Saskatoon's Robert Silzer will be inducted into the Saskatchewan Baseball Hall of Fame Aug. 16 as a player.
Silzer was interested in all types of sports, but especially baseball. He played all his minor baseball through the ranks of the Saskatoon minor organizations before joining the Saskatoon Patrick Liners, who operated in the Saskatchewan Minor Baseball League - now the SBA.
After joining the senior competitions in 1979, he established himself as one of the best outfielders in Saskatchewan major baseball. He played with the Saskatoon Liners until 1983 and ended with the Saskatoon Nationals from 1984-88.
The Saskatoon Liners, perennial senior baseball contenders during their years of operation from 1977 to '84, were inducted into the Saskatoon Sports Hall of Fame in 2005 for their medal winning performances at the Canadian Championships. Silzer played on that team from 1979-84, and was recognized at that team's induction for his outstanding contribution to their success at the Western championships, the national championships and the Saskatchewan Baseball Association.
Silzer was named as a Saskatchewan Major League first team All-star in 1982, '83, '87 and '88. Also in 1982, he was named a first team All-star at the national championship in St. John's, N.L.
In 1983, he won the Saskatchewan Baseball Association player of the year award. He was also named the most valuable player at the national championship in Sudbury, Ont. In the championships, he had eight hits in 16 at-bats. Silzer also won the Willie Gilpen Memorial Trophy for perseverance and dedication to baseball.
In 1984, Silzer was invited to the 34-man Canadian Olympic baseball team try-out camp in Windsor, Ont.
His after baseball career began in 1986 when he was named the head coach and director of media relations for the Saskatoon Nationals of the Saskatchewan Major Baseball League. From 1987-88, he was the director of media relations, program layout and designer and worked on the team's promotion.
Silzer attended the University of Saskatchewan, majoring in general business with psychology as his minor. He continues to live in Saskatoon.
