Since its inception in 1919, the Florida State League has offered a major glimpse of the future for many prospects.
More than 12,000 of the league's players eventually spent time on American and National League rosters, including Hall of Famers Stan Musial, Early Wynn, Al Lopez, Johnny Bench, Jim Palmer, Ferguson Jenkins and Rollie Fingers.
Yet despite its rich history, the FSL had done nothing to honor those who starred in the league before going on to even brighter big-league careers.
Last week officials decided to do something about it.
During its midseason meetings at the all-star break, the FSL proposed the creation of its own Hall of Fame.
"I think it's something that we needed for a while," said Ken Carson, the director of florida operations for the Blue Jays who is on the Hall of Fame committee. "A lot of the young players in our league are only here for a year or two and don't know much about the history. This will be a chance to provide some of that."
The Fall of Fame is the brainchild of Don Miers, director of florida operations for the Tigers. Miers started campaigning for the establishment of a Hall five years ago, but it wasn't given serious consideration until this past year.
"Don has a lot of history with the league, has a lot of respect and has really been the one to push this issue," Carson said.
The first step was to ask each of the league's general managers to provide a list of worthy candidates. The committee will meet again in six weeks and decide on criteria for being elected and if the hall should included managers, coaches, owners, sportswriters and groundskeepers.
"We've thrown out a lot of ideas and there's still plenty of work to do," Carson said. "Hopefully, this gives us a start on what I think is a good idea."
DUNEDIN: There had not been much change this season.
Aside from the occasional player promoted or put on the disabled list, the Blue Jays cruised along with the same roster they had from the start.
That was an advantage as Dunedin developed its prospects. As a bonus, the team also won. The Blue Jays were 38-32 in the first half.
Stability, though, hardly lasts in the minor leagues.
Dunedin found out this week.
The pilfering of its roster started June 13, the day before the Florida State League All-Star game, when Dustin McGowan was promoted to Double-A New Haven.
McGowan, 21, was the Blue Jays' first-round pick in the 2000 amateur draft and was named the organization's top prospect by Baseball America this season.
The right-hander, who has been clocked as high as 98 mph, started 14 games for Dunedin and went 5-6 with a 2.85 ERA. He had 66 strikeouts in 76 innings.
McGowan wasn't the only one who moved up. Dunedin teammates Dave Bush, Jordan DeJong and Russ Adams joined him at New Haven. Bush and DeJong were promoted June 15 and Adams was promoted Wednesday.
Adams, a shortstop, and Bush, a right-handed pitcher, were the Jays' first two picks, respectively, in 2002. Adams was among the league leaders in walks and runs. Bush went 7-3 and twice was named FSL pitcher of the week. DeJong was the league leader in saves with 17.
Now Dunedin must replace them.
The first reinforcement arrived this week. Brandon League, the Jays top pick in 2001 and the organization's No.6 prospect, was promoted from Class A Charleston. The right-hander is a power pitcher who has topped out at 99 mph this season. He went 2-3 with a 1.91 ERA and struck out 61 in 75 innings.
Still, Dunedin's roster is two players short. Carson said the team will fill holes once the big-league club starts signing its draft picks.
"That'll most likely create a domino effect," Carson said. "We need it to happen."
CLEARWATER: Gavin Floyd was named FSL pitcher of the week June 9-15 for the second time this season.
The right-hander, who was the Phillies' top pick in 2001, won his only start of the week, a complete-game shutout. He allowed four hits, gave up two walks and struck out five.
TAMPA: Dioner Navarro, one of the Yankees' top catching prospects, was promoted to Double-A Trenton. The 19-year-old represented the Western Division in the FSL All-Star game and was 10th in the league with a .299 average. His 16 doubles already are a career high.
- Information from Baseball America was used in this report.
