Over the years, there have been many individuals associated with sports that I have looked up to, been a fan of, owned a jersey of or just pulled for. These are my guys, and although it has not always been a road without bumps for many, these are my guys. In an effort to recognize these folks, I have formed The Hall of BAHL. Individuals making this list may or may not be the greatest ever players, coaches or ambassadors, but they are my favorites.
Each year, I will induct a new class members into The Hall of BAHL. In honor of my good buddy and sportsman Big Ole BudFeiser, who we lost in 2011 and who I grew up playing sports with, each class will annually be announced on his birthday, June 13.
The inductees for the 2020 Hall of BAHL class are listed in no particular order below:
KEVIN SEITZER
With George Brett moving toward the end of his hall of fame playing career,the Kansas City Royals needed to interject some power in the lineup, finding it with rookie Kevin Seitzer in 1996. Seitzer immediately started slapping the ball around, taking a stab at the Royals record books on more than few occasions.
He was a fun player to watch, and I wish his tenure with the Royals lasted longer. Seitzer headed over to the Milwaukee Brewers in 1996. Later, after his playing career ended, Kevin entered the coaching ranks, later even spending on the Royals staff.
I really enjoyed watching Kevin Seitzer play the game, with his strong hitting abilities and his contagious love for the game. I am pleased to welcome Kevin Seitzer to The Hall of BAHL.
LARRY CSONKA
In my childhood, the newly formed Miami Dolphins were great to have as your favorite team while becoming acquainted with the National Football League. I was not alone here in Central Florida. In the early seventies, under the guidance of Don Shula, the Dolphins became a powerful force, going to three consecutive Super Bowls, winning two of them, including the incredible "perfect season" in 1972. There were many heroes on those teams, but one that stands out was Larry Csonka. A bruiser from Syracuse, the Dolphins had a strong and powerful inside runner from his fullback spot in Csonka, who teamed with Mercury Morris in the backfield.
An avid hunter and fisher who in post football years has spent the majority of his time in Alaska, Larry Csonka has remained very tight to those tight knit teams of the Dolphin glory years, always attending events and celebrations. He is always among the first to celebrate each season when the last NFL team falls from the ranks of the unbeaten, and has always remained close with Coach Shula.
Miami Dolphin legend and NFL Hall of Famer Larry Csonka is a powerful addition to the Hall of BAHL.
NEIL BONNETT
The Hall of BAHL welcomes NASCAR legend Neil Bonnett to the 2020 class.
Bonnett was a charter member of the famed Alabama Gang of NASCAR racers from the Hueytown area. He was a really good guy, a friend to all within the garage area, and he was one the good ole boys I always pulled for. Late in his career, Bonnett piloted a Pontiac Grand Prix, and I loved the fleet of wide tracks.
After a very serious crash at Darlington in 1990, Bonnett stopped racing and joined the broadcast networks broadcasting the races. This is where many racing fans got to know Bonnett better, enjoying his folksy personality and very strong racing acumen. Bonnett was a great ambassador of the sport in the booth.Bonnett was best friends with Dale Earnhardt, and he iched to get back behind the wheel. With the help of Earnhardt and Richard Childress, Bonnett got an opportunity to run at Talladega in a Childress prepared Chevrolet Lumina in 1993. With NASCAR nation watching, Bonnett was involved in a horrendous crash down the front stretch of the White Knuckle Highway, with Bonnett's Mom and Pop's Chevrolet going airborne landing in the catch fence. Bonnett was fine, and rejoined the booth to call the rest of the race.
James Finch offered a ride for the 1994 season in his Country Time Lemonade Chevrolet, a really good looking ride. In a most unfortunate practice season event leading up to the 1994 Daytona 500, a mechanical failure got Bonnett loose and he crashed head on in wall up in turn 4, ending his life. This was a very sobering event and it was a difficult Speedweeks to be damn sure.
Neil Bonnett was a fan favorite, and he is greatly missed, and now a member of the Hall of BAHL.
LAVONTE DAVID
Lavonte David transferred into Nebraska after a community college stint after a stellar high school career at powerhouse State Champion Miami Northwestern, and impact on the Cornhuskers was immediate. During his two years with the Big Red, David was a tackling machine, a complete disaster for any offenses attacking the Husker Blackshirts. No matter the opponent, David was a terror, causing fumbles and picking off passes to go with his team leading tackling numbers. "David started all 27 games he played in at Nebraska (2010–11), recording 285 tackles, 28 tackles for loss, 11.5 sacks, two interceptions, 12 passes defensed, three forced fumbles and two fumbles recovered. His 285 career tackles rank fourth in school history, and most by a two-year player" reports Huskers.com
Picking up right where he left off at Nebraska, David is a sideline to sideline player, capable of making big time plays all over the field. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected David in the second round of the NFL Draft in 2012, and given my movement to the Bucs becoming my favorite NFL team in recent years, this suited me just fine. David has been an All Pro player for Tampa Bay, a leader on the team from his linebacker position. Defensively, Lavonte David is one of my favorite all time Huskers and is without question my favorite current Buccaneer.
Lavonte has also been a wonderful addition to the Tampa community, often volunteering on behalf of health and fitness for children issues, which is close to his heart. A great guy and fabulous football player. we welcome former Blackshirt Lavonte David to the Hall of BAHL.
