Had the NFL officially tracked Sacks in the years leading up to 1982, Al “Bubba” Baker might have gained some Hall of Fame traction.

Baker began his professional career with the Detroit Lions and instantly became the heart of Detroit’s Silver Rush Defense.  The former Colorado State Ram led the league (unofficially) in Sacks as a rookie with 23.  He easily won the Defensive Rookie of the Year, was a First Team All-Pro, and was the scariest pass rusher in the league.  He dominated again in 1979 with 16 Sacks and had his second “unofficial” sack crown with 17.5 in 1980.   Yep, 56.5 in his first three years!

Baker remained a potent player, but he ne did not go to another Pro Bowl beyond his first three seasons.  He was sent to the St. Louis Cardinals following a contract dispute, and in his four years under the Arch, he recorded 37.5 Sacks, with three double-digit years.  Baker played four more years, mostly in a reserve capacity, with three years in Cleveland and one in Minnesota.

He retired with 131.0 Sacks, a colossal number that remains unofficial, but those are not disputed metrics.

Regular visitors of Notinhalloffame.com know that we are slowly working on the top 50 of every major team in the NHL, NBA, NFL and MLB.  Once that is done, we intend to look at how each team honor their past players, coaches and executives.  As such, it is news to us that the Colorado State Athletic Hall of Fame has announced their Class of 2021.

This group comprises the 30^th ever Class, and it consists of six people.

The induction will take place on September 10, with the group being unveiled at their home game the day after against Vanderbilt.

The Class of 2021 are:

Breann Bohnen, Women’s Swimming and Diving, 2008-13:  Bohnen was a four-time conference champion, specializing in the 200m backstroke.  She was named a three-time team MVP.

Joel Dressen, Football, 2001-04:  Dressen played at Tight End and helped the Rams win the 2002 MWC Championship.  He would later play in the NFL for the New York Jets, Houston and Denver.

Rich Feller, Men’s Volleyball Head Coach, 1983-96:  Feller won two conference championships and had a record of 299-167.

Tarry Harrison, Men’s Cross Country, 1966-69:  Harrison finished second at the 10,000m in 1968.

Debbie Maass, Women’s Track and Field, 1991-94:  Maass was a three-time conference champion in the mile.

Gary Ozzello, Sports Information Director, Senior Associate Athletic Director 1978-2020:

We would like to congratulate the newest members of the Colorado State Athletic Hall of Fame for earning this prestigious honor.

Known as “The Hatchet” (which is reason enough to rank him on any football list), the small framed Cornerback was one of the most punishing tacklers of his day and a major cog in the wheel of those three NFL Championship Teams in the 1950’s.  It is definitely worth noting that Jim David recorded an Interception in all three of those Lions NFL Championships.  Seriously, how impressive is that!

Lawrence McCutcheon was a better than you remember Running Back, who spent his entire the best years of his NFL career with the Los Angeles Rams.

A member of the NFL 2000’s All-Decade Team, Joey Porter had a very productive run in the National Football League, especially with the Pittsburgh Steelers where he won a Super Bowl Ring.  The four-time Pro Bowl Linebacker fell two Sacks shy of the 100 mark and would be regarded as one of the dirtiest defensive players of his time, but definitely someone you wanted on your side.