Ralph 'Red' Beckering Inducted into St. Louis Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame

It might have felt like the Sheraton Westport Chalet was something like a field of dreams Thursday night in Maryland Heights.

For one night, people of all ages came together to honor the past, present and baseball future during ceremonies for the 39th annual St. Louis Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame inductions, which also included the presentation of the first Jack Buck Media Award, the Bob Broeg Award and the Bob Burnes Award. Also honored were local finalists for the Hall's Future Stars Award.

St. Charles City Councilman Dave Beckering accepted an award on behalf of his father, Ralph Beckering, a left-handed batter and pitcher who signed contracts with the St. Louis Browns, the Philadelphia Athletics and the Washington Senators. He died on June 8, 2005 at the age of 78.

"I know for my dad, it'd be the highlight of his life," Dave Beckering said. "He would be absolutely thrilled."

Beckering played for number of different teams in the minor leagues in Kentucky and Tennessee. He joined the army and was drafted for Korea, and ended up playing basebal in the army. 

When he returned to the St. Louis area, he played "town ball" as a part of the Eastern Missouri Baseball Association. 

"He does hold one record," said Dave Beckering. "He's the only pitcher to throw two no hitters in one year." 

Dave Beckering said his father umpired for many years after he stopped playing himself and managed his children's baseball teams. 

"He wanted to give back to the game," he said. 

 
He was inducted into the St. Charles County Amateur Sports Hall of Fame in 1987. Beckering