Former Tulsa Drillers pitcher and executive Chuck Lamson has been elected to the Texas League Hall of Fame. He is joining the elite class along with former Tulsa Oilers outfielder Joe Patterson.
They enter the TL Hall of Fame with Harry Ables, pitcher, executive; Grant Dunlap, outfield, first base, Shreveport; Cap Peterson, shortstop, El Paso; Billy Jo Robidoux, first base, El Paso; and Ron Santo, third base, San Antonio.
Lamson went from a promising pitching prospect, who in 1980, would miss pitching a no-hitter for the Drillers by one out, to an injured player hoping to stay in the game by becoming the grounds keeper, caring for the field on which he once played.
A sales representative for the Drillers during the off seasons of 1980 and 1981, Lamson joined the Drillers full time in 1982, rising quickly in the organization to become an assistant general manager in 1984.
Named executive vice president/general manager in 1995, Lamson helped lead the Drillers to levels of success never before seen by a professional club in Tulsa. In 2006, he bought controlling interest in the club from Went Hubbard.
Over the next few years, Lamson worked tirelessly to try to replace Drillers Stadium with a modern playing facility, which he accomplished with the opening of ONEOK Field in 2010.
Lamson and the Drillers received numerous awards during his tenure. In 1998 and 2010, he was named the Texas League Executive of the Year. In 1992, 1996 and 2004, the Drillers were named the Texas League Organization of the Year. In 1999, the Drillers received the John H. Johnson award from Minor League Baseball, an award that recognized long term stability and contribution to the community. Finally, in 1992 and 2005, the club was recognized by Baseball America with the Bob Freitas Award which recognizes long-term stability and success in Minor League Baseball.
Following the 2010 season, Lamson sold his interest in the Drillers to Dale and Jeff Hubbard, ending his 32-year association with the club.
Updated 07-20-2012
