14 athletes were added to Philadelphia’s Hall of Fame.
The Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame last week announced that its 2017 class of inductees will consist of 14 individuals and a classic rivalry.
The announcement was made at the Hilton, 4200 City Line Ave., where the Nov. 2 induction ceremony will take place.
The Army/Navy football game will receive a special enshrinement, the third since the Hall of Fame was formed in 2002. The others are the Palestra and the Penn Relays.
Coincidentally, Navy will be playing Temple at Lincoln Financial Field on Nov. 2, a Thursday.
Here is a list of the other inductees:
• Andrea Kremer: Attended Friends Select and Penn, and is a correspondent for NFL Network and HBO’s Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel. She previously worked for NFL Films, ESPN and NBC.
• Bob Boone: Was a catcher for the Phillies from 1972–81. He made three All-Star games, won two Gold Gloves and was a member of the 1980 team that won the World Series. Former Phillies broadcaster Chris Wheeler, now a team ambassador, spoke for Boone.
• Bob Johnson: Was an outfielder for the Philadelphia Athletics from 1933–42. He batted over .300 four times and played in five All-Star games.
• Donald Hunt: A 1977 Lincoln University graduate, he has been a sportswriter for the Philadelphia Inquirer and Philadelphia Tribune. He led the campaign to get Wilt Chamberlain’s image on a postage stamp.
• Granny Hamner: Played shortstop and second base for the Phillies from 1944–59, living in the Northeast. He played in three All-Star games and was a member of the Whiz Kids team that made the 1950 World Series.
• Irene Guest: A member of the International Swimming Hall of Fame, she swam for the Philadelphia Meadowbrook Club. She won an Olympic silver medal in 1920 in the 100-meter freestyle. She was on the 4×100 freestyle relay that set the world record in the 1920 Olympics.
• “Philadelphia” Jack O’Brien: Won the light-heavyweight boxing championship in 1905, and is a member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
• John B. Kelly Jr.: Grew up on Henry Avenue in East Falls, attended Penn Charter and the University of Pennsylvania, and rowed in the 1948, ’52, ’56 and ’60 Olympics, winning a bronze medal in single sculls in ’56. Served on City Council from 1968–79. Was elected as president of the U.S. Olympic Committee in 1985, but died three weeks later of a heart attack while jogging at 18th and Callowhill streets. His sister was Princess Grace of Monaco.
• Mike Bantom: Played basketball at Roman Catholic for Speedy Morris and St. Joseph’s University for Jack McKinney. A member of the 1972 Olympic team that lost a controversial final to the Soviet Union. Was selected with the eighth pick of the 1973 NBA Draft by the Phoenix Suns. Played until 1982 for the Suns, Seattle SuperSonics, New York Nets, Indiana Pacers and 76ers, then played in Italy until 1989. Has been a longtime NBA executive. Bantom attended the luncheon, and insists the U.S. should have been awarded the ’72 Olympic title. “We will never accept the silver medal. We won a gold.”
• Randall Cunningham: Played quarterback for the Eagles from 1985–95, appearing in three Pro Bowl games and being named NFL Player of the Year twice. Also played for the Minnesota Vikings, Dallas Cowboys and Baltimore Ravens.
• Ray “Chink” Scott: Played basketball at West Philadelphia High and the University of Portland. Played in the ABA for the Virginia Squires and the NBA for the Detroit Pistons and Baltimore Bullets. He was head coach of the Pistons from 1972–76 and of Eastern Michigan from 1976–79. Mo Howard, a former star player at St. Joseph’s Prep and Maryland, spoke for Scott.
• Rene Portland: Played basketball at Villa Maria and Immaculata, playing on national championship teams from 1972–74. Was head coach of St. Joseph’s, Colorado and Penn State, compiling a record of 693–265.
• Ron Jaworski: Played quarterback for the Eagles from 1977–86, and was named NFL Player of the Year in 1980. Led the Eagles to Super Bowl XV. Also played for the Los Angeles Rams, Miami Dolphins and Kansas City Chiefs.
• Tim Kerr: Played right wing for the Flyers from 1980–91. Later played for the Hartford Whalers and New York Rangers. Was in three All-Star games. Scored 50 or more goals in four consecutive seasons and finished with 363 goals for the Flyers and 370 goals overall. Played in the 1985 and ’87 Stanley Cup Finals against the Edmonton Oilers. Longtime Flyers public address announcer Lou Nolan, a member of the Hall of Fame, spoke for Kerr.
Dan Baker, the longtime public address announcer for the Phillies and a member of the Hall of Fame, was the emcee for the induction announcement.
Former 76ers general manager Pat Williams will emcee the induction ceremony.
In 2013, the Hall of Fame opened a gallery at Spike’s, a trophy and awards shop at 2701 Grant Ave. Current displays feature Bill Bergey, Villanova track and field athlete and coach Jumbo Elliott, the Palestra and Philadelphia Olympic gold medalists.
The gallery is open Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon or by appointment.
For more information, go to phillyhall.org ••
