Norris Hopper was the star quarterback for the Shelby High School Golden Lions (NC) when my son was in high school there. They lost the 1997 2A state championship with him at QB and he played both ways, playing CB on defense as I remember. He played in the 1997 NC Shrine bowl with Julius Peppers.
I'm disappointed Alex Ochoa and Ruben Mateo didn't make at least the outer circle. Also, Jose Guillen got no love and should've! Can you tell I have an affinity for 2000s 5 tool OF who never lived up to their potential? :)
Wily Mo Pena - NO. He hit a homerun on his bobble night so therefore disqualified.
Derek Dietrich - NO. Looked stacked in the sleeveless jerseys in 2019, therefore disqualified.
Pete Rose Jr. - NO. His dad was a legend, therefore disqualified by association. Sorry Pete, jr.
Herm Winningham - NO. Played on the 1990 team and would always keep his batting gloves in his hands running the bases, prompting 10 year old me to do the same in little league. Therefore, he's disqualified.
Billy Bates - NO. Scored the winning run in a World Series game, therefore disqualified.
Chris Stynes/Jon Nunnaly (they’re a duo) - YES! They should share a spot on Mount Rushmore. Played on a forgettable team, had stretches of greatness but never panned out, I remember them but only enough to immediately forget them. We should change the name of the "Obscure Reds Mount Rushmore" to the "Stynes/Nunnaly Mountain."
I was a senior in HS during the 1990 playoffs. I remember reading a newspaper article that inexplicably mentioned that Herm was a smoker. That blew my mind.
I think if you played on a World Series-winning team, you aren't that obscure. That would knock out Winningham and Bates (who also falls out of the Joe Randa rule). Wily Mo is a tough one because he was the next thing for seemingly so long before he wasn't - the Aristides Aquino of the previous era. Nunnally/Stynes definitely count. Petey Jr. out because of the name (like Mike Larkin). Dietrich probably stays in - time will only make him more obscure.
Terry Crowley? No words
And John Vukovich? Who played 3rd b4 Pete ? Only a couple of us know.
Shoutout to Terry Crowley's 1975-76 platoon splits: 152 plate appearances vs. right-handed pitching; 2 plate appearances vs. left-handers.
Two rings!
Oops
Unacceptable. I’m taking my ball, glove, and bat and going home.
Haha. Fair enough.
My pick made Rushmore (Lavarnway); therefore you’re correct and won’t be questioned. Well done.
Norris Hopper was the star quarterback for the Shelby High School Golden Lions (NC) when my son was in high school there. They lost the 1997 2A state championship with him at QB and he played both ways, playing CB on defense as I remember. He played in the 1997 NC Shrine bowl with Julius Peppers.
Bill Plummer
Wily Mo Pena: Not obscure
Derek Dietrich: Not obscure, but may be in 10 years
Pete Rose Jr.: Not obscure
Herm Winningham: Obscure
Billy Bates: Not obscure
Chris Stynes/Jon Nunnaly (they’re a duo): Like JT Walsh and Steven Tobolowski, they're notable for their extreme obscurity, making them ineligible.
I'm disappointed Alex Ochoa and Ruben Mateo didn't make at least the outer circle. Also, Jose Guillen got no love and should've! Can you tell I have an affinity for 2000s 5 tool OF who never lived up to their potential? :)
Wily Mo Pena - NO. He hit a homerun on his bobble night so therefore disqualified.
Derek Dietrich - NO. Looked stacked in the sleeveless jerseys in 2019, therefore disqualified.
Pete Rose Jr. - NO. His dad was a legend, therefore disqualified by association. Sorry Pete, jr.
Herm Winningham - NO. Played on the 1990 team and would always keep his batting gloves in his hands running the bases, prompting 10 year old me to do the same in little league. Therefore, he's disqualified.
Billy Bates - NO. Scored the winning run in a World Series game, therefore disqualified.
Chris Stynes/Jon Nunnaly (they’re a duo) - YES! They should share a spot on Mount Rushmore. Played on a forgettable team, had stretches of greatness but never panned out, I remember them but only enough to immediately forget them. We should change the name of the "Obscure Reds Mount Rushmore" to the "Stynes/Nunnaly Mountain."
I was a senior in HS during the 1990 playoffs. I remember reading a newspaper article that inexplicably mentioned that Herm was a smoker. That blew my mind.
That's pretty crazy!
I don't think this group can be complete without Troy Afenir. And, did I miss him, shouldn't Tom Carroll be here? Or Manny Sarmiento?
They’re so obscure, I forgot them!
These were 99% taken from responses I got on twitter, actually. Will be doing a second version of this HOF soon.
I vote no on Pete Rose Jr. Obscure on his own merits but ya know... not obscure enough. I agree with David Jay's points below.
That’s fair!
I think if you played on a World Series-winning team, you aren't that obscure. That would knock out Winningham and Bates (who also falls out of the Joe Randa rule). Wily Mo is a tough one because he was the next thing for seemingly so long before he wasn't - the Aristides Aquino of the previous era. Nunnally/Stynes definitely count. Petey Jr. out because of the name (like Mike Larkin). Dietrich probably stays in - time will only make him more obscure.
All great points. Maybe we’ll refine the HOF and come up with some actual rules haha
You mean Stephen Larkin.
Mike Larkin played linebacker at Notre Dame.
https://www.millcreeksports.com/dann-bilardello-autographed-official-nl-baseball-reds-expos-sku-225626/