November 11, 2025 • 9 mins
Tony and Austin talk with Rick Walls, the Executive Director of the Reds Hall of Fame and Museum on ESPN 1530!
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:03):
Welcome back. It is since E three sixty on ESBN
fifteen thirty Cincinnati Sports Station, rolling along our number three
Moegger and quick hits in just a bit. But first,
we mentioned this last week when it came out. The
Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame ballots are out. Homer Bailey,
(00:25):
Francisco Cordera, Zach Cozart, Aaron Harang, Mike Leak, Brandon Phillip, Scott, Rowland,
and Edison Valcez. And there's just so much going on
with this, and the Reds have always done such a
great job with the Hall of Fame. They do a
great job with the museum. So we thought what better
way to pair the two than today by talking with
the executive director of the Reds Hall of Fame and Museum,
Rick Walls. With everything going on Red's related, Rick, how
(00:47):
are you?
Speaker 2 (00:48):
It's great, It's a pleasure to be with you both. Rick.
Speaker 1 (00:51):
Let's let's discuss that the Hall of Fame balloting, the
names that came out, the balloting itself, let's start with that.
How does this work for Reds fans that they're able
to cast a vote and just the process that goes
into this.
Speaker 2 (01:07):
Yeah, there's been you know, over time. The first Hall
Fame class was elected in nineteen fifty eight, and throughout
the years, they're not an induction every single year, pretty
much every other year. In the last decade, there's been
some variance to that. So when you take a look
at the ballot and who's eligible, you have to look
at players for the modern player ballot that have played
(01:29):
within the last fifteen years. So there's a veterans committee
looks at candidates beyond fifteen years or more, but you
have to have played at least three years for the
Reds to be eligible. The ballot is created by our
Election Governance Committee, it's part of the Board of Directors
of the Hall that narrow this list down to in
this case, eight players. So we've looked at a lot
of players got it down to the eighth that they
(01:49):
thought that if these candidates were elected, they'd be fine
with going into the Hall of Fame. So the ballot
is created, it's sent out to the fans, to the
median broadcasters, and also so two teammates of the players,
So any Reds alum who played here three years or more,
we will get the cast to vote. So we really
feel it's important that those three groups are very involved
(02:10):
in this process, that the fans have a third say
and who's going in same with the media and the
broadcasters who follow the game so closely, and of course
to the teammates, those that have been around the players
for a number of years and probably can gauge their
success and contributions and achievements a little bit beyond some
of the stats that we see. So that's your modern
Player ballot, and we're in the voting period now for
(02:31):
three weeks.
Speaker 1 (02:32):
Voting period happens now. It runs through November twenty seventh,
and then the two winners that it is just two
players that are selected, those players are announced in December.
Speaker 2 (02:42):
Yeah, so the modern Player ballot will produce a two winners.
So two of the eight that are on this list
will be inducted next April. They'll be combined with any
selections that may come from the Veterans Committee. So this
group of about fourteen individuals, it changes every couple of years.
We get new members on a new opinion and they
get to really dive dive deep into the candidates of
(03:03):
players and managers and other executives that were involved with
the organization fifteen years ago or more. And that's a
pretty detailed process. Two three hour meeting, so that class
will be elected as one. You know, we'll have them
all together, veterans and the modern player ballot winners. Next
Aprils April twenty four to twenty five, twenty six, we
call the Induction Celebration. They're on field ceremonies on the
(03:25):
twenty fifth, and then a big gal it's a fundraiser
for the museum on the twenty six at the Convention Center.
So a lot ahead of us now, but we're encouraging
people to vote and take you know, make sure they're
vote counts, so you can vote once per day. Pre
email address at Redsmuseum dot org and really just get
involved in the process. Support the Hall of Fame in
your favorite candidate.
Speaker 3 (03:43):
It is.
Speaker 1 (03:44):
It's such a cool process because it's it's the fans,
and that's what makes this sport so fantastic, especially here
in the city of Cincinnati. And you think of the
players on the list and Homer Bailey and the no
hitters and what Coco Cordero was able to provide, and
Zach Cozart is an all star, Aaron Harangu is a starter,
Mike Leak is a starter, Edison Volcz, Scott Rowland, of course,
(04:06):
Brandon Phillips and Mike Leak. It is. It's special. How
how special is it for you being around this organization
and with the Hall of Fame for as long as
you have to see players like this recognize at a
level where they deserve to be recognized from the city
and the team.
Speaker 2 (04:22):
I think it's extremely important to the fans, it's important
to the franchise and these players, even current players they
are playing the game, to see that we are recognizing
and honoring those who contribute time, their energy, you know,
I mean their life to Cincinnati Reds and their dedication
to trying to become a better team and bring championships
to this team. We had some players on this list
(04:43):
that were part of some pretty solid teams if you
remember Den in twelve and thirteen, great years for the Reds,
really really close, but some fantastic performances, record breaking moments,
memorable performances that people probably you know, within the last
fifteen years. A lot of the listeners here have been
to those game. They remember these players and having them
have a say and who gets in the Hall of Fame.
