Committee Chairman

Kiss Cooperstown Goodbye, A-Rod

Aug 05, 2013

We knew this day was coming for some time. Alex Rodriguez was suspended by Major League Baseball for the rest of the 2013 Season and the entire 2014 Season for his role in the Biogenesis Scandal. A-Rod was not the only one suspended, but his penalty was far more severe than the other twelve men, as MLB felt they had evidence that he tampered with the investigation and under the by-laws of Baseball, they can penalize him harsher for besmirching the good of the game. Although Rodriguez is currently fighting the decision, we strongly believe that this will end any chance that he would have for the Hall of Fame.

Sadly, Baseball and Performance Enhancing Drugs have been intertwined for the last two decades. Regular readers of this website may have noticed that we have supported the candidacy of Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens and Mark McGwire for Cooperstown. Our reasons were very simple for this, as during the time of their indiscretions, Major League Baseball and their Union had no policy against it, and frankly they profited very much by it in the late 90’s by McGwire’s single season Home Run chase of Roger Maris. In fact, some has gone so far as to say it saved the game after the 1994 strike alienated fans.

As the public became more aware (or sorry to say, finally saw the obvious) that these records were being aided by PEDs, fans began to turn on these hulking sluggers. Baseball was still profiting from these players to a certain extent, but they were also becoming embarrassed by them. It took many years, and extensive negotiations with the MLB Players Union, but by 2005 there was a Drug Policy in place, and players would be suspended if it was a violated.

This was not just for show, as suspensions were issued and not just to small names. Potential Hall of Fame players like Manny Ramirez were hit, and it was clear that this was a policy meant to eradicate the sins of the past. It doesn’t change what happened, but it is a path that MLB should be praised for, as they are the front runners in the major sports for their role in penalizing those who cheat by partaking in PEDs.

Actually, we will argue that they are the only major North American sporting organization that takes it seriously. It is been strongly alleged that the Biogenesis Scandal does not include only Baseball players; however ONLY MLB has sought out those who were part of it. There has been no attempt (or even comment) by the NFL, NBA or anyone else for that matter.

The climate has changed amongst the players too. Nobody can argue that the MLB Players’ Union is not strong, but they are on board with the strong testing; something that was far from the case a decade ago. Witness the sombre reaction to Ryan Braun’s suspension. His peers discussed disappointment with the former National League MVP, and the overall belief within a MLB dugout is that PED users are NOT good for the game.

This bring us to Alex Rodriguez, who had admitted to using enhancers during his time with the Texas Rangers; which should be noted was prior to any set policy by MLB. He stated that he was since clean, and went as far to publicly speak against it. As we now know (and based on what MLB claims is mountains of evidence) this was not the case, and he violated policies of the game.

This is the difference to us, as since there is a known code of conduct in place, we would have no problem understanding a Hall of Fame voter for blacklisting A-Rod. If we had a vote (and nobody does this write up better than our own, DDT), we aren’t even sure that he is a first ballot entry anyways, and that is even with we forget about the PEDs.

Although we can’t argue with the whopping regular season statistics of Rodriguez; however where were they in the Post Season?

A-Rod’s Regular Season stat line of .300/.384/.560 drops to .263/.369/.464 in the Post Season, echoing complaints that he is not a clutch performer. He did have a stellar 2009 Post Season, but that is countered by his benching (justified) in his last playoff appearance.

The Seattle Mariners had their best regular season the year after Rodriguez left for Texas. The Rangers never had a winning season in his three years there and improved by seventeen games, the year after (they paid) New York to take him. Alex Rodriguez only translated to one World Series for what was an All Star lineup. For a man with over 100 WAR, we have to openly question just how many wins he translates to.

We do know this. The above three paragraphs are irrelevant as far as Cooperstown goes, because he can officially kiss it goodbye. We can’t say that we will be going on our soapbox to change that opinion either.

RIP: Art Donovan

Aug 05, 2013

Published in Not in Hall of Fame News

On the Football Hall of Fame weekend, Canton lost one of its own, in the passing of Art Donovan, who was inducted in 1968. The Defensive Tackle was a five time Pro Bowl Selection and a member of the 1950’s All Decade Team and with the Baltimore Colts was a two time NFL Champion. However, it was not on the field that most people remember him for.

Art Donovan was one of the most colourful personalities of all time, and his appearances on the David Letterman Show raised his profile. His humour was transcendent and e would become a popular public speaker.

We here at Notinhalloffame.com offer our condolences to the friends and family of Art Donovan at this time.

Pro Football HOF Weekend!

