As documented in Episode 175 of the Baseball Brew Crew Podcast, we selected our 2024 Baseball Brew Crew Diamond Icons.
Of 18 nominees and a randomized head-to-head competition, Kevin Lyon, Allan Jepsen, Cowboy Jack Durango, Michael Mondragon, and Angelo Trinidad have selected three new inductees.
Congratulations to Morganna, Dave Winfield, and Ichiro Suzuki for joining the 4th Class of inductees for these annual awards.
In addition, the 2024 Baseball Brew Crew Legacy Awards goes to Willie Mays, Fernando Valenzuela, and Luis Tiant who all unfortunately passed away this year.
Also, the two 2024 Baseball Brew Crew Silver Chugger Awards go to Angelo Trinidad and Cowboy Jack Durango.
Thank you to the judges, nominees, and winners for a great 2024.
Click here to see the: 2023 Diamond Icon Winners
Click here to see the: 2022 Diamond Icon Winners
Click here to see the: 2021 Diamond Icon Winners
2024 Baseball Brew Crew Diamond Icons
To honor the three top members of the Baseball Brew Crew community that have greatly impacted our year
Morganna (4th Diamond Icon Class, 4th Ballot) – Morganna the Kissing Bandit was an entertainer who disrupted sporting events from 1970 through the 1990s. She famously rushed the field on many occasions and kissed players from Major League Baseball, the NBA, and even the NHL. Most talked about moment: Morganna has too many great moments to list here. Suffice to say, she is a legend (Video)
Dave Winfield (4th Diamond Icon Class, 4th Ballot) – A Hall of Fame player for the San Diego Padres (1973–1980), New York Yankees (1981–1988, 1990), California Angels (1990–1991), Toronto Blue Jays (1992), Minnesota Twins (1993–1994), Cleveland Indians (1995). Most talked about moment: Winfield, unfortunately, killed a bird with a warm-up toss in Toronto on August 4, 1983. But the police treated the incident as if he did it on purpose (Video)
Ichiro Suzuki (4th Diamond Icon Class, 1st Ballot) – Suzuki is one of baseball’s greatest contact hitters, leadoff hitters, and defensive outfielders. In his combined playing time in the NPB and MLB, Suzuki received 17 consecutive selections as an All-Star and Gold Glove winner, won nine league batting titles, and was named most valuable player (MVP) four times. In the NPB, he won seven batting titles and three Pacific League MVP Awards. In 2001, he became the first Japanese-born position player to be posted and signed to an MLB club. He led the American League (AL) in batting average and stolen bases en route to being named AL Rookie of the Year and AL MVP.
2024 Legacy Award Winners
To honor and remember fallen members of the Baseball Brew Crew community
Willie Mays (4th Recipient of the Award) – “The Say Hey Kid” played 23 seasons and is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time; who began his career in the Negro leagues, playing for the Birmingham Black Barons, and spent the rest of his career in the National League, playing for the New York / San Francisco Giants and New York Mets. He was an All-Star 24 times, tying for the second-most appearances in history. He led the NL in home runs four times and in slugging percentage five times while batting over .300 and posting 100 RBIs ten times each. Mays led the league in stolen bases four times, triples three times, and runs twice; his 179 steals during the decade topped the major leagues. He was the first NL player to hit 30 home runs and steal 30 bases in the same season, the first player in history to reach 300 home runs and 300 stolen bases, and the second player and the first right-handed hitter to hit 600 home runs.
