Tigers Greats Cecil Fielder and Iván “Pudge” Rodríguez and Hockey Executive Ken Holland Inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame

Former Detroit Tigers Cecil Fielder and Iván “Pudge” Rodríguez, along with Detroit Red Wings Executive Ken Holland were inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame (MSHOF) at a ceremony on October 17.

The event, held at MotorCity Casino’s SoundBoard, also welcomed eight other inductees from the sports world into the Class of 2024 and presented the Michigan Treasure Award posthumously to Earl Cureton and the Sports Legacy Award to Special Olympics Michigan.

Cecil Fielder was a power-hitting first baseman who was a three-time All-Star in seven seasons with the Detroit Tigers, led all of baseball in home runs and RBIs in back-to-back seasons, including his memorable51 home run season in 1990.

“My older kids have seen me play. This has given me the opportunity to show my younger kids that their daddy put a mark here in Detroit,” said Fielder. “This is my city. I appreciate everything Detroit has done for me and my family.”

An executive with the Detroit Red Wings for 36 years, including 22 as General Manager, Ken Holland led the construction of four Stanley Cup winning teams.

“The Ilitch organization was incredible to work for,” said Holland. “I was born and raised in British Columbia, but this was home. This was an amazing way to cap off an unforgettable time for me and my family in Detroit as a Red Wing.”

Iván “Pudge” Rodríguez, a Baseball Hall of Fame catcher, earned four All-Star nods in five seasons with the Detroit Tigers and helped led the franchise to the 2006 World Series. Rodriguez was unable to attend the ceremony.

Other inductees in the Class of 2024 were:

·      Tony Esposito, a Michigan Tech goaltender who went on to win three Vezina Trophies during a 17-year NHL career. He passed away in 2021.

·      Larry Foote, a Detroit Pershing and University of Michigan linebacker who had a 13-year NFL career

·      Braylon Edwards, a Detroit native, Bishop Gallagher High School and University of Michigan football great

·      Jake Long, who led Lapeer East High School to football and basketball success and played offensive tackle at the University of Michigan

·      Deanna Nolan propelled Flint Northern High School to consecutive State Championships and was named 1995 Michigan Miss Basketball and was later a three-time WNBA Champion with the Detroit Shock

·      Shawn Respert, a Detroit native, Bishop Borgess High School and Michigan State point guard who is the Spartans’ all-time leading scorer

·      Jim Harbaugh returned to his alma mater as the University of Michigan head football coach from, leading U-M to a 86-25 record with three consecutive Big Ten Championships and the 2023 College Football Playoff National Championship

·      Don Shane served as Sports Director for Detroit’s WXYZ-TV for 23 years, where he won 23 Michigan Emmy Awards. He passed away in 2023.

The Class was voted on by the public and the Hall of Fame’s Election Task Force, a Statewide Election Committee comprised of current and former journalists, sports executives, and representatives from smaller Sports Halls of Fame in Michigan.

Mike Ilitch was inducted into the MSHOF in 2004, followed by Marian Ilitch in 2008.

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