Thursday, 07 May 2026

Sal Messina

Contest: The US Athletic Hall of Fame - Commentators 2026
Embed from Getty Images
Sport(s): Hockey
Statistics & Accolades: Foster Hewitt Memorial Award
A combination of Bob Uecker and Yogi Berra, Sal Messina was a former minor league goalie who mocked his own lack of success (like Uecker), developed his own quirky sayings (like Berra), and became a New York hockey icon.

Nicknamed “red light” for the number of goals he let in as a player, Messina became a beloved figure in the “Big Apple” as the color man for New York Rangers broadcasts from 1973 to 2002, where his wit and unique use of the English language meshed with practical knowledge. He wasn’t polished, but that was part of Messina’s charm. It would not have worked if he were.

We are proud to nominate Sal Messina for the United States Athletic Hall of Fame.