But it never happened. CANTON, Ohio (WJW) The one and only Joe Thomas has officially made the Pro Football Hall of Fame vote for 2023, his first year of eligibility. Kirby PuckettClass of 2001A favorite among his teammates for his personality and play, Puckett truly made the most of his injury-shortened Major League career. 01 May 2023 03:58:09 NBA.com is part of Warner Media, LLCs Turner Sports & Entertainment Digital Network. Hill would have settled for at least a brief return to his pre-injury form. Some prominent figures from South Carolina of Welsh descent included the governor from 1812 to 1814, David Rogerson Williams, and several members of the Welsh Neck Baptist Church who served in the General Assembly in the late 1700s. And I wonder, too, if todays era and generation of players will have a different perspective, will they have more awareness because of social media. 8:00 AM on Jan 20, 2023 CST. He was a 13-time All-Star and won five World Series with the Yankees. So again, I wanted to play with my friends on the freshmen team, who by the way went 22-0 that year, so if I had played with them I might have messed them up (laughing). A more detailed explanation is here along with current odds for players, just know that its based entirely on the NBA and does not take into account college or international experience. That's not to mention his stellar defense as a backstop, for which he won 10 Gold Glove Awards. 4.4 is not track speed 28 Apr 2023 02:49:38 He went into the Hall as a Ranger after spending his first 12 seasons as Texas' backstop, and he would go on to play in two World Series, in 2003 for the Marlins and '06 with the Tigers. David OrtizClass of 2022There were reasons to be skeptical of Ortizs first-ballot chances, including the fact that he spent the vast majority of his career as a designated hitter. Pedro MartinezClass of 2015If it wasn't Johnson, then Martinez was the most dominating pitcher of their era. Paul MolitorClass of 2004Molitor had multiple monikers -- "Molly" and "The Ignitor" to name a few -- over a remarkable 21-year career. Do you still wrestle with the idea of what might have been if you werent injured or do you look back and see nearly 20 years in the league and marvel at how you got through it all? Build your customFanSided Daily email newsletter with news and analysis onPhoenix Suns and all your favorite sports teams, TV shows, and more. Sandy KoufaxClass of 1972Before the left-hander's career was cut short after his age-30 season due to his arthritic elbow, Koufax posted one of the most dominant four-year stretches from 1963-66 for the Dodgers, winning three Cy Young Awards, an NL MVP Award, three Triple Crowns and two World Series MVP Awards. After 12 successful seasons in Baltimore, Murray helped Cleveland to its first World Series in 41 years in '95, then returned to the Orioles for a postseason run in '96. No other player had more than three. If not for multiple ankle injuries interrupting what should have been the prime of his career, Hill might very well have put up career numbers that matched his early profile. NBA.com: When you look back on that decision now and the legacy you left as one the greatest players in Duke and college basketball history on those championship teams, does it register that you are to someone else who Michael Jackson was to you, growing up and idolizing a star player who seemed larger than life? A little more than five years after authoring a record-breaking final season, Ortiz punched his ticket to Cooperstown. With a resume that extends far beyond simply the NBA, Hills Hall of Fame candidacy was never in question. Now David Ortiz has joined this exclusive club. Stan MusialClass of 1969Not only did Stan "The Man" win three NL MVP Awards, three World Series championships and seven batting titles, but he did it all in St. Louis, where he spent his entire 22-year career and became the face of the franchise. Oh, and don't forget about "The Catch.". Hill had a squeaky clean background to go with a flawless game. And hes not necessarily wrong given LeBrons penchant for racking up triple-doubles and defending multiple positions. Additionally, he was named one of five independent directors to the NCAAs Board of Governors in 2019, and the NBA Retired Players Association named Grant a board member and an officer. Announced in December, two distinct modifications have been made to the election process. What made you split the middle and go with Duke? Grant Hill is in the Hall of Fame because of the Phoenix Suns. Steve CarltonClass of 1994Carlton, one of baseball's most decorated southpaws, won four Cy Young Awards, a pitching Triple Crown and two World Series titles. Grant managed to play in only 18 games total in his first two seasons in Orlando, and missed the entire 2003-04 season due to injury. Rod CarewClass of 1991Carew split his 19-year career between the Angels and Twins -- both of which have retired his No. The term has become known as a way to I was just getting ready