Dallas Smith

Born on October 10^th, 1941

Dallas was a power hitting catcher and outfielder who had a .331 batting average throughout his career. He was a first team All-Star in 1962 and 1963. He retired from baseball to play with the Boston Bruins. He won the Stanley Cup twice, playing alongside Bobby Orr.

Don Smith

Born on May 14^th, 1944

Don played the positions of pitcher and outfielder, but often served as catcher. He spent his twelve-year career playing in Hamiota and Dauphin. He won the M.S.B.L. pennant in 1961, 1962, 1964, 1965, and 1967. He also played on the Canadian National Team in the 1967 Pan-Am Games. Like his brother he was also an avid hockey player.

Bryan Smith

Born on October 5^th, 1945

Bryan played the positions of outfield, catcher, and as a southpaw pitcher. He won the M.S.B.L. crown in 1962, 1963 and 1964 and was named to the first All-Star Team in 1965, 1970, and 1971. In 1967 he attended the St. Louis Cardinals training camp.

Mel Smith

Born on April 9^th, 1948-October 7^th, 2002

Mel primarily played in the outfield but also served as a pitcher. In 1967 he signed a contract with the St. Louis Cardinals and attended their training camp in St. Petersburg, Florida. In his fourteen-year career, he hit thirty-two home runs and in one game was intentionally walked five times.

After a 25-3-2 record in the Manitoba Junior League, the Goldeyes advanced to nationals at Sarnia, Ontario. They went 4-0 in round robin play, then lost the gold medal final to the host team from Sarnia. Bob Billing was named to tournament all-star team at second base. Fred Walker coached and Joe Pethybridge managed. in 1970 Carman hosted junior nationals.

Key figures in founding the team and marketing it were school principal Martin Chalaturnyk and dedicated coach Johnny Parobec. Parobec played, coached or managed for four decades. The Angusville Cardinals were always a top contender in the North West League, and travelled extensively throughout Manitoba and Saskatchewan to play tournaments- Saltcoats, Langenburg, Churchbridge, Spy Hill, Madge Lake, Binscarth, Gilbert Plains, Gradview, Oak River, Cardale, Birtle, etc. The Cardinals won one provincial intermediate championship in 1965 and lost in two provincial finals in 1963 and 1968. Later the Angusville Cardinals moved to senior calibre ball and competed very well for nine years in MSBL.

The top news story from Angusville in 1963 was when the Angusville Cardinals won the Ab Richardson trophy, which was presented at their banquet. This was awarded to Angusville as runners-up for the Provincial Baseball championship. During the playdowns, after winning the North-Western Baseball League, they defeated all opposition until they finally lost out in the third and deciding game of the final championship series with Pilot Mound.

The Cardinals relied on the pitching skills of left-handers Jack Kostuik, Brian McCauley, Currnie Churchmuch and right-handers Stan Furman, Henry Hrubeniuk, Joe Blackbird, Richard Gallant. Catching duties were shared by Bill Sidoryk and Barry Wowk until a sharp shooter named Merril Kilwnik appeared on the scene.

The team was spearheaded by Team Manager John Parobec whose love and dedication for the game prompted recruitment of players from neighbouring communities. John’s playing, coaching, and managerial skills marked a period of four decades in the Angusville Community.

The following year of 1964, the Cardinals won the Juvenile Championship. Once again, the year 1965 brought well-deserved honours for the Cardinal team. Angusville Cardinals won the Manitoba Intermediate Baseball Championship by defeating Pilot Mound Pilots 4-3 in 13 innings. Currnie Churchmuch provided the heroics with a home run in the bottom of the thirteenth inning. The champs received the D. Stark and Son Trophy, and the F. Clement & Sons Trophy.

The Cardinals did extensive travel to tournaments taking top prize money in Rehin, Saltcoats, Spyhill, Langenburg, Churchbridge, McNutt, Calder, Mag Lake, Binscarth, Gilbert Plains, Gradview, Oak River, Cardale, Notre Dame De Lourdes, Sommerset, etc.

In 1966 the Cardinals had a terrific season, only to be beaten by the Binscarth Orioles in the league finals.

In 1968 the Cardinals once again won the Northwest League and proceeded to the Provincial Finals only to lose to the Thompson Reds in the third and deciding game. In 1968 ball players were in abundance thus resulting in the formation of a junior team following in the footsteps of the Cardinals.

Other notable years were 1972 when the Angusville Cardinals won the Senior “B” Provincial Championships.

The Cardinals later joined the Manitoba Senior Baseball League where their presence was known for nine years.

The Hamiota Red Sox were Central Manitoba Baseball Association Champions (eight leagues), co-champions in 1959 with the Brandon Cloverleafs, then finalists in 1960. The Red Sox were MSBL pennant winners in 1961, 1962, 1964, and MSBL champions in 1962, 1963, and 1964. The team won prestigious Birtle July 1st tournament for eight consecutive years, from 1955-1962. The hamiota Red Sox were an excellent young team managed by Gladwyn Scott and Lorne Caldwell, and had no out-of-province imports.

Bob Williamson was an excellent second baseman and later outfielder for 24 years with Riverside in the M.S.B.L. Bob was on the first all star team eleven times, second all star team seven times, and was the batting champion twice, in 1977 (.442) and in 1982 (.415). Hal was also a M.S.B.L. champion eight times, and a Manitoban champion five times (73, 74, 78, 81, 82). Bob played for Team Manitoba several times (won bronze at Canadians in 1976), holds two M.S.B.L. records, for 42 runs scored in 1980 and hit by pitch in 1982. Bob won the Ab Richardson award for dedication to baseball in 1992, became a M.S.B.L. Honorary Life Member in 2000, and was named the 40th anniversary second all star team as an outfielder. Bob Williamson also directed the Belmont operation for Riverside for many years. Bob was known as a fierce competitor, a fine player, and a “great team” man. Willie joins his father Wimpy in the Manitoba Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum.