Committee Chairman
Kirk Buchner, "The Committee Chairman", is the owner and operator of the site. Kirk can be contacted at [email protected] .
A Special Day in Cooperstown
Jul 27, 2015
Published in
Not in Hall of Fame News
Even amidst the constant controversy that surrounds the Baseball Hall of Fame, there is always something magical about Cooperstown, and when they have a former player from the modern era elected it makes the ceremony that much more special.
This year they have four.
On what was a beautiful summer day in front of 40,000 fans and forty-nine Hall of Famers in upstate New York, four baseball legends are now enshrined with a bronze bust that will forever be on display.
Rather than recap the accomplishments of the four (regular visitors know that we have done that often), let’s read the etchings on each of the four new inductees.
CRAIG ALLAN BIGGIO: HOUSTON, N.L. 1988-2007
GRITTY SPARK PLUG WHO IGNITED ASTROS OFFENSE FOR 20 MAJOR LEAGUE SEASONS, BECOMING FIRST PLAYER IN HISTORY WITH AT LEAST 3,000 HITS, 600 DOUBLES, 400 STOLEN BASES AND 250 HOME RUNS. TRANSITIONED FROM ALL-STAR CATCHER TO GOLD GLOVE SECOND BASEMAN TO EVERYDAY OUTFIELDER, AMASSING 3,060 HITS, INCLUDING 668 DOUBLES – MOST BY A RIGHT-HANDED BATTER – AND A MODERN-DAY RECORD 285 TIMES HIT BY A PITCH. A SEVEN-TIME ALL-STAR, WON FIVE SILVER SLUGGER AWARDS AND FOUR GOLD GLOVE AWARDS.
JOHN ANDREW SMOLTZ: ATLANTA N.L. 1988-99, 2001-08; BOSTON, A.L. 2009; ST.LOUIS, N.L. 2009
A WORKHOUSE POWER PITCHER, TRADED HIS STARTING DOMINANCE TO DEVELOP INTO PREMIER CLOSER BEFORE RETURNING TO ROTATION. BECAME THE FIRST PLAYER IN HISTORY WITH 200 WINS AND 150 SAVES. WITH A DYNAMIC FASTBALL, A DECEPTIVE SLIDER AND A DARTING SPLITTER, FANNED 3,084 BATTERS AND WAS NAMED TO EIGHT ALL-STAR TEAMS, THE 1996 N.L. CY YOUNG AWARD WINNER AND 1992 NLCS MVP. SET N.L. RECORD WITH 55 SAVES IN 2002. PITCHED BEST WHEN GAME WAS BIGGEST, RECORDING A 15-4 POST-SEASON RECORD, HELPING BRAVES TO 1995 WORLD SERIES TITLE.
PEDRO JAIME MARTINEZ: LOS ANGELES, N.L. 1992-93; MONTREAL. N.L. 1994-97; BOSTON, A.L. 1998-2004; NEW YORK, N.L. 2005-08; PHILADELPHIA, N.L. 2009
FEATURING AN ELECTRIC ARSENAL OF PITCHES THAT VANQUISHED BATTERS DURING AN ERA OF HIGH OCTANE OFFENSE, THE FIERY RIGHTY FROM THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC OWNED THE INSIDE PART OF THE PLATE WITH AN EXPLODING FASTBALL AND CONFOUNDING CHANGE-UP. LED LEAGUE IN E.R.A. FIVE TIMES AND STRIKEOUTS THREE TIMES EN ROUTE TO THREE CY YOUNG AWARDS AND EIGHT ALL-STAR SELECTIONS. FIRST PITCHER TO RETIRE WITH 3,154 STRIKEOUTS IN FEWER THAN 3,000 INNINGS. WON 219 GAMES WITH AN ASTOUNDING .687 WINNING PERCENTAGE. POSTED 117-37 RECORD IN BOSTON HELPING TO LEAD RED SOX TO 2004 WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONSHIP.
