Tom "Red" Booker (2019) - Richmond Athletics Hall of Fame

Tom "Red" Booker

Induction:
2019
Class:
1961

If the Spiders were on the court or on the field in the late 1950's and early 1960's, Tom Booker's presence – red head and all – couldn't be missed.
He was a four year starter on the baseball team, leading Richmond to winning seasons every year, and to Southern Conference championships in 1958 and 1961 under Hall of Fame head coach Mac Pitt. He was named All-Southern Conference as a senior outfielder in 1961, and went on to sign a professional contract with the New York Yankees, playing three minor league seasons before injury cut short his career.
On the hardwood, he was a three year starter for Hall of Fame coach Les Hooker. Booker averaged double figures all four seasons, concluding his Richmond career by leading the team in scoring as a senior with 17.7 points per game, earning him second team All-State honors. He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Wrens of the American Basketball Association before choosing professional baseball.
"Red" has also been honored as a member of the Richmond Amateur Softball Association Hall of Fame (1989), the Highland Springs High School Wall of Fame (2018) and received the Award of Excellence from the Va State Golf Association (2014).