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Martinez, Hogan Among Hall Inductees

Published: May 30, 2007

Former major-leaguer Tino Martinez, a Tampa native, and pro wrestler Hulk Hogan are among the five 2007 inductees into the Florida Sports Hall of Fame.

Martinez and Hogan are joined by Orlando Sentinel sportswriter Bill Buchalter, Olympic track star Chanda Cheesborough, and former NFL wide receiver Michael Irvin.

The public induction ceremony and ticket availability will soon be announced.

Martinez, a former Jefferson High standout and one of the top-fielding first baseman throughout the 1990s, began his 16-year major-league career with the Seattle Mariners in 1990 and ended with the New York Yankees in 2005. His career also included stops with the St. Louis Cardinals and Tampa Bay Devil Rays.

Martinez, a two-time All-Star (1995 and 1997) helped lead the Yankees to World Series championships in 1996, 1998, 1999 and 2000. He compiled a career batting average of .271 with 339 home runs and 1,271 RBIs. He currently is a baseball assistant coach at the University of South Florida.

Hogan, a Tampa native, is perhaps the most recognizable performer in pro wrestling history who also became a mainstream personality through his roles on television and movies - including a notable role as Thunderlips in ''Rocky III.'' Known by his given name, Terrance ''Terry'' Gene Bollea, he pitched Little League baseball, attended St. Petersburg Junior College and the University of South Florida, and wrestled his first professional match in Fort Pierce on Aug. 9, 1977.

The other inductees:

BARRY D. "BILL" BUCHALTER: A sportswriter for more than 30 years with the Orlando Sentinel, Buchalter is a University of Florida who primarily covered high school sports. He holds awards of distinction from the Florida Athletic Coaches Association, and the National High School Athletic Coaches Association, and he is a previous inductee in four Halls of Fame: Florida Track; Golden South Classic; Central Florida Sports; and Florida Citrus Sports.

CHANDRA CHEESBOROUGH: A Jacksonville native, Cheesborough won a silver medal in the 400 meters, and a history-setting gold medal in each of the women's 4x100 relays (400m and 1600m) at the Los Angeles Olympics in 1984 (both races were held less than one hour apart). Born in Jacksonville, she will serve as an assistant track coach for the 2008 U.S. Olympic team.

MICHAEL IRVIN: Selected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in February, Irvin attended high school in Fort Lauderdale, and helped lead the University of Miami to the 1987 national championship. He played professionally with Dallas, where he was an integral part of three Super Bowl championships, and set an NFL record with 11 games of 100 or more receiving yards.