About Inductee

Abe Daniel, born in Madison County in 1928, was a former semi-pro baseball player, who later became one of Huntsvilles most influential youth sports leaders. Abe was a dynamic pitcher; however, he played all positions equally well for the mill leagues in the 40s, 5Os and 60s. Daniel coached youth football, basketball and baseball at the McCormick YMCA for more than 10 years. In 1991, one of the citys playing fields at Archer Park, located near the old Huntsville Manufacturing plant where Daniel worked for many years, was named Abe Daniel Field. He quit school to help raise his large family of brothers and sisters. After 30 years at Huntsville Manufacturing, he worked seven years at Teledyne before retiring in 1980. For 22 years, he played semi-pro baseball, first for the Huntsville Parkers, and later for the Merchants and the Braves. He was selected on an all District Baseball Team in a District Tournament held in Huntsville in 1960. In his last game at the age of 38, he went nine innings and shut out Guntersville 3-0. He managed a semi-pro baseball team one year that won District Championship. Daniels 75, 90, 95 and 120 pound YMCA football teams all won championships. He was voted Outstanding Coach, Coach of the Year for several years. His overall football record for 10 years was 85 wins, seven losses and three ties. His basketball teams went to state tournaments four times and won state championship, second place, and consolation third and sportsmanship trophies. He coached a 120-pound Huntsville city football team one year that had eight wins and one loss. For youngsters who grew up in West Huntsville in the 50s and 60s, Daniel remains a sports legend. Abe Daniel died Dec. 15, 1995.