(05:05):
I think it's extremely important. I wish every team would
do this. They don't all have Halls of Fame. Not
every team has a museum, and we're one of the
only to have a large, dedicated museum. And that's just
a tribute to the Reds organization and our staff here
at the museum who's focused on doing what we're supposed
to do as a nonprofit, and that celebrate greatness, preserve history,
(05:26):
and provide inspiration. The museum does that every day. The
pillar of all of that, the foundation, is the Hall
of Fame and the election process behind it. Every player
who played for the Reds we celebrate, but these guys
will rise to the highest level and they'll be in
the Hall of Fame. Two of the winners from the
modern player ballot.
Speaker 3 (05:44):
I'm curious too about the veterans ballot. You mentioned that
that's going to be announced in December as well. Is
there a rough estimate on the number of candidates that
are being debated with that group or is can it
be one person? Is it going to be multiple? How
do you expect the Veterans' ballot to shake out.
Speaker 2 (06:00):
I kind of expect it to be one or two,
but it doesn't there's no mandate. It could be zero,
the group could walk out without a consensus, but I
feel like there typically is one that hasn't happened yet.
But there you're talking about candidates going back into the
eighteen hundreds, and the purpose of the committee is to
make sure no one has been overlooked. If you are
(06:21):
on a modern player ballot and you have to be
out of baseball for five years and then played within
the last fifteen, that means you only have a ten
year period to be on a modern player ballot. And
that also means if we're only doing it every other year,
there's only five ballots that you could be on. So
you can imagine the ballot changing players going off, coming
back on. You could be a pretty good candidate, but
(06:43):
not make the Hall of Fame on the modern player ballot.
And that's where the Veterans Committee can come in later
on and decide, you know, hey, where you overlooked? Is
there a real case to be made? You know, we
now understand the game stats a little bit better and
have a better respect for what you meant to the
game and to the Reds organization, so they will dive
in to all of those stats that really are hard
for any one individual to do by themselves to determine
(07:05):
if we have a great candidate here. And there are
some good ones still on there, going back to the
eighteen hundreds. The committee has pulled some great ones in
the past. And twenty twenty three general manager by the
name of Gabe Paul went in and that was pretty special.
And Danny Graves, the old time Saves leader went in.
So it's a great committee serving a great cause and
making sure those that warrant election are elected.
Speaker 1 (07:28):
It's such a storied organization with a storied past. Rick,
I know we're in the off season for baseball and
it's a very busy offseason that seemingly never stops. But
for you guys at the museum at the Hall of Fame,
what do you guys have going on throughout the winner
and how can people learn more or maybe find a
way to visit.
Speaker 2 (07:47):
Yeah, this is a great time for the museum. We
are gearing up right now for an event in December.
Cool deck the Hall. You hear about that more down
the road Gate great chance for our families to visit
the museum and get some Christmas shopping done. But Red's
Fantasy Camp takes place in January, that, unfortunately for those interested,
is sold out. It sells out in about a week
in May and June the year before the event even
(08:09):
takes place, so we are so focused in on that
and then a RedFest. We hope to see all the
fans out there at RedFest, and just kind of getting
everything geared up for next year is going to be
a fantastic year for the museum, still celebrating the fiftieth
anniversary this time of the seventy six world champion Red,
so expect a lot of those players in and now
the museum next year. If you were kind of looking
at the museums saying what's going to happen next year,
(08:31):
look at our events schedule. We're going to have players, alumni,
all kinds of events and activities throughout the year, and
Redsmuseum dot org will have that up to date and
active all the time. So hopefully we'll bring in your
favorite player and you get a chance to meet them.
Speaker 1 (08:45):
Rick Man, this is awesome, so much good stuff going
on one more time. The easiest way for folks to
find a way to vote and even learn more about
the museum.
Speaker 2 (08:55):
Absolutely Redsmuseum dot org. All the candidates and their bios
are listed there. Vote once per day per email address,
and learn all about how you can support the museum membership,
and however, just visit the museum. It's a great place
to come to in the off season.
Speaker 1 (09:08):
Awesome, Rick Man, this is awesome. Thank you so much
for your time and we appreciate it greatly. Have a great,
great offseason. I know it's busy for you, but enjoy
it and I hope to talk soon. Thanks Rick, Thank you.
That is Rick Walls, executive director of the Reds Hall
of Fame and Museum, spending some time with us today.
Mo Wager at Oakley Greens will join us to put
a bow on today with Quick Hits Next on ESPN
(09:30):
fifteen thirty Cincinnati Sports station.
