Committee Chairman

Randy Savage to enter the WWE

Jan 13, 2015

Hell froze over again at the WWE Hall of Fame.

Tonight on Monday Night Raw, the WWE Hall of Fame will announce that the first member of this year’s induction class will be Randy “Macho Man” Savage, who in the eyes of many was the greatest omission from their Hall.

Savage left the WWE in 1994, as have many, but nearly all of the big names who departed World Wrestling Entertainment in 1994 was hopeful to continue more of an in ring career, jumped to rival World Championship Wrestling where he was used as more than a broadcaster. He would headline multiple WCW Pay Per Views and win their version of the Heavyweight Title four times. This was after a ten year stint in the WWE where he was arguably the number two name behind Hulk Hogan, and a two time World Champion there.

At the time, it did not seem like Savage left on horrible terms, but as Hulk Hogan came back and Bret Hart came back, the question (which remains completely unknown) was why did Randy Savage not return. Past writers and workers claimed that Vince would not consider doing business with Savage in any capacity and all we have are theories as to why.

When Savage died in 2011, WWE fans were not only sad that they lost one of their favorites, but that they never got to see him one more time in a WWE ring and furthermore did not enter the WWE Hall of Fame.

Savage’s younger brother, Lanny Poffo, had previously made claims that Randy only wanted to go in with the Hall of Fame with the entire Poffo family, which would include Lanny and their father Angelo, who was a former wrestler himself and owned the outlaw ICW promotion in Kentucky in the 70’s and 80’s.

There is little reason to dispute Lanny, as Angelo was curiously added to the WCW Hall of Fame, allegedly at the crowbarring of Savage, and with respect to Angelo Poffo, he did not belong. Lanny also claimed that when the Von Erichs got in, specifically, the diminutive Chris Von Erich that how could he be denied?

Either way, that has not been referenced by Lanny in recent months as he publically relaxed that stance as in interviews he stated that of the fans wanted Randy in, he wouldn’t stand in their way, leading to speculation that he would be the headliner for this year’s Hall, which as we know has proven true.

We only wish that Randy was alive to see himself return home.

RIP: Roy Tarpley

Jan 10, 2015

Published in Not in Hall of Fame News

Former First Round draft pick, Roy Tarpley died today at the age of 50 to unknown causes.

Tarpley was the 7th pick overall in 1986 from the University of Michigan and the Center was chosen by the Dallas Mavericks, where he was poised to become one of the top big men of the game, and for awhile he was on his way to accomplishing that very thing.

In his rookie year, Tarpley would make the All Rookie Team and following that, though it was injury plagued, he would average a double double with the Dallas Mavericks. He wasn’t playing at an All Star level, but it started to look like he was knocking at the door. Sadly for Tarpley, it all began to unravel.

In the 1989/90 season he was pulled over for a DWI and was arrested for resisting arrest. A little over a year later, it happened again ad shortly after that he received banishment from the NBA for a violation of the NBA drug policy. Basically, drugs and alcohol ran Roy Tarpley’s life.

Tarpley would ply his trade in Europe and would return to the Dallas Mavericks in the 2004/05 season but he would test positive again and this time he was banned for life by the National Basketball Association and he would never play there again. He would bounce back to Europe but would still leave the NBA with a career double-double average.

We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to extend our condolences to the friends and family of Roy Tarpley at this time.

D-Backs to retire Randy Johnson's Number

Jan 10, 2015

Published in Not in Hall of Fame News

It seems like we are meant to talk about Randy Johnson a lot this week.

Following the announcement of Johnson’s induction to the Baseball Hall of Fame, the Arizona Diamondbacks, the team where he pitched eight seasons in two stints (1998 to 2004 & 2007 to 2008) and had his best statistical seasons with.

Johnson would sign with the Diamondbacks as a Free Agent in 1999 and would immediately enter into the best baseball phase of his career. He would win the next four National League Cy Young Awards, this after winning his first Cy Young in the American League with the Seattle Mariners. In that four year timespan, “The Big Unit” won 81 Games, won the ERA Title three times, the Strikeouts Title four times, the WHIP Title once and most importantly co-won the World Series MVP (with Curt Schilling) and led the Diamondbacks to their first and to date only World Series Championship in 2001.

Statistically speaking, Johnson posted a 118 and 62 Won/Loss record, recorded 2,077 Strikeouts and had 2.83 ERA, 1.068 WHIP and a 53.0 in his eight seasons as an Arizona Diamondback, which are far superior numbers to the 10 seasons he spent in Seattle.

Johnson’s number 51 will be the third number retired by the Diamondbacks, the others being the league mandated 42 of Jackie Robinson and the number 20 of Luis Gonzalez. The team has not announced which day this will take place officially.

We would like to congratulate Randy Johnson for his latest accolade.

2015 College Football HOF Class Announced

Jan 09, 2015

Published in Not in Hall of Fame News

Damn, we love this time of year!

The College Football Hall of Fame has announced their new class and although we here at Notinhalloffame.com do not rank those who are not in their Hall, we love their institution and always pay attention to their news.

Let’s take a look at their latest group of inductees, which includes fifteen players and two coaches.

Trev Alberts, Linebacker: Nebraska, 1990-93

Trev Alberts helped bring the Cornhuskers to three straight Orange Bowls (though they lost all three) and was named the Dick Butkus Award winner in 1993 as the top Linebacker in College Football. He is currently the Athletic Director of the University of Nebraska-Omaha.