to come into the league and youre coming off your college stuff, and it just doesnt seem like college was 20 years ago or whatever it was. WebErected high on a hill above the Gunpowder River Valley, Perry Hall Mansion dominated life in northeastern Baltimore County in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. And I think thats when it really hit me that Ive got a chance to play at a major Division I school. Thats why it matters that Grant Hill is in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. LOS ANGELES - The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced today, at NBA All-StarWeekend, eight phenomenal players, three standout coaches, one exceptional referee, and one record-setting team as finalists from the North American and Womens committees to be considered for election in 2018. The following is a list of players who immediately made the semifinals and their current Hall of Fame status. A winner of four straight Cy Young Awards and a finalist three other times, Maddux was the No. To be named a Finalist for the Basketball Hall of Fame is an incredible distinction and we are proud to honor those who have made a tremendous impact on the game over the years, said Jerry Colangelo, Chairman of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. In 2000, Hill had signed a seven-year, $93 million contract with the Magic as part of a sign-and-trade (he was to be paired up with Tracy McGrady who too signed a seven-year $93 million deal). Hill: (Laughing) Exactly. As a rebounder, he remained right on par averaging 7.2 rebounds per-36 minutes with Detroit, 5.5 rp-36 with Orlando, and 5.7 rp-36 with Phoenix. I took one visit, one official visit, and when I came back from it I knew thats where I wanted to be. 1 Draft choice in history to reach the Hall of Fame. NBA.com is part of Warner Media, LLCs Turner Sports & Entertainment Digital Network, *Translations are limited to select pages, There arent many people who get anointed to carry the crown of being the face of the league. During his senior season he crushed the course record at Herring Run Hall of Once frustrated by injuries, Hill's focus is now on the good of his career. All picks and predictions are suggestions only. NEWARK, NJ - FEBRUARY 28: Steve Nash #13 and Grant Hill #33 of the Phoenix Suns stay focused during the game against the New Jersey Nets on October 31, 2010 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. What if instead of Magic and Michael, we looked to Grant Hill, a 68 wing with point guard skills that could also go and get his. Had he happened to have played in all 574 possible games over those seven years, he would have earned an average of $162,021 per game.). His 521 homers are tied for 20th on the all-time list, and his 18 grand slams were second only to Lou Gehrig's 23 at the time. I dont know, Hill recently told Sekou Smith of NBA.com. Defensively versatile and offensively adept, Molitor hit .306 over 12,167 plate appearances and logged 50 or more games at designated hitter, third base, second, first, shortstop and in the outfield. Grant Hill - Hall of Famer?A LayupDrill.com ExclusiveHall of Fame Consideration for Mr. Nice Guy. The 2018 Hall of Fame inductee has continued to shine since retirement. Hill lives in Orlando with his wife, Tamia, a 7-time Grammy-nominated singer, and their two daughters. Yet Tarkenton was also a "quality" passer, as his 80.4 passing rating that placed him in the upper echelon in that category demonstrates. Your default site has been set for 7 days. Of course his scoring statistics were never as high as they were with the Pistons, and although lower than they were with Orlando, not that much lower (Hill averaged 19.9 points per-36 minutes for Detroit, 18.3 pp-36 with Orlando, and 14.5 pp-36 with Phoenix). Jim ThomeClass of 2018The blue-collar slugger from Peoria, Ill., was drafted in the 13th round by Cleveland in 1989 and went on to headline an era defined by power with 612 home runs, the eighth-most all-time. That has to be a hard thing to shake, what could have or should have been? John SmoltzClass of 2015Smoltz became arguably his era's most versatile pitcher. Upon his return, he had three more 20-win seasons and finished with a 3.25 career ERA. Over his 18 seasons, he posted a .328/.415/.443 slash line. