Michael Brantley arrived in Houston as a high-profile free agent prior to the 2019 season, a veteran left-handed hitter widely regarded as having one of the most technically sound swings in the sport.

In his debut season in Houston, he demonstrated a specialized ability to manipulate the strike zone, recording a career-high 22 home runs while maintaining a .311 batting average. He showed the organization he was a foundational superstar by earning his fourth career All-Star selection and recording 179 hits, helping propel the club to a franchise-record 107 wins and an American League pennant.

The period between 2020 and 2021 was defined by unwavering offensive consistency. During the shortened 2020 campaign, he maintained an even .300 average, and he followed that with another All-Star performance in 2021, once again batting .311 and finishing second in the American League batting race.  He showed the organization he was a foundational winner by delivering in high-leverage postseason moments, particularly during the 2021 run to the World Series. While significant shoulder injuries eventually limited his availability in 2022 and 2023, his presence in the clubhouse and his technical mastery remained a standard for the younger players on the roster.

Everything culminated in his retirement following the 2023 season, marking the end of a 15-year career.  Wth the Astros, Brantley batted .305 with 411 hits.

Yuli Gurriel arrived in the Houston organization in 2016 following a high-profile defection that concluded a decade of dominance in the Cuban National Series. Having already established himself as a legendary figure internationally, he chose to leave the Cuban national team while in the Dominican Republic and eventually signed a five-year deal with the Astros at the age of 32.

Gurriel first demonstrated his ability to impact a championship roster during his 2017 rookie campaign. That summer, he recorded 18 home runs and a .299 average, finishing fourth in the American League Rookie of the Year voting and dominating the hitting safely throughout the 2017 playoffs, helping secure the franchise's first World Series title.

During the 2017 World Series, Gurriel's campaign was marked by a significant controversy following a home run off Dodgers pitcher Yu Darvish in Game 3. Gurriel was captured on camera making a racially insensitive gesture in the dugout, an action that drew immediate backlash and a five-game suspension to be served at the start of the 2018 season. He issued a public apology and met with Darvish to express his regret, a moment that became a localized point of growth and reflection amidst the team's pursuit of a title.

Despite the tension surrounding the incident, he remained a focal point of the offense throughout the playoffs, helping secure the franchise's first World Series trophy. While the event remained a part of his narrative, his offensive reliability on the field continued as he recorded three consecutive seasons batting over .290.

At age 37, he evolved into the oldest player since Ted Williams to win an American League Batting Title, finishing the year with a .319 average. He showed the organization he was a foundational star by pairing that hitting crown with his first career Gold Glove Award at first base, proving he could remain an elite defender well into his late thirties. Though his regular-season production dipped significantly in 2022, he demonstrated a specialized ability to deliver in October, batting .347 during the postseason to help Houston capture their second World Series championship.

Following the 2022 Season, the Astros chose not to re-sign Gurriel. As an Astro, Gurriel compiled 866 hits, a .319 batting title (2021), and two World Series championships.

Mike Nesmith, one of the members of the Monkees, has passed away today.  He was 78 Years Old.

Nesmith was cast as one of the members of the Monkees, a show on NBC, designed to capitalize of Beatlemania, specifically a weekly variation of Hard Day’s Night.  It was a monster smash, with the group churning out hits, but behind the scenes, Nesmith and other members of the group wanted musical freedom, which they would eventually obtain.

Nesmith, who played bass in the group, was a visionary and drove the group to write and perform their own music, and most notably, he wrote “Mary Mary” for the group.  He also wrote “Different Drum”, a song that was rejected by the rest of the group, and would be given to Linda Ronstadt and her group, the Stone Ponies. 

The Monkees broke up, and Nesmith embarked on a solo career, but it did not generate many sales.  Where he was successful, was in the video medium, as shown by one of his early music videos when the idea was still novel.  He would later put together a program called “Pop Clips” of music videos for Nickelodeon, which would be the impetus for MTV.

Nesmith would also become a movie producer, having funded films such as “Repo Man” and “Tapeheads”.

We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to extend our condolences to the fans, friends and family of Mike Nesmith.

Last night, former Denver Broncos Wide Receiver, Demaryius Thomas, was found dead in his home in Georgia.  He was only 33 years old.

It is not known at this time how he passed, only that according to the police, it might have resulted from a medical issue.

A First Team All-ACC Selection from Georgia Tech, the Broncos selected him in the First Round (22^nd Overall) in the 2010 Draft.  Thomas would become Denver’s top Wide Receiver, exceeding 1,000 Yards five years in a row (2012-16) and was chosen for four Pro Bowls.  He also helped the Broncos win Super Bowl 50, and set a then record 13 Receptions in Super Bowl XLVIII.  He retired after brief stops in Houston and the New York Jets, and left the game with 9,763 Yards and 63 Touchdowns.  He is currently second all-time in Receiving Yards for the Broncos. 

We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to extend our condolences to the fans, family and friends of Demaryius Thomas.