Millar, O'Brien Lead Ballot For the Irish American BB HoF

My friends at Foley's NY Pub and Restaurant (where I do Trivia every Sunday night, plug, plug!!) announced this past week their newest candidates for the Irish American Baseball Hall of Fame, and they include three individuals with connections to the Red Sox over the years.

One is former player and 2004 World Series champion Kevin Millar, another is current Red Sox  radio announcer Dave O'Brien, and the third is MLB Hall of Fame manager Joe McCarthy (who managed the Sox after his long successful tenure with the Yankees in the late 1940s).

There are eleven candidates on the 2015 ballot, from the groups of Former Players, Broadcasters, Managers and Executives. Here are the eleven up for consideration:

Current and Former Players

·         Mike Sweeney: Five-time All-Star and former captain of the KC Royals; involved with numerous charities in the Kansas City area.

·         Michael Cuddyer: Two-time All-Star, 2013 NL batting champ and current New York Met; nominated for the Roberto Clemente Award recognizing outstanding off-field community service.

·         Kevin Millar: Member of 2004 Red Sox who helped end Boston’s 86-yr. World Series drought.

Broadcasters

·         Dave O'Brien: ESPN sportscaster, also calls play-by-play on the Boston Red Sox Radio Network alongside Joe Castiglione.

·         Tom McCarthy: Play-by-play announcer for the Philadelphia Phillies' broadcasts.

·         Ed Coleman: Radio play-by-play announcer for the New York Mets.

Managers

·         Joe McCarthy: Yankees all-time leader in managerial wins (1,460), won seven World Series titles between 1931-46.

·         Jack McKeon: Two-time NL Manager of Year whose 2003 Florida Marlins won the World Series

Executives

·         Bill Murray: Comedic actor and SNL alumnus, owner of minor league teams

·         Shannon Forde: Longtime member of New York Mets p.r. staff

·         Joe McDonald: Longtime executive with the New York Mets

The Hall of Fame is located inside Foley's, at 18 West 33rd Street. It was founded by Shaun Clancy in 2008 to honor those connected to MLB of Irish descent. The candidates to be enshrined in 2015 will be announced in April.