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER. He also earned National Defensive Player of the Year, ACC Player of the Year and first-team All-American honors as a Blue Devil. Like when I finished up at Duke and went into the NBA, I was kind of like the big brother. Pujols is a lock in that respect, with his magical run late in '22 (including reaching the 700-homer mark) just the icing on the cake. Brooks RobinsonClass of 1983Robinson won an AL MVP Award in 1964 and was an 18-time All-Star, but was best known for setting the defensive standard at third base, where he became known as "The Human Vacuum Cleaner" and won 16 consecutive Gold Glove Awards. During his remarkable 1972 campaign, he compiled a 1.97 ERA and struck out 310 batters over 346 1/3 innings and remains the last pitcher to exceed 300 innings in a single season ('80). Wir verwenden Cookies um Inhalte und Anzeigen zu personalisieren, um Social-Media-Funktionen zur Verfgung zu stellen und unseren Traffic zu analysieren. So that was a huge confidence booster. Breaking down the Golden State-Los Angeles matchup with 3 things to watch, 1 X-factor and a series prediction. Like I said, my confidence prior to my freshman year of high school to after my freshman year was night and day. The outstanding numbers he put up in Detroit were far in the rear-view mirror for many fans, and eventually Hills run in Orlando would be labeled a disappointment. All The two-time Cy Young Award winner and the '68 NL MVP Award winner quite literally changed the game. Roy HalladayClass of 2019Halladay won the Cy Young Award twice in his career, in 2003 with the Blue Jays and '10 with the Phillies. Through individual accomplishments, and critically, elevating their teams, the players below each had a career that was deemed to be significant enough that the Selection Committee moved them to the front of the line. I was elite, for a period of time, you know. This is all from a player who picked up baseball as a summertime hobby, and who nearly opted for a career in basketball. Walter JohnsonClass of 1936Baseball's all-time leader in shutouts (110) and runner-up in wins (417), Johnson was the only member of the 3,000-strikeout club for nearly 51 years after amassing a then-record 3,508 during his 21-year career, winning three Triple Crowns and two MVP Awards. WebRT @CalFootball: In honor of this years NFL Draft in Kansas City, lets throw it back to 1997 when our first-ballot Hall of Famer @TonyGonzalez88 was selected 13th overall by the @Chiefs #ProBears . When the sun set on Hills sixth season and he decided to sign with the Orlando Magic, he had career averages of 21.6 points, 7.9 rebounds and 6.3 assists per game which at that point, had only been matched by Oscar Robertson through six seasons. Hill also served as his teams primary scorer, leading the Pistons in each of his first six seasons while topping out at 25.8 points per game his final season in Detroit. George BrettClass of 1999Brett, a Kansas City legend, enjoyed a run of sustained success that included batting titles in three decades (1976, '80, '90). When describing LeBron James, those are the words that noted NBA commentator Michael Wilbon has expressed time and again. Ripken's streak of 2,632 consecutive games played is likely one that won't ever be matched. For me actually, when I retired and people start talking about where you fit and the Hall of Fame and things like that, you slow down a little bit and contemplate your basketball life, so to speak. And as our communication increased, phone calls and mail, and then going and taking official visits my junior year of high school, it was just something about him I believed in and I wanted to be a part of that program. Still, Jeter's Hall of Fame career included 14 All-Star appearances and five World Series titles. Up until high school I played soccer, basketball and whatever and I was a fan, more a fan of college basketball. Your mom wanted you to go to Georgetown and your dad wanted you to go to North Carolina. The second reform to Hall of Fame eligibility requires coaches to have coached for 25 years and reached the minimum age of 60. Micah Adams is an Assistant Managing Editor at The Sporting News. Babe RuthClass of 1936The Bambino's powerful left-handed swing and 714 homers ushered baseball out of the Dead Ball Era, and the former ace pitcher and home run king's larger-than-life persona transcended the limits of the baseball field and cemented his place not only in baseball lore, but also in American legend. Thomas was a back-to-back AL MVP Award winner from 1993-94 for the White Sox, with whom he played for 16 of his 19 big league seasons. I dont know. Your favorite teams, topics, and players all on your favorite mobile devices. Hill is also a part of the ownership group, led by Tony Ressler, that purchased the Atlanta Hawks in June of 2015, keeping him engaged in the game on several different levels. Tickets for the various Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2018 Enshrinement events are on sale atwww.hoophall.com. The people who vote for the HoF fill in what are called ballots, where they decide who they think should be He was a stellar role player, great in every locker room he set foot in and one of the leagues best ambassadors off the court. A typical Hall of Famer was dominant at their position during their playing career, but First Ballot Hall of Famers separated themselves into the conversation for the best of all-time. Hill: Yes, then came my freshman year of high school. NBA.com: The environment then seems so much different than what it is for the elite high school players now. He also was particularly critical during Minnesota's World Series championship