Scott “The Colonel” Byrne
Player 2000-2004, Committee 2000-2004, Batting Champ 2000, Best Team Name 2002/2004, Mad Scramble Champ 2003-2005.
After a close miss in last year’s ballot, Mr. Byrne breaks through a crowded ballot to earn enshrinement in the 2005 class. As one of the mere handful of players to participate every year, he’s probably earned his own stool at the Harvard Tavern by now, just for showing up between games. He’s been on the Fatty Committee as a participant in the planning, administration, groundscrew, and the beverage department as well as part of the reason we created originally it – he founded BRI, Inc. and he helped get the Bad Beer World Series banned forever. In fact, one voter – ok, his brother – was so vehement in his support, he pledged to cast The Colonel as his top choice until he made it in…he needn’t worry anymore.
He’s been long known as The Colonel, as well as SB, Scooter, Burns and just plain Overserved. Now we’re proud to also call him a Hall of Famer.
Ron “Don’t Call Me” Francis
Player 2000-2004, Committee 2003-2004, Champion 2000, Runner Up 2001, Baxter Bowl Champ 2003-2004, Most Valuable Player 2000, Golden Arm 2000.
Despite being actually related to Ringler, Francis shows up anyway, year after year, never missing a game, despite a move from Wayland to Cedar Springs and a teammate under constant house arrest. He’s a former MVP and part of the only team to win both the Championship and the Baxter Bowl (after he became one of the first players to actually start practicing), although now remains under suspicion that he’s just sandbagging these days for a shot at another little plastic trophy.
He’s become an invaluable member of the Committee since moving up north and continues to be one of the better pitchers on the field and remains a steady, if not feared, switch hitter (and he’s not even in the theater!).
Whether you call him Ron, Ronnie, Sir or Lighten Up, welcome to the Hall of Fame.
Jimmy “Chitwood” Galvan
Player 2002-2004, Most Valuable Player 2002-2003, Golden Arm 2002, Home Run Champ 2003-2004. Babe Magnet 2002-2004.
Even Ringler’s mom is in love with this guy as he swept the ladies vote and becomes the second “outside” Hall of Fame Inductee. From Windy City Wiffleball, Chit stormed onto the scene at Harvard Yards in 2002 and claimed the title(*) in his rookie year (*unfortunately as a teetotaler). While he failed in his attempt to rename our fields “Galvan Grounds”, he did return with refreshments in hand and followed up with several stellar performancse in succeeding years to earn the respect of his peers and the amorous admiration of every female Fatty within eyesight.
At his best, Galvan has been one of the best pitchers in the country and also a ruthless come-from-behind competitor. Mr. Lovah-Lovah or the Golden Arm, Chitwood is nowadays as deadly at the plate as he is on the hill, never falling easily to defeat.
Bring him a donut and he’s not just for GAy LoViN’ anymore.
Hal “Pops” Ringler
Committee 2001-2004, Afterparty Host 2001, Director of Scorekeeping 2002-2004, Sponsor 2002-2004.
Cool as a cucumber, Pops has been the steady hand at the scorebook in recent years after contributing time, sponsor money, recruiting labor and energy towards the success of the Fatty from the early days. He began, not knowing what he was getting into, by hosting the original banquet and awards ceremony – highlighted by the Moop falling off his cooler – and moved on into other roles as the tournement grew.
Ask him about his ’37 Packard, and you’ll have a good hour of entertainment.
Now entering retirement as well as the Hall of Fame, he’ll have something new to talk about. He’s been Pops, Halfred, H.W., a Flintstone and a great Dad. And, in the words of one voter, he merited enshrinement just for putting up with Ringler for all these years.
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