Results tagged “halloffame”

Yesterday, we mentioned our local papers honoring Michael Jordan on his induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame (being televised this afternoon by ESPN, 5:30 p.m.) along with other greats John Stockton, David Robinson, Vivian Stringer, and Jerry Sloan. But, for Chicago, it's mostly about His Royal Airness. And ESPN has the perfect Friday distraction for you in the form of this collection of 23 videos celebrating his biggest moments [via GB].

In celebration of Michael Jordan's induction to the Basketball Hall of Fame tomorrow, both the Tribune and Sun-Times have created an extensive special Michael Jordan Tributes. Both feature a collection of articles, columns, photos, and videos that trace MJ's life from his childhood, to his standout college career, to his illustrious run in the NBA, his detours for the Olympics and minor league baseball, as well as life in the executive suite. So go ahead and waste your workday reminiscing about the best basketball player we're likely to ever see, as well as the one who brought six championships to town.

On Friday, Michael Jordan finally assumes his rightful place in the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts. Leading up to his enshrinement, the Trib asks what we can only assume is a rhetorical question, "Is MJ the best ever?" Sure, we may be a teeny bit biased here in Chicago. But we still pick MJ over the likes of Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, and Oscar Robertson. So would former Bulls assistant coach Johnny Bach, "I saw Oscar Robertson and Russell play. I coached against Wilt (in college). The idolatry Michael experienced would send anybody else off spinning. But he continued to produce."

Former Cub, dangerous sneezer, and corker - not to mention prolific home run hitter - Sammy Sosa claims he will soon announce his formal retirement from baseball. Sosa hasn't played a game since 2007 when he was with the Texas Rangers. As to the question on everyone's minds - did he use performance-enhancing drugs - Sosa side-stepped the issue, saying:

If ever there was a candidate for first ballot selection to a Hall of Fame, Michael Jordan defined it. As the most dominant player of a generation and perhaps the best to ever play the sport of basketball, it's no surprise that the former Bulls shooting guard will join the 2009 class for induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame -- his first year eligible.

Former Chicago Bear great Richard Dent will have to wait another year before entering the Pro Football Hall of Fame as, despite being a finalist, he was not among the six people elected to the Hall this year. Dent played 12 seasons with the Bears (1983 - 1993, 1995) and was a four-time Pro Bowl selection. Oh, and there was that whole Super Bowl XX MVP thing, too. The six people elected to the Hall this year were Bruce Smith, Rod Woodson, Bob Hayes, Randall McDaniel, Derrick Thomas and Bills owner Ralph Wilson.

Today, one of the greatest pitcher of our generation announced his retirement at baseball's Winter Meetings in his hometown of Las Vegas.

Another year, another egregious passing-over of Cubs legend Ron Santo for the Hall of Fame by Major League Baseball's Veterans Committee. Only former Yankee and Indian player Joe Gordon was selected to be inducted in the Hall. Santo needed 48 votes to earn entrance but only got 39. While Santo only hit a career .277, he had 342 home runs in an era when hitting 30 homers in a season was actually a big deal - and he did it three times. The nine-time All Star spent 14 seasons with the Cubs and his final season with the White Sox.

The Tribune is reporting that longtime newspaperman, historian, Baseball Hall-of-Famer and Chicago native Jerome Holtzman has passed away over the weekend from a major stroke at the age of 82.

Organizers are rolling out today renderings for the 16-Inch Softball Hall of Fame -- in a bricks and mortar format. Currently, the Hall of Fame only exists on the web.

This afternoon, the Cubs and San Diego Padres face off in the final Hall of Fame Game -- an exhibition held annually since 1940 at Doubleday Field in Cooperstown, New York.

Since 1940, two Major League Baseball teams have been honored each year with an invitation to play in the Hall of Fame Game -- an in-season exhibition game held in Cooperstown, New York. But because of the increasing complexity of fitting the "off day" game into teams' schedules, the 2008 game will be the final one.

Who among us hasn't accidentally forgotten to do something that we then really feel guilty about? Like maybe failing to call our Mom on her birthday? Or forgetting to include one of our favorites on our Hall of Fame ballot and almost seeing him forever dropped from the ballot?

Major League Baseball's annual election results will be announced today, and a couple of former Chicago players hope to cross the magic threshold from paying customers to inductees in Cooperstown. Voted on by the Baseball Writers of America, players become eligible five years after retiring and must receive votes on 75 percent of ballots.