runs in 1987 and '91, hitting .309/.361/.536 over 24 playoff games. With high-90s velocity and a baffling changeup, Martinez won the Cy Young Award in both leagues -- one of just six pitchers to do so -- over a career headlined mostly by his time in Montreal and Boston. Is Grant Hill in the Hall of Fame? Hills Hall of Fame case was bolstered by the combination of the quality and length of his NBA career, as well as his spectacular college career. He won 13 straight Gold Glove Awards from 1980-92 and was an All-Star in all but one season in that stretch. Follow along with Commander Country as we keep you up to date with all firings, hirings, and breaking news in the NFL The promise and optimism that surrounded Hill when he arrived in the league 14-years ago is gone, and even if he does win a NBA title this season, Grant will come up just short of a Hall of Fame career. Previous finalists included again this year for consideration are four-time NBA All-StarMaurice Cheeks, the only coach in NCAA history to be named Conference Coach of the Year in four different conferencesCharles Lefty Driesell, 28-year NBA refereeHugh Evans, two-time NCAA National Championship Coach of BaylorKim Mulkey, two-time NBA Champion coachRudy Tomjanovich, five-time NBA All-StarChris Webberand 10-time AAU National ChampionsWayland Baptist University. I was an All-Star, I thought I should have been MVP but another guy on my team got it. But at that point you are measuring yourself against the so-called best in the country and not just in your neighborhood or your neck of the woods. And it was a little different for him growing up in Oakland and the Bay Area. A First Ballot Hall of Famer is a player who is elected to the Hall of Fame on his first appearance on the BBWAA ballot. Back in the day youd go to the local high school and watch the game and he was like this amazing player. Sekou Smith is a veteran NBA reporter and NBA TV analyst. Ken Griffey Jr.Class of 2016As the son of a successful 19-year big leaguer, the No. Honus WagnerClass of 1936Considered by many to be the greatest shortstop in baseball history, Wagner won eight batting titles in his 21-year career, primarily for his hometown Pittsburgh Pirates, and was not only one of the best hitters and baserunners of the era, but also an able defender at virtually every position. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. And then he received a call from Phoenix Suns General Manager Steve Kerr. If Penny and Grant dont get hurt, those are the two guys back in their day that everyone wants to play like.. Carrying the mantle as his teams top scorer and distributor? The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy. An eight-time NL batting champion, Gwynn is one of few to sniff the .400 batting average mark since Ted Williams in 1941, clipping .394 in '94. In 2017 as the Twins' skipper, Molitor joined Frank Robinson as the only Hall of Famers to be elected as players and go on to win the Manager of the Year Award. A 12-time All-Star, Winfield hit 465 home runs and is a member of the 3,000-hit club. By Evan Grant. Having made the playoffs six times prior (four with Detroit and one with both Orlando and Phoenix), 2010 was the only opportunity Hill ever had to perform both in the Semifinals and Conference Finals in his career. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. And R.J. was on his visit and I think his parents were more excited to see me than he was. For more information, please read our Legal Disclaimer. Things like All-Star selections, championships and league-wide finishes on various stat leaderboards all factor into the equation. Peak ability comparable to Kobe, the pre-cursor to LeBron and a likely Hall of Famer just six seasons in Grant Hill, take a bow. So I sat with J-Kidd recently and one of the amazing things his career was amazing and he solidified everything he was able to accomplish with the numbers and the championship and just a stellar, long career. Elected to the Duke University Board of Trustees in 2021, Hillserves on the Undergraduate Education Committee. No one should expect to make money from the picks and predictions discussed on this website. 7/2/2021 12:30:00 PM. Hank AaronClass of 1982Hammerin' Hank hit 30 homers in a season 15 times and topped the .300 mark 14 times in a consistent career that the 25-time All-Star selection capped by breaking Babe Ruth's homer record in 1974 to seize the title of baseball's home run king until 2007. NBA.com: So much has been made over the years about you choosing Duke for college. Mike SchmidtClass of 1995Schmidt excelled with both his bat -- he led the NL in home runs eight times -- and his glove -- he won 10 Gold Glove Awards -- during his Hall of Fame career. WebRT @CalFootball: In honor of this years NFL Draft in Kansas City, lets throw it back to 1997 when our first-ballot Hall of Famer @TonyGonzalez88 was selected 13th overall by the @Chiefs #ProBears . WebGrant Hill weighed 225 lbs (102 kg) when playing. The son of former NFL Pro Bowl running back Calvin Hill and Janet Hill, Grant Hill insists hes best known to the new generation of basketball fans for his work as an analyst for Turner Sports NBA and March Madness coverage. NBA.com: You mentioned your healthy years in Detroit and it must seem like another lifetime. Wisconsins Joe Thomas was 33 , but he stayed at left tackle and become a first-ballot Hall of Famer. