Hall of Fame 2025

The American Association Hall of Fame celebrates the league’s most influential figures—players, managers, executives, and contributors—whose achievements and dedication have left a lasting mark on the game. Honoring more than just on-field success, the Hall of Fame recognizes individuals whose excellence, leadership, and long-term contributions have shaped the legacy of the American Association and elevated the league for generations to come.

Bittiger has been involved with independent baseball since its modern-era inception in 1993. The former big-league hurler with the Phillies, White Sox, and Twins pitched in the Northern League with Rochester, Winnipeg, and Fargo-Moorhead from 1993 to 2002 and was named Baseball America‘s Independent Player of the Decade for the 1990s. Bittiger also served as Fargo-Moorhead’s pitching coach through the 2003 season.

After joining the Oakland Athletics as a scout in 2004, he remained active in the RedHawks’ player personnel department, eventually becoming director of player personnel in 2017, a position he continues to hold. Since joining the AAPB, Fargo-Moorhead has qualified for the playoffs seven times and won the 2022 league championship, while four (Chris Coste, Jason Pearson, Brandon Mann, Kevin Herget) former RedHawks have reached the majors. The RedHawks also won five Northern League titles in addition to the one American Association Title in Bittiger’s time with the club.

One of the winningest managers in league history, Rick Forney piloted the Winnipeg Goldeyes to 631 regular-season victories, a .545 winning percentage, six playoff appearances, and three league championships (2012, 2016 and 2017) over 13 American Association seasons. Two Goldeyes AAPB pitchers eventually reached the majors.

The league’s two-time manager of the year joined the AAPB in 2011 after five seasons managing Winnipeg during its time in the Northern League, five more years serving as the club’s pitching coach, and an additional four seasons pitching for the club. The Maryland native was originally drafted by Baltimore in 1991 and spent five years in the Orioles’ system.

Goldklang spent 31 seasons as the chairman and principal owner of the St. Paul Saints, including the club’s time in the American Association from 2006 to 2020. From the Saints’ inception in 1993, the club served as a flagship for independent baseball, bringing together innovative promotions, experienced leadership, and high-quality baseball for the enjoyment of millions in the Twin Cities. The Saints reached even greater heights upon the opening of CHS Field in 2016, drawing over 400,000 fans per season. On the field, the Saints won five league championships during his tenure, including the 2019 AAPB crown, while four AAPB Saints reached the majors.

A minority owner of the New York Yankees, Goldklang’s management organization, the Goldklang Group, has owned and operated clubs at all levels of baseball. He is also a member of the South Atlantic League, Florida State League, and New York-Penn League halls of fame.

Instrumental in the growth of independent baseball throughout North America, Moushon was the American Association’s president from the league’s inception in 2006 through the 2017 season, overseeing the AAPB’s operations and administration as it emerged into a solid, well-respected league. At various periods between 1994 and 2018, he also served as president or executive director of the Can-Am/Northeast League, Central League, and Northern League, as well as vice president of the Burlington Royals of the Appalachian League.

He is currently Senior Administrator of the Major League Baseball-sponsored Appalachian League as well as the MLB Draft League in the northeastern U.S.

Thom served as the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks’ owner and chairman from the club’s inception in 1996 until his passing in 2025. He was instrumental in bringing the club to Fargo as well as the construction of Newman Outdoor Field, with nearly 5 million fans passing through the gates during his tenure, six league championships including a 2022 AAPB title, and the emergence of the RedHawks as one of independent baseball’s model operations.

Known as “The General,” Thom led the RedHawks organization as President from the club’s founding in late 1995 before heading an investment group that purchased the club in 2004. Thom was a Fargo native who graduated from Fargo Central High School and Concordia College in Moorhead, MN.