Committee Chairman

Priest Holmes to the KC Chiefs HOF

Mar 04, 2014

The Kansas City Chiefs have announced that the 44^th Member of their Hall of Fame will be their former Running Back, Priest Holmes. Holmes was undrafted in 1997 coming out of the University of Texas, but was signed as a free agent by the Baltimore Ravens. He won the starting role in 1998 and hit the 1,000 Yard Rushing mark, but lost it to Jamal Lewis the following year. As the backup Running Back, Holmes won a Super Bowl with the Ravens in Super Bowl XXXV, though only had 12 Yards from scrimmage in the game. Priest Holmes would sign with the Kansas City Chiefs, and it was safe to say that not that much was expected of him. Their expectations were wrong!

In his first year at Arrowhead, Holmes would become the first undrafted player to become the NFL’s leading rusher finishing with 1,555 Yards. He would add another 614 Receiving Yards and would make his first Pro Bowl and First Team All Pro Selection. Holmes would repeat stellar performances the next two years again earning Pro Bowl and First Team All Pro honors though this time leading the NFL in Rushing Touchdowns.

He would remain in Kansas City until the end of his career in 2007, and is still the all-time leading Rusher in Chiefs history with a total of 6,070. We congratulate Priest Holmes on this accolade and congratulate the Kansas City Chiefs for having a classy Hall of Fame. As you would guess; we love that here!

Milan Hejduk Retires

Mar 01, 2014

Published in Not in Hall of Fame News

We apologize, as this retirement slipped right by us. Perhaps we were still in a hangover over Canada’s win in Men’s Hockey in the Olympics. A few days ago, there was another retirement worth reporting on, this time in the world of Hockey.

Milan Hejduk, who did not play this year officially, announced his retirement from professional Hockey. He was drafted by the Quebec Nordiques in 1994 and debuted in the NHL when the team relocated to Colorado in 1998. The Czech born player would play fourteen seasons in the NHL, all for the Avalanche where he would have 805 Points.

His best season was in the 2002-03 Season where he won the Maurice Richard Trophy for the most Goals in a Season and earned Second Team NHL All Star honours an also led the National Hockey League in Plus/Minus. He finishes his career with a respectable 805 career points and a Stanley Cup Ring earned with the Avalanche in 2001. Internationally, he was part of the Czech Republic team that won the Gold Medal in the 1998 Nagano Olympics, and he won a Bronze in Turin in 2006.

We thank Milan Hejduk for his great career, and we look forward to see what he will be up to next!

Pedro Martinez talks about the HOF

Feb 28, 2014

Published in Not in Hall of Fame News

Pedro Martinez thinks he has “a shot” to make the Baseball Hall of Fame. In our opinion, he should have a lot more than that.

The former Cy Young Award winner and World Series Champion with the Boston Red Sox talked with reporters yesterday about the Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame (which he was selected for the 2014 Class) and the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown.

“It’s a great honor to actually go into the Red Sox Hall of Fame,” Martinez said. “I don’t (have) enough words to thank the organization. I’m extremely proud to have been chosen to go into the Hall of Fame, really happy. I think this once again makes me more of a Bostonian than ever. I keep saying I’m a Bostonian, and now, I can’t go away anymore”

Although the Red Sox have been criticized for seemingly inducted everybody into their Hall of Fame, when you become a part of any team’s Hall of Fame that is as well known as the Red Sox, it is an honor. Pedro was selected with Roger Clemens, Nomar Garciaparra and Radio Broadcaster Joe Castiolagone.

Martinez comments on the possibility of the Baseball Hall of Fame, indicated a lot of cautious optimism.

“I’m looking forward to that. There’s only so much I can do. As of now, I’m just like you, hoping and waiting to get another chance to make it in back-to-back years, Boston and then the Hall of Fame. I think I should have a shot, but like I said, it’s not up to me, and I can only hope and wait.”

Martinez should have more than “a shot”. He should be considered a top contender for the Baseball Hall of Fame, and by our accounts should get in. The question is whether or not he gets in on the first ballot or one after.

Javy Lopez to the Braves HOF

Feb 26, 2014

Published in Not in Hall of Fame News

We have a lot that we are working on here at Notinhalloffame.com, one of which is a look at each major franchise’s respective Hall of Fame and Retired Numbers. That won’t be for a while but as you have seen, every time there is an addition to a team’s Hall or a new retired number, we will comment on it here.

Today, the Atlanta Braves have announced the 26^th, 27^th and 28^th members of their Hall of Fame. The biggest name is Javy Lopez, who was their Catcher for parts of twelve seasons playing 1,156 Games for the Atlanta Braves. In that time, the popular Puerto Rican was a three time All Star and in 1996 was the NLCS MVP. The year previously, Lopez was the Catcher on the World Series winning Atlanta Braves team.

Lopez only received 0.2 of the vote when he was first eligible for the Baseball Hall of Fame, but he was well worthy of the Atlanta Braves Hall of Fame. He hit 214 Home Runs for the Braves and had a huge 2003 where he won the Silver Slugger and had an OPS well over one. Career wise with Atlanta he has a more than respectable .839.

Lopez is joined Rabbit Maranville, who had two separate stints with the Boston Braves. He and was inducted into Baseball Hall of Fame in 1954 and was regarded as one of the finest defensive infielders in his era. Offensively he contributed 1,696 Hits for the Braves and would have 2,605 total in his career. This induction shows how Atlanta; unlike other relocated franchises honours its past.

The Braves have also selected Dave Pursely who became the team’s Assistant Trainer when the team was still in Milwaukee in 1961. He would soon be promoted to Head Trainer and serve in that capacity until 2002.

We would like to congratulate all three for entering the Atlanta Braves Hall of Fame.