Athletic Hall of Fame: Uncanny X-Man Returns

Grant Alexander • galexander@theadvertiser.com • November 2, 2008

As a pitcher in the Major Leagues, Xavier Hernandez has known pressure.

But UL’s latest Hall of Fame inductee may have been feeling the most pressure this past week as he watched the Tampa Bay Rays play in the World Series.

Hernandez, who has been the pitching coach for the Rays’ Triple-A team – the Durham Bulls – in North Carolina, tinkers with Tampa’s pitchers at the level just below the Major Leagues.

"It was good to see guys who you’ve seen play in small towns across the country playing up there on the big stage," Hernandez said. "It was very satisfying knowing that those were guys that I’ve been coaching and working with."

Hernandez was inducted along with softball star Alana Addison, all-time receiving leader Brandon Stokley and his wife, and former softball start, Lana Jimenez-Stokley.

Hernandez was a three-year letterman for the Cajuns baseball team from 19894-86. As a pitcher, he was named All-Louisiana in 1985 and led the team in wins with 10. He is second on the career shutout list and is ranked third in school history in complete games.

Hernandez was first drafted by the Blue Jays in 1986 and went on to pitch for the Astros, Yankees, Reds and Rangers. He played in 463 games and recorded 562 strikeouts. His career ERA is 3.90

As a coach in the Rays organization he was able to run into another former Cajun in Scott Dohmann.

"Dohmann is the prototypical type player that comes from this UL program," Hernandez said. "When I was at USL, we were taught about intimidation. My coach was Brad Kelley and that’s something he instilled in us. I’d say that, that was the thing I took away from my time at USL.

"If we can instill that attitude in our pitchers and make them intimidating to the hitters, it swings the balance of power."

Even with all of the accolades Hernandez received after playing for UL, he said it was still a great honor to be recognized in front of the home fans. Joining Hernandez on the sideline after the halftime ceremony was Addison who was equally as excited about her recognition.

"The thing I remember most about my time here was the fans," Addison said. "You can’t beat that Southern Hospitality. I’d like to thank all the fans who came out and supported me throughout the years."

Addison was a four-year letterman for the nationally ranked Cajuns softball team from 1999-2002. She was a two-time All-South selection in 2001 and 2002. She was an All-American selection in 2001 and ranks 16th all time in the NCAA in career assists with 538.

In Cajun history Addison is second in games played with 249, third in at-bats with 773, third in runs scored with 216, tied for second in doubles with 68, fourth in home runs with 57, third in RBIs with 221 and third in total bases with 508.

After her career ended at UL, Addison continued to pursue her softball career by making the top 20 in the 2003 U.S. Olympic trials and participating as part of the U.S. Elite team in the Canada Cup.

Also inducted on this day was one of the more athletic couples in UL history, NFL wideout Brandon Stokley and his wife, former UL softball player Lana Jimenez-Stokley.

Stokley leads the Cajuns in career receptions with 241, receiving yards with 3,702 and touchdown catches with 25. After college, Stokley won a Super Bowl with the Ravens and currently plays for the Denver Broncos.

Jimenez-Stokley was selected to two All-American teams. She holds the record for triples with 19 and ended her career with a .378 batting average.

Neither of the Stokleys were able to attend the game as Brandon is playing a game today in Denver.