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Strat-O-Matic Hall of Fame

Tim Kurkjian

Class of 2025

Well known to baseball fans as a writer, radio commentator, and ESPN analyst, Tim Kurkjian discovered Strat-O-Matic at age 13. He played Strat solitaire, announcing his own games, and, naturally, writing stories about them. As a young writer for the Washington Star, he took his Strat game on road trips – sometimes prioritizing games over dinner with colleagues. Over the years, he discovered that many baseball writers and broadcasters had played Strat-O-Matic at some point in their lives. Tim introduced the game to his son, Jeff, and it became an integral part of their father-son bond. Today, Tim and Jeff continue to share their love of baseball, including Strat-O-Matic, with listeners of their podcast, Is This A Great Game, or What?

John Lamanna

Class of 2025

John Lamanna became hooked on Strat-O-Matic after discovering it in the summer of 1974. Not long after, he joined his first league and soon began crafting player ratings sheets for his own cards and, before each game, his opponents’ cards. In November 1985, John took his passion further by creating the first-ever Lamanna Baseball Bulletin (LBB) - a newsletter dedicated to assisting Strat players evaluate cards. Now, 40 years later, the LBB remains an essential resource for the community. Since 1993, he has also been a key figure in Strat-O-Matic’s card-checking process, helping ensure accuracy before new card sets go to print. Each year, he carefully reviews the computer printouts of new cards to identify and correct any discrepancies.

Tom Swank

Class of 2025

Tom Swank introduced hundreds of people to Strat-O-Matic over the years. Tom was a dedicated teacher of the game. Even in retirement, he was passionate about introducing young players to Strat-O-Matic, eager to grow the community. He continued playing and recruiting through a battle with cancer, finding new opponents online and across the country. When Tom passed away in 2003, he was buried with a Brooklyn Dodgers cap and a set of dice in his pocket – a fitting tribute to a StratO-Matic lifer. Hal Richman once said “If there was ever a Strat-O-Matic Hall of Fame, Tom would surely be selected.” That prediction has become a reality.

Ken Wenger

Class of 2025

If you’ve ever played Strat-O-Matic on Windows, downloaded player photos, or explored historical team files, chances are you’ve benefitted from Ken Wenger’s tireless work behind the scenes. A longtime tester for Strat’s Windows products, Ken has played a crucial role in improving the experience. Every year, he meticulously creates the All-Star Game and World Series files for the game. Beyond that, Ken is a key contributor to Baseball’s Update Team, where he enhances the game’s historical accuracy by improving transaction files. Researching from sources like the Baseball Hall of Fame, Retrosheet, and The Sporting News, he helps refine in-season rosters so that gamers can recreate baseball history with unmatched authenticity.

Keith Hernandez

Class of 2024

A former MLB player and current broadcaster for the Mets on SNY, Keith’s relationship with Strat-O-Matic dates back to his childhood. His ongoing engagement with the game, both as a player and a broadcaster, highlights the deep connection Strat-O-Matic has with the world of professional baseball. Keith’s mentions of Strat-O-Matic during broadcasts not only celebrate the game but also bring its rich history and strategic depth to a wider audience. His enduring passion for Strat-O-Matic is a testament to the game’s lasting impact and appeal.

Dan Patterson

Class of 2024

Dan’s journey with Strat-O-Matic began in 1987, sparked by his passion for NFL and an ad in the Sporting News. His first game, featuring the ‘86 Dolphins and Cowboys, ended with a thrilling last-minute touchdown by Dan Marino, a moment that cemented his lifelong love for Strat-O-Matic. In 2001, Dan founded the Strat Fan Forum, a pivotal online community for fans. Starting with a focus on football, the forum quickly expanded to encompass all sports within Strat-O-Matic. Over 23 years, Dan has masterfully managed the forum’s growth, fostering a vibrant community of diverse personalities of Strat fans around the globe. His dedication to maintaining this platform has been a cornerstone in the Strat-O-Matic world.

Larry Foster

Class of 2024

For nearly 30 years, Larry has been an integral part of the development and improvement of Strat-O-Matic’s Windows games. His meticulous testing and bug-finding skills have been crucial in enhancing the gaming experience. Larry’s involvement spans across all sports and include numerous aspects, from the daily database to the encyclopedia, making him an indispensable member of the Strat-O-Matic team. Larry’s current tasks also include creating the data for the College Football game each year. His unwavering commitment and exceptional skills have left an indelible mark on the game.

Warren Bannerman

Class of 2023

Until Hal Richman found Warren Bannerman, it would have been impossible for Strat-O-Matic to create an advanced game. Warren was an extraordinary programmer, and he computerized Hal’s formulas and algorithms where Strat-O-Matic was able to create, in essence, three cards for every player- his basic card, vs left-hander, and vs right-hander cards. Warren continued to program and advise Strat-O-Matic over the next 30 years. Warren passed away in an unfortunate automobile accident in 2002 but his legacy at Strat-O-Matic lives on. To this day, the Bannerman program is used to create the baseball cards each year.

Steve Barkan

Class of 2023

Steve Barkan was one of the company’s earliest employees, back to the 1960s, and remained on the job, tirelessly, until his retirement at the end of 2013. He had many roles but is best known for his ground-breaking research that fueled Strat-O-Matic’s classic baseball seasons, beginning with the 1956 season in 1982. It was Steve’s research, by poring through every box score for the season, that enabled accurate lefty/righty splits, strikeouts, and caught stealing numbers among others. Besides baseball, Steve was responsible for the hockey game each year as well as work on basketball and football.

Pauline Feelings

Class of 2023

Before she started working for Strat-O-Matic, Pauline worked 3 jobs while away from her children, James and Jimmy. Shortly after starting the company, Hal hired her and Pauline became the first full-time employee of Strat-O-Matic in 1964. Pauline was extraordinary - she did it all from shipping to customer service to brochures. Over her 40 plus years at Strat, anything and everything that needed to get done Pauline was there. Her work ethic was unrivaled. Pauline was simply a wonderful person. We always say that Strat-O-Matic is more than a job, it's a family. That began with Pauline.

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