TheBakersfieldCalifornian.com

George Culver is already in a few halls of fame. On April 4, he'll enter another one.

The California Community College Athletic Association will induct Culver into its hall of fame on April 4 in San Mateo. Culver found out about the honor earlier this week.

"That was a pretty exciting deal," said Culver, who graduated from North High School and played baseball at Bakersfield College in 1962 and '63 before beginning a long career as a player and coach in professional baseball.

In addition to his strong on-the-field pitching abilities, Culver has spent countless hours later in life promoting local baseball causes, with BC's program garnering the majority of those efforts.

Culver, 68, organized 12 golf tournaments to raise money for BC baseball, then coordinated the annual BC Hot Stove Dinners that were held for 22 years.

He estimated that about $750,000 was raised from those events that specifically benefitted BC. New dugouts, lights, scoreboards and home clubhouse were bankrolled by the fundraising efforts and are now prominent at Gerry Collis Field.

"We had a good run and did a lot of good with the money," Culver said. "BC probably has the finest JC facility in America right now, since Dean Gay gave the money for the new seating and refurbishments."

Culver said he was only part of the equation. He emphasized that the Light Brigade, a group of about 30 BC boosters who provided various assistance in multiple areas, were essential to the improvements that have enhanced BC's baseball facility.

"Growing up in in town like Bakersfield, people have said I've given a lot back," Culver said. "But what I have accomplished I owe to this town, to Bakersfield.

"That's the way this town is. If you give back, they'll give back to you."

During the 34 years of fundraising for BC baseball, Culver said: "I can count on one hand the number of times someone said no when I asked for something.

"Any accolades I get are because of this town. Without living in this town, none of this would have happened to me."

Culver signed a pro contract with the New York Yankees after finishing his BC career in 1963. That winter, the Cleveland Indians selected him in the first-year player draft, which is no longer held.

He reached the major leagues with Cleveland as a 22-year-old in 1966. He had a nine-year major league career, going 48-49 with 23 saves in 335 games. While playing for the Cincinnati Reds, Culver pitched a no-hitter against Philadelphia on July 29, 1968, winning 6-1.

After ending his playing career, Culver was a minor league pitching coach with the Phillies for 18 seasons and spent 10 years coaching in the Dodgers' organization.

Culver was also involved in fundraising that helped finance the start-up of CSU Bakersfield's baseball program and he has spearheaded fundraising for different high school baseball programs. He was behind the fundraising effort that bankrolled lights at Bakersfield Christian High School.

Culver is in the Reading (Pa.) Phillies' Hall of Fame, the Bakersfield College Alumni Hall of Fame and the Bob Elias Kern County Sports Hall of Fame.