Year Inducted – 1983

Back in the early 1920’s when “Bo” Messner and “Bam” Sadler of Epps Army-Navy hooked up in a pitching duel, it was always a classic. His professional playing experience began in Fulton, Kentucky in the Kitty League. The smooth-fielding clutch hitting shortstop moved to Terre Haute in the Three I League in 1926, then to the Mississippi Valley and Western Leagues. Disenchanted with his plight, he returned to Akron to play with General Tire and the Massillon Agathons, before joining Casey Stengel’s Toledo Mud Hen team in the American Association. From there he went to Providence of the Eastern League and then spent three years at Allentown. Again returning to Akron, Messner finished up his baseball career with the Rasnick Majestics and Atlantic Foundry teams.