The HALL of BAHL

Sports is and always has played a significant role in my life. I have found that most all of life's lessons are learned between the lines. Discipline, individual responsibility, teamwork and sportsmanship are among many opportunities presented within the games that offer guidance to prosper in life.

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 2022 Hall of BAHL class are listed in no particular order below:

JAMES WORTHY

In the early eighties, I followed the North Carolina Tar Heels basketball program as one of my good friends was a big Carolina fan and went to school there. We enjoyed their national championship run, a stellar team with Michael Jordan and James Worthy, who both went on to Hall of Fame NBC careers, with Jordan most likely the greatest player of all time.

Worthy was eruptive in the paint, often exploding for a rapid and thunderous dunk. These skills were enhanced in the NBA with Worthy a member of The Los Angeles Lakes. Teaming with the great Kareem Abdul-Jabber (HALL of BAHL 2017) and the incomparable Earvin "Magic" Johnson (HALL of BAHL 2012) among others, Worthy and the gang went on to win several NBA championships. It was the glory days of the game! 

I found the Lakers such a joy to watch, with Johnson running their fast break offense, which often found a trailing Worthy from the flank to reach the rim.  Worthy could also shoot from the edges of the paint and he was also a good defender.  It was seemingly his quickness inside the pain that gave opponents the most trouble.

I truly enjoyed watching James Worthy throughout his hall of fame career, and now, James Worthy is a member of the HALL of BAHL!

JACK NICKLAUS

Jack Nicklaus is the greatest golfer of all time!  I watched the PGA with my Grandmother, and annually went to The Florida Citrus Open PGA tournament stop in Orlando at Rio Pinar Country Club. I had a blast, and got to meet Jack and see him play through the years. 

Jack was not my favorite golfer; that was Lee Trevino (HALL of BAHL 2012). But boy howdy did I respect Jack and was in awe of his talent. Like everyone else who watched, his run at the 1986 Masters was just incredible.

Jack's son Steve ended up playing wide receiver for Florida State in the eighties, and in support of his son, Jack, grew to adopt Florida State as his second team behind his beloved Ohio State Buckeyes. His grandson, Nick O'Leary, was a decorated tight end for FSU and was key contributor to the 2013 National Championship team. Jack has become a strong supporter of the entire Florida State athletic department, and recently spearheaded a revamp of the Florida State University golf campus, helping develop The Seminole Legacy Golf Club at Florida State University, which significantly enhances FSU's stellar golf program as well as the University and community.

Jack Nicklaus, the Golden Bear, is golf's greatest player and a tremendous ambassador for the game of golf and Florida State University. We welcome the great Jack Nicklaus to The Hall of BAHL.

MARVIN JONES

Shade Tree! Former Florida State linebacker Marvin Jones was one of the greatest defensive players ever to play for the Garnet & Gold. As a middle linebacker, the two time consensus All America player he terrorized opponents, winning the Lombardi Trophy and Butkus Award in 1992.

Jones was picked as the fourth pick in the first round, and after ten seasons with the New York Jets he retired. He entered the coaching profession rising to head coach of the Omaha Beef indoor league team, where he won a championship.

Marvin Jones struck fear in opponents, leading Mickey Andrews stellar defensive units while he played for the Seminoles. I always noted where Jones was on the field when watching live, because he was such a dominating player he often covered the entire field with a reckless abandon. The nation noted what I saw confirming his immense talent as Jones was elected into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2022.

Shade Tree is one of my favorite 'Noles, and now he is a member of the HALL of BAHL!

Progressives: The Mad Dogs of Hell

Donald Trump's recent comments on immigration have lit a political fire that may well burn down many before being extinguished. The comments area as follows:

"The U.S. has become a dumping ground for everybody else's problems. Thank you. It's true, and these are the best and the finest. When Mexico sends its people, they're not sending their best. They're not sending you. They're not sending you. They're sending people that have lots of problems, and they're bringing those problems with us. They're bringing drugs. They're bringing crime. They're rapists. And some, I assume, are good people. But I speak to border guards and they tell us what we're getting. And it only makes common sense. It only makes common sense. They're sending us not the right people. It's coming from more than Mexico. It's coming from all over South and Latin America, and it's coming probably -- probably -- from the Middle East. But we don't know. Because we have no protection and we have no competence, we don't know what's happening. And it's got to stop and it's got to stop fast."

