The Chippewa Valley has always had a special relationship with the sport of baseball.  Aaron’s early days as a pro with the Eau Claire Braves, numerous other prominent players who took the field in the mid-20th century (like Joe Torre and Bob Uecker) and the occasional major leaguer from this neck of the woods (Andy Pafko, Tom Poquette) highlight this bond.  Add our excitement for the Express and the sheer beauty of Carson Park, and baseball is the definitive sport of our region.

    Therefore, a hall of fame for baseball in the Eau Claire area is an appropriate honor for those who have made baseball relevant in the city and region.  Last year, I was asked to join the Eau Claire Baseball History Committee, an organization of area figures with connections to, or a significant interest in, baseball.  The prime objective is inducting members into the Eau Claire Baseball Hall Of Fame. 

    The nominations for the 2011 class have been submitted, those of us on the committee voted, and I thought I would use this issue’s column to turn the spotlight on those whose likenesses will be bronzed outside the main gates at Carson Park.

    Though the Memorial boys’ hockey team recently broke the decades-long drought of Eau Claire public high school state championships, such a drought was inconceivable when Cy Berg was the baseball coach at Memorial.  Berg led the Old Abes to a virtual dynasty a half-century ago, winning the state title in 1957, 1958, 1961 and 1962, plus an additional runner-up placement and six WIAA state tournament appearances overall.  His eight years at Memorial produced a 123-21 record (an .854 winning percentage), and when you add his two years as North’s baseball coach, his career record stands at 139-29.

    Berg’s excellence extended to football, leading the 1961 Memorial football team to a #1 ranking in state AP and UPI polls and an undefeated record.  He also helped the pros, serving as a scout for the Cincinnati Reds, Kansas City Royals and Los Angeles Dodgers.
 

Sure, Eau Claire high school baseball was more potent in the years when Memorial was the only public high school in the city (North would not open until the autumn of 1962), but a group of talented kids needs a talented leader, and Cy Berg was such a person.  His stewardship of the ultimate prep athletic success is why he is going into the Hall Of Fame.

     Going to Carson Park in the 1970s and 80s to watch the early years of Eau Claire Cavaliers baseball, one name was a constant for quality on the field, a name that resonated with the locals: Dave Johnson.  Johnson was a 1969 Eau Claire North graduate, having been their leading hitter, and when the Cavaliers began playing in 1971, Johnson was their shortstop – a position he would hold through 1986. 

     Ironically, Johnson rarely led the Cavaliers in hitting in an individual season (though he led the team in a single season in total bases and runs scored), but this was not due to lack of ball-bat contact as the years went by, as Johnson’s 1,070 career hits are a team record.  Johnson holds the Cavaliers’ stolen base record with 200 in his career, and was voted honorary captain multiple times.

     You may wonder, with all these statistics, why Johnson never had a shot as a professional.  In the view of his manager (and nominator) Glenn St. Arnault, his height (5’ 8 ) and weight (150 pounds) kept the scouts away.  Too bad – one ponders what Johnson could have accomplished as a shortstop in the late 70s and early 80s on the pro level.  What he accomplished in Eau Claire is more than worthy of Hall Of Fame induction.

     In the interest of full disclosure, I cast my ballots for Berg and Johnson, and both ultimately met the threshold for induction (a minimum of 50%-plus-one of the vote).  There are other deserving names that will receive consideration in the years to come.  For this year, leading to their induction this January 31st, we honor the 2011 class of the Eau Claire Baseball Hall Of Fame:  Eilert “Cy” Berg and David “Dave” Johnson.