SMSBL Hall of Fame

Wayne was born to love baseball, as his mom and he would tell you. Wayne was born in San Francisco in 1961, the second son of a baseball crazy mom; this was a lady that would call the TV repairman out every September to check the tubes in the TV even though nothing was wrong with it just to make sure it did not break during October. Wayne’s grandfather played for the San Francisco Seals during the 30’s and baseball had always been part of the household. Wayne played little league with the American River Little League in the Rosemont area of Sacramento. While never an All Star and always undersized, he constantly strived to be as good as his brother, Joe. Wayne played Farm through the Senior league as well as attending any camp that was close and that his family could afford. A highlight was the week long UC Davis camp.

When high school rolled around, Wayne believed with all of his training and knowledge of the game that this would be easy, so he shared his thoughts with the typing teacher and baseball coach who then told him he should start his own team since he knew so much. Well, that’s the beginning and end Wayne’s high school baseball story. After high school, Wayne started playing tournament softball, during this time he met some guys that played in a City baseball league on Sundays and baseball was back! Now more humble and stronger, the game was better than ever. In 1990, Wayne was eligible to join the SMSBL and played until 2005, finally winning that much coveted World Series title with the CalZona Tribe. During those years, Wayne played for the Dodgers, played and managed the Cubs and finally joined the Tribe. During the 15 years in the league, Wayne played in 11 World Series and managed a team in 8 of those. The highlight was in 2005 when the Tribe lead by Ken Chavez won the championship. Wayne was not supposed to be part of this team due to surgery on his knee the previous winter and the promise to his wife Leslie that he would retire. Wayne convinced himself that it would be good PT to help Ken with the team and one thing led to another and he was playing again.

The SMSBL has been a great experience, the baseball partly, the friendships more. A special and most heartfelt thank you goes to Leslie, Wayne’s wife of 24 years, for having the patience to allow him to participate in something for so long while she took care of things while he was out. And to the boys, Chet and McClane who were drug to so many games and Trick or Treated so many years alone while dad was in Phoenix chasing that ring. It is a great honor to be invited to join this small fraternity of terrific men.