Robert Suarez's journey to the back end of the San Diego Padres' bullpen is truly remarkable and inspiring. Ignored by scouts in Venezuela during his youth, Suarez worked construction and grocery jobs in his early twenties before finally making his professional debut in the Mexican League at 24. His talents flourished in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball over five dominant seasons, turning raw ability into top-tier bullpen performance. Recognizing his late-blooming, explosive potential, the Padres signed the 31-year-old rookie before the 2022 season, bringing a blazing fastball right into their late-inning plans.

His first year in Southern California was simply extraordinary. As the go-to setup man behind closer Josh Hader, Suarez dazzled National League batters with his powerful fastball and changeup combo. He finished his rookie season with a fantastic 5–1 record and a very impressive 2.27 ERA across 45 appearances, striking out 61 hitters in just 47.2 innings. Suarez kept up his stellar form into October, throwing scoreless innings throughout the NLDS against the Dodgers, quickly becoming a fan favorite at Petco Park.

His outstanding start earned him a generous five-year, $46 million contract extension in November 2022, ensuring he would be part of the Padres’ future. Despite facing challenges like elbow inflammation and a sticky-substance suspension that limited his 2023 season and raised his ERA to 4.23, the team remained confident in his incredible talent. When Hader left in free agency, manager Mike Shildt trusted Suarez to step into the closer role for 2024, setting the stage for another exciting chapter in his career.

Suarez seized this opportunity with a breakout season in 2024. He proved he was back at his best, successfully recording 36 saves to finish third in the National League and anchoring a strong Padres bullpen. He pitched 65 innings with a tidy 2.77 ERA, earning his first All-Star nod and taking on a key leadership role for a team pushing hard for October again.

His momentum soared even higher during an exceptional 2025 season, his personal masterpiece with the Padres. Suarez emerged as a true workhorse, making a career-high 70 appearances and tossing nearly 70 innings. He led the National League with 40 saves, registered a stellar 2.97 ERA, and achieved a career-best 2.3 bWAR. His consistent performance down the stretch proved to be the backbone for a talented San Diego squad chasing postseason success.

After that historic 40-save season, Suarez chose to test free agency, turning his outstanding closing record into a lucrative contract with the Atlanta Braves. Over his three seasons with the Padres, Suarez amassed 18 wins, 77 saves, and maintained a sharp 2.94 ERA over 141 high-pressure games.

While the 2025-26 Stanley Cup Champion was decided two weeks ago with the coronation of the Carolina Hurricanes, for us at Notinhalloffame, the season ends when the Hockey Hall of Fame makes their announcement of the newest class.

Today, the HHOF committee met and announced the newest members:

They are:

Patrice Bergeron, Player.  BOS, C, 2003-23.  Of all the eligible candidates for the Class of 2026, Patrice Bergeron was the only lock.  Bergeron won six Frank J. Selke Awards (and was the runner-up three times) as the game’s top defensive forward.  He dominated that trophy so much that it should be renamed after him!  Playing all 19 of his NHL seasons with the Boston Bruins, Bergeron scored 1,040 Points with a +289 and led Boston to a Stanley Cup Championship in 2011.   Individually, Bergeron also won the 2013 King Clancy Award and the coveted Mark Messier Leadership Award in 2021. 

Brian Burke, Builder.  Hmmm.  There is no doubt that Burke has a Hockey Hall of Fame resume.  He has been a high-level executive with the Hartford Whalers, Vancouver Canucks, Anaheim Ducks, Toronto Maple Leafs, Calgary Flames, and Pittsburgh Penguins, and is regarded as an asset with all teams he served, especially the Ducks, where, as their General Manager, he constructed a team that won the 2007 Stanley Cup.  He was also the GM for the United States team that won Silver at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.  Currently, he is the Executive Director of the PWHLPA, and by all accounts, has done a great job; however, Burke was a member of the HHOF selection committee, which, despite his credentials, makes this a dubious pick.

