Inductees

A native of Mahanoy City, PA Joe was recognized as one of the finest shortstops in baseball. He joined the Baltimore Orioles in 1919and was an integral part of a team that won seven consecutive International League pennants. While sought by many major league clubs, Oriole’s manager Dunn placed a $100,000 price tag on his remarkable infielder. Connie Mack’s, Philadelphia A’s induced Dunn to sell Boley for $60,000 plus players in 1927. With the A’s, Boley cemented the infield of Jimmy Dykes, Max Bishop, and Jimmy Foxx into one of the greatest in baseball history, winning pennants in 1929, ’30 and ’31 and two world championships. Joe’s fourteen- year baseball career included 10 pennant winning teams. Boley was overwhelmingly voted into the Baltimore Orioles Sports Hall of Fame.

4-year starter at Mt. Carmel High School leading the team to its best Record ever. Went on to Fordham University where, as a sophomore, he played behind the infamous 7 blocks of granite and led the nation in rushing in 1938 with 831 yards. He was named All-American Honorable Mention in 1939 and 1940. Played for the New York Giants in 1941 and then played service ball through 1945. In 1946 he joined the San Francisco 49’ers and starred there through 1950. He then coached at the Naval Academy for g years.

Graduated from Kulpmont High School where he led the Wildcats to the 1938 State Class B Football Championship, He also won the State Class B Javelin Championship in 1939. Went to Fordham University where he became a 3-year star after his first game. Led Rams to the Cotton Bowl in 1941, Sugar Bowl in 1942 and named All- American mention in 1943. In 1945 and ’46 he became one of the few men ever to play pro football and baseball for the New York Football and Baseball Giants.

Lettered 2 years and St. Bonaventure College and walked on with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Played Defensive back for 9 years (1951-59). He played in the All-Pro Game for 6 years and named All-Pro Defensive Back for 3 years. Jack holds the All-Time Steeler record for pass interceptions (52). A knee injury curtailed his playing career and he served as a Steeler Defensive Coach for 3 seasons. He spent the rest of his career in football as president and director of the Blesto IX Scouting Organization.

Born in Scranton, PA, Jimmy began playing pocket billiards at the YMCA in Wilmington, DE at the age of 7; launched his colorful Career at 17 when he defeated the then world’s champion, Ralph Greenleaf. The press gave him the title “Boy Wonder of the Billiard World.” Won the world’s pocket billiard championship in 1936 at the age of 26; the second youngest player to achieve this title. World Championships: 1936 defeated Andrew Ponzi; 1939 defeated Erwin Rudolph; 1949 defeated Willie Mosconi; 1967 defeated Luther Lassiter (twice in finals). In 1946 he tied the world’s record high run Of 127 in a match with Willie Mosconi on a 5’ x 10’ table. Selected to the Billiard Congress of America Hall of Fame and the Professional Pool Players Association Hall of Fame.

Jerry Lynch (July 17, 1930 – March 31, 2012), was considered one of the big-league’s best all-time pinch hitters. He was an outfielder from 1954 to 1956 for the Pittsburgh Pirates, for the Cincinnati Reds from 1957 to 1963, and back with the Pirates from 1963-66. He had 116 pinch hits during his career, which ranks him 10th on the all-time list. Lynch was born in Bay City, Michigan. After two years of military service, he made his Major League debut at age 23 on April 15, 1954 in a 7-4 Pirates' loss to the Brooklyn Dodgers at Ebbets Field. Lynch helped the Reds win the 1961 National League pennant. On September 26, 1961, he propelled the Reds into the World Series with his two-run home run off Cubs’ pitcher Bob Anderson, scoring Vada Pinson. He finished 22nd in voting for the 1961 National League MVP. He was hitless in three official at bats and four plate appearances during the 1961 World Series, which the Reds lost in five games to the New York Yankees. Lynch was once quoted as saying, "The good pinch-hitter is the guy who can relax enough to get the pitch he can hit. You almost always do get one pitch to hit every time you bat. So, you have to have the patience to wait. And then you've got to be able to handle the pitch when you get it." In 13 seasons, he played in 1,184 games with 2,879 at bats, 364 runs, 798 hits, 123 doubles, 34 triples, 115 home runs, 470 RBI, 224 walks, .277 batting average, .329 on-base percentage, .463 slugging percentage and 1,334 total bases. After his baseball career Lynch partnered with former Pirates’ teammate Dick Groat to operate the Champion Lakes Golf Course in Ligonier, Pennsylvania. He retired to the Atlanta, Georgia area in the late 1980s.

Paul Martha graduated from Shady Side Academy in Pittsburgh and went on to star in football and basketball at the University of Pittsburgh. He became a consensus All-American in football his third year. In 1962 he led Pitt in receiving and scoring. He led the Panthers to a 9-1 record as a senior, playing in the East-West Shrine Game, Hula Bowl and the College All-Star Game.

He was selected in the first round (10th overall) at the 1964 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers. In his first two years he played on offense and special teams. For the next four-seasons he was a full -time safety on defense and intercepted 15 passes. After the 1969 season, he played one more year with Denver, picking off a career high 6 passes.

While playing for the Steelers he got his law degree at Duquesne University. His career path led him to Sports Management and Positions of general counsel CEO of the Pittsburgh Penguins and General counsel of the San Francisco 49ers.