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2011 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images). I didnt want to play varsity as a freshman. The Class of 2018 will be announced on Saturday, March 31 at a press conference in San Antonio prior to the NCAA Mens Final Four. He went on to play more games at first base (2,413) than any player in history, winning three Gold Glove Awards there. And when Grant Hill came in he was basically anointed by the league, players and everyone, he was anointed to be the next face of the league, former Pistons great and Hall of Famer Isiah Thomas said after Hill was announced as one of the selections for the, . Frank RobinsonClass of 1982Robinson tied a rookie record with 38 homers as he won the 1956 NL Rookie of the Year Award and became the first player to win an MVP Award in both leagues -- for the Reds and Orioles -- before he later became the first African-American manager in MLB history. His name? Ive said this before, but if he and Penny Hardaway hadnt gotten hurt and had to deal with the injuries they did during their careers, the bar for imagery, in terms of the player you wanted to be like if you were 6-7 or 6-8, it would have been those two guys, Thomas said. In 2007, the same probably could have been said about Orlando Magic small forward Grant Hill. The 10-time All-Star launched 541 home runs, plus 17 more in the postseason, and posted a ridiculous 1.372 World Series OPS during three Red Sox championship runs. I didnt get a chance to see it through, to see what could have been. One of the most accomplished NBA and college players of his generation, Grant Hill was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame as a first-ballot member of the 2018 class. But then when this all came about and I got that call (from the Hall of Fame), you realize that you might have suppressed some things. This years list includes six first-time finalists: two-time NBA ChampionRay Allen, two-time NCAA ChampionGrant Hill, 10-time NBA All-StarJason Kidd, two-time NBA MVPSteve Nash,three-time Olympic gold medalistKatie Smithand four-time WNBA ChampionTina Thompson. Rickey HendersonClass of 2009"Transcendent" would be one of the few words aptly used to describe Henderson, whose 1,406 career stolen bases are a Major League record likely to never be broken. Willie McCoveyClass of 1986McCovey terrorized the NL for the majority of 22 seasons, leading the Senior Circuit in homers three times and winning the 1969 NL MVP Award. Ivan RodriguezClass of 2017"Pudge," as he became iconically known, was a 14-time All-Star and 13-time Gold Glove Award winner, both benchmarks for catchers in MLB history. Herrin native Steve Fisher up for Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame By Associated Press updated: 12/22/2017 2:39 PM Two-time NBA MVP Steve Nash, fellow star point guard Jason Kidd, Grant Hill and Ray Allen are among six first-year candidates for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Jim PalmerClass of 1990Palmer became destined for greatness early on. He spoke with NBA.com about his journey from the Washington D.C. suburbs to his college and pro days and now Springfield, where the Hall of Fame class will be enshrined Sept. 7: NBA.com: Do you look back at your basketball life, from high school to Duke to the NBA and nearly two decades in the league, and feel like it went by in a flash? Just the Quarterback and Running Back positions account for 35% of First Ballot inductees. Which positions are most often honored on the first ballot? Hill: The context of why my parents felt that way is pretty interesting. Even with the injured years, you lasted 19 years. Theres also a sense of real pride to know that I played a part in the legacy of those teams. How might we remember Hill? ", Watch more top videos, highlights, and B/R original content, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Three batting titles, a Triple Crown, an AL MVP Award and 18 All-Star appearances helped Yaz earn a place beside Williams in Red Sox lore. He is the first former Blue Devils player to receive Hall of Fame honors. To fully articulate Hills dominance at his zenith, well play a different what if game. Offensive guard Jim Parker was taken with the eighth overall pick in the 1957 NFL Draft by the Baltimore Colts, and 16 years later Parker was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. WebHill played college ball at Duke University where he was the NABC Defensive Player of the Year in 1993 as well as a Second Team All-America that same year, and a unanimous During that 1996-97 season, Hill