Russell Atkin

• BIRTHPLACE Carberry, MB

• BORN June 6, 1899

• INDUCTED 2005

Russell Atkin was born in Carberry, Manitoba on June 6, 1899. He is remembered for his power hitting, slick fielding, and his outstanding performance as a first baseman. Atkin played with the great Carberry teams of the 1920s and 30s. Atkin was sometimes recruited to play with Neepawa, High Bluff, and Brandon, where he played against the likes of Hap Felsch. H.L. “Krug” Crawford, of the Brandon Sun, stated that “Red” Atkin was one of the most colorful and popular athletic figures in Western Manitoba, as Atkin was a force to be reckoned with in both baseball and hockey. Atkin’s potent bat broke up many a tight ball game with clutch home runs. Atkin also spent some time as an umpire and referee. Bill Addison, also of Carberry, said, “Red could have been a professional in baseball and hockey, but the barber opted to stay in Carberry and care for his widowed mother.”