Contact: Gregg Hoffmann at gregghof@aol.com or 608-632-9292
Pre-orders for a new limited edition book, “Immortalized in Bronze,” about members of the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame, will run from April 10 to April 29, the day of the 2017 WHOF induction.
The 152-page hardcover book includes historic photos and accounts of the history of the Hall since its founding in 1951 and biographies of varying lengths about members of the Hall.
Hall members include well-known legends like Vince Lombardi, Bart Starr, Hank Aaron, Robin Yount and others. Lesser known athletes and coaches also are included who have fascinating stories. Some of those include Ginger Beaumont, the first batter in World Series history, Ed Konetchy, one considered the best first baseman in baseball, Strangler Lewis, a world class wrestler, Alvin Kraenzlein, who won four medals in the 1900 Olympics, Joe “Unser Choe” Hauser, who was the Babe Ruth of the minor leagues, and many others.
Bronze plaques of members of the Hall hang on 4th Street in downtown Milwaukee. Former Packers defensive back Charles Woodson, UW Heisman winner Ron Dayne and LPGA golf Sherri Steinhauer will be inducted into the Hall on April 29. Former baseball commissioner and 2017 Cooperstown inducee Bud Selig will be given the Lifetime Achievement Award at the even. Selig wrote the introduction to “Immortalized in Bronze.”
Gregg Hoffmann, a veteran, award-winning journalist and author, wrote the book. He is best known as the author of “Down in the Valley: The History of Milwaukee County Stadium’ and has written six other books and thousands of articles in a 47-year career.
Hoffmann started the research for the book with Hall founder Joseph Krueger more than 45 years ago.
Those who pre-order the book will be declared a Friend of the Hall, receive advance notices of a future e-book version and other “Immortalized in Bronze” products, and receive other future benefits and discounts.
‘Immortalized in Bronze” costs $30. If you want to pay by check, you can send $38 (including shipping and handling) to Gregg Hoffmann-Wisconsin Sports Legacy at PO Box 55, Westby, WI 54667.
More info about the Hall and book can be found on the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/wihof