RANDALL DAVID JOHNSON: “RANDY” “THE BIG UNIT”: MONTREAL, N.L. 1988-89; SEATTLE, A.L. 1989-98; HOUSTON, N.L. 1998; ARIZONA, N.L. 1999-2004, 2007-08; NEW YORK, A.L. 2005-06; SAN FRANCISCO, N.L. 2009
AT 6’10’, A TOWERING AND INTIMIDATING LEFTHANDER WHOSE CRACKLING FASTBALL AND DEVASTATING SLIDER PARALYZED HITTERS FOR MORE THAN TWO DECADES, FIVE-TIMES CY YOUNG AWARD WINNER, INCLUDING FOUR CONSECUTIVE, 1999-2002. LED LEAGUE IN STRIKEOUTS NINE TIMES AND POSTED SIX 300 STRIKEOUT SEASONS. TEN-TIME ALL-STAR AND THREE-TIME 20-GAME WINNER, RANKED SECONS ALL-TIME ON STRIKEOUT LIST (4,875) AND FIRST IN STRIKEOUTS PER NINE INNINGS (10.6) UPON RETIREMENT. WON 303 GAMES AND LED LEAGUE IN E.R.A. FOUR TIMES, WON THREE GAMES IN 2001 WORLD SERIES WITH CHAMPION DIAMONDBACKS EARNING CO-MVP HONORS.
Capital letters do make it more emphatic doesn’t it?
Do you want to know what makes it even better?
The fact that Randy Johnson was inducted with his mullet is far greater to us than his hat (the first for Arizona) and the hat worn by Craig Biggio (Astros, also a first.
So what do we do now?
What we always do!
We look forward to the next class of Baseball Hall of Famers and debate their merits.
Hopefully, all of you will participate and lend us your opinions as to who you want to see in the next Baseball Hall of Fame class.
This year they have four.
On what was a beautiful summer day in front of 40,000 fans and forty-nine Hall of Famers in upstate New York, four baseball legends are now enshrined with a bronze bust that will forever be on display.
Rather than recap the accomplishments of the four (regular visitors know that we have done that often), let’s read the etchings on each of the four new inductees.
CRAIG ALLAN BIGGIO: HOUSTON, N.L. 1988-2007
GRITTY SPARK PLUG WHO IGNITED ASTROS OFFENSE FOR 20 MAJOR LEAGUE SEASONS, BECOMING FIRST PLAYER IN HISTORY WITH AT LEAST 3,000 HITS, 600 DOUBLES, 400 STOLEN BASES AND 250 HOME RUNS. TRANSITIONED FROM ALL-STAR CATCHER TO GOLD GLOVE SECOND BASEMAN TO EVERYDAY OUTFIELDER, AMASSING 3,060 HITS, INCLUDING 668 DOUBLES – MOST BY A RIGHT-HANDED BATTER – AND A MODERN-DAY RECORD 285 TIMES HIT BY A PITCH. A SEVEN-TIME ALL-STAR, WON FIVE SILVER SLUGGER AWARDS AND FOUR GOLD GLOVE AWARDS.
JOHN ANDREW SMOLTZ: ATLANTA N.L. 1988-99, 2001-08; BOSTON, A.L. 2009; ST.LOUIS, N.L. 2009
A WORKHOUSE POWER PITCHER, TRADED HIS STARTING DOMINANCE TO DEVELOP INTO PREMIER CLOSER BEFORE RETURNING TO ROTATION. BECAME THE FIRST PLAYER IN HISTORY WITH 200 WINS AND 150 SAVES. WITH A DYNAMIC FASTBALL, A DECEPTIVE SLIDER AND A DARTING SPLITTER, FANNED 3,084 BATTERS AND WAS NAMED TO EIGHT ALL-STAR TEAMS, THE 1996 N.L. CY YOUNG AWARD WINNER AND 1992 NLCS MVP. SET N.L. RECORD WITH 55 SAVES IN 2002. PITCHED BEST WHEN GAME WAS BIGGEST, RECORDING A 15-4 POST-SEASON RECORD, HELPING BRAVES TO 1995 WORLD SERIES TITLE.
