 2016, and inducts four new members in the Australian Baseball Hall of Fame. Baseball Victoria is very proud to acknowledge that two Victorians, Michael Nakamura and Ernie George Bolton, are members of this years class. Both of these men represent the best of Victorian baseball and Baseball Victoria is extremely proud that they are being recognized as Australian Baseball greats.
· Michael Nakamura
Michael Nakamura represented Australia at the 1996 and 2000 Olympic games as part of the Australian Olympic Baseball Team. He played for the Minnesota Twins and the Toronto Blue Jays in MLB and was drafted in the 4th round of the 2004 draft by the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters. He struck out more batters than innings pitched, and did not give up a single run in the second half of the season. In his second year Nakamura made 39 saves, setting a new Pacific League single-season record, and the Fighters won the Japanese championship series. Nakamura pitched in 4 Japanese championship series games, and did not give up a single hit. Nakamura retired as a member of the Saitama Seibu Lions after the conclusion of the 2012 season. He threw sidearm and relied mostly on two types of curves and a fastball around 90 mph.
· Ernie George Bolton
Known as “Smiler,” Ernie was an outstanding personality on the mound and in the batters box. As a rookie in 1956 Bolton handled his first game like a veteran. Ernie hated to throw walks and his ability to spot the ball and change speeds made him one other games greatest pitchers. In the opening game of the 1959 Championships Ernie had the distinction of throwing a no-hitter. In 80 recorded innings of Claxton Shield over 6 series, his ERA was a minuscule 1.12. He was a member of the Diamond Anniversary Claxton Shield All-Star team as a result of representing Victoria with such distinction. Ernie Bolton had the ability to vary the pace of the ball to such a degree that he is acknowledged as one of the game’s greatest ever pitchers. An All-Australian player, he pitched a no-hitter in the opening game of the 1959 Claxton Shield series. In 80 recorded innings of Claxton Shield over six series, his ERA is an incredible 1.9.
The Class of 2016 will be honored during an on field ceremony at the upcoming Australian Baseball League Championship Series, February 6 at Holloway Field, the home of the Brisbane Bandits.
The Victorian Baseball community extends a massive congratulations to both Michael and Ernie as they join the ranks of Australian Baseball greats.