Hey Kernels? Where's Trevor Hoffman?

OK, we get it, Cedar Rapids Kernels. You like the Los Angeles Angels.

No, you absolutely LOVE the Los Angeles Angels. This is a bro-mance of the strongest kind.

The Kernels recently renewed yet again their Player Development Contract with the Angels, extending the Midwest League's longest marriage. The Kernels' PR machine has cranked out more and more press releases on the Angels in the past few months.

Then there's the upcoming Hot Stove Banquet. Former big leaguer Bobby Grich is the featured speaker. Oh, yeah, he used to play for the Angels.

Two of four members of the club's 2010 Hall of Fame class are Angels: second baseman Howie Kendrick and GM/former minor-league head Tony Reagins. Enough already, Kernels. No matter how hard you try, Cedar Rapids will never be an Angels town. Not now, not ever.

Terrific organization, but very few around these parts care about it.

The fact that you are inducting Reagins and Kendrick into your Hall of Fame ahead of some very obvious omissions is laughable. Not nearly as laughable as Shawn Wooten going in in 2002, but that's another blog post for another time ....

- For instance, did you know Reggie Sanders played in Cedar Rapids? He finished a fine big-league career with 305 home runs and 304 stolen bases. He's not a Hall of Famer.

- Trevor Hoffman is MLB's career saves leader. Yeah, he played in Cedar Rapids. No, he's not in the club's Hall of Fame.

- Ted Simmons played 20 years in the bigs, was an all-star seven times, hit .285 and drove in 1,389 runs. He played minor league baseball in Cedar Rapids. Not a local Hall of Famer.

- Chili Davis hit 350 home runs in a 19-year major league career. Bob Forsch pitched 16 years in the big leagues, throwing two no-hitters. Jerry Reuss threw 22 big league seasons. Bob Brenly played in the bigs and managed the Arizona Diamondbacks to a World Series title. John Roseboro won three World Series championships with the Dodgers and was a four-time all-star.

All played ball in Cedar Rapids. None are in the club's Hall of Fame.

While we're at it, why not induct longtime General Manager Jack Roeder this year? He's retiring after this season, and this would have been the perfect opportunity to thank him for his many years of tremendous service.

A lot of this has to do with who will actually appear at the Hot Stove Banquet. It shouldn't be that way.

Shawn Wooten, Tony Reagins, Howie Kendrick ... Cedar Rapids Baseball Club Hall of Famers. Trevor Hoffman, Reggie Sanders, Ted Simmons ... not Hall of Famers.

Shame on you, Kernels.

Here's a list of Cedar Rapids Baseball Club Hall of Fame members with year of induction:

1999 - Lou Boudreau, Guy "Bud" Curran, Horace Garner, Howard Hall, Thurman "Thurmie" Harris, Belden Hill, John J. McGraw, James Plumb, Cy Slapnicka, Harley Steele.

2000 - Hy Henry, Billy Hoffer, Jeff Jones, Ollie Marquardt, Jim Meaghan, Darrell "Rocky" Rothrock.

2001 - Allie Reynolds, Greta Van Fleet, Lee Winterberg.

2002 - Bob Brooks, Bob Nance, Francis "Salty" Parker, Ray Peters (Petrzelka), Bill Quinby, Pat Seerey, Shawn Wooten.

 2003 - Orie Arntzen, Sheldon "Chief" Bender, Judge Harry Johnson, Bruce Kimm, Dr. Marvin Maire, Art Pennington, Frank Pfaff, Adam Pratt, Johnny Stratton, Jack Tanner.

2004 - Rob Dibble, Hank Edwards, Wally Krouse, Harold "Gus" Schrader.

2005 - Al Smith, Tait Cummins, Hal Trosky Sr., Fred Mims.

2006 - Ron Hunt, Paul Snyder, Chuck Fulton.

2007 - Ron Plaza, Paul O'Neill, Don Buchheister, Harold "Pinky" Primrose.

2008 - Ira Brooks, Eric Davis, Dave Marner, Art Swartzendruber.

2009 - Rocky Colavito, Jim Fanning, Bob Dolphin.

2010 - Howie Kendrick, Bob Klinger, Denis Menke, Tony Reagins.