In response to the heavy criticism, Trump responded with the following comments:

 I was really criticized for the border, but the truth is it’s true. They think it’s like Mother Teresa is coming across the border. Well, I said drug dealers, I said killers, and I said rapists. They made the word rapists, they really picked that up. I tell you, I love the folks from South America. They’re friends of mine. Many work for me. Many are friends. Many buy apartments from me. I have great love for the Mexican people, and I always have, and they like me. No apology because everything I said is 100% correct. All you have to do is read the newspapers."

Donald J. Trump

While those who deem America oppressive and advocate for progressive ideals inclusive of open borders are continuing to blast Trump as incorrect, racist and bigoted through seemingly orchestrated waves of progressive politicians and media propagandists, the fact of the matter is Trump is quite accurate.

However, even with an introduction of the facts, those pesky leftists will pretend they don't exist and march right on with their agenda, which in this arena seems to be based on using hate speech laws to destroy America.

But Trump has indeed struck a serious nerve with these recent comments about illegal immigration, with two significant byproducts producing what appears to be a violent upcoming collision.

First, Trump has surged in the polls of those seeking the GOP nomination, as many in the electorate found very refreshing his challenge of open borders and the ridiculous effort, or lack thereof, of the government to halt illegal immigration. Although his comments could have been said with greater maturity, he was essentially accurate and I am among the many who are in agreement with Trump on this subject.

"I’ve never seen them this outraged, this vicious, this motivated, this coordinated – NEVER in all my years in politics, have I seen anything like the way the mad dogs of hell have been unleashed on Donald Trump ---Wayne Allyn Root

Second, the political correctness police has unleashed the gates of hell on Trump based on his "accurate" comments, including Univision and Macy's, both ending long relationships with Trump.  Univision says it will not broadcast the Miss USA pageant as contractually obligated due to Trump's comments, but Trump has counted with a lawsuit heavy on zeros.

Others who joined in boycotting Trump and Trump properties include the PGA, ESPN and regrettably, NASCAR and one of its signature sponsors Camping World.  The media, as you may suspect, made it out to be bigger than it was.

Rush Limbaugh noted that the GOP establishment has seemingly aligned against Trump's stance on illegal, may I repeat, illegal, immigrants. The list includes, of course, Jeb Bush, along with Marco Rubio and Chris Christie, each a 2016 candidate, along with GOP pundit Michael Steele and conservative columnist George Will. Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus even called Trump to tell him to back off.

Hell, it's a Rhino convention!

Rick Perry condemned Trump for using such a wide brush in describing the illegal immigrants, which is odd because Rick Perry has a pretty darn good record in fighting the in-flight of the illegals on his Texas border.

When asked if he thought Donald Trump's comments on Mexicans have hurt the Republican Party, Mitt Romney relied "Yes, I think he made a severe error in saying what he did about Mexican Americans and I feel it was unfortunate." News flash to ole Mitt; illegal immigrants are not Mexican Americans, as astutely pointed out by a caller into Rush.

Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas is the only GOP 2016 candidate I have heard defend Trump in any form or fashion on this topic.

Some in the GOP consider Trump a mole, taking votes away from a potential winner in the GOP much as Ross Perot effectively did back in 1992.

 As Dustin Ulsterman of DC Whispers reports, "The path is being paved in real-time at this very moment and is apparently set to be unleashed “very soon.” An all out assault upon the Trump organization by Obama/Jarrett-approved operatives within the Mainstream Media to both humiliate and weaken the Republican candidate for his recent demand that something be done to secure the southern border."

