Brad was just your average little boy growing up in West Virginia until his grandfather gave him a guitar one day. At 8 years old, he was being taught how to play it. By 9, he was performing in events around town. By 13, he was writing songs and playing in adult bands. After that he got asked to join one of the oldest country music radio shows around, where he opened for the likes of (1992 inductee) George Jones, (2018 inductee) Ricky Skaggs, and (2021 inductees) The Judds. After completing University and getting a songwriting deal, Brad got his own recording contract and made his radio debut in 1999. What came over the next two decades plus was a huge career for one of the most beloved artists in the modern Nashville industry. He was able to be one of the few truly comedic artists with great songs of humor, while also recording some of the most loveable and heartbreaking songs in country music history. He has two decades of well-remembered songs, 3 Grammy awards, 14 ACM awards, and 14 CMA awards (including getting the Entertainer Of The Year in 2010). He also co-hosted the CMA Awards with Carrie Underwood for eleven years in a row, while also being one of the most nominated artists in the history of the CMA awards. Even though his radio career tapered off in the mid-2010s, he continues to record songs and dip his toe into other areas (including recently releasing his own bourbon brand). Someday, another notch in his belt will be getting into the Country Music Hall Of Fame, though that is still a few years off.

As we are deep into the NHL Playoffs, we already know that Ryan Getzlaf will not be returning next year, and the suspicions are strong that Joe Thornton and Zdeno Chara will also be hanging up the skates.  We can officially add Jason Spezza to the list as the forward announced his retirement and will be moving into a front office role with the Maple Leafs as a Special Assistant to General Manager, Kyle Dubas.

Spezza was the second overall pick in the 2001 Draft, chosen by the Ottawa Senators and selected behind Ilya Kovalchuk.  Braking out in 2005-06 with a 90 Point Season, Spezza followed that with 87 and 92 Point years respectively, and was a top player on a contending team, though Ottawa continuously struggled in the playoffs.  An All-Star twice (2008 & 2012), Spezza requested a trade to a contender in 2014, and he was dealt to Dallas.  He concluded his career by signing with Toronto in 2019 as a Free Agent, where he provided a veteran presence on a team chasing the Stanley Cup.

Spezza retires with 995 Points over a nineteen-year career.  Eligible for the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2025, Spezza is not likely to gain entrance, but we will definitely place him on our annual list of those to consider for the Hall.

Internationally, Spezza won a Gold Medal (2015) and two Silver Medals (2008 & 2009) representing Canada.

We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to wish Jason Spezza the best in his post-playing career.

A Raven for five years (as of this writing), Mark Andrews has shown excellent value as a former Third Round Pick.

Andrews was low in the depth chart coming out of his rookie camp, but he when he got the ball, he proved that he was a future TE1, cracking 500 Yards as a rookie.  The former Oklahoma Sooner was a Pro Bowl as a sophomore on the strength of an 852 Yard/10 Touchdown season, and while his numbers dipped in 2020, he rebounded with 1,361 Yards and 9 TDs.  Last year, he added a third Pro Bowl.

If Andrews can remain one of the top Tight Ends in the NFL, his ranking will climb up quickly.

Regular visitors of Notinhalloffame.com know that we are slowly working on the top 50 of every major team in the NHL, NBA, NFL and MLB.  Once that is done, we intend to look at how each team honor their past players, coaches and executives.  As such, it is news to us that there will be three new members inducted into the St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame.

The new entrants all enter through different methods.

Matt Holiday was inducted via the fan vote.  Joining the Cardinals in 2009 when he was traded during the season from Oakland, Holliday remained in red until 2016, going to four All-Star Games and winning the Silver Slugger in 2010.  Holliday collected 1,048 Hits, batted .293 and smacked 156 Home Runs for St. Louis.

Julian Javier was elected by the Red Ribbon Committee.  Playing at Second Base for the Redbirds from 1960 to 1971, Javier helped St. Louis win two World Series Championships and was an All-Star in 1968.  Mostly known for his defense, Javier had 1,450 Hits for the Cardinals.

Charles Comiskey was chosen by the DeWitt Ownership Group.  He played First Base and Managed for the forerunners of the Cardinals, the Browns in the 1880s, but he is best own for owning the Chicago White Sox from 1900 to 1931.

The induction ceremony will take place on August 27.

Selfishly, this is one of our favorite franchise Hall of Fames, and we applaud how well the Cardinals have executed it since its exception.

We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to congratulate the newest inductees into the St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame.