Position: Outfield

Randy Rubenzer

Inaugural Class of 2009

Outfielder, 3rd Basemen

Jim Falls Sturgeons 1979-2001

During his 23-year career with the Jim Falls Sturgeons, the heavy hitting Randy Rubenzer established himself as one of the toughest outs to ever set foot in a CRBL batter’s box.

A left-handed stick, Rubenzer was a respected and recognized offensive force, playing in 15 All-Star games (1983-1985, 1987-1992, 1994-1998, 2000) and getting elected to a league record 10 All-CRBL teams (1983-1986, 1988,1990,1991,1995-1997).  He hit .300 or better in 17 seasons, doing so consecutively from 1983 to 1997.  Exceeded the .400 mark in seven of those seasons — .468 in 1984 (22 for 47), .433 in 1986 (29 for 67), .674 in 1988 (29 for 43), .489 in 1990 (23 for 47), .481 in 1991 (26 for 54), .426 in 1997 (26 for 61), and .419 in 2000 (18 for 43).  His stratospheric mark of .674 in 1988 led the league and set a single season record that may never be reached.  He also led the league in hits that year with 29, doubles with 11, runs scored with 27, and walks with 21 while driving in 23 runs during what could be considered one of the handful of greatest seasons ever in league play.  His other league leading outputs were in 1985 when he tied for the top mark with 7 doubles, in 1986 when he was alone in first with 10 doubles, and in 1990 with 22 walks.  Reached 20 or more hits in a season a league record 13 times.

Randy’s standout play coincided with the emergence of the Sturgeons in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s as an offensively explosive and formidable foe.  From 1986 to 1993, Jim Falls was 86 and 49 (.637 %), winning a North Division title and playing for a league championship in 1989, qualifying for the WBA from 1986 to 1992, and making it to the Final 8 in 1991.  Rubenzer’s other WBA appearance with the Sturgeons came in 1983.

An all-around player, Randy was equally adept at picking the hot corner as he was shrinking the gaps in Jim Falls’ outfield.  In the mid-1980‘s, he also served as a useful right-handed pitcher for the Sturgeons, grabbing an ERA title in 1985 with a mark of 1.96 (4 ER/18.1 IP).  In 1986, he went 7 and 1 with a 2.96 ERA in 54.2 innings pitched while lacing his .433 average at the dish.  1987 saw Randy eat up another 53.2 innings in collecting a 5 and 4 record for the WBA bound Sturgeons.

Upon induction, he ranks 4th in batting average, 9th in games played, 6th in singles, 2nd in doubles, tied for 2nd in triples, 9th in homeruns, tied for 3rd in RBI’s, 5th in runs scored, 3rd in total bases, 8th in slugging percentage, tied for 11th in stolen bases, and 6th in walks.

Fittingly, Rubenzer was the first league hitter to surpass the 400 hit mark for a career, reaching this milestone in 1999.

Jim Hoepner

Inaugural Class of 2009

Pitcher, Outfielder

Chippewa Prides 1975-77; Lafayette Lakers 1978-83; Chippewa Falls Lumberjacks 1983-97

A right-handed pitcher, Jim Hoepner used pinpoint control, a sharp curveball, and an unrepentant competitive nature to capture a league record 109 wins during a long and very successful 23-year career.

Despite facing batters swinging metal bats in the hitter friendly parks of Lafayette and Chippewa’s Cardinal Field, Hoepner carved out eight seasons with an ERA of under 3.00.  His low water mark came in 1984, when he led the league with a stifling 1.13 in 55.2 innings.  Set the pace two other years with a 1.73 ERA in 1979 (73 innings) and a 1.98 mark in 1983 (72.1 innings).  In addition to leading the league in ERA three times, he was a strikeout champ twice with totals of 77 in 1985 and 60 in 1991.  Also posted sub-2.00 ERA’s in 1980 (1.94 in 55.2 innings) and 1981 (1.98 in 54.2 innings).  His total of five seasons with an ERA beneath 2.00 is an unmatched league record.

From 1978 to 1991, his seasonal averages were 7 wins, 70 innings thrown, 58 strikeouts, and an accumulative ERA of 2.88.  These totals would have made for a great season, let alone for a 14-year period of being a depended upon ace.

Holds the all-time record for shutouts with 19, leading the league or tying for the league lead in shutouts during seven seasons.  His career high of 4 shutouts in 1984 is tied for the single season mark.

In becoming one of only two pitchers to break the 1,000 inning barrier, Hoepner led the CRBL in this area in 1986 with 80 innings, 1987 with 69 frames, and in 1991 when he notched 78 innings.

On his way to a seemingly unbreakable mark of 109 league wins, Jim was the leader in that category during four years.  His career high of 10 wins against just 1 loss in 1987 tied for the league high.  Also tied for the lead with 6 wins in 1985.  Led the loop outright in 1984 with 8 victories and in 1991 with 7 wins.

Made a habit of helping himself at the plate, gathering 230 hits in 786 at-bats for a career batting average of .293.  Popped out 16 homeruns (high of 4 in 1986) and 51 doubles (high of 6 in 1985).  As a regular, Jim hit .300 or better twelve times, hitting a peak of .432 in 1984 (19 for 44).

A member of six division winners, five league champions, 18 WBA qualifiers, and five Final 8 teams, Hoepner was the unquestioned big game pitcher for the Prides, Lakers, and Lumberjacks.  In his six championship game appearances for the ‘Jacks, Jim was 4 and 1 in 42 innings with 14 strikeouts, 6 walks, 1 save, and an ERA of 4.50.  His complete game shutout in the Lumberjacks’ 12-0 victory over Hallie in the 1987 CRBL title game was an example of his determined pitching style.  In that performance, Jim scattered 10 hits, struck out 1, and did not walk an Eagle batter.