Brian Bosworth, Linebacker: Oklahoma, 1984-86

Brian Bosworth was cocky, arrogant and a self-marketing machine. He was also one of the best college Linebackers of all time. Bosworth remains the only two time Dick Butkus award winner as the nation’s top Linebacker and the two time All American finished fourth in Heisman voting in 1986. The Sooners would win the National Championship in 1985, largely because of Bosworth, though he is remembered by many for not being allowed to play in the 1987 Orange Bowl due to a steroids suspension and wearing a t-shirt at the game referring to the NCAA as communists.

Bob Breunig, Linebacker: Arizona State, 1971-74

Bob Breunig was a major part of two Arizona State Fiesta Bowl wins and would lead the Sun Devils three times in tackles. He would be named the WAC Defensive Player of the Year twice (1973 & 1974) and as a professional, he was named a Pro Bowl three times while playing with the Dallas Cowboys.

Sean Brewer, Defensive End: Millsaps, 1989-92

Sean Brewer was the most dominant Defensive End in Division III during his time at Millsaps and was a three time All American.

Ruben Brown, Offensive Tackle: Pittsburgh, 1991-94

Ruben Brown starred on the Pittsburgh O-Line for four years and would become one of the most successful Pitt players in the NFL earning nine Pro Bowls.

Wes Chandler, Wide Receiver: Florida, 1974-77

Wes Chandler was regarded as the top Wide Receiver for the Florida Gators in the 1970’s and he would finish tenth in Heisman Trophy balloting in 1977. He would catch 94 passes for 1,994 Yards and 22 Touchdowns, which were excellent numbers for that team in that era.

Tom Gatewood, Split End: Notre Dame, 1969-71

Tom Gatewood would set multiple receiving records at Notre Dame and would be an All American in 1970 where he caught 77 passes for 1,123 Yards. That year, the Fighting Irish would finish second overall and win the Cotton Bowl.

Dick Jauron, Running Back: Yale, 1970-72

Dick Jauron would become more known for being a Head Coach in the NFL (he was the Coach of the Year in 2001) but at Yale he was 53 Yards short of rushing for 3,000 over his college career and he would become the first Yale player to go First Team All-Ivy for three years. Jauron would also be a one time Pro Bowl selection in the NFL.

Clinton Jones, Running Back: Michigan State, 1964-66

Clinton Jones finished sixth in Heisman Trophy voting in 1966, and the Spartans were named National Champions in both 1965 and 1966 with Jones being a large part of that success. He would rush for 2,034 Yards with 20 Touchdowns and would have a lengthy run as a professional with the Minnesota Vikings.

Lincoln Kennedy, Offensive Lineman: Washington, 1989-92

Part of two Rose Bowl Championships, Lincoln Kennedy would also win the prestigious Morris Trophy as the Pac 10’s top Offensive Player in 1991 and 1992. He would go on to have a successful pro career earning three Pro Bowl selections.

Rob Lytle, Running Back: Michigan, 1974-76

Rob Lytle would finish third in Heisman Trophy voting in 1976 and was also a consensus All-American that year. He would set the then Michigan Wolverine rushing record and would tabulate 3,311 Rushing Yards with 26 Touchdowns and Michigan would finish in the top ten in all three seasons he was there.

Michael Payton, Quarterback: Marshall, 1989-92

Michael Payton would lead the Thundering Herd to the NCAA I-AA Championship in 1992 and would also win the Walter Payton Award as the Most Valuable Offensive Player in I-AA.

Bill Snyder, Head Coach: Kansas State, 1989-2005 & 2009-present

Longtime Kansas State Wildcats Head Coach Bill Snyder becomes one of the few active Head Coaches to be selected for the College Football Hall of Fame. Snyder inherited a horrific Kansas State program in 1989 and slowly brought them to prominence in the then Big Eight Conference. All of his effort would pay off when in 1998, Kansas State was ranked #1, a decade after being named by Sports Illustrated as the worst program in the country. Snyder currently has a Head Coaching record of 187-94-1 and was named in 1998 was the consensus College Coach of the Year.

Zach Thomas, Linebacker: Texas Tech, 1992-95

Zach Thomas was a consensus All American in 1995 and was a two time SWC Defensive Player of the Year.

Jim Tressel, Head Coach: Youngstown State, 1986-2000 & Ohio State 2001-10.

Tressel has an overall Head Coaching record in NCAA of 229-72-2, and took Youngstown State to four titles and Ohio State to the National Championship in the 2002 season with a surprise win over the heavily favored Miami Hurricanes at the 2003 Fiesta Bowl. He would also score major wins at the 2002 and 2005 Fiesta Bowl, 2009 Rose Bowl and 2010 Sugar Bowl and would win the Big Ten Conference seven times. Although Tressel was forced to resign over the infamous tattoo scandal, fans of the Buckeyes will long remember his success at Ohio State; especially in the years he beat Michigan!

Ricky Williams, Running Back: Texas, 1995-98

The most dominating Running Back of his time in University, Ricky Williams would set the NCAA all-time Rushing record (though it would be broke one year later by Ron Dayne of Wisconsin), and would lead the NCAA in Rushing Yards in both 1997 and 1998. Williams would finish 5th in Heisman Trophy balloting in 1997 and would win the coveted award in his senior year, where he would lead his team to a Cotton Bowl win. He would net a whopping 6,592 Rushing Yards with 75 Touchdowns (along with 988 Yards Receiving and 4 more TDS) over his collegiate career and the two time All American would be a first round draft pick with the New Orleans Saints and rush for 10,000 Yards as a professional.

This Class will formally inducted on December 8 at an awards dinner in New York City.

We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to congratulate this group of great college stars, and the College Football Hall of Fame in general, which has made great strides in the past two years.