Ironmen expand Wall of Honour to 28

The Chatham Ironmen honour past greats on their Wall of Honour by enshrining former players on the left field wall. This year Aron Merrill and Mike "Spyder" Wood were the recipients.

The numbers increased to 28 on Saturday as the Chatham Miramichi Honda Ironmen honoured two more of their best.  Aron Merrill and Mike Wood were inducted into the Honour Roll wall in a ceremony before the game against the Moncton Fisher Cats.

Merrill from Vermont joined the Ironmen in the 1990 season as an import pitcher and stayed for three years compiling a record of 16-6 over that time.  He ended his three-year stint with 178 strikeouts and an ERA of 2.36.

"I played with a great group of guys, and some of them are here today," he said after the ceremony.

He added,"thank you for such a nice presentation at the honor roll ceremony. It was so great to visit Chatham and share that with my son. I loved playing for the Ironmen and was always impressed with Chatham's passion for the game and commitment to the Ironmen organization. 

Good luck with the rest of the season - the team looks good this year. Go, Ironmen!"

Aron Merrill three year history

Year     IP    H    SO    BB    ER    W    L    ERA

1990     24    16    29    5    5    2    1    1.86

1991     68    61    77    32    29    9    1    3.84

1992     78    69    72    14    24    5    4    2.77

Total    170146    178    51    58    16    6   2.39

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Mike "Spyder" Wood enjoyed a 10-year career as a shutdown relief pitcher who toiled for the Ironmen from 1970 to 1980. 

Before the term “closer” came into vogue, the league didn't record saves until 2000.  Spider saved countless games for an Ironmen team that notched five straight provincial titles. He used pinpoint control and a tantalizing array of off-speed pitches to keep opposing hitters off balance.  He was 6th in all-time Ironmen strikeouts with 274 and 5th in winning percentage .677.  A consummate team player, Mike is a welcome addition to the Chatham Ironmen Honour Roll.

Mike said after the induction,"I really enjoyed my 10 years with the Ironmen."

 

Mike Wood's 10-year history

Year    IP    H    SO    BB    ER    W    L    ERA

1970    36.2    48    34    8    15    2    1    3.73

1971    46    64    50    19    29    5    0    5.67

1972    60    69    44    23    33    1    2    4.95

1974    33.1    31    33    10    13    1    2    3.53

1975    52    50    34    15    20    2    0    3.46

1976    36.2    42    18    8    14    2    1    3.48

1977    35.2    31    17    8    16    3    2    4.09

1978    23    25    11    10    13    2    0    5.09

1979    32.2    41    22    20    21    1    1    5.87

1980    31.1    38    11    9    15    2    1    4.34

Total   385    439    274    130    189    21    10   3.43

(League stats for 1973 are missing)