PEDRO JAIME MARTINEZ: LOS ANGELES, N.L. 1992-93; MONTREAL. N.L. 1994-97; BOSTON, A.L. 1998-2004; NEW YORK, N.L. 2005-08; PHILADELPHIA, N.L. 2009
FEATURING AN ELECTRIC ARSENAL OF PITCHES THAT VANQUISHED BATTERS DURING AN ERA OF HIGH OCTANE OFFENSE, THE FIERY RIGHTY FROM THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC OWNED THE INSIDE PART OF THE PLATE WITH AN EXPLODING FASTBALL AND CONFOUNDING CHANGE-UP. LED LEAGUE IN E.R.A. FIVE TIMES AND STRIKEOUTS THREE TIMES EN ROUTE TO THREE CY YOUNG AWARDS AND EIGHT ALL-STAR SELECTIONS. FIRST PITCHER TO RETIRE WITH 3,154 STRIKEOUTS IN FEWER THAN 3,000 INNINGS. WON 219 GAMES WITH AN ASTOUNDING .687 WINNING PERCENTAGE. POSTED 117-37 RECORD IN BOSTON HELPING TO LEAD RED SOX TO 2004 WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONSHIP.
RANDALL DAVID JOHNSON: “RANDY” “THE BIG UNIT”: MONTREAL, N.L. 1988-89; SEATTLE, A.L. 1989-98; HOUSTON, N.L. 1998; ARIZONA, N.L. 1999-2004, 2007-08; NEW YORK, A.L. 2005-06; SAN FRANCISCO, N.L. 2009
AT 6’10’, A TOWERING AND INTIMIDATING LEFTHANDER WHOSE CRACKLING FASTBALL AND DEVASTATING SLIDER PARALYZED HITTERS FOR MORE THAN TWO DECADES, FIVE-TIMES CY YOUNG AWARD WINNER, INCLUDING FOUR CONSECUTIVE, 1999-2002. LED LEAGUE IN STRIKEOUTS NINE TIMES AND POSTED SIX 300 STRIKEOUT SEASONS. TEN-TIME ALL-STAR AND THREE-TIME 20-GAME WINNER, RANKED SECONS ALL-TIME ON STRIKEOUT LIST (4,875) AND FIRST IN STRIKEOUTS PER NINE INNINGS (10.6) UPON RETIREMENT. WON 303 GAMES AND LED LEAGUE IN E.R.A. FOUR TIMES, WON THREE GAMES IN 2001 WORLD SERIES WITH CHAMPION DIAMONDBACKS EARNING CO-MVP HONORS.
Capital letters do make it more emphatic doesn’t it?
Do you want to know what makes it even better?
The fact that Randy Johnson was inducted with his mullet is far greater to us than his hat (the first for Arizona) and the hat worn by Craig Biggio (Astros, also a first.
So what do we do now?
What we always do!
We look forward to the next class of Baseball Hall of Famers and debate their merits.
Hopefully, all of you will participate and lend us your opinions as to who you want to see in the next Baseball Hall of Fame class.
PFHOF will not let Sydney Seau talk
Jul 24, 2015
Published in
Not in Hall of Fame News
It was not that long ago that the Pro Football Hall of Fame announced the presenters for this year’s group of inductees. On the list was Sydney Seau, the daughter of the late Junior Seau, who was chosen for Canton on his first year of eligibility.
Traditionally, those who are presenters get to do a speech. The Pro Football Hall of Fame will not have Sydney Seau speak.
In its place, a five minute video, which does include an interview with Junior Seau’s daughter, but does not include mentions of his suicide, depression and post concussion syndrome.
The Football Hall of Fame is clearly playing it safe and are concerned that Sydney would have addressed that issue. In an interview with the New York Times, Sydney Seau stated that she was never going to mention any of those things.
“It’s frustrating because the induction if for my father and for the other players, but then to not be able to speak it’s painful…I just want to give the speech he would have given. It wasn’t going to be about this mess. My speech was solely about him.”
Hall of Fame spokesman, Joe Horrigan claimed the decision was not based on the way Seau died but that there was redundancy where a presenter would reiterate what was stated in the video package.
Can we agree to call bullshit on that one?
Hall of Fame Chairman, David Baker, weighed in stating that the Pro Football Hall of Fame and not the NFL made the decision, and reminded the media that they are two separate entities and stated that “We’re going to celebrate his life, not the death and other issues.”
While it was known that the topic of how Junior Seau passed away would shine a light on concussion issues in the game of football, this cowardly act by the Hall of Fame (and let’s face it, the NFL had their hand in this too) only highlights the issue more and is completely disrespectful to the family of Junior Seau.
We here at Notinhalloffame.com have always talked about our admiration for the Football Hall, but today we are very disappointed in their actions.