Lettered 2-years at McKeesport High School and was All-WPIAL Halfback In 1946. Lettered 4-years in both football and baseball at Clemson. Batting .406, he made All-Conference his senior season. Signed with the St. Louis Browns and spent 3 years in the Sally League. He Played 9 years with the Pittsburgh Steelers and played in the All-Pro game twice. Played final year in the NFL with Dallas Cowboys. Served as an Assistant Coach with Calgary in the Canadian League and the Washington Redskins. Scouted one year with the New York jets,

Bob Purkey (July 14, 1929 – March 16, 2008) was a right-handed pitcher known for his use of the knuckleball. From 1954 through 1966, Purkey played for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Cincinnati Reds, and St. Louis Cardinals. He signed with his hometown Pirates before the 1948 season and reached the major leagues in 1954. But after four seasons in which he was used largely in relief, posting a combined record of 16-29, he was traded in December 1957 to the Cincinnati Reds for left-hander Don Gross.
In 1962 with a record of 23-5, Purkey led National League pitchers with an .821 winning percentage. His ERA of 2.81 ranked him third behind Sandy Koufax (2.54) and Bob Shaw (2.80). Purkey alternated between starting and relieving in 1965, finishing the year with a 10-9 mark, and the Cardinals sold his contract to the Pirates a few days before the 1966 season began. Purkey’s career ended that season with ten relief appearances for Pittsburgh before being released in August. Over a 13-season career, Purkey posted a 129-115 record with 793 strikeouts, an ERA of 3.79 in 386 appearances, including 276 starts, 92 complete games, 13 shutouts, 9 saves, and 2,1142⁄3 innings of work.
Purkey was an All-Star selection in 1958, 1961 and 1962. Following his baseball career, he worked as a sportscaster for KDKA-TV in Pittsburgh, then opened a successful insurance business. Purkey died at the age of 78 in his hometown of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania following a battle with Alzheimer's disease.

Coached football and track at Shippensburg State College. Line coach 1936- ‘46, Head Coach 1946 – ’54. Compiled a record of 20 straight wins over 3 seasons of undefeated-untied play, a conference record. Had a career winning percentage at Shippensburg of .727. Team rated No. 1 in both rushing and pass defense by the NCAA in 1953. Led all Pennsylvania colleges on offense – 266 points in 1952 and 299 points in 1953. Track coach from 1937-1952 capturing 28 individual titles in conference events,

Started at age 8in Pottstown Biddy League. Three years All-State In junior and senior high school. Started as a freshman at Duquesne University. Made All-American his junior and senior seasons. Played in NBA for St Louis and Cincinnati. Played Major League baseball for St. Louis Cardinale

Played running back at Albright where he was Pennsylvania All-State in 1935, ’36, ’37 and Honorable Mention All-American in 1935. Played for the Philadelphia Eagles 1938 –’40 and Pittsburgh Steelers 1941, 42, captained 1942. Armed services 1943-’46 in New Guinea and Philippines -Bronze Star.

Born in Reading, PA , Charles was a pitcher and coach in Major League Baseball who played his entire career for the Boston Red Sox (1938–42, 1946). He made has major league debut in 1938. After serving as both a starter and reliever, he enjoyed his first full season as a starter in 1941 and had a record of 12-8 with a 3.07 earn run average. In 1942 he had a career best year in all categories then left the team to serve in the Navy during WWII. He rejoined the Red Sox in 1946 to end his career with 32 wins and 23 losses, a 3.91 ERA, 157 strikeouts with 527 2/3 innings pitched. He was also an excellent fielding pitcher and finished with a .992 fielding percentage with one error in 127 chances. Upon retirement he went on to a 50-year career as a farm system supervisor, scout and minor league instructor. His professional relationship with the Red Sox lasted a record 73 years.

Graduated from Washington High School where he lettered 4 years in both football and track. All WPIAL 3 years in football, Graduated from W&J, where he played all back field positions, defensive safety and punt returner. Quarterbacked W&J in 1922 Rose Bowl (0-0) tie with California, Won 1923 and 1924 U.S. Pentathlon at Penn Relays. Earned a position on 1924 U.S. Olympic Team. Voted America’s “Most Outstanding Athlete in 1923 for Football and Track”. Coached Howard University.

A native of North Dakota and graduated from South Dakota State University where he was a football Little All-American in 1953. Drafted by the Detroit and sold to the Philadelphia Eagles. He was selected “All-Pro” at both split end and tight end and played in 5 Pro-Bowls. Holds Eagles record for most career passes caught – 452, most yards gained – 7,412 and third in lifetime touchdowns -47. General Manager of the Eagles from 1969 –’72.

Sam McDowell was born September 21, 1942 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He was a starting pitcher in big-league baseball from 1961 to 1975, most notably for the Cleveland Indians from 1961 to 1971. After short stints with the Giants and Yankees, he finished his career with the Pirates in 1975. A six-time All-Star (1965,’66, ‘68-71) McDowell led the American League in strikeouts five times (1965,’66, ‘68-70). At 6’ 5” and powerfully built, his left-handed fastball was delivered with an unusually calm pitching motion which led to his memorable nickname, “Sudden Sam.”
McDowell finished with 2,453 career strikeouts and an average of 8.86 strikeouts per nine innings pitched. At the time of his retirement, his strikeout rate was bested by only two pitchers, Nolan Ryan and Sandy Koufax. His ratio of 7.03 hits allowed per nine innings also places him ninth all-time as of 2011. McDowell ranks eighth all time on the list of career ten+ strikeout games with 74, tied with Bob Gibson. His 2,159 strikeouts as an Indian place him second all-time on the team's career list, behind Bob Feller. In four of his All-Star appearances, McDowell struck out twelve NL All-Stars over eight innings, and was the losing pitcher (in relief) in the 1965 game.
Drinking was an issue during his career, eventually leading him to Pittsburgh’s Gateway Rehab. He followed with earning a degree from the University of Pittsburgh in sports psychology and addiction. He became a counselor for MLB teams and works as a consultant with the Baseball Assistance Team (BAT) and the Major League Players Alumni Association (MLBPAA).