In 1982, League Secretary, Jack Repass founded the Greater Hartford Twilight Baseball League Hall of Fame. Repass was the former University of Hartford Sports Information Director, a baseball historian and a former player. Efforts made by Repass acknowledged Connecticut’s best ballplayers and contributors. Pete Naktenis, a left-handed pitcher from Hartford, was the first GHTBL Hall of Fame inductee. Naktenis pitched in the twi-loop before and after playing for Connie Mack’s Philadelphia Athletics.
Jack Repass creates GHTBL Hall of Fame, March 18, 1982.
Perhaps the most celebrated GHTBL Hall of Famer was player-manager, Gene Johnson. At the league’s 50th anniversary celebration he was bestowed with the Player of the Half Century Award. After 7 years in the minor leagues, Johnson returned to the twilight league to win 4 batting titles, multiple championships and served as a player or manager for 57 years.
GHTBL Hall of Fame caricatures, 1983.
To honor GHTBL Hall of Fame inductees Jack Repass organized elaborate banquets. The banquets were often held at Valle’s Steak House in Hartford or Willie’s Steak House in Manchester. Dinner included live music, toasts, prayers, speeches and induction ceremonies. Inductees were handpicked by Repass, who also entered the GHTBL Hall of Fame. He passed away on November 10, 2001, at 77 years of age. When Repass died, Hartford Courant sportswriter Bohdan Kolinsky wrote, “The link to Hartford’s baseball past is gone now.”
GHTBL Hall of Fame Induction Dinner program, May 1, 1983.
GHTBL Hall of Fame Induction Dinner program, May 1, 1983.
