Merrill Baseball Hall of Fame welcomes second class

The second class of the Merrill hall featured the induction of players Bob Grunenwald and Hal Sanders, umpire Arvo Britten and contributor/ambassador Mike Weckwerth.

As the keynote speaker of Thursday's banquet at Kathy and Cal's Club 64, Tim 'The Franchise' Allen-from Milwaukee's WSSP 1250 AM station-talked about his decision to follow through on a career in discussing baseball despite the loss of his vision to Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP).

People with RP gradually lose their sight, and in Tim's case he became unable to read in his mid-20s. For the next two decades, Tim worked at radio stations in numerous music formats, but he jumped at the chance to cover the Brewers for WSSP in October of 2005. He co-hosts the popular Usinger's Post Game Show with Steve 'Sparky' Fifer, as well as the Hot Stove Weekly program in the off-season.

"I haven't been blind my entire life, so I can kind of get a perspective of the ball is hit into the hole, the shortstop backhands it, and plants and throws," he said. "To analyze that do you have to see it every day, all the time? I know what that is.

"There are times, the (Derek) Jeter jump throw is really something I'd like to see, because I hear it's something special.

"Two things I miss-my independence and I miss looking at women, but they allow the braille system on occasion.

"I work, I play in a band, I try to fit in a social life. What else are you going to do, curl into the fetal position?"

In response to a one-word joke-"Cubs"-that kicked off a short speech by MHS baseball coach Brain Artac, Allen added, "After having those Cubs fans infiltrate Miller Park, one thing I use on my show, only when the Brewers beat the Cubs, don't let the toll-gate hit you in the (butt) on the way back home to Illinois.

"I was born in Kenosha in 1964 and, gee, watching a Cubs game on WGN, if you wanted to take a nap there wasn't a better sleeping pill in the world."

As for the new-look Brewers after the pitching acquisitions of Zack Greinke and Shaun Marcum, "We continue to celebrate the loss of the 1982 World Series. Let's lay that to rest. The bar needs to be raised and has been raised."

Allen added his thanks for being asked to speak at the MBHOF, noting, "I'm certainly flattered and appreciate the invite. I'm very, very impressed by this organization. This is very unique and special. I'm just charmed by it."

Grunenwald has played baseball at every level offered in Merrill, culminating in back-to-back state championships in 1974 and 1975 for the Beacon Bar A's in the WBA. He also played for the Merrill Giants and earned All-Star honors each year in the Dairyland League.

When Bob graduated from MHS he held school records in 5 categories and still is in the running for several despite aluminum bats and a marked increase in games played. He earned All-District and All-Region honors in Legion ball.

When Bob played for UW-LaCrosse, he was offered minor league contracts to the Pittsburgh Pirates and New York Mets and a Milwaukee Brewer try-out, but a shoulder injury ended his dream.

Sanders, who was unable to attend, was regarded by teammates, opponents and fans as the best outfielder they had ever seen. Hal played for five minor-league teams, reaching AAA Oklahoma City. In his stop with the Wausau Lumberjacks, Hal hit .357 and .333. He retired to Wausau and played for the semi-pro Merrill Rangers, helping them win three-consecutive state championships. He hit .370 with 180 RBI's in 223 games in his 5-year Ranger career.

Britten, a long-time MJHS football and wrestling coach, has worked at state tourneys for 8 WIAA baseball, 16 WIAA softball and 8 Legion baseball, as well 6 All-Star Softball Classics and one WBCA Baseball Classic.

He handled games for the Wausau Timbers Class A pro ball in the 1970's, and covered games in the WIAC. Arvo even subbed during the major league umpire strike of 1979-80.

Britten has also refereed 25 WIAA state wrestling tournaments, and 3 NAIA national tourneys. He has served as a rules interpreter for the WIAA since 1975 in wrestling and 1985 in baseball and softball.

Weckwerth, a two-time MVP of his American Legion Post 46 teams and player for the Beacon title teams of 1974 and 1975, has provided service to baseball in Merrill in many ways.

He was a president, director, player agent and coach for Merrill Little League, and chairman of several projects for the MARC baseball complex. He has coached Legion ball for 7 years.

Mike is one of the founders and co-chairman of the Athletic Park restoration project, along with Dan Wendorf helping transform the park into one of the finest community baseball facilities in the Midwest.

Weckwerth co-authored the intruiging local baseball book-The Rangers Reign-A Glimpse of Semi-Pro Baseball-with Louie Paetsch. Mike has also researched Merrill Little League and compiled a collection of early Merrill baseball history.

Members of the MHS 1958 baseball team, Merrill's first conference champion, and their coach Ron Sterr were also honored at the banquet.