finished third in league in total win shares while averaging .223 win shares per 48 minutes. MC5, a six-time Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nominee, revs up for first album in 51 years and new tour Guitarist Wayne Kramer, who leads the new edition of the band, likens its mission to Paul Reveres. Additionally, Grant has substantial on-site responsibilities during the TNT broadcast of the NCAA March to the Final Four and their coverage of the NBA Playoffs. All-and-all, Hills suddenly healthy body coupled with the blessing of playing with Steve Nash, both resurrected a once seemingly lost career, while also allowing him to both play long enough and compile enough statistics to impress Hall of Fame voters in a first-ballot selection. MC5, a six-time Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nominee, revs up for first album in 51 years and new tour Guitarist Wayne Kramer, who leads the new edition of the band, likens its mission to Paul Reveres. Im in Detroit and youve got Elton Brand and Shane Battier and Corey Maggette and that whole crew and Jeff Capel, Im not that far removed in terms of my age differential from those guys. The two-time AL MVP Award winner, two-time Triple Crown winner and six-time AL batting champion also served in the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps for three years of his prime and later served in the Korean War. During those broadcasts, Grant opines on issues of the past week in the NBA and provides contemporaneous commentary on that night's 10-12 NBA games while in progress. I dont know, some of these kids were born after I was healthy in Detroit, and its crazy. This change will take effect in 2020, allowing a grace period for coaches who are nearing Hall of Fame eligibility based on previous standards. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. In order to fully appreciate his transcendent talent and ahead of his official enshrinement into the Basketball Hall of Fame, lets examine Hills prime relative to some of the games biggest stars. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. Copyright 2020-2023 FutureFootballLegends.com. Kevon Looney's historically elite rebounding provided separation in a winner-take-all Game 7. Ty CobbClass of 1936Often described as the greatest hitter of all time, the ferociously competitive Cobb received the most Hall of Fame votes of the five enshrined in the inaugural ballot after winning 12 batting titles and hitting .366 in his career -- both still Major League records. WebList of first ballot hall of famers (NBA players only) George Mikan Ed Macauley Andy Phillip Bob Cousy Bob Pettit Bill Russell Elgin Baylor Wilt Chamberlain Jerry Lucas Oscar Robertson Jerry West Bill Bradley John Havlicek Elvin Hayes Julius Erving Bill Walton I certainly wasnt thinking NBA or anything like the Hall of Fame back then, you didnt go there. 28 Apr 2023 02:49:38 Athletics But ultimately, Big Papis huge numbers at the plate, his postseason greatness and what he meant to Boston swayed enough voters to get him over the 75% threshold on his first try. The Honors Committee now has the challenging task of selecting this years Enshrinees, which we look forward to announcing at the NCAA Final Four in San Antonio.. Jeter's trophy case also includes five Gold Glove Awards, five Silver Sluggers, the 2000 World Series MVP Award and the 1996 AL Rookie of the Year Award. Regardless of where you stand on Bryant, its undeniable that hes generally viewed higher on the pecking order than Hill when it comes to pure ability between the lines. After missing 65.3% of possible games with the Orlando Magic, in his five full seasons in Phoenix, Hill missed only 8.8% (35 games), and even tied for the league-lead in games played (82), in 2008-09, only the second time in his career he appeared in every game in a season, the first being the 1998-99 lockout shortened year (50 games). I idolized him, really before I even really knew about college basketball. Tony GwynnClass of 2007In terms of pure hitting acumen and ability, Gwynn is recognized as perhaps the greatest ever. Hill: Its funny you say that. Of course it helps that fellow future Hall of Famer Steve Nash was running the show, but in Phoenix, Hill, already 35-years-old when the 2007-08 season began, was able to stay healthy, and using his versatility with regained confidence in his ankle and body, stepped in as the rosters fourth best player, rebranding himself as a solid defender and consummate professional who accepted his status as a role player, scoring points only when Nash found him for a shot. He was enshrined with an 85.2 percent vote. It doesnt seem like I just started playing varsity at [South Lakes High in Reston, Va.] over 30 years ago. Mickey MantleClass of 1974The longtime center fielder set a high bar for switch-hitters, winning three AL MVP Awards, a Triple Crown and seven World Series during the Yankees' dynasty in the 1950s and '60s.
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