John "Rocky" Roe, a 1970 Eastern Michigan University baseball champion and former American League umpire, appears on the 2026 Michigan Sports Hall of Fame ballot, placed in the professional category alongside other distinguished candidates.
College triumphs and records
His collegiate career began as a starting first baseman on the championship squad, where he amassed a school‑record 86 runs batted in and helped the Eagles capture the NAIA National Championship.
Beyond the diamond, Roe’s leadership contributed to four national championship teams across his high school and college careers, cementing his reputation as a clutch performer.
A career of calls and championships
After graduating, he enrolled at the Bill Kinnamon Umpire School in 1977 and launched a 21‑year umpiring career that featured assignments in two World Series, two All‑Star Games, and numerous Division Series and Championship Series.
His post‑umpire entrepreneurship led to the creation of Major League Music‑Compact Disc Juke Boxes, a venture that expanded to ten states and merged his passion for sports with innovative entertainment technology.
Business ventures off the field
The company’s distribution network demonstrated an entrepreneurial spirit that mirrored his competitive drive on the field.
Path to the Hall
Voting for the Hall of Fame will close on Friday, June 12, giving supporters a narrow window to ensure Roe’s place among Michigan’s sporting legends.
He will be joined on the ballot by figures such as Mark "The Bird" Fidrych, Kevin Glover, Mike Vernon, Thomas "Pepper" Johnson and Swin Cash, each of whom has left a lasting imprint on the state’s athletic heritage.
An induction would honor not only his on‑field accolades but also his contributions to baseball’s cultural fabric and his innovative business pursuits, illustrating a multifaceted legacy.