Year Inducted – 1987

Became known as “The King of North Hill Baseball” as he led numerous youth teams to City and State Championships as a classic hard-hitting first baseman and pitcher in his younger days with teams like the North Akron Dodgers, Ott Construction and Firestone Park Kiwanis in the Class H through D level. Rudy also helped pitch and bat North High to its first ever City title in 1972 and was named All-City twice. Rudy moved on to Kent State University where he averaged .355 and was named to the All-MAC team in 1976. Rudy played ten years in the AA League before a career-ending arm and shoulder injury silenced his bat and leadership. During his playing days with Bolin Oil, champions Acme Ash, Forest City and Akron Insulating teams, Rudy was named to five All-Star teams, won two batting titles, twice was AABC District Tournament MVP and won the coveted Frank Garcia Most Outstanding Player Award in 1979. He closed out his career managing Oakwood Bar to the Youngstown Invitational Tournament Championship. Rudy was also an assistant coach on North High’s second ever City Title team in 1977, was head coach at East High in 1981, a board member of the North Akron Hot Stove League, and currently is supervisor of sports for the City of Akron Recreation Department.