Fernando Valenzuela (5th Recipient of the Award) – “El Toro” played 17 MLB seasons from 1980 to 1997 (except for a one-year sabbatical in Mexico in 1992). He played for six MLB teams, most prominently with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He was one of a few pitchers who regularly threw a screwball in the modern era. Valenzuela enjoyed his breakout year in 1981, when “Fernandomania” rapidly catapulted him from relative obscurity to stardom. He became the first, and only, player to win the Cy Young and Rookie of the Year awards in the same season. Most talked about moments: On June 29, 1990, he pitched a no-hitter against the Cardinals (Video) and his interview in Mexico with Stu Nahan (Video)
Luis Tiant (6th Recipient of the Award) – El Tiante, born in Marianao, Cuba, pitched in MLB for 19 years, primarily for the Cleveland Indians and the Boston Red Sox. He compiled a 229–172 record with 2416 strikeouts, a 3.30 ERA, 187 complete games, and 49 shutouts. He was an All-Star for three seasons and a 20-game winner for four seasons. He was the only child of Luis Tiant Sr. From 1926 through 1948; the senior Tiant was a great left-handed pitcher for the Negro League’s New York Cubans during the summer and the Cuban professional league’s Cienfuegos in the winter. Most talked about moments: Remembering Luis Tiant (Video)
2024 Silver Chugger Award Winners
To honor outstanding achievement for the Baseball Brew Crew in the field of entertainment
Angelo Trinidad (4th Silver Chugger Award Class) – Shane Barclay is the Owner and President of JapanBall.com. He has worked in professional baseball for many years, and his company offers baseball tours of Japan, the Dominican Republic, Europe, and South Korea. His passion and baseball knowledge are evident; we are privileged to call him a friend. Most talked about moments: Beer Baseball Hoppy Hour Ep. 5: (Video) Baseball Brew Crew Interview Series, Ep. 3 with Shane & Anna DiTommaso: (Video)
Cowboy Jack Durango (4th Silver Chugger Award Class) – Allan has made five appearances on the Baseball Brew Crew programming. He is our Canadian Brother from another mother. His passion for pro wrestling, baseball, and craft beer has made him a fan favorite. And the only thing that separates us from him is 1,300 miles and one big Pat Borders. Most talked about moments: Baseball Brew Crew Hoppy Hour, Ep. 10: (Video) Baseball Brew Crew Podcast Ep. 167: (Video)
The Remaining 2024 Baseball Brew Crew Diamond Icons Nominees
Billy Martin (2022, 2023, 2024 Nominee) – Billy was a player for seven MLB teams and a manager for five MLB teams including the New York Yankees five times. His #1 is retired by the Yankees. He revitalized the Oakland A’s at the start of the 80s in the “Billy Ball” era. And had a publicly famous player/manager feud with Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson in the late-70s. He was also a recognizable television star with appearances on Miller Lite and Pepto Bismol commercials, the first WrestleMania, and an infamous Saturday Night Live cameo. Most talked about moments: George Steinbrenner & Billy Martin Miller Lite Commercial (Video), Pepto Bismol Commercial With Billy Martin and George Steinbrenner (Video), and Billy and Reggie nearly came to blows in the dugout at Fenway Park (Video)
Bullet Rogan (2024 Nominee) – “Bullet Joe” was a pitcher, outfielder, and manager for the Kansas City Monarchs in the Negro baseball leagues from 1920 to 1938. Renowned as a two-way player who could both hit and pitch successfully, one statistical compilation shows Rogan winning more games than any other pitcher in Negro leagues history and ranking fourth highest in career batting average. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1998. As a pitcher, he had a 120–52 record. He was a .338 lifetime hitter. And as a manager, he was 257–111–1.
Curt Flood (2024 Nominee) – Flood played 15 seasons for the Cincinnati Reds, St. Louis Cardinals, and Washington Senators. He was a three-time All-Star, a Gold Glove winner for seven consecutive seasons, and batted over .300 in six seasons. He led the National League in hits (211) in 1964 and singles in 1963, 1964, and 1968. He is famous for becoming one of the pivotal figures in baseball’s labor history when he refused to accept a trade following the 1969 season, ultimately appealing his case to the U.S. Supreme Court. Although unsuccessful, his legal challenge brought about additional solidarity among players as they fought against baseball’s reserve clause and sought free agency.
David Wells (2024 Nominee) – “Boomer” was considered one of the baseball’s top left-handed pitchers during his career and made three All-Star appearances. In 1998, he pitched the 15th perfect game in baseball history. He also appeared in the postseason as a member of six teams, tied for the most with Kenny Lofton, and won two World Series titles. Wells had a 239–157 record with 2,201 strikeouts. Most talked about moment: His biography “Perfect I’m Not: Boomer on Beer, Brawls, Backaches, and Baseball” was released in 2004 (Link)
Dick Allen (2023, 2024 Nominee) – The ‘Wampum Walloper’ was one of the early African Americans to play for the Philadelphia Phillies during the Civil Rights Movement and played every day despite ongoing racism. Allen’s fifteen-year-long Major League Baseball career included playing first base, third base, and outfield for the Phillies (1963-69, 1975-76), Cardinals (1970), Dodgers (1971), White Sox (1972-74), and Athletics (1977). The 7× All-Star was among baseball’s top sluggers in the 1960s and early 1970s, winning the National League Rookie of the Year in 1964 and leading the American League home runs twice in 1972 and 1974. He became a Baseball Hall of Famer in 2024. Most talked about moments: Dick Allen’s Famous Chili Dog Game (Video), Cooperstown Justice — Dick Allen (Video).
