By Thomas Grant Jr.
The third annual South Carolina American Legion Hall of Fame ceremony is set for 5:30 p.m. on Nov. 6 at Seawell’s Restaurant in Columbia.
This year’s group of inductees includes players who made an impact both in American Legion, but at their respective in-state college and even reaching the Major League Baseball ranks.
The Class of 2025 and its accomplishments:
JUAN EDWARD RAINES
A native of Whitmire, Raines played American Legion baseball for Clinton Post 56 and Newberry Post 193. He was drafted in 1959 by the Cleveland Indians where he played in their minor league organization and spent a year with the Washington Senators. After serving as an assistant coach at the University of South Carolina from 1969-72, he left to become the catching instructor for the Philadelphia Phillies and managed the Auburn Phillies in 1975. Raines returned to South Carolina in 1977 to replace Bobby Richardson. In 20 seasons, he finished with a record of 763-380-20. He took the Gamecocks to four College World Series (1977, 1981, 1982 & 1985), and finished as runner-up in 1977. Overall, he led Carolina to 11 NCAA tournaments and won four Regionals. He also had nine 40-win seasons and during the 1980s witnessed the program’s most successful run during his tenure as the Gamecocks made eight NCAA Tournaments, including seven consecutive from 1980-86.
KIP M. BOUKNIGHT
A graduate of Brookland-Cayce High School, he played for Cayce Post 130. He was a pitcher for the University of South Carolina for four seasons where he set school records for strikeouts (457) strikeouts, victories (45), games started (57) and innings (482). He won the 2000 NCAA Golden Spikes Award. He was first drafted in 2000 by the Oakland As, but returned to school. He was drafted a year later in the 13th round by the Colorado Rockies. In 2023, his jersey was retired by the Gamecocks.
TIMOTHY WAYNE WALLACE
Born in Union City, NC, he grew up in Lexington where he attended Lexington High School and played for Post 7. After a season of college baseball at Baptist College (now Charleston Southern) Wallace played three seasons at Wofford College. He was drafted in 1982 by the St. Louis Cardinals and played seven seasons of professional baseball. He later became the head coach at Spartanburg Methodist College, compiling 1,351 career wins and making seven trips to the Junior College World Series in 34 years. Wallace also coached Spartanburg Post 28 and led it to back-to-back state American Legion titles in 2003-04.
HORACE GUY “DOOLEY” WOMACK
A graduate of Brookland-Cayce High School, he played for Cayce Post 130 and Congaree Post 90. Drafted by the New York Yankees in 1966, he also played for the Houston Astros, Seattle Pilots and Oakland As. His MLB record as a pitcher was 19-18 with 24 saves and a 2.95 ERA. Womack also coached Irmo/Chapin and Cayce and made the American Legion playoffs nine straight years.
ALONZO EARL BASS
A graduate of Airport High School, he played for Cayce Post 130/Congaree 90 before attending the University of South Carolina. He pitched for the Gamecocks from 1972-75, earning All-American honors in 1974 and helped them reach the 1975 College World Series final. He finished 12-1 on the mound that year and was 34-3 for his career. He also set the school record for shutouts (10), earned run average (1.34), and strikeouts (392). Bass was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals and spent much of his four-year professional career at the Triple A level. His jersey was posthumously retired by the Gamecocks in 2019.
GILBERT TOY MCCORD
A native of Sumter, he played for both Sumter High School and Post 15. He also coached Manning Post 68. After attending the University of South Carolina, he was drafted by the California Angels in 1968. He went on to play for the Atlanta Braves and Chicago White Sox. In 771 games, he batted .265 with 348 RBI, 45 stolen bases, 383 runs scored and 58 home runs.
Tickets are now available for $55 per person or $500 for a table of 10. Contact Legree Oswald at (803) 240-6047 for more information.