BOB ASPROMONTE, SATCH DAVIDSON, ROB MATWICK, JOE NIEKRO, IVAN RODRIGUEZ, T. R. SULLIVAN, "SMOKY" JOE WILLIAMS COMPRISE 2005 INDUCTION CLASS OF THE TEXAS BASEBALL HALL OF FAME

Broadcaster Milo Hamilton to receive second annual Toy Cannon Award for his years of off the field contribution to various community charities.

Ten time Gold Glove winner and 1999 American League MVP Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez will join the winningest pitcher in Houston Astros history, Joe Niekro and an original Houston Colt .45, Bob Aspromonte, as inductees to the Texas Baseball Hall of Fame in 2005. Also to be inducted during the event at the J.W. Marriott Hotel in Houston on Friday, November 11, will be long time National League umpire, Satch Davidson; long time Houston Astros media relations director, now Senior Vice President for Ballpark Operations and Customer Service, Rob Matwick; seventeen year baseball reporter and columnist for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, T. R. Sullivan; and deceased Negro League pitcher "Smoky" Joe Williams.

Another stellar inductee by virtue of his Texas Ranger career is the now Detroit Tiger catcher Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez. Pudge was signed by the Texas Rangers and played the first 12 years of his Major League career in Arlington. The 1999 American League MVP has won a record-tying ten Gold Gloves and also helped lead the Florida Marlins to the 2003 World Championship.

Joe Niekro began his career with the Chicago Cubs in 1967. After moving through San Diego, Detroit, and Atlanta, Joe joined Houston in 1975 and played through the bulk of the 1985 season. During those eleven seasons, he won 144 games in a Houston uniform – still the most ever for an Astros pitcher. He also won 20 games or more twice with Houston. In 1979, Niekro was 21-11, winning the Sporting News National League pitcher of the year award and finishing second in Cy Young balloting.

Bob Aspromonte started his career in the Dodger organization, coming to Houston in the expansion draft for the 1962 season. Playing third base in Houston through 1968, he was the last of the original Houston Colt .45s to remain part of the Houston franchise. His six grand slam home runs equal the Houston record tied by Jeff Bagwell in 2004.

Satch Davidson umpired in the National League from 1969 through 1984. A native of Ohio, Davidson moved to Houston during the latter stages of his career, making it his new home. During his career he umpired 2053 games, and was behind the plate for Hank Aaron’s record breaking 715th home run and Carlton Fisk’s memorable game winning home run in the 1975 World Series. He also umpired the last game at Crosley Field in Cincinnati.

"Smoky" Joe Williams died in 1946 after a legendary Negro League pitching career. The Seguin, Texas native began his career with the San Antonio Broncos in 1907, but spent the majority of his career with the New York Lincoln Giants. Williams’ feats were legendary. A 27 strike out, twelve inning game, and exhibition victories over Major League teams, made him by far the dominant pitcher in Negro League baseball prior to Satchel Paige.

Houston Astros Senior Vice President for Ballpark Operations and Customer Service Rob Matwick is serving in his 21st year with the Astros. Joining the club in 1985 as media relations director Rob was honored by Major League Baseball with the Robert O. Fishel Award in 2001 which is awarded to a non uniformed representative of Major League Baseball whose ethics, character, dedication, service, professionalism, and humanitarianism best represent the standards propounded by the late Robert O. Fishel.

No sportswriter has covered Major League Baseball as his primary responsibility in Texas longer than T. R. Sullivan of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Sullivan started covering the Texas Rangers in 1989, and has been on the baseball beat ever since. His seventeen years include coverage of 12 World Series, two Nolan Ryan no-hitters, Kenny Rogers’ perfect game, and both Mark McGwire and Barry Bonds’ record-breaking home runs.

In addition to the inductions, Astros radio broadcaster Milo Hamilton, the official Master of Ceremonies for the Texas Baseball Hall of Fame, will be presented the Toy Cannon Award for his work in helping to raise millions of dollars for charity during his 21 years with the Astros and 60 years in broadcasting. Jimmy Wynn—the Toy Cannon—Houston’s first home run star and long time contributor will present the award personally. Wynn, whose # 24 is being retired this weekend by the Astros, is a member of the TBHOF Advisory Board. Wynn’s own contributions to charity are the reason The Toy Cannon Award was created—to honor baseball people who give back and pay forward to the community in meritorious ways.

The 2005 Texas Baseball Hall of Fame induction banquet will be held for the second straight year at the Houston J. W. Marriott in the Galleria area on Friday, November 11 at 7pm. Details may be obtained at http://www.tbhof.org or by calling George Scroggins at (713) 408-1044.