Committee Chairman

Pete Rose speaks again about the HOF

Jul 16, 2014

Pete Rose is in the news again, specifically saying that the admission of PED users into the Baseball Hall of Fame will enhance his chances to the Hall of Fame.

In a series of radio interviews Rose had the following to say:

“I wish it would happen, If someway that would happen, it would increase my opportunities.”

In an interview with us two years ago, Rose added that the Hall of Fame “is not filled with choir boys”, indicating that the character of many of the inductees can certainly be questioned.

The one thing that can be said about Pete Rose over the past few years is that he is blunt. Rose said in previous interviews (including with us) that it was not his place to challenge the PED users who threatened the Home Run record, as it was not his. He has also stated that it is Hank Aaron who should speak out against it, should he feel so inclined.

Rose is correct in assuming that the induction of players like Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire, Roger Clemens and Sammy Sosa would have to aid him by default. However, as we know (and so does Pete), the voting from the Baseball Hall of Fame Committee does not indicate that any known PED users will be entering Cooperstown anytime soon.

Rose continued to talk about another reason that he was excluded in the first place:

“I think Faye Vincent (the man who succeeded Bart Giamatti) thinks I killed Bart Giamatti. Not the fact that he smoked five packs of cigaretted a day, nor the fact that he was 70 pounds overweight. It was the stress he went through when he had to battle with me.”

The feud between Faye Vincent and Pate Rose has been well documented in the past and this comment is nothing new. Regular visitors here at Notinhalloffame.com know that we are supporters of the “Hit King” entering the Baseball Hall of Fame. Do his comments make sense to you, or does this sound like the ranting of a hypocrite? Either way, we would love to hear your thoughts!

Flozell Adams to the Michigan State HOF

Jul 15, 2014

Published in Not in Hall of Fame News

The Michigan State Athletic Hall of Fame has announced their latest class and its headliner is former Offensive Tackle, Flozell Adams, who played there from 1994 to 1998. Adams was an All-American in his senior year and the Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year. He would go on to have a successful career in the NFL most notably with the Dallas Cowboys.

Another former football player, Buck Nystrom who played there in the 1950’s, joins Adams. The other four inductees this year are Amateur Wrestler, Greg Johnson, Softball and Women’s Basketball standout, Kathy Strahan, Tennis Player, Sue Selke and Gymnast, Dave Thor.

This group will be officially inducted on September 18^th and another ceremony will take place on the 20^th when the Spartans football team host Eastern Michigan.

We would like to congratulate the latest class at this time.

RIP: Tommy Ramone

Jul 14, 2014

Published in Not in Hall of Fame News

The end of an era was marked as the last surviving member of the original lineup of the Ramones, Drummer, Tommy Ramone passed away following a bout with bile duct cancer. He was 65 years old.

Born Thomas Erdelyi in Budapest, Hungary, he would immigrate to the New York City as a child and would soon find himself attracted to the music scene. Erdelyi would become friends with his High School Classmate, Johnny Cummings and form a garage band named the Tangerine Puppets in the late 1960’s. The duo would later meet Douglas Colvin and Jeffrey Hyman, and the foursome that would eventually become the Ramones had become entrenched in each other’s lives.

Cummings, Colvin and Hyman would form a band, with Colvin inspired by a Paul McCartney pseudonym during the “Silver Beatles” period, adopted the stage name of Dee Dee Ramone. Colvin convinced the others to adopt the fake last name and Hyman and Cummings became Joey and Johnny Ramone respectively. Thomas Erdelyi was not initially part of the band and only intended to be the group’s manager but as fate often intervenes in Rock and Roll, that would not be how the story would play out.

Dee Dee Ramone, who was the initial drummer, quickly came to the conclusion that singing and playing the drums simultaneously wouldn’t work, not with the rapid pace that was required with what was to be the Ramones sound. Erdelyi, still associated with the trio, and set to take place as the band’s manager, was on hand to teach prospective drummers the pacing and style required, though nobody was able to match what Erdelyi could do. He would forego his spot as the band’s manager and assume his new name of Tommy Ramone, the band’s new drummer.

