Committee Chairman

RIP: Jack Bruce

Oct 26, 2014

The musical world lost perhaps its greatest bass player when it was announced that Jack Bruce died today at the age of 71. Bruce was best known as a member of the late 1960’s power trio, Cream, which included Eric Clapton and Ginger Baker.

Bruce would first cut his teeth in the early 60’s where he first gained attention with the Graham Bond Organization, an electric blues outfit that also included drummer, Ginger Baker. Bruce would leave the band to join John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers, an outfit that also had Eric Clapton. Shortly after, in 1966, he would become a part of Manfred Mann and enjoy to date the most success (commercially speaking anyway) of his career, however the best was yet to come.

With Baker and Calpton, Jack Bruce formed Cream, a band that is commonly referred to do in the annals of Rock and Roll History as the first “Supergroup”. Cream amalgamated all they had learned from Blues Rock, Jazz Rock and combined it with the contemporary Psychedelic sound, and the trio churned out four albums (Fresh Cream, Disraeli Gears, Wheels of Fire & Goodbye) in a three year time span; all of which were highly acclaimed efforts and spawned hit singles, many of which were sung by Bruce.

The band’s heavier sound helped usher in precursors to Heavy Metal, and Hard Rock stars of the 1970’s, and though they were only together for a few years the impact of Cream was undeniable.

After 1968, the three members of Cream all went their separate ways, and Bruce would put out over a dozen solo albums, and though his solo efforts were not as impactful as his work with Cream, he remained a certifiable musical legend and one of the most respected in his craft.

Cream would enter the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993, and would reunite on stage for the first time in twenty-five years where they performed “Sunshine of Your Love” and “White Room”, two of their biggest hits. They would reform for a brief spell in 2005.

We would like to extend our condolences to the friends and family of Jack Bruce.

Bobby Phills jersey coming home to Charlotte

Oct 25, 2014

Published in Not in Hall of Fame News

With the Charlotte Hornets embracing their identity, it stands to reason that the National Basketball Association would take over their past.

The first version of the Hornets (now the New Orleans Pelicans) retired the number 13 of Bobby Phills on February 9, 2000, less than a month after he was killed in a car accident. Phills was following his teammate David Wesley, where the two were allegedly driving in a reckless manner (Wesley was charged with that offense) and his Porsche swerved into oncoming traffic.

In his three seasons in Charlotte, the former Shooting Guard played in 133 Games, starting in 113 of them. Phills would average 12.3 Points per Game in a Charlotte uniform. His jersey will be re-retired on November 1st, and is the only number retired by the Hornets organization.

Contributor Nominees Announced for the Football HOF

Oct 23, 2014

Published in Not in Hall of Fame News

As you may be aware, the Pro Football Hall of Fame has announced a “Contributor” category that is now separate for the standard process, which included builders in the past. In the first year of this new category, the first two non-players who will be fast tracked to the Finalist category are former Raiders and Packers Executive, Ron Wolf and former Bills, Panthers and Colts, General Manager, Bill Polian.

Ron Wolf was a key executive with the Raiders organization and was part of the reason that the organization drafted so well in the 1970’s and built up a team that would win the Super Bowl in 1976, 1980 and 1983. Wolf would later join the Green Bay Packers in 1991 and build a team that won the Super Bowl in 1997, mostly through engineering a trade for Brett Favre and signing superstar Free Agent, Reggie White, proving to other NFL players that Green Bay was a place you wanted to play!

Bill Polian took over as the General Manager of the Buffalo Bills in 1986 after a campaign where they went 2 and 14. Through Polian’s shrewd drafting, the Bills would become an AFC juggernaut and win the conference (though sadly no Super Bowls) in four consecutive seasons. He would later join the expansion Carolina Panthers and in the franchise’s second year of existence would compete in the NFC Championship Game.

It was leaked that the following non-players were also considered:

Gil Brandt, former Dallas Cowboys Scout.

Pat Bowlen, Owner of the Denver Broncos

Edward DeBartolo Jr., former Owner of the San Francisco 49ers

Art Modell, former Owner of the Baltimore Ravens

Steve Sabol, former President of NFL Films

Paul Tagliabue, former NFL Commissioner

It was also announced that the following year, only one Contributor candidate will be considered, and revert back to two the following year. The new process was designed to aid the glut of deserving non-players to potentially enter the Professional Football Hall of Fame.

It will be very interesting to see how the Football Hall will treat the Contributing Finalists this year, and the upcoming years to come.

Sabres to retire Hasek's number in January

Oct 23, 2014

Published in Not in Hall of Fame News

It was not that long ago that the Buffalo Sabres announced their intention to retire the number of former Goalie, Dominik Hasek this season. The organization has now officially announced the date, as on January 13th, in their home game against the Detroit Red Wings, Hasek’s number 39 will be raised to the rafters at the First Niagara Center.

Hasek, who recently entered the Hockey Hall of Fame on the first ballot was a six time Vezina Trophy winner, a six time First Team All Star and more impressively a two time Hart Trophy winner as a Buffalo Sabre. In 1999, Hasek backstopped the Sabres to a Stanley Cup Final, where they came as closest in the organization’s history in hoisting the Cup. “The Dominator” would eventually win the Stanley Cup, but he had to join the Detroit Red Wings, where he would win the coveted trophy twice.

Hasek, who forced the trade out of Buffalo, did not leave Western New York on the best of circumstances, but as time often does, wounds have healed, and he is no longer a villain to the Sabres faithful, who frankly have had little to cheer for in years.

This is the 7th number retired by the Buffalo Sabres in their history.