Earl Weaver (2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 Nominee) – A Hall of Fame manager for the Baltimore Orioles (1968–1982, 1985–1986). In 11 of his 17 seasons, the Orioles won 90 or more games, winning the 1970 World Series against the Cincinnati Reds. Most talked about moment: Weaver was known for his cigarette smoking habit in the dugout and fiery temper with umpires that were often captured on video (Video)
Eddie Gaedel (2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 Nominee) – Weighing 60 pounds and standing 3 feet 7 inches tall, Eddie Gaedel gained recognition in the second game of a St. Louis Browns doubleheader on August 19, 1951. He made a single plate appearance and was walked with four consecutive balls before being replaced by a pinch-runner. Most talked about moment: Gaedel became the shortest player in the history of Major League Baseball (Video)
Ozzie Smith (2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 Nominee) – ‘The Wizard’ is a Hall of Fame shortstop for the San Diego Padres (1978–1981) and the St. Louis Cardinals (1982–1996). A 15× All-Star (1981–1992, 1994–1996), World Series champion (1982), NLCS MVP (1985), and a 13× Gold Glove Award winner (1980–1992). Most talked about moments: Ozzie was a part of the Baseball Brew Crew One Year Anniversary Gala and was a regular on The Baseball Bunch (Video)
Rick Reuschel (2024 Nominee) – “Big Daddy” was known for his deceptive pitching style, which kept hitters off balance by constantly varying the speeds of his pitches. He played from 1972 to 1991, winning 214 games with a career 3.37 ERA. His older brother Paul Reuschel also pitched for the Cubs from 1975 to 1978. The Reuschel brothers are the only siblings to combine on a shutout in Major League Baseball.
Rickey Henderson (2024 Nominee) – The “Man of Steal” played 24 seasons for nine teams from 1979 to 2003, including four separate tenures with his original team, the Oakland Athletics. Widely regarded as baseball’s greatest leadoff hitter and baserunner. He holds MLB records for career stolen bases, runs, unintentional walks, and leadoff home runs. Henderson holds the single-season record for stolen bases (130 in 1982) and is the only player in AL history to steal 100 bases in a season, having done so three times (in 1980, 1982, and 1983). Most talked about moment: Rickey famously framed a $1M payroll check and forgot to cash it. (Video)
Robin Ventura (2023, 2024 Nominee) – Ventura played 16 seasons in Major League Baseball for the White Sox, Mets, Yankees, and Dodgers. The White Sox selected him with the tenth overall pick in the 1988 MLB amateur draft from Oklahoma State University. As a National College Baseball Hall of Fame inductee, Ventura was a three-time All-American who achieved a Division I-record 58-game hitting streak. He also won the Dick Howser Trophy, Golden Spikes Award, and played for the Olympic baseball gold medal-winning team in 1988. Most talked about moments: Robin Ventura and Nolan Ryan duke it out (Video), Robin Ventura’s Grand Slam Single (Video) and Robin Ventura’s College Career (Video).
Rollie Fingers (2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 Nominee) – Rollie was a Hall of Fame pitcher for the Oakland Athletics (1968–1976), San Diego Padres (1977–1980), and Milwaukee Brewers (1981–1982, 1984–1985). Known for his neatly groomed handlebar mustache, Rollie finished his career with a 114–118 Win/Loss record, 1,299 strikeouts, and 341 saves. He is a 7× All-Star, 3× World Series champion, AL MVP (1981), and AL Cy Young Award (1981). Most talked about moment: Rollie was a part of the Baseball Brew Crew One Year Anniversary Gala (Video)
Tommy Lasorda (2022, 2023, 2024 Nominee) – Tommy is a 2x World Series Champion manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers, Olympic Baseball Gold Medalist, and MLB Hall of Famer. He was also the ‘The Dugout Wizard’ on The Baseball Bunch and Slim-Fast spokesman. Most talked about moments: Lasorda has enough with the Philly Phanatic (Video), Lasorda gets Youppi! tossed from the game (Video), Tommy Lasorda meltdown about Kurt Bevacqua (Video), Tommy Lasorda on Dave Kingman (Video), and Tommy Lasorda is disgusted by PSY performance at Dodger Stadium (Video)
San Diego Chicken (2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 Nominee) – The San Diego Chicken is a sports mascot played by Ted Giannoulas. He is also known as The Famous Chicken, the KGB Chicken, or just The Chicken. The success of the Chicken helped lead to mascots becoming widespread throughout pro sports, particularly Major League Baseball. Most talked about moment: The Chicken appeared at WrestleMania XV and WrestleMania 2000. The costume was worn by Pete Rose at WrestleMania XV, during which he was given the Tombstone Pile Driver by Kane. He was also a standout character on the Baseball Bunch and many sporting events (Video)
Wade Boggs (2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 Nominee) – ‘The Chicken Man’ is a Hall of Fame third baseman for the Boston Red Sox (1982–1992), New York Yankees (1993–1997), and Tampa Bay Devil Rays (1998–1999). A 12× All-Star (1985–1996) and 5× AL batting champion (1983, 1985–1988) retired with a .328 batting average with 3,010 hits, 118 home runs, and 1,014 RBIs. Most talked about moment: Boggs is rumored to have once consumed 107 beers on a cross-country flight. This was featured in an episode of ‘It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’ in which Boggs had a cameo role (Video)
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