Tony Peña, who signed out of the Dominican Republic as an amateur free agent in 1975, didn't just keep runs from scoring; he revolutionized the catcher role into a showcase of athleticism and charisma. Known for his distinctive crouch, stretching his left leg flat on the dirt with no runners on base, Peña offered pitchers a precise target while maintaining a quick, explosive first step. After steadily advancing through the minor leagues and making his debut with the main team in 1980, this lively catcher revitalized the franchise with a mix of solid contact hitting and dazzling defensive skills, becoming a cherished figure of the 1980s Three Rivers Stadium era.

His true rise to frontline status happened in the 1982 campaign, earning his first National League All-Star invite. He quickly made his offensive volume a routine, using a short, line-drive right-handed stroke to trouble opponents.

The peak of his individual performance and efficiency came in a remarkable 1983 season. Peña showcased his skills at the plate, hitting a career-best .301 with 15 home runs, 153 hits, and 70 RBIs, finishing eleventh in the National League MVP voting—his highest career accolade.

However, concentrating solely on his offensive stats overlooks the exceptional defensive display he showcased behind the plate. Peña utilized a powerful throwing arm, effectively shutting down the running game in the Senior Circuit by leading the National League in baserunners caught stealing in 1984 and 1985.

His exceptional spatial awareness and quick-release skills enabled him to rank in the top ten for defensive bWAR four times as a Pirate, notably leading the league with a 2.5 defensive bWAR in 1984. Recognized for his versatile excellence, he won three straight Gold Glove awards from 1983 to 1985. Not just a fleeting star, this durable catcher was a four-time All-Star and maintained consistent offensive power, hitting double-digit home runs in five consecutive seasons from 1982 to 1986.

As the organization shifted to a complete rebuilding under young Jim Leyland, front-office priorities changed suddenly. In a significant spring trade before 1987, management traded the veteran icon to the St. Louis Cardinals for Andy Van Slyke, Mike LaValliere, and Mike Dunne, a blockbuster that reshaped both teams for the coming decade.

With Pittsburgh, Peña had 821 hits, 126 doubles, 63 home runs, and 340 RBIs alongside a highly respectable .286/.325/.414 slash line across 799 games.

The 1960s and 1970s "Lumber Company" of Pittsburgh is famous for its home runs and offensive pressure, but securing those rosters needed a top defensive anchor. Gene Alley was that anchor, signed in 1959. As a shortstop, he brought sharp instinct and consistent defense, focusing on stopping running games and turning tough grounders into outs, and he became one of the era's top defensive players.

His first appearance was in brief auditions in 1963, but Alley secured the starting shortstop position during the 1965 season. He excelled at run prevention, quickly establishing himself as a defensive force with a leading 2.5 defensive bWAR. His peak as a well-rounded player occurred in 1966, when he showcased a remarkable all-around game. Alley dominated at the plate, surpassing his previous offensive limits with a career-high 173 hits and a strong .299 batting average. He earned his first Gold Glove and finished eleventh in the National League MVP voting, demonstrating that his consistent performance could support a winning team.

While his offensive production normalized to a more modest and low-efficiency level, his defensive excellence continued to be a benchmark across Major League Baseball. Playing alongside second baseman Bill Mazeroski, Alley developed one of the most effective and instinctive double-play pairs in the sport's history. He was selected as an All-Star in the National League in 1967 and 1968, won his second Gold Glove in 1967, and led all of baseball with an impressive 3.4 defensive bWAR in 1968.

Tragically, playing on the harsh artificial turf of Three Rivers Stadium severely impacted his body. Alley suffered from ongoing shoulder and knee issues that significantly decreased his offensive effectiveness and reduced his playing time.

Demonstrating his strong competitive resilience throughout his career, he willingly shifted into a respected veteran reserve role. In this position, he offered vital stability that contributed to guiding the Pirates to an exciting seven-game World Series victory over Baltimore in 1971.

He stood as a steadfast pillar of the organization until his final walk off the diamond, officially retiring at the end of the 1973 season to mark a unique, 11-year career spent entirely in a Pittsburgh uniform.

Alley had 999 career hits with a lifetime defensive bWAR of 14.7.

While Ring of Honor has seen better days, having announced they are moving forward without any contracted talents, they are still operating, and have announced they will be having their own Hall of Fame.  The first inductees have been announced, Mark and Jay Briscoe, the most successful tag team in the promotion’s history.

The pair were with ROH when the organization started back in 2002.  Winning 12 Tag Team Titles with ROH, as well as being the current champs, Jay Briscoe also won the ROH World Championship twice.  

There will be inductees revealed over the next three Mondays.

We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to congratulate the Briscoes for earning this accolade.

The early-1990s Pittsburgh Pirates featured flashy stars, but the team’s core was a smart, selfless player who understood his role. Acquired from Cleveland in 1989 as the player to be named later in the Felix Fermín trade, Jay Bell didn't rely on raw athleticism. Instead, he used his mental acuity, positional awareness, and situational skills to produce consistently excellent plays, thriving under manager Jim Leyland.

His initial appearance over 70 games in 1989 set the stage for him to take on the full-time starting shortstop position before the historic 1990 pennant race. He quickly established a reliable infield routine that minimized inconsistency. While Bell lacked exceptional lateral speed, he made up for it with sharp baseball intelligence, often predicting ball movements to position himself perfectly to cut off opposing offenses. He ranked among the top six in defensive bWAR in the Senior Circuit three times as a Pirate, led all National League shortstops in total assists four times and putouts three times, and earned a Gold Glove in 1993.

His best season was during a remarkable 1993 campaign. After star players Barry Bonds and Bobby Bonilla left through free agency, Bell took on a larger offensive role, breaking his previous limits by hitting .310 with a career-best 187 hits and 31 doubles. He was selected for his first All-Star game and received a Silver Slugger award, demonstrating his ability to lead a lineup with outstanding bat control.

During the mid-1990s, as the organization underwent a challenging financial restructuring in a small market, the front office formally indicated a shift for the remaining veteran core. After the 1996 season ended, management carried out a winter trade, sending the veteran leader to the Kansas City Royals in exchange for Joe Randa and Jeff Wallace.

Bell would go on to enjoy an exceptional second act in the desert, famously scoring the game-winning run in Game 7 of the 2001 World Series for Arizona, but his defensive foundation was forever built on the Three Rivers Stadium turf.

He departed the Pirates, leaving behind a magnificent, high-volume localized baseline: 1,124 hits, 185 doubles, 61 home runs, and 434 RBIs alongside a highly respectable .269 batting average across 1,098 games.