Speaker 3 (09:32):
Hey, it's Mo.
Welcome back. It is since E three sixty on ESBN
fifteen thirty Cincinnati Sports Station, rolling along our number three
Moegger and quick hits in just a bit. But first,
we mentioned this last week when it came out. The
Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame ballots are out. Homer Bailey,
(00:25):
Francisco Cordera, Zach Cozart, Aaron Harang, Mike Leak, Brandon Phillip, Scott, Rowland,
and Edison Valcez. And there's just so much going on
with this, and the Reds have always done such a
great job with the Hall of Fame. They do a
great job with the museum. So we thought what better
way to pair the two than today by talking with
the executive director of the Reds Hall of Fame and Museum,
Rick Walls. With everything going on Red's related, Rick, how
(00:47):
are you?
Speaker 2 (00:48):
It's great, It's a pleasure to be with you both. Rick.
Speaker 1 (00:51):
Let's let's discuss that the Hall of Fame balloting, the
names that came out, the balloting itself, let's start with that.
How does this work for Reds fans that they're able
to cast a vote and just the process that goes
into this.
Speaker 2 (01:07):
Yeah, there's been you know, over time. The first Hall
Fame class was elected in nineteen fifty eight, and throughout
the years, they're not an induction every single year, pretty
much every other year. In the last decade, there's been
some variance to that. So when you take a look
at the ballot and who's eligible, you have to look
at players for the modern player ballot that have played
(01:29):
within the last fifteen years. So there's a veterans committee
looks at candidates beyond fifteen years or more, but you
have to have played at least three years for the
Reds to be eligible. The ballot is created by our
Election Governance Committee, it's part of the Board of Directors
of the Hall that narrow this list down to in
this case, eight players. So we've looked at a lot
of players got it down to the eighth that they
(01:49):
thought that if these candidates were elected, they'd be fine
with going into the Hall of Fame. So the ballot
is created, it's sent out to the fans, to the
median broadcasters, and also so two teammates of the players,
So any Reds alum who played here three years or more,
we will get the cast to vote. So we really
feel it's important that those three groups are very involved
(02:10):
in this process, that the fans have a third say
and who's going in same with the media and the
broadcasters who follow the game so closely, and of course
to the teammates, those that have been around the players
for a number of years and probably can gauge their
success and contributions and achievements a little bit beyond some
of the stats that we see. So that's your modern
Player ballot, and we're in the voting period now for
(02:31):
three weeks.
Speaker 1 (02:32):
Voting period happens now. It runs through November twenty seventh,
and then the two winners that it is just two
players that are selected, those players are announced in December.
Speaker 2 (02:42):
Yeah, so the modern Player ballot will produce a two winners.
So two of the eight that are on this list
will be inducted next April. They'll be combined with any
selections that may come from the Veterans Committee. So this
group of about fourteen individuals, it changes every couple of years.
We get new members on a new opinion and they
get to really dive dive deep into the candidates of
(03:03):
players and managers and other executives that were involved with
the organization fifteen years ago or more. And that's a
pretty detailed process. Two three hour meeting, so that class
will be elected as one. You know, we'll have them
all together, veterans and the modern player ballot winners. Next
Aprils April twenty four to twenty five, twenty six, we
call the Induction Celebration. They're on field ceremonies on the
(03:25):
twenty fifth, and then a big gal it's a fundraiser
for the museum on the twenty six at the Convention Center.
So a lot ahead of us now, but we're encouraging
people to vote and take you know, make sure they're
vote counts, so you can vote once per day. Pre
email address at Redsmuseum dot org and really just get
involved in the process. Support the Hall of Fame in
your favorite candidate.
Speaker 3 (03:43):
It is.
Speaker 1 (03:44):
It's such a cool process because it's it's the fans,
and that's what makes this sport so fantastic, especially here
in the city of Cincinnati. And you think of the
players on the list and Homer Bailey and the no
hitters and what Coco Cordero was able to provide, and
Zach Cozart is an all star, Aaron Harangu is a starter,
Mike Leak is a starter, Edison Volcz, Scott Rowland, of course,
(04:06):
Brandon Phillips and Mike Leak. It is. It's special. How
how special is it for you being around this organization
and with the Hall of Fame for as long as
you have to see players like this recognize at a
level where they deserve to be recognized from the city
and the team.
Speaker 2 (04:22):
I think it's extremely important to the fans, it's important
to the franchise and these players, even current players they
are playing the game, to see that we are recognizing
and honoring those who contribute time, their energy, you know,
I mean their life to Cincinnati Reds and their dedication
to trying to become a better team and bring championships
to this team. We had some players on this list
(04:43):
that were part of some pretty solid teams if you
remember Den in twelve and thirteen, great years for the Reds,
really really close, but some fantastic performances, record breaking moments,
memorable performances that people probably you know, within the last
fifteen years. A lot of the listeners here have been
to those game. They remember these players and having them
have a say and who gets in the Hall of Fame.