Ulsterman added on his Facebook page the following accurate assessment of the trouble facing Trump: "Trump is in big-big trouble. They want to destroy him. It seems to have become very personal with them. He has threatened decades of effort in changing the face of the voting public. Another five years, ten at most, and conservatism will be an insignificant minority throughout most the country. Republicans will be an arm of the Democratic Party meant only to keep up the appearance of a choice. There will be no choice. There already is hardly one now. Donald Trump is disrupting that dynamic and they won’t stand for it. The countdown to his demise begins now."

In the real estate business myself, I have been a longtime fan of Donald Trump, admiring his work as a real estate developer.  As a candidate, while I am in full agreement with many of his positions, he is not among my favorites.

Although he considers himself one, I do not find him a conservative.  Trumps' positions on eminent domain, the Iraq war, taxation and health care are not in line with my principles and beliefs in those areas. In addition, Trump, who was a registered Democrat until 2009, has given money to many Democrats in the past, including Hillary Clinton, and speculated about Oprah Winfrey, among Obama's top supporters, being his vice presidential pick.  No Thanks!

America does not want a contest of Jeb Bush versus Hillary Clinton.  The reason Trump is rising so quickly is that Americans are tired of weakness and lies, and want somebody who is not afraid to upset the status quo, accurately stated by Ronald Reagan as "the mess we're in".

Trump is making some serious waves, tapping into an angry electorate, saying things most of the other candidates are too politically correct to say. Until such time a GOP candidate joins him in bucking those in the establishment, like this dope, and calling out those who are complicit in the destruction of America, I suspect he will remain high in the polls.

"People are angry that a commonsense thing like securing the border or ending sanctuary cities is somehow considered extreme. It's not extreme, it's common sense. We need to secure the border.” said 2016 GOP candidate Carly Fiorina.

Border security is just common sense, for those of us who still have some.

The Hall of BAHL

Sports is and always has played a significant role in my life. I have found that most all of life's lessons are learned between the lines. Discipline, individual responsibility, teamwork and sportsmanship are among many opportunities presented within the games that offer guidance to prosper in life.

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 announce 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 five 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 2012 Hall of BAHL class are listed in no particular order below:

LEE TREVINO



Although I no longer closely follow the PGA Tour, when I was a kid I watched tournaments frequently with my Grandmother. While I respected the strong group of competitors back in the day, including Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer, my favorite was Lee Trevino.

During this time, the tour stop in Orlando was the Florida Citrus Open, held at Rio Pinar Country Club. My Grandparents were members and I attended the tournaments, collecting autographs and taking in the show as a gallery member. It was great fun.

My Grandmother worked the tournament, and that gave her, with me right by her side, close access to Trevino when he won the Florida Citrus Open in 1975. “You can make a lot of money in this game. Just ask my ex-wives. Both of them are so rich that neither of their husbands work" fired Trevino.” Trevino was always a character on the course, cracking jokes and engaging the gallery.

To this day, while my skills on the links are fair at best, I do possess a quick tight swing patterned after the Merry Mex. “There are two things that won’t last long in this world, and that’s dogs chasing cars and pros putting for pars” is one of many of Trevino's lines. Trevino was one of the most successful of the day, but that came at a cost. “You can make a lot of money in this game. Just ask my ex-wives. Both of them are so rich that neither of their husbands work.” I have great memories of following Trevino back in the day, and he is well deserving of an early induction into of BAHL's Hall of Fame.

BOB DEVANEY

Few things meant more to me as a child than the success of the University of Nebraska football team, and the man who is considered the architect of the modern era Nebraska success was former Head Coach and Athletic Director Bob Devaney.  Devaney, a Michigan native who came over from Wyoming to coach the Big Red in 1962, lead Nebraska to their first National Title, winning back to back in 1970-71.

Devaney, who retired as coach and placed Tom Osborne as head coach in 1973, helped Nebraska become one of the most dominant teams on the field, and engineered the traditions associated with the program, inclusive of the nations longest sellout streak and