Yesterday I looked at the Anaheim Angels of 2002 and realized that none of the players on their roster is likely to reach the Hall of Fame. That got me to thinking, what other teams share this distinction? Here's what I came up with...

 

1981 Los Angeles Dodgers

 

The Dodgers featured a Hall of Fame manager in Tommy Lasorda, but no such players. This was a very deep team however, with a lineup featuring Mike Scioscia, Steve Garvey, Davey Lopes, Ron Cey, Davey Lopes, Bill Russell, Pedro Guerrero and Dusty Baker. Rick Monday and Steve Sax filled in occasionally from the bench. Four of those (Baker, Scioscia, Lopes and Russell) became managers, with Scioscia and Baker opposing each other in the 2002 World Series.

 

The pitching staff consisted of Fernando Valenzuela, Burt Hooten, Bob Welch and Jerry Reuss. Most of you ar eprobably too young to remember Fernando-mania, but let me just state that in a strike-shortened season, Valenzuela racked up eight shutouts as a 20 year old rookie. Valenzuela finished 3-1 in the '81 Playoffs.

 

The Dodgers' success was due to a deep, effective team. None of the players reached the Hall, but many are in the Hall of very good. Garvey may yet reach the Hall as a veterans' committee selection. The Dodgers in 1988 were much the same but did feature one Hall of Famer, Don Sutton.

 

1984 Detroit Tigers

 

Several very good regulars including Kirk Gibson, Alan Trammell, Lou Whitaker, Chet Lemon and Darrell Evans. The team's offense was insanely effective, as only the Red Sox approached their runs scored totals, and the Sox played in the league's most hitting friendly ballpark at the time.

 

The pitching also led the league in runs allowed. Jack Morris was heralded as the team's ace, although he ranked third on the team in ERA. Manager Sparky Anderson gave the majority of his team's innings to his most elite pitchers. Closer Willie Hernandez won both the Cy Young and MVP awards pitching 140 innings with a 1.96 ERA.

 

I do feel Alan Trammell SHOULD be in the Hall, and Whitaker is a dark horse candidate. Many tout Jack Morris as a candidate, although he does not enjoy widespread support.

 

Among recent teams, the 1990 Reds have no current Hall of Famers, but Barry Larkin will likely gain induction. Greg Maddux is a dead lock for the 1995 Braves. The 1997 Marlins depend on the candidacy of Gary Sheffield, while the 2003 Marlins have Pudge Rodriguez. The 1998-2000 will likely see Derek Jeter, the 2001 Diamondbacks have Randy Johnson, and the 2004 Red Sox have Manny Ramirez and Pedro Martinez.

 

The 2002 Anaheim Angels' only hope is Francisco Rodriguez, but he is a very long way away from consideration. Mike Scioscia may yet build a Hall of Fame career as a manager, but if he does not, the Angels may be the only championship team not to yield a Hall of Famer of any kind.

 

Does this occur in other sports?

"Does this occur in other sports?"

 

 

I doubt anyone on the 2004 Detroit Pistons will make the NBA HOF.

As far as football... I think the only team with a shot were the '87 and '91 Redskins. Although, I think Monk, or one of the Hogs, may get in someday.

Just looking at a list of Stanley Cup champions, I'm pretty sure that in at least the last 100 years every team must have had at least 1, especially in the Original 6 era. Maybe Tampa Bay in '04, but I think Andreychuk is pretty much in now and it's possible that someone like St. Louis or Lecavalier could go on to have a HOF calibre career.

Another football could be the current Patriots. They have some great players both old and young, but none that scream HOFer.

 

However, I'm sure a few will get the votes thanks partly to the teams success.

Tom Brady could retire tomorrow and be a strong candidate based on his Super Bowl record.

 

As for last year's Pistons, I want to see where Ben Wallace ends up on the all-time list in rebounds and blocks before I take him out of consideration.

Agreed on Wallace, and of course there's always hope for DARKO~!

That may go down as the all-time worst draft pick ever. Seriously, I think Darko will never be a great player and may tarnish the shine that has been put on all of these foreign-born players.

I think people are giving up way too early on Darco Milicic. He's simply never been given any meaningful playing time. People forget that only 15 players 19 or younger even played in the NBA last year. Most players Darko's age have yet to reach the NBA.

The 1979 Supersonics didn't have a HOF'er, but Dennis Johnson is on the ballot.

I doubt anyone on the 2004 Detroit Pistons will make the NBA HOF.

I bet Larry Brown will.