(05:05):
I think it's extremely important. I wish every team would
do this. They don't all have Halls of Fame. Not
every team has a museum, and we're one of the
only to have a large, dedicated museum. And that's just
a tribute to the Reds organization and our staff here
at the museum who's focused on doing what we're supposed
to do as a nonprofit, and that celebrate greatness, preserve history,
(05:26):
and provide inspiration. The museum does that every day. The
pillar of all of that, the foundation, is the Hall
of Fame and the election process behind it. Every player
who played for the Reds we celebrate, but these guys
will rise to the highest level and they'll be in
the Hall of Fame. Two of the winners from the
modern player ballot.
Speaker 3 (05:44):
I'm curious too about the veterans ballot. You mentioned that
that's going to be announced in December as well. Is
there a rough estimate on the number of candidates that
are being debated with that group or is can it
be one person? Is it going to be multiple? How
do you expect the Veterans' ballot to shake out.
Speaker 2 (06:00):
I kind of expect it to be one or two,
but it doesn't there's no mandate. It could be zero,
the group could walk out without a consensus, but I
feel like there typically is one that hasn't happened yet.
But there you're talking about candidates going back into the
eighteen hundreds, and the purpose of the committee is to
make sure no one has been overlooked. If you are
(06:21):
on a modern player ballot and you have to be
out of baseball for five years and then played within
the last fifteen, that means you only have a ten
year period to be on a modern player ballot. And
that also means if we're only doing it every other year,
there's only five ballots that you could be on. So
you can imagine the ballot changing players going off, coming
back on. You could be a pretty good candidate, but
(06:43):
not make the Hall of Fame on the modern player ballot.
And that's where the Veterans Committee can come in later
on and decide, you know, hey, where you overlooked? Is
there a real case to be made? You know, we
now understand the game stats a little bit better and
have a better respect for what you meant to the
game and to the Reds organization, so they will dive
in to all of those stats that really are hard
for any one individual to do by themselves to determine
(07:05):
if we have a great candidate here. And there are
some good ones still on there, going back to the
eighteen hundreds. The committee has pulled some great ones in
the past. And twenty twenty three general manager by the
name of Gabe Paul went in and that was pretty special.
And Danny Graves, the old time Saves leader went in.
So it's a great committee serving a great cause and
making sure those that warrant election are elected.
Speaker 1 (07:28):
It's such a storied organization with a storied past. Rick,
I know we're in the off season for baseball and
it's a very busy offseason that seemingly never stops. But
for you guys at the museum at the Hall of Fame,
what do you guys have going on throughout the winner
and how can people learn more or maybe find a
way to visit.
Speaker 2 (07:47):
Yeah, this is a great time for the museum. We
are gearing up right now for an event in December.
Cool deck the Hall. You hear about that more down
the road Gate great chance for our families to visit
the museum and get some Christmas shopping done. But Red's
Fantasy Camp takes place in January, that, unfortunately for those interested,
is sold out. It sells out in about a week
in May and June the year before the event even
(08:09):
takes place, so we are so focused in on that
and then a RedFest. We hope to see all the
fans out there at RedFest, and just kind of getting
everything geared up for next year is going to be
a fantastic year for the museum, still celebrating the fiftieth
anniversary this time of the seventy six world champion Red,
so expect a lot of those players in and now
the museum next year. If you were kind of looking
at the museums saying what's going to happen next year,
(08:31):
look at our events schedule. We're going to have players, alumni,
all kinds of events and activities throughout the year, and
Redsmuseum dot org will have that up to date and
active all the time. So hopefully we'll bring in your
favorite player and you get a chance to meet them.
Speaker 1 (08:45):
Rick Man, this is awesome, so much good stuff going
on one more time. The easiest way for folks to
find a way to vote and even learn more about
the museum.
Speaker 2 (08:55):
Absolutely Redsmuseum dot org. All the candidates and their bios
are listed there. Vote once per day per email address,
and learn all about how you can support the museum membership,
and however, just visit the museum. It's a great place
to come to in the off season.
Speaker 1 (09:08):
Awesome, Rick Man, this is awesome. Thank you so much
for your time and we appreciate it greatly. Have a great,
great offseason. I know it's busy for you, but enjoy
it and I hope to talk soon. Thanks Rick, Thank you.
That is Rick Walls, executive director of the Reds Hall
of Fame and Museum, spending some time with us today.
Mo Wager at Oakley Greens will join us to put
a bow on today with Quick Hits Next on ESPN
(09:30):
fifteen thirty Cincinnati Sports station.
Speaker 3 (09:32):
Hey, it's Mo.
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