On Tuesday, Feb. 6, Ron Sharpe, Howard Feinstein, Steve Gralnick, Ira Hirschbach, Elliott Thau, Joe Zacherman and Gene Lieberstein became the latest inductees into the Wycliffe Stiffs Stickball Hall of Fame.
The ceremony took place that afternoon at Wellington’s Village Park, the home of the Wycliffe Stiffs Stickball League. Harry Klaff, the league’s director of operations, presided over the ceremony.
Sharpe entered the league in 2017-18 as a member of the Dukes of Flatbush. His career slugging percentage is .333.
Feinstein made his debut in the league in 2017-18 as a member of Bronx Clippers. During four different seasons, he has batted over .300. His best year was in 2021-22 when he hit .440 as a member of the Long Island Whalers. He was among the league leaders in doubles with 10 in 2018-19 and eight in 2022-23.
Gralnick was first a member of the Brooklyn Bums when he started playing in 2017-18. His best year at the plate was 2018-19, when he hit .480 as a member of the Long Island Whalers. To date, he has hit 23 doubles, and his career batting average is an impressive .412.
Hirschbach started playing with the Brooklyn Bums in 2017-18. He has a career batting average of .308. His best year to date was in 2021-22 when he batted .375 with seven doubles, as a member of the Atlantic Whalers.
Thau started playing with the Brooklyn Bums in the 2017-18 season. On two occasions, he batted over .400. Since the 2022-23 season, he has served as a captain of the Bronx Clippers. His lifetime batting average is .308.
Zacherman began his career in the Wycliffe Stiffs Stickball League in 2017-18 with the Long Island Whalers. His best statistical year was 2022-23 when he had a .368 slugging percentage.
Lieberstein began playing in 2017-18. He first played for the Brooklyn Bums. During two seasons, he batted over .300. His best batting average was in 2019-20 when he hit .375. He has hit 19 doubles in his league career.
The Wycliffe Stiffs Stickball Hall of Fame was created in 2009. According to Klaff, the purpose is to recognize the accomplishments of players who have contributed their time and effort over the years to ensure the success of the league. To be inducted, individuals must have played in at least 75 percent of their team’s games for at least six seasons.