The Ramones would be at the forefront and were considered the leaders of a new musical movement that was called, Punk. Their songs were brief, their tempo was rapid fire and nobody had ever heard anything like it before. They would hit the scene officially in 1974, and become a staple of CBGB’s, the place associated with new and upcoming music in New York City.

They would release their debut album in 1976 and though the Ramones were never a commercial success, their impact was undeniable and they would develop a legacy that has rendered them as one of the most influential bands of all time. Tommy Ramone was the drummer on that album, and would also perform on their next two. Additionally, Tommy would be the co-producer on those first three efforts.

Tommy Ramone would step down as the band’s drummer and would be replaced by Marky Ramone (Mark Bell) who would stay with the group for fifteen years. Tommy would remain on as the co-producer on the fourth album, and as the band’s manager. He would also return to produce their eight album. Tommy was also responsible for writing the bulk of “Blitzkrieg Bop” which is arguably their most recognizable song.

Tommy had been sick for some time prior to his passing, living in hospice care for the past few months. We offer our condolences to the friends, family and fans of Tommy Ramone and we here at Notinhalloffame.com are going to take the Rocket to Russia in two minute bursts.

Pete Carroll Headlines USC HOF Class

Jul 11, 2014

Published in Not in Hall of Fame News

For those you have been regular followers here at Notinhalloffame.com, you already know that we will be unveiling a look at the big four North American Sports franchises and how they retire numbers and/or honor former players/contributors with their respective Halls of Fame. It stands to reason that this practice will eventually work its way to the major American College programs. With that in mind, we will now begin reporting on when a significant college admits someone into their Hall of Fame or retire a number.

Today, the University of Southern California has announced their latest Hall of Fame Class, with former Football Coach, Pete Carroll as the perceived headliner. Carroll brought the Trojans Football tea back to national prominence and won the National Championship in 2003 and 2004, and also won six BCS Bowl Games. He was criticized for leaving USC shortly before the University faced sanctions due to violations of the NCAA code, mostly centered around former Running Back, Reggie Bush. Still, Carroll’s impact at USC can not be denied.

Fifteen other people join Pete Carroll. Jack Del Rio, who played both Baseball and Football at USC from 1981 to 1985. Del Rio was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in Baseball, and starred as a Catcher, batting well over .300. He would be regarded as a bigger star in Football, winning the Rose Bowl MVP in ’85 and was an All-American Linebacker.

Mark Prior was also chosen. The Pitcher was a major star at USC, winning the Dick Howser Trophy, Golden Spikes Award, and Rotary Smith Award in 2001. His incredible performance led him to being the second player over all in the MLB Draft.

Another highly regarded Football player joins the Hall, with Quarterback, Jimmy Jones, who was one of the first African-American pivots of note. The trailblazing Jones went 22-8-3 as a Starter at USC.

The sport of Basketball is also represented with Harold Miner, a slam dunk aficionado who was the Pac-10 Player of the Year and Consensus All-American in 1992. That year, Miner led USC to a number #2 ranking prior to the NCAA Tournament.

Jamaican born Track and Field Star and 1976 200 Meter Olympic Gold Medalist, Don Quarrie was also selected.

The remaining inductees are Linebacker, Tim Rossovich, Rhodesia born Tennis player, Byron Black, Phillipine born and former NCAA Champion, Jennifer Rosales, Canadian born women’s soccer player, Isabelle Harvey, longtime Assistant Football Coach, Dave Levy, Hungarian born Water Polo star, Aniko Pelle, Sportswriter, Joe Jares, Swimmer, Kristine Quance, Volleyball star, Bob Yoder and John Hamilton who is recognized as a contributor.

We would like to congratulate this year’s Class to the USC Athletic Hall of Fame.