Traditionally, those who are presenters get to do a speech. The Pro Football Hall of Fame will not have Sydney Seau speak.
In its place, a five minute video, which does include an interview with Junior Seau’s daughter, but does not include mentions of his suicide, depression and post concussion syndrome.
The Football Hall of Fame is clearly playing it safe and are concerned that Sydney would have addressed that issue. In an interview with the New York Times, Sydney Seau stated that she was never going to mention any of those things.
“It’s frustrating because the induction if for my father and for the other players, but then to not be able to speak it’s painful…I just want to give the speech he would have given. It wasn’t going to be about this mess. My speech was solely about him.”
Hall of Fame spokesman, Joe Horrigan claimed the decision was not based on the way Seau died but that there was redundancy where a presenter would reiterate what was stated in the video package.
Can we agree to call bullshit on that one?
Hall of Fame Chairman, David Baker, weighed in stating that the Pro Football Hall of Fame and not the NFL made the decision, and reminded the media that they are two separate entities and stated that “We’re going to celebrate his life, not the death and other issues.”
While it was known that the topic of how Junior Seau passed away would shine a light on concussion issues in the game of football, this cowardly act by the Hall of Fame (and let’s face it, the NFL had their hand in this too) only highlights the issue more and is completely disrespectful to the family of Junior Seau.
We here at Notinhalloffame.com have always talked about our admiration for the Football Hall, but today we are very disappointed in their actions.
Michael Jordan headlines FIBA HOF Class
Jul 18, 2015
Published in
Not in Hall of Fame News
The Basketball Hall of Fame has always been a focus of ours but we have never really aid a lot of attention to the FIBA Hall of Fame. It is next to impossible not to notice it this year, as the largest name in the sport’s history will be joining their Hall of Fame.
Michael Jordan, who led the 1992 United States Dream Team in Barcelona to Gold at the Olympics will be the undeniable headliner for this year’s class. Jordan also was a member of the 1984 team that won Gold in Los Angeles. MJ was also a member of the United States team that won Gold at the 1983 Pan American Games and the FIBA Americas Championship in 1992.
Jordan is joined by another American, current Connecticut Sun Head Coach, Anne Donovan. Donovan is a two time Gold Medalist (1984 & 1988) and won two more Gold Medals as an Assistant Coach (2004) and Head Coach (2008).
The rest of the class consists of:
Roberto Herrera Tabio, a Cuban Forward whose highlight was leading his team to a Bronze Medal at the 1972 Olympics in Munich.
Sarunas Marciulionis, a Lithuanian Guard, who was a Gold Medalist for the Soviet Union in 1988 and was named as one of FIBA’s 50th Greatest Players in 1991. The former Golden State Warrior won two Olympic Bronze Medals for Lithuania.
From France, Antoine Rigaudeau will also be enshrined. The French Center took France to a Silver Medal at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
From Ukraine, via the Soviet Union, Vladimir Tkachenko will enter the Hall. He is a two time Gold Medalist (1976 & 1980) with the Soviets and is a former Mr. Europa.
They are joined by Australian Coach, Jan Stirling, French Technical Official, Robert Blanchard and Isreali Contributor, Noah Klieger.
The enshrinement ceremony will take place on September 19, followed by an official presentation during half time at the Eurobasket Championship Game the following day.
Michael Jordan, who led the 1992 United States Dream Team in Barcelona to Gold at the Olympics will be the undeniable headliner for this year’s class. Jordan also was a member of the 1984 team that won Gold in Los Angeles. MJ was also a member of the United States team that won Gold at the 1983 Pan American Games and the FIBA Americas Championship in 1992.
Jordan is joined by another American, current Connecticut Sun Head Coach, Anne Donovan. Donovan is a two time Gold Medalist (1984 & 1988) and won two more Gold Medals as an Assistant Coach (2004) and Head Coach (2008).
The rest of the class consists of:
Roberto Herrera Tabio, a Cuban Forward whose highlight was leading his team to a Bronze Medal at the 1972 Olympics in Munich.
Sarunas Marciulionis, a Lithuanian Guard, who was a Gold Medalist for the Soviet Union in 1988 and was named as one of FIBA’s 50th Greatest Players in 1991. The former Golden State Warrior won two Olympic Bronze Medals for Lithuania.
