Pro Football legend, Curley Culp passed away today due to complications from pancreatic cancer.  He was 75 years old.

Culp announced earlier in the month that he had stage 4 cancer.

Known for his raw strength, Culp was an All-American at Arizona State.  The Denver Broncos took him with their Second Round Pick in 1968, but they considered him a bad fit, and too short to make it in the NFL.  They traded him to the Kansas City Chiefs, and a year later, he was named an AFL All-Star, and was a large part of the team that won Super Bowl IV.  With Kansas City, he also was a Pro Bowl Selection, earning that in 1971.

The Nose Tackle was traded to Houston in 1974, and he became the heart of a potent Oilers 3-4 Defense that was made for Culp’s skills.  Stronger than ever, Culp was named to four consecutive Pro Bowls with the Oilers (1975-78), and was the runner-up for the AP Defensive Player of the Year in 1975.  Playing until 1981, Culp has been called by many pundits as the greatest Nose Tackle of all-time.

Culp was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2013, and is also a member of the Kansas City Chiefs Hall of Fame and Arizona State Athletic Hall of Fame.

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

David Eckstein came to SoCal in late 2000 as a waiver claim from the Red Sox, a transaction that initially barely registered as a blip on the radar. At 5' 6" and drafted in the 19th round, he didn't fit the physical profile of a major league shortstop, but he immediately provided a brand of high-frequency hustle that fundamentally changed the energy of the clubhouse.

After earning a spot on the 2001 Opening Day roster, Eckstein showed the ability to generate chaos on the basepaths, batting .285 with 29 stolen bases. He quickly proved to be a professional mainstay, finishing fourth in the Rookie of the Year voting and winning over the fan base with a playing style that involved getting hit by more pitches than most players see in a career.

Eckstein reached a historic impact during the 2002 campaign, setting a standard for "unconventional" dominance. He mastery of the leadoff role, batting .293 and breaking franchise records with eight home runs, including grand slams in consecutive games. He played a key role in the World Series win, finishing 11th in MVP voting and leading in hit-by-pitches and sacrifice hits. During this peak, he was a symbol of the team's resilience and a foundation for the "Thunder Sticks" era.

Between 2001 and 2004, he was a high-volume contributor, surpassing 150 hits three times and hard to strike out. Though lacking elite arm strength, he demonstrated reliability, leading AL shortstops in fielding percentage in 2004.

The exit from Orange County after the 2004 season was a business decision that famously led one columnist to write that the team had "shot Bambi." As a free agent, Eckstein sought a multi-year commitment, but the Angels chose to move in a different direction by signing Orlando Cabrera to a larger deal. Eckstein became a specialized fit elsewhere, signing a three-year contract with the St. Louis Cardinals, where he would eventually win another World Series ring and a World Series MVP award.

Eckstein accumulated 614 hits, 219 runs, and a 2002 World Series ring as an Angel.

Spending the first six years of his career as a California Angel, Gary Pettis was a blur of speed that immediately redefined the limits of what a center fielder could cover. Drafted as a late-round flyer, he operated as a specialized defensive wizard whose legs were his greatest asset both on the paths and in the grass.

After a brief introduction to the big leagues, Pettis seized the starting center field job in 1984 and turned the position into a highlight-reel theater. He demonstrated a high-caliber ability to track down fly balls that seemed destined for the wall, using his elite speed to shrink the outfield. This early stretch established a high-quality floor, proving that even with a limited bat, his field value made him a professional mainstay for a team with championship aspirations.

Pettis peaked between 1985- 1986, earning consecutive Gold Glove Awards. In 1986, he led the league with 22 Total Zone Runs, crucial for the Angels' division win. While nearly powerless at the plate, he was a constant threat on base, ranking second in stolen bases for three straight years, swiping 145 bases in three seasons and causing pitchers to lose focus.

While he was a technical marvel in center field, rarely committing an error and frequently robbing home runs, his offensive efficiency remained a recurring concern. He showed the organization a specialized resilience despite his struggles to stay above the "Mendoza Line" in batting average, relying on his ability to draw walks to keep his on-base percentage respectable.

After the 1987 season, the Angels traded Pettis to the Detroit Tigers in exchange for pitcher Dan Petry. The move cleared the way for the arrival of Chili Davis and allowed a young Devon White to transition to center field.  Pettis had 186 stolen bases, 467 hits, and two Gold Gloves as an Angel.

Scot Shields was initially seen as a low-ceiling prospect after the 38th round but defied expectations to become a key reliever in the franchise's most successful era. He served as the vital "bridge" to Troy Percival and Francisco Rodriguez for ten seasons, demonstrating that a specialized sinker can outweigh a high draft pick.

Debuting in 2001, Shieldshe played a supporting role on the 2002 World Series Championship team; it was his work over the following years that cemented his legacy. Shields demonstrated a high-frequency ability to enter games with runners on base and neutralize threats with a heavy sinker that felt like a bowling ball to opposing hitters.

Between 2004 and 2008, authoring a five-year run of volume that was essentially unprecedented for a setup man. He showed a high-caliber stamina by appearing in at least 60 games in each of those seasons, exceeding 70 appearances in three consecutive years from 2005 to 2007. He was a tactical weapon for Mike Scioscia, often pitching multiple innings to protect a lead. This high-volume output turned him into a perennial secret weapon, as he consistently finished near the top of the league in holds and relief innings pitched.

Shoelds played until 2010, retiring as a career Angel.  Over his career, Shields accumulated 21 Saves and had 114 Games Finished.