Hall of Fame Honors a Legend
Denny Hrdina, a towering figure in Wisconsin baseball, will be inducted into the Shoreland League Hall of Fame on July 13th at Walsh Field, the historic home of the Two Rivers Polar Bears.
The ceremony will be preceded by a lively performance from the Two Rivers High School Polka Band, adding a local flavor to the celebration of the sport’s rich history.
A Career Defined by Dominance
Over a decade-long career, Hrdina led the Polar Bears to four Shoreland League championships, showcasing his versatility as both a pitcher and a hitter. He amassed 1,341 strikeouts across 1,083 innings, posting a career earned‑run average of 1.76, while maintaining a batting average above .300 in several seasons and launching multiple home runs.
His excellence earned him the league MVP in 1973, 1975 and 1976, the Tri‑County League MVP in 1973, and the MVP of the National Baseball Regional Tournament in 1975, cementing his status as one of the most decorated players in the league’s history.
Hrdina joins an elite group of Polar Bears inductees; he is the fourth former player from the team to be enshrined, following Lee Nebel in 2018, Howie Timm in 2022 and Shad Hintz, who was inducted last year after a 21‑year career with Two Rivers.
The upcoming ceremony not only honors Hrdina’s on‑field achievements but also celebrates the broader community that nurtured his talent, from the local polka band’s melodies to the enduring spirit of the Two Rivers Polar Bears.