Committee Chairman

Guy Lapointe's number retired tonight.

Nov 09, 2014

Tonight will be a special night for Guy Lapointe, the former Defenceman of the Montreal Canadians and current Scout for the Minnesota Wild. At the Bell Center in Montreal, where the Canadians are hosting the Wild, Lapointe’s #5 will be officially hung to the rafters and retired.

The number 5 has already been retired, when in 2006, Bernie “Boom Boom” Geoffrion saw that number retired in his honor, and this is not out of the ordinary in Montreal as the numbers 12 and 16 have also been retired twice; the 12 for both Dickie Moore and Yvon Cournoyer and the 16 for Elmer Lach and Henri Richard.

Lapointe debuted for the Montreal Canadians in 1968 and in a couple of years he would become a stalwart on the Habs blueline. Lapointe was a part of the Canadians’ “Big Three”, which also included Serge Savard and Larry Robinson, easily making this triumvirate the best group of Defencemen in the 1970’s. This was a powerful and well-rounded team and won that would win the Stanley Cup six times.

Lapointe’s defensive acumen was complimented by his offensive skill. He would have 572 Points as a Canadian and would finish in the top five in Norris Trophy voting six times and earn four spots in post season NHL All Star teams. He would enter the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1993.

We would like to congratulate both the Montreal Canadians for adding to their stellar history and Guy Lapointe for adding the final punctuation mark on his career.

Toy Hall of Fame Class Announced

Nov 07, 2014

Published in Not in Hall of Fame News

As we have mentioned before, we don’t have future plans to do a Notinhalloffame list for the Toy Hall of Fame, we can’t help but be intrigued by what they are doing and the memories they constantly invoke in us.

Today they have announced the three new toys that will be part of the Toy Hall of Fame and represent the Class of 2015.

The Rubik’s Cube, Bubbles, and Little Green Army Men have been named as the new toys that will be honored at the Hall of Fame. The 80’s fad of the Rubik’s Cube has been a finalist for the past five years.

Somehow, we feel the need to go through our basement and find those plastic army men; even the ones that look like they are surrendering. Incidentally, we never could solve that stupid cube!

Alfonso Soriano Retires

Nov 06, 2014

Published in Not in Hall of Fame News

It was announced today that seven time All Star Alfonso Soriano has officially retired from Major League Baseball. The 38 year old Dominican born player spent sixteen seasons in the Majors, predominantly with the New York Yankees and the Chicago Cubs.

Soriano had a rough start to his professional career, electing to begin in Japan with the Hiroshima Toyo Carp, only playing nine games and seeking an out to his distaste of the Japanese style of discipline and play. After legal red tape was cut through, he would sign as a Free Agent with the New York Yankees, where in 2001 he would win the starting Second Baseman’s job and finish third in American League Rookie of the Year voting.

The season after, Soriano would have what would be regarded as his best season, leading the American League in Runs Scored, Hits and Stolen Bases with a career high .300 Batting Average. This was the season that he finished third in AL MVP voting. Soriano, would execute significant power and speed numbers in his career, contributing a tally of 412 Home Runs with 289 Stolen Bases.

Soriano would be part of the trade for Alex Rodriguez and find a new home with the Texas Rangers where he would stay for two seasons remaining productive on the offense. He would be traded to Washington, and though he had another good season with his bat, Manager Frank Robinson inserted him into Left Field, a position he initially refused to go to.

As a Free Agent, Soriano signed with the Chicago Cubs where he continued to execute power and speed. In his second year with Chicago, he made his seventh consecutive All Star Game and he would play there another five years before returning to play for the Yankees in 2013.

Soriano would be released in July of this year and would not latch onto another team. Citing that his desire for the game was not the same, he announced his retirement.

Although the four time Silver Slugger put up good numbers, his lack of defensive skill gave him a career bWAR of 27.2, and overall it is unlikely that he will gain admission to the hallowed halls of Cooperstown. Still, this was a very good career and one that Yankees and Cubs fans likely have fond memories of.

Black College HOF announces 2015 Class

Nov 06, 2014

Published in Not in Hall of Fame News

In 2010, the Black College Hall of Fame first came into fruition, honoring College Football players who plied their craft at historically Black Colleges in the United States. Today, they have announced the class of 2015, which we thought it would be fun to take a look at.

Richard Dent, Tennessee State: 1979-82. The Defensive Tackle helped the Tigers get to the Division 1AA Semi Finals. He would be a member of the 1985 Chicago Bears Super Bow Championship Team and enter the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2011.

Roger Brown, East Maryland Shore: 1956-59. The Defensive Tackle would later star for the Detroit Lions in the 1960’s. East Maryland Shore no longer has a Football program.

L.C. Greenwood, Arkansas AMNM College: 1965-68. The Defensive End starred at what is now called Arkansas Pine Bluff. Greenwood would help the Pittsburgh Steelers win four Super Bowls in the 1970’s.

Ernie Ladd, Grambling State: 1957-60. The “Big Cat” terrorized opponents in the SWAC in College, the AFL with the Chargers and in the ring as a Professional Wrestler.

Ken Riley, Florida A&M: 1965-68. Played Quarterback at Florida A&M before shifting to Cornerback in the NFL in a career that saw him have a fifteen year career with the Cincinnati Bengals.

Donnie Shell, South Carolina State: 1970-73. Shell played Cornerback at SC State and went on to a pro career with the Pittsburgh Steelers winning four Super Bowls and recording 51 Interceptions.

W.C. Gorden, Jackson State: 1977-91. Gorden took Jackson State to 8 SWAC Championships and had a record of 118-47-5.

This group brings the total number of inductees to 58. This year’s induction ceremony will be on February 28, 2015.