Cindy Curley, Player.  This was a surprise to us, as we thought the Hall would look at a more contemporary player, but Curley was an early pioneer who helped the U.S. win Silver in three World Championships (1990, 1992 & 1994) and was their captain from 1989 to 1996.  She was inducted into the United States Hockey Hall of Fame in 2013 and joined the board of U.S. Hockey.

Carey Price, Player. MTL, G. 2007-22. When you win the Hart Trophy, there is a damned good chance you are going to enter the Hockey Hall of Fame.  Playing his entire NHL career with the Montreal Canadiens, Price won the Hart, the Lester B. Pearson Award, the Vezina, and the William M. Jennings Award in 2014-15.  A top-ten Vezina finisher five other times, Price carried Montreal to the 2021 Stanley Cup Finals.  Over his career, Price had a 361-261-79 record and was a six-time All-Star.

Pekka Rinne, Player.  NAS, G, 2005-21. Rinne played his entire career with the Nashville Predators, where he won the 2018 Vezina Trophy and was the runner-up twice.  Rinne was a three-time All-Star and 2021 King Clancy Award winner, and led the Preds to a Stanley Cup Final in 2017, with a 369-213-75 record. Serious question, though.  Would Rinne have been inducted if former Predators General Manager David Poile were not on this committee? We are not sure, but we did project that a European would enter this year.

Keith Tkachuk, Player.  LW, WIN/PHX 1991-2001, STL 2001-2007 & 2007-10, ATL 2007.  Tkachuk might be best known now for his two sons, Matthew and Brady, but the patriarch of the family was a star in his own right.  A member of the 500-Goal Club (538), Tkachuk led the NHL in Goals in 1996-97 (52) and accumulated 1,065 Points in total.  Internationally, Tkachuk was a member of the United States World Cup Team that won Gold in 1996 and the 2002 Olympic Team that won Silver.

We are currently revising our Baseball list, and will then work on our Football, Basketball, and Hockey lists.   Look for those revisions over the summer.

We here at notinhalloffame.com would like to congratulate the members of the Hockey Hall of Fame Class of 2026.

The modern music industry thrives on global connectivity, with artists performing in cities across continents in rapid succession. Massive tours spanning dozens of countries are now standard for major performers, drawing millions of fans and generating significant economic activity. Behind the spectacle of sold-out arenas and elaborate stage productions lies a critical enabler: aviation. Without the speed, scale, and reliability of modern air travel, the logistical complexity of global concert tours would be nearly impossible to manage.

From transporting performers and crew to moving intricate stage setups across continents, aviation has made it feasible for artists to maintain demanding schedules while delivering consistent, high-quality performances. Understanding this relationship reveals how deeply intertwined the entertainment industry has become with advancements in air travel.

The Logistics of Moving a Global Production

Concert tours are far more than a series of performances. They are large-scale operations involving dozens, and often hundreds, of personnel along with extensive equipment. Lighting rigs, sound systems, staging elements, and specialized props must all be transported efficiently from one location to the next.

Aviation allows tour organizers to overcome geographic barriers quickly. Instead of relying on slower modes of transportation such as shipping or long-distance trucking, teams can move essential equipment and personnel between continents within hours. This speed is critical for maintaining tight touring schedules, where artists may perform in different countries multiple times within a single week.

Cargo aircraft play a particularly important role in this process. These planes are designed to carry large, heavy loads, making them ideal for transporting stage components and technical gear. By using air freight, tour managers can ensure that everything arrives on time and in the correct condition, reducing the risk of delays or cancellations.

Supporting Tight Schedules and Global Demand

One of the defining characteristics of modern concert tours is their fast pace. Artists often perform in multiple cities across different time zones, sometimes within a matter of days. Without aviation, maintaining such schedules would be impractical.

Air travel enables performers and crew to cover vast distances quickly, minimizing downtime between shows. This efficiency allows artists to reach wider audiences and maximize the impact of their tours. It also supports the financial viability of large productions, as more performances can be scheduled within a given time frame.

Reliability is another key factor. Airlines and charter services provide predictable schedules and contingency options, ensuring that tours remain on track even when challenges arise. This consistency is essential for maintaining commitments to venues, sponsors, and fans.