Aug 04, 2013

Published in Not in Hall of Fame News

A week after the Baseball had their Hall of Fame Weekend and inducted no live bodies, Canton added to their legacy by putting in a solid group of (and alive) inductees into the Football Hall of Fame. Relatively speaking, this Hall has been controversy free and has been a model of how Halls should induct players and contributors. We also love the way how the Hall of Fame induction ceremony kicks off the Pre-Season and gets us excited about the upcoming season. We thought we would take one final look at the Class of 2013.

Larry Allen was a mountain of a man, and considered by many to be the strongest player in the NFL. He used that physical skill to dominate the Cowboys Offensive Line and was named to both 1990’s and 2000’s All Decade Team. This 11 Time Pro Bowl selection also won the Super Bowl twice with the Cowboys. This was a no brainer.

Cris Carter took a while to get enshrined into the Hall of Fame. The logjam at Wide Receiver likely delayed the former Minnesota Viking star, though we were always fascinated by an attribute that some found one-dimensional: that all “he ever did was catch touchdowns”. Funny, we thought that was the idea of the game. We always felt he should have gotten in earlier.

Curley Culp was a Senior nominee selection. Culp had a great run with the Kansas City Chiefs, helping them win their lone Super Bowl in 1970. Culp was a five time Pro Bowl selection who was a dominating interior lineman in his day. Culp was not initially on our top 100 list, but through another retrospective on his career, we may have erred in that assessment.

Jonathan Ogden could have been the easiest no-brainer for induction this year. Ray Lewis may have gotten all the press on the Defensive side for the Baltimore Ravens, but Ogden was the Offensive Lineman who protected a lot of “average at best” Quarterbacks ensuring that they would do just enough to win. It may be arguable that Ogden is the best Left Tackle of all time, but he is the one whose worth was showcased first on a financial statement. When people describe Left Tackle as the second most important position in Football, much of that is because of Jonathan Ogden.

How did Bill Parcells not get in last year? We don’t rank non-players on our list, but if we did, he would have been a lock for the top five. The two-time Super Bowl winner was not just a great coach, but a great motivator and a man known for taking mediocre teams and turning them around rapidly. In our eyes, Parcells is the headliner of this Class.

Dave Robinson was another Green Bay Packers great who was the second of two Senior nominees inducted. The Linebacker had 27 career Interceptions and excelled at tackling opposing receivers and rushers for no gain. Robinson’s induction was a little overshadowed by the constant plight of his long time teammate, Jerry Kramer, who we (and virtually everyone else) has championed for the Football Hall of Fame.

The final inductee for this year’s class is Warren Sapp, a great Defensive End who was known equally for his Defensive prowess as his swagger. Sapp was our lowest ranked player to get in from last year’s list, but statistically has every right to be enshrined. Much has been made (though we are not sure why) about his bust being the first one with braids; which may make Sapp stand out a little more in this year’s class; which we are sure he enjoys.

We congratulate this year’s inductees, but mostly the Pro Football Hall of Fame; which is becoming the class of the Sporting Halls.

Donovan McNabb: Retired for good

Jul 30, 2013

Published in Not in Hall of Fame News

Donovan McNabb officially retired from the National Football League and did so as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles. The Quarterback last played in with the Minnesota Vikings in 2011, where his last few years were not exactly at a level of his glory years with Philadelphia.

Although McNabb heard his share of boos in Philly (but what athlete hasn’t), he set virtually every Quarterback record for the franchise. As such, he secured the right to have his number retired in Philadelphia, but does it translate to a bust in Canton? We aren’t so sure.

Although he was a six time Pro Bowl Selection, he never made an All Pro Team. He took the Eagles to the NFC Championship Game five times, but only one once. In his lone Super Bowl appearance, he did not have a great game and is remembered for being criticized (fairly) by controversial Wide Receiver Terrell Owens, who played the game of his career, coming back early from injury.

McNabb is ranked 17^th overall in Passing Yards, but only finished in the top ten twice. His highest rank in a season for Pass Completion is 10^th, and his Quarterback Rating only exceeded 100 once. Still, his accuracy was well above average and his Yards per Reception were very high; which should be noted.

As good as he was in Philadelphia; McNabb was essentially ushered out for an unproven Quarterback (Kevin Kolb). He landed in Washington, where he was criticized for his conditioning and was replaced by (gasp….Rex Grossman). He would go to Minnesota, where he only held the starting position for a handful of games.

So, we ask…is Donovan McNabb a Hall of Fame Quarterback? He thinks so. Is he a “Hall of Very Good Candidate”? Possibly. Or is he a man who played his way out of Canton (our opinion). We would love to hear yours.