Commissioner and Otter Awards

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The Commission Award is given every session to someone the Commissioner feels is deserving in the areas of film/tv, music, and sports. Often, the people who receive the Commissioner Award were never nominees in consideration.

Otter Awards are nominees nominated by the Top Fans on Facebook. These award winners were elected by all of the otters once a year.

2020 Awards

Film/ TV: Tim Mattheson

The original otter! Animal House, Fletch, and TONS of other films–he is what the HOPDG is about-excellence under-appreciated.

Sports: The San Diego Chicken/Ted Giannoulas

The 1982, 1983, and 1984 Donruss sports cards sets included a card for The Chicken, with an offer on the back allowing purchasers to send the card to The Chicken himself to autograph it. Some Players only have one or two cars, but this mascot, arguable the most famous of all time, had THREE!

Music: Spinal Tap

The started the Mockumentary film genre, performed there own music, toured, then reunited for a new CD and TOUR! Say the line “Mine goes to Eleven to ANYONE IN MUSIC, and they know the film!

2021 Awards

MUSIC: Billy Preston

Billy Preston is considered one of the greatest rock keyboard players EVER, ranking #7 in a recent poll. (FYI: the other 6 are in the HOF.) Combine this with the fact he WAS PLAYING WITH THE BEATLES ON THE ROOF FOR THEIR LAST PERFORMANCE. (He has since been inducted into the Rock N Roll HOF.)

SPORTS: Buck O’Neil

Perhaps the greatest spokesperson for baseball, it is true shame this man is not in the HOF, but I am happy to announce Buck O’Neil the Commissioner’s Award for Sports for the Winter Session! (He has since been inducted in the MLB HOF)

FILM: Woody Strode

Woody Strode served in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II. He returned to appear in Spartacus, The Man Who Shot Liberty Vallance, The Professionals, etc. during a time when parts of black America couldn’t even go to the same schools as whites! Of Course he beyond PDG, but this is why he is receiving the Commissioner’s Award for Film/TV

Music: Tammi Terrell

Oh, what could have been…In 1963, her first charting single “I Cried” reached #99 on Billboard’s Hot 100. Frustrated with her failure, she decided to quit the music business and enrolled at the University of Pennsylvania where she spent the next two years as a pre-med major. In 1965, on her 20th birthday, she signed on with Berry Gordy who changed her professional name to Tammi Terrell. In 1967, Tammi began recording with Marvin Gaye, they had a close platonic relationship and the duo released a string of hits including “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” and “Your Precious Love”. While performing live with Marvin at Hampden-Sydney College she collapsed and was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor.

Sports: Dominique Morceanu

If anyone knows her story,and her FAMILY’S story, this is a no-brainer!

Film: Graham Greene

When most people think of First Nation Actors, two names are named: Wes Studi and Graham Greene. Graham has been in countless films and is beyond Pretty Darned Good; he is Kwa’nyohkwi: satshá:nit (in his native Oneida language.)

Music: Dr. Teeth and The Electric Mayhem

They performed on TV for years, numerous songs, the drummer is an ICON for the instrument, and have you ever seen the list of who they performed with!

July Sports: Ed Reulbach

Ed Reulbach was nominated with the original 40 HOPDG nominees in an attempt to include Golden era players. Otters did not vote for often for Mr. Reulbach, but he did receive votes, hence he remained active for the entire duration. One of the leading candidates for the title, “The Most Overlooked Man In Baseball History,”  A 182-106 win/loss record and a 2.28ERA over 13 seasons, he also pitched ambidextrously. Upon retirement, he joined the Chicago police force which he served at until his retirement

November Film: Marlo Thomas

“That Girl” is AWESOME! Retired from full time acting to work for St. Jude,, created by her father Danny Thomas!

November Music: Brian Seitzer

The real shame with Brian is he DEFINES the rock genre he performs and probably won’t get into the HOF!

November Sports: Rocky Blier

A Vietnam war veteran who came back from Nam to play for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Canton won’t honor him…but we will!

2022 Awards

January Film: Carl Reiner

Not to be rude, but if you need a reason, why are you on this website?

January Music: Ross Bagdasarian

The creator of the “Witch Doctor” song and the Chipmunks!

January Sports: Eddie “The Eagle” Edwards

Oh my—where to start! Watch the film about him and try not to laugh and cry too much!

March Film: John Cazale

Oh, what could have been! By the time he passed away at the age of 42, John had been in SEVEN Oscar nominated films!

March Music: Slim Whitman

A career that spanned over seven decades and 70 million albums sold!

March Sports: Jim Abbott

A career record of 87 wins and, as a member of the Yankees, he threw a no-hitter in 1993.By the way…he was BORN WITHOUT A RIGHT HAND!

August Film: Carol Lombard

Oh what could have been! Ranked #23 by AFI for Leading Women, she tragically died in a plane crash while promoting War Bonds.

August Sports: Curt Flood

August Music: Dick Dale

The King of the Surf Guitar!

November Sports: Pat Tillman

The NFL should have honored him by now, but they didn’t ,so we will!

November Film: Christopher Reeves

SUPERMAN– And a super-human being! His spinal accident didn’t take away from his awesomeness. Watch his Oscar ceremony speech and it will bring a tear to your eye.

Otter INDUCTEES

Mitch Hedberg (Kevin O’Brien)

Evel Knievel (Kevin O’Brien)

Paul Reubens (Kevin O’Brien)

Alec Trebec (Mike Court)

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