From France, Antoine Rigaudeau will also be enshrined. The French Center took France to a Silver Medal at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
From Ukraine, via the Soviet Union, Vladimir Tkachenko will enter the Hall. He is a two time Gold Medalist (1976 & 1980) with the Soviets and is a former Mr. Europa.
They are joined by Australian Coach, Jan Stirling, French Technical Official, Robert Blanchard and Isreali Contributor, Noah Klieger.
The enshrinement ceremony will take place on September 19, followed by an official presentation during half time at the Eurobasket Championship Game the following day.
Terrell Owens speaks on the PFHOF
Jul 17, 2015
Published in
Not in Hall of Fame News
As we look forward to the Pro Football Hall of Fame ceremony in a couple of weeks, speculation always goes toward the next group. Brett Favre is a favourite of many to get inducted into the Hall next year, but what about Terrell Owens?
Owens is also eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame and like Favre is entering his first year of eligibility. While we have Favre ranked at #1 and Owens at #7, this is a rank that puts him into the radar by us and by many other football pundits.
Statistically, Owens has everything you would want for the Hall. He is number two all-time in receiving yards, third in receiving touchdowns and fifth in overall touchdowns. While he does not have a Super Bowl Ring, his lone appearance in the big dance saw him shine when he was a member of the Philadelphia Eagles.
That’s the good news for his candidacy. I think we know the dark side of the ledger though don’t we?
Owens was known for his brushes with the media, the quarterbacks he “killed” and overall being a lockerroom cancer.
Is this what could keep him out, or at the very least delay his induction for a bit?
We are not sure, however in an interview with the Rich Elsen Show, Owens had the following to say:
"I understand what I've done on the field and it's probably well deserving of (the Hall), but I'm being honest, it really doesn't bother me whether I get in or not.
I guess (being in the Hall) from a standpoint of a legacy or what my kids can really see what I've done, the body of work and appreciate it, then yeah, and my family," Owens told Eisen. "But me, personally, it really doesn't do anything for me because I never played the game for that. I played it because I was competitive. I played it to the point that I realized my talent and I became pretty good at it. That was my motivation. I wanted to win at all costs."
Hmmmm.
Is this a front by Owens?
Who is to say!
Our opinion at Notinhallofame.com is that Owens is a Hall of Fame Football Player, but we strongly suspect that the former wideout will be forced to wait for Canton, but realistically, he can’t wait forever.
Still, we here at Notinhalloffame.com are very curious to see how Terrell Owens will fare in regards to the Pro Football Hall of Fame!
Owens is also eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame and like Favre is entering his first year of eligibility. While we have Favre ranked at #1 and Owens at #7, this is a rank that puts him into the radar by us and by many other football pundits.
Statistically, Owens has everything you would want for the Hall. He is number two all-time in receiving yards, third in receiving touchdowns and fifth in overall touchdowns. While he does not have a Super Bowl Ring, his lone appearance in the big dance saw him shine when he was a member of the Philadelphia Eagles.
That’s the good news for his candidacy. I think we know the dark side of the ledger though don’t we?
Owens was known for his brushes with the media, the quarterbacks he “killed” and overall being a lockerroom cancer.
Is this what could keep him out, or at the very least delay his induction for a bit?
We are not sure, however in an interview with the Rich Elsen Show, Owens had the following to say:
"I understand what I've done on the field and it's probably well deserving of (the Hall), but I'm being honest, it really doesn't bother me whether I get in or not.
I guess (being in the Hall) from a standpoint of a legacy or what my kids can really see what I've done, the body of work and appreciate it, then yeah, and my family," Owens told Eisen. "But me, personally, it really doesn't do anything for me because I never played the game for that. I played it because I was competitive. I played it to the point that I realized my talent and I became pretty good at it. That was my motivation. I wanted to win at all costs."
Hmmmm.
Is this a front by Owens?
Who is to say!
Our opinion at Notinhallofame.com is that Owens is a Hall of Fame Football Player, but we strongly suspect that the former wideout will be forced to wait for Canton, but realistically, he can’t wait forever.
Still, we here at Notinhalloffame.com are very curious to see how Terrell Owens will fare in regards to the Pro Football Hall of Fame!