12 leaders in baseball to be inducted in June
Baseball has always been a special part of his life, so it is fitting that Darrell McElroy will be among the 2026 inductees into the Manitoba Baseball Hall of Fame.
Darrell McElroy’s storied career in baseball is being honoured. The Darlingford native will be inducted into the Manitoba Baseball Hall of Fame next year
The Darlingford area native will be among those being honoured next year when the Manitoba Baseball Hall of Fame hosts its 28th annual induction banquet at the Access Event Centre in Morden June 13.
“I’m very, very honoured, very, very humbled … pleasantly surprised,” said McElroy. “Back in the day, playing ball, you don’t have something like this in mind. You’re just out there competing and having fun and playing ball with friends and just loving the sport.”
McElroy was a pitcher, catcher, infielder, and dangerous power hitter. He was born in Darlingford, and when he started playing intermediate AAA ball, now senior AA, at age 17, it was with the Kaleida Ks of the Border League.
He was part of the Kaleida teams of 1977-79 and again in 1983. He joined Morden Bombers in 1980 and played for them until 1996, except for 1983 when they did not field a team.
He was a Border League all star in 17 of the 20 years he played, earning MVP honours at the Border League all-star game twice. He was also part of seven teams that won the Manitoba intermediate AAA championship.
In 1990, he was part of the Manitoba Border East team that won the provincial championship and went on to win the Western Canadian tournament.
McEloy coached minor ball for 12 years in Morden and Winkler. He was also a high level senior hockey player, and in 1994 was chosen male athlete of the year by the Manitoba Central Region Sports Association.
McElroy gave a lot of credit to his father, Bob McElroy.
“It was in our blood for sure,” he said, recalling how they lived in a district south of Darlingford called Shadeland, and at one time there was even a ball diamond built on their farm property, and he recalled there at times being even as many as 400 people out to enjoy it.
“So at least twice a week there was a game to go watch.”
His father also regularly made time each day for them to practice some ball.
“He would take at least a half an hour out of his day, no matter whether it was seeding time or harvest time. He hit us grounders and flyballs, at least for half an hour. During the summer time, when it was a little bit slower, we would go out after supper and play a bit.”
McElroy very much appreciates the recognition.
“And to be inducted into the hall alongside a lot of super really good ball players is just a super honour.”
The other inductees in the class of 2026 include Nate Andrews (Brandon), Ed Kulyk (Winnipeg) Larry Nicholson (Neepawa), Lorna Robertson (Hamiota), Garth White (Neepawa), Guy Yerama (Gilbert Plains/Toronto), the 2008-2010 Winnipeg South Chiefs pee wee and bantam team, the 2003 Neepawa AA midget team, the 1987 Oil Dome bantam all-stars, the 1973 Canada Summer Games Western Manitoba junior all-stars, Al Kinley (Winnipeg), and Morris Mott (Brandon).
You can learn more about all the nominees and secure your tickets for the banquet online at www.mbhof.ca.
