 The Oliver family includes, son John Jr. (back left) with wife Nadine and their children, Ethan, 6, Jacob and John, both 3; John Oliver Sr. and daughter Susan, with her fiance Scott Martello (back right). Pilot Photo/Maggie Nixon By Rusty Nixon Correspondent
INDIANAPOLIS — It has been an unlikely journey for the latest member of Indiana Baseball’s Hall of Fame.
“I never played a minute, I never had on a uniform, I don’t even know how to keep score,” said John Oliver, the 144th inductee to the Hall. “This honor is almost surreal for me and says a lot more about the generosity of the Coaches Association than mine.”
Oliver’s contributions to the sport of baseball in the state of Indiana, and in Marshall County in particular, have helped thousands of young men compete in the sport from 10-12 travel teams to American Legion ball. Rather ironic indeed that a young man who was born and raised in England would mean so much to the great American game.
Oliver came to appreciate the value of baseball because of his son, John.
“I saw my son becoming a man,” said Oliver in his acceptance speech at the IHSBCA Hall of Fame Banquet Friday. “I saw his friends becoming men because of their involvement in the baseball program at Plymouth. They were learning the qualities they would need to be good citizens. I became a U.S. citizen in 1975 and that’s something that I take very seriously.”
It was at that time that Oliver would meet and become friends with former Plymouth baseball coach and Athletic Director Bill Nixon, himself a member of the Hall of Fame. Nixon had the honor of introducing Oliver at his induction Saturday.
“Nobody could match what he’s done for baseball,” said Nixon. “I can honestly say that I’m as happy tonight as I was when I was inducted. It’s a very special moment.”
Nixon said that the qualities Oliver stands for in his business – hard work, loyalty, and a dedication to excellence – are the same qualities that are exemplified by a successful baseball team.
“To show the kind of man he is, he never introduced himself to me until after his son had graduated,” said Nixon. “He didn’t want there to be any perception that his son was benefitting from the things he did to help the program.”
“I just wanted to help a program that had done so much for my son and other sons in the community,” said Oliver. “It’s just an honor that the coaches would consider me for induction into the hall.”
Oliver was inducted along with coach Brian Dudley of Wapahani High School, Mike Frame, head coach at Huntington University, Max Schuster the owner of the Indianapolis Indians, and Andy Benes who pitched 14 years in the major leagues with the San Diego Padres, Seattle Mariners, St. Louis Cardinals and Arizona Diamondbacks.
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