One of only three pitchers in CRBL history to throw two no-hitters, Hopener claimed the 17th and 18th in league play while pitching for Lafayette.  Notched his first as a Laker in a 9-inning, 12-0 decision in 1979 vs. the Jim Falls Sturgeons.  His second came against Tilden in a 1-0, 7-inning gem in 1980.  Combined with fellow Lumberjack Steve Nelson in 1986 to throw one of the four shared no-hitters in league history with a 6-inning, 12-0 win vs. the Cadott Red Sox.

Elected All-CRBL as a pitcher eight times (1979, 1981, 1983-1985, 1987, 1991, 1995) and Honorable Mention three times (1986,1988,1989).  Participated in five All-Star games (1980,1983,1987,1994,1995).

Tom Dachel

Inaugural Class of 2009

Pitcher, Outfielder

Tilden Tigers 1969-80,82

During his 13-year career, Tom Dachel was without question the winningest and most dominant pitcher of his time.  A closer look at his career shows that he may have been the most dominant pitcher in CRBL history.

With the right-handed Dachel as their ace, the Tilden Tigers were able to win eight North Division championships, seven CRBL championships, qualify for the WBA in all but one (1969) of Dachel’s seasons, and make the Final 8 five times.  In 10 championship game appearances, Dachel sported a record 6 and 3 with 1 shutout, 67 strikeouts, 66.2 innings pitched, and an ERA of 2.70.  No pitcher in league history has more wins, strikeouts, or innings pitched in championship game play.

Led the league in wins seven times and tied for that lead another year, winning 8 or more games eight times, with a high of 13 in 1972.  Won the pitching triple crown in 1977 (9 wins, 94 K’s, 2.67 ERA) and again in 1980 (9 wins, 72 strikeouts, 1.34 ERA).  Led the league in ERA a total of three times (1975,1977,1980), crafting seven seasons of sub-3.00 ERA twirling, along with three seasons below the 2.00 ERA mark (1.35 in 1975, 1.85 in 1978, and 1.34 in 1980).

Had two seasons of over 100 strikeouts (109 in 1972 and 107 in 1974), leading the league in that category four times (1974,1977,1979,1980).  Led the league or tied for the lead in shutouts seven times, doing so six years in a row (1973-1978).  His career high of 4 shutouts in 1974 is tied for the single season league mark.

Exceeded 100 innings three times, with a peak of 125.1 in 1972.  Led the league in innings thrown five times (1974,1975, 1977, 1979,1980).

Dachel’s sterling pitching is that much more remarkable when one considers that a large percentage of it was accomplished facing metal wielding hitters within the offensively conducive confines of Tilden’s home park.

Tom had his highlights as a hitter.  Led the league in doubles with 7 in 1972 and 6 in 1982.  Also led the league in at-bats with 71 in in 1982.  Hit over .300 twice, doing so at .351 in 1972 (20 for 57) and .310 in 1982 (22 for 71).

With All-CRBL becoming an annual award in 1978, he was recognized as such in 1978 and 1980.  Appeared in two All-Star games (1972 and 1973).  Retired in 1982 as the all-time leader in ERA, wins, and shutouts.  Still has all-time rankings of 2nd in wins, 3rd in winning percentage, 3rd in innings pitched, 6th in strikeouts, and 2nd in shutouts.

Roger Bergeron

Inaugural Class of 2009

3rd Baseman, Outfielder, Manager

Jim Falls Nosal 1958; Jim Falls Dairymen 1959-60; Jim Falls Cadets 1961-64; Jim Falls Sturgeons 1965-81

Roger “The Duke” Bergeron spent his entire 24-year league career in Jim Falls, using his left-handed stroke to amass one of the more impressive offensive careers in CRBL history.

Piled up 366 hits in 1,257 at-bats for a career average of .291.  Holds league records for career triples with 14 and single-season triples with 5, set in 1968.  Hit over .300 for eight consecutive seasons, starting his tear at a clip of .362 in 1967 and concluding it at .311 in 1974.  Other .300+ season came in 1965, when he hit .333 (20 for 60).  Had 20 or more hits in a season five times, doing so four years in a row from 1967 to 1970.

In 1968, led the newly named CRBL with 72 at-bats, 22 hits, 5 triples, and tied for the lead in RBI’s with 15 for the 14 and 4 WBA qualifying Sturgeons.  Followed that in 1969 with possibly his finest season when he led the league in batting average at .378 (28 for 74), hits with 28, triples with 3, RBI’s with 22, and runs scored with 19.

Steered the ship as manager of the Jim Falls Sturgeons from 1971 to 1979, a nine season period considered to be one of the best eras in franchise history.  Playing at Jim Falls‘ famous field, Roger and the Sturgeons captured a division title and played for the league championship in 1973.  The Bergeron led Jim Falls squad qualified for the WBA three times (1972, 1973, 1975), and made the Final 8 twice (1972 & 1975).

Appeared in eight All-Star games (1961-1965, 1968, 1970,1971).  Elected All-CRBL in 1972.  First player in league history to reach 50 doubles, 300 hits, and 1,000 at-bats in a career.  Retired as the all-time leader in games played, at-bats, hits, singles, doubles, triples, RBI’s, runs scored, walks, and total bases.