Committee Chairman

Lisa Leslie headlines Women's Basketball HOF Class

Jul 20, 2014

Today the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame has announced their Class of 2015; the 17^th Class that the Knoxville, Tennessee based institution has inducted.

The unarguable headliner of this Class is Lisa Leslie, who led the United States to four consecutive Gold Medals in the Olympics. Leslie would play her College ball at the University of Southern California and was named the Player of the Year in 1994. Following the formation of the WNBA (which first took the court in 1997), Leslie would star for the Los Angeles Sparks, the flagship franchise of the new league.

In L.A., Leslie would win the WNBA MVP three times and was named a First Team All WNBA selection eight times. Most importantly for Leslie, she was able to finally lead the Sparks to the WNBA Title in 2001 and repeated the effort again in 2002.

Joining Leslie is Janeth Arcain, the main star of the Brazilian National Team in the 90’s. Professionally, Arcain played for the Houston Comets of the WNBA and would be a focal point of the Comets squad that won the first four WNBA Titles. She would also earn First Team honors in her career.

Another inductee this year is Janet Harris, who was a standout player at the University of Georgia. Harris was the first NCAA player to record 2,500 Points and 1,250 Rebounds.

Kurt Budke is posthumously inducted. Budke passed away in 2011 in a plane crash and was coaching the Oklahoma State Cowgirls at the time. Budke is recognized as one of the most successful Junior College Head Coach and had revitalized the OSU program.

Current Los Angeles Sparks Head Coach, Gail Goestenkors is being inducted also. Goestenkors primarily enters based on her work with Duke University and at the University of Texas. She was named the Coach of the Year in 2003 and took the Blue Devils to four straight Final Fours.

The Class is completed by Oregon High School Coach, Brad Smith and the 1972-74 Immaculata College who enter in the “Trailblazers of the Game” showcase.

We would like to congratulate this year’s Class.

Beyonce exhibit to the RRHOF

Jul 18, 2014

Published in Not in Hall of Fame News

It looks like Beyonce is headed towards the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame; well at least her clothing is anyway.

Outfits from her Super Bowl Performance and single black unitard worn from her “Single Ladies” video will be on display this Tuesday in the Ahmet Ehrtegun Main Exhibit Hall in its Legends of Rock section. Based on the amount of material that Beyonce was willing to donate, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame elected to put her display in the main attraction of the site.

This addition to the Hall, and the comments made by Rock and Roll HOF Executives comparing her to Aretha Franklin open the question as to whether Cleveland will permanently honor Beyonce next decade. Beyonce will be eligible for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002 as a member of Destiny’s Child and again in 2027 as a solo artist.

Regardless of whether you think a Beyonce exhibit belongs in the Hall, based on the progression of music, we here feel that this is a nice addition.

RIP: Johnny Winter

Jul 18, 2014

Published in Not in Hall of Fame News

The Rock and Roll world lost another great one today with the passing of Johnny Winter, who died in his hotel room in Zurich, Switzerland today at the age of 70. It is unknown at this time what was the cause of his death.

The distinctively looking Winter (he was born with albinism and horrific eyesight) would carve a place for himself in the Rock/Blues world. Winter first gained recognition in 1968 as a live act, and would put out his first album the following year. While Winter never sold a ton of albums, nor had radio friendly singles, he quickly became known for his live performances and would be one of the few musicians in the early 1970’s that could sell out an arena without the benefit of radio.

Winter, who was once introduced at the famed Fillmore East as the “baddest mother fucker” delighted crowds with the rapid speed in which he played the guitar, yet was still rooted in the Blues and had the soul and fluidity of the Blues legends he grew up on. He also sang with an earnest and intense growl, in a voice that could only match the way he played.

Perhaps the crowning achievement of Johnny Winter’s career was when he was able to produce his childhood idol’s album. In 1977, Winter produced Muddy Waters’ albums, which he also played on. The collaboration not only revitalized Waters’ career but also earned three Grammy Awards.

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

Pete Rose speaks again about the HOF

Jul 16, 2014

Published in Not in Hall of Fame News

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!