The ability to move quickly between locations also enhances flexibility. Tour planners can adjust routes, add additional dates, or respond to changing demand without being constrained by slower transportation methods.

Ensuring Safety and Precision in Complex Travel Routes

Global concert tours often involve travel across diverse regions, including areas with varying levels of infrastructure and differing environmental conditions. Navigating these routes requires precision and advanced technology to ensure safety and efficiency.

Modern aviation systems rely on tools such as aircraft nav-aids, which assist pilots in determining position, direction, and altitude during flights. These systems enable accurate navigation even in challenging conditions, such as poor weather or unfamiliar airspace. For tours that involve frequent international travel, this level of precision ensures that flights remain efficient and safe, regardless of destination.

Safety is paramount when transporting both people and valuable equipment. Aviation standards, combined with advanced navigation and communication systems, provide a level of reliability that is essential for high-stakes operations like global tours. This infrastructure allows organizers to focus on performance logistics rather than travel uncertainties.

Enhancing the Scale and Creativity of Performances

The capabilities of modern aviation have directly influenced the scale and complexity of live performances. Artists are no longer limited by what can be transported locally or regionally. Instead, they can design elaborate stage setups and bring them to audiences around the world.

Large-scale productions often include custom-built stages, advanced lighting systems, and sophisticated visual effects. These elements require precise handling and transportation, which aviation makes possible. By enabling the movement of specialized equipment across continents, air travel supports a level of creativity that defines modern concerts.

This global reach also allows artists to tailor their performances for diverse audiences while maintaining consistency in production quality. Fans in different countries can experience the same level of spectacle, creating a shared global culture around live music.

The ability to scale productions internationally has also contributed to the growth of the music industry as a whole. Tours have become major revenue streams, supporting not only artists but also a wide range of professionals, from technicians to logistics specialists.

Economic and Cultural Impact of Aviation-Enabled Tours

The relationship between aviation and concert touring extends beyond logistics, influencing both economic and cultural dynamics. Global tours generate significant revenue through ticket sales, merchandise, and tourism. Cities that host major concerts often experience increased economic activity, benefiting hotels, restaurants, and local businesses.

Aviation makes this widespread impact possible by connecting artists with audiences worldwide. Without efficient air travel, many regions would be excluded from major tours, limiting both economic opportunities and cultural exchange.

Culturally, global tours foster a sense of shared experience. Fans from different parts of the world can participate in the same events, creating connections that transcend geographic boundaries. This exchange of ideas, music, and artistic expression enriches the global cultural landscape.

The accessibility provided by aviation has also opened doors for emerging artists, allowing them to reach international audiences earlier in their careers. This expanded reach contributes to a more diverse and dynamic music industry.

Conclusion

Modern aviation has become an indispensable foundation for global concert tours, enabling the rapid movement of people, equipment, and ideas across continents. By supporting complex logistics, tight schedules, and large-scale productions, air travel has transformed the way live music is delivered and experienced. As the music industry continues to evolve, the connection between aviation and global touring will remain essential, ensuring that artists can bring their performances to audiences around the world with efficiency and impact.

Regular visitors of Notinhalloffame.com know that we are slowly working on the top 50 of every major team in the NHL, NBA, NFL, and MLB.  Once that is done, we will examine how each team honors its past players, coaches, and executives.   As such, it is important to us that the Kansas City Chiefs have announced that Derrick Johnson will become the 55th member of the franchise Hall of Fame this year.

Johnson was drafted by the Chiefs 15th overall in 2005 from Texas, where he would immediately become a starting Linebacker.  Playing 13 of his 14 NFL seasons with Kansas City, Johnson accumulated 14 Interceptions, 27.5 Sacks, 103 Tackles for Loss, and 1,154 Combined Tackles for the squad, while earning four Pro Bowls and a 2011 First Team All-Pro Selection. The Chiefs made the playoffs six times while Johnson was on the roster.

We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to congratulate Derrick Johnson for his upcoming honor.