It's just an homage. I've named Star Trek characters after actors, baseball players, scientists, friends, fans, rock stars, and family members. No one has complained so far — in part, I presume, because my homage characters tend to be depicted in a favorable light, rather than a defamatory one. It's also likely that the recipients of this dubious "honor" generally are unaware of it.
Players from the St. Louis Cardinals, if I remember correctly. The security chief on the U.S.S. Ranger in the Star Trek Destiny trilogy was named after Cardinals pitcher-turned-outfielder Rick Ankiel. And I'm sure there are a few members of the recent NY Mets scattered throughout some of my other post-Destiny novels.
As a Cincinnati Reds fan, i can only say: Fuck the Cardinals. I still like you Mack, just not as much as I did before.