Twins rename annual memorial tournament

The Glacier Twins Legion baseball program has decided to rename its summer tournament the Glacier Twins Memorial Tournament.

The name change comes after 28 years of calling the annual event the Sapa-Johnsrud Memorial Tournament after Twins players Ray Johnsrud and Jimmy Sapa were killed in 1984 at a railroad crossing in Columbia Falls.

Several years ago, the Twins began honoring other former players and supporters, board member Bob Lockman said.

Along with Johnsrud and Sapa, the tourney honors six other former players or supporters. Cecil Caferro, a longtime Twins board officer and fan who passed away last year at 89, will be added to the list this year.

The memorial tourney is typically held in early July or late June at Memorial Field in Whitefish. The list of additional honorees include:

• Chris “Manny” Managhan (1978-1995), a catcher for the Twins from 1993-1995 who died after a motorcycle accident.

• Matt Hein (1979-1996) played first base from 1994 -1996 and also died after a motorcycle accident.

• Shawn Kelso (1979-2001), an outfielder, first baseman and pitcher from 1994 -1997 died after an automobile accident.

• Byron Whitcomb (1988-2010), a shortstop between 2003 and 2006, was killed at the Fort Polk Army Base in Louisiana by a visitor to the base.

• Jim Chapman (1932-2006), the Voice of the Twins after moving to Whitefish from the San Francisco area in 2000, had been the announcer for the San Jose Giants for 19 years.

• Randy Dawdy (1957-2010) was involved with the Twins for nearly 20 years as a board member and announcer. He also announced Whitefish High School football and basketball games.