CP-1 Hall of Fame Adds 10 New Inductees
Sasha Bush
The Ashland Beacon
“Baseball is more than a game. It’s like life played out on a field.”
- Juliana Hatfield
On Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023, over a hundred people gathered at Ashland’s Central Park to welcome 10 new members to the legendary CP-1 Baseball Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony took place in front of Central Park’s CP-1 baseball diamond. For those of you who may not be aware, Ashland’s CP-1 is home to some of the greatest talents in baseball this area has ever witnessed. Just look at the lineup from 2015-2022:
2015: Brandon Webb, Don Gullett, Bill Lynch, Drew Hall, Charlie Reliford, Jody Hamilton, Dykes Potter, Squire Potter, Bob Simpson, Reecie Banks, Jim Host, and Gene Bennett.
2016: Bob Lynch, Steve Rolen, “Big” Ed Hughes, Wayne Workman, Bill Workman, Chuck Dickison, Juan Thomas, Ellis Childers, Clyde Chinn, Marvin Hall, and Dan Smith.
2017: J.D. Browne, Bo Carter, Joe Conley, Tim Huff, Mike Smith, Steve Hemlepp, John Mullins, Kevin Gothard, Mike Gothard, Dale Griffith, Nard Pergrem, Jim Speaks, and John Thomas.
2018: Don Lentz, Fred Leibee, John Sieweke, Dave Staten, Larry Stevens, Mike Tackett, H.F. Dixon, Ernie Daniels, Larry Castle, David Patton, Greg Swift, Don Allen, Rick Reeves, and Frank Wagner.
2019: T.R. Wright, Robert Wright, Dick Fillmore, Herb Conley, Ed Joseph, Ed Radjunas, Tobey Tolbert, Mike Johnson, Frank Sloan, and Darryl Smith.
2020: No inductions took place due to the pandemic.
2021: Wilson Barrow, Scott Crank, Mike Delaney, Bryan Finkbone, Bill Hammond, French Harmon, Jon Hart, Cabot Keesey, Mark Moore, and Mike Tussey.
2022: David Cox, Scott Crawford, Steve Hall, Omar Henry, Greg Jackson, Charlie McDowell, Jason Stein, Mark Swift, Hern Wamsley and Rick Wenning.
Just like previous classes of the CP-1 Hall of Fame, the 2023 class was packed full of talent. CP-1’s 2023 class included: John Browning, Marvin Childers, Rodney Clark, David “Smooth” Greene, Rick Lambert, Kevin Neill, Richard “Dick” Smoot, Chris Tussey, Jeff Wilcox and Keith Withrow. During the ceremony, each inductee had the opportunity to stand up and give a short speech about his fondest memories spent on Ashland’s CP-1 field. After hearing from all 10 of the inductees, it was clear these men had and still have a love for the game of baseball that will forever be a part of who they are.
In addition to the induction ceremony, one of CP-1’s 2021 Hall of Fame inductees was presented with an unexpected surprise of his own.
Ashland Mayor Matt Perkins, showed up to the fields just before the CP-1 induction ceremony began and presented Mike Tussey with a proclamation and a key to the city of Ashland. Tussey shared, “This is a day that I will never forget. Receiving the key to the city of Ashland means so much to me and will forever be one of the most treasured items of my lifetime. Coming from my hometown makes it mean so much more to me. Thank you, City of Ashland and Mayor Matt Perkins.”
Mike Tussey began coaching and managing the Ashland All-American Little League in 1969. From there, Tussey moved on to managing the Ashland Babe Ruth Elks for a total of 12 seasons. The Elks won their league championship under Tussey’s leadership five out of eight seasons (1980-1988). In 1987, Tussey’s Elks won the coveted Triple Crown, AIT, and the prestigious West Virginia Shrine Tournament. From 1982-1991, Tussey managed the Ashland Stan Musial Team for 10 seasons. During that time, Tussey’s Stan Musical team won six league championships, three invitationals, and two AABC State titles. To say that Tussey is a living legend would be the understatement of the century. It is because of Tussey’s dedication to the sport of baseball, his teams, and this community that it was only fitting that Tussey was honored.
Immediately following the induction ceremony was the Grand Ashland Stan Musial Homecoming Reunion. The reunion was held at Tomcat Bourbon and Brew House. It was truly an evening that all enjoyed as they gathered on the patio of Tomcat’s Bourbon and Brew House and shared memories with one another about the old days while enjoying one another’s company.
