The AAABA Hall of Fame banquet welcomed the Class of 2018 in front of more than 500 people at the Frank Pasquerilla Conference Center on Saturday, Aug. 4.
Former Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder Al Oliver was the featured speaker. The former NL batting champion and 1971 World Series winner delivered a message about unity, family values, discipline and told stories about Branch Rickey, Jackie Robinson, Willie Stargell and Roberto Clemente.
Inductee Maurice Berry played in four AAABA Tournaments with Johnstown’s Pepsi-Cola (1990-91), Knickerbockers (1992) and Coca-Cola (1993). He was introduced by his former manager Dee Dee Osborne, who also is a AAABA Hall of Famer and was recognized at the event for his service in the Vietnam War.
Brothers Julio Lugo and Ruddy Lugo of the Brooklyn Youth Service League were inducted. They were introduced by Rafael “Papo” Lozada, who managed the 1994 AAABA Tournament championship Brooklyn team led by MVP Julio Lugo and another future major leaguer, Nelson Figueroa.
A slick fielding infielder, Julio Lugo played 12 seasons in the major leagues and was part of the Boston Red Sox 2007 World Series win.
Ruddy Lugo pitched as a 16-year-old in the 1996 AAABA Tournament, helping Brooklyn earn a tough late-inning comeback win over Johnstown Principle Development on the second night.
The Milwaukee Brewers selected Ruddy Lugo in the third round of the 1999 draft. After a long career in the minors, Ruddy advanced to the major leagues in 2006 and 2007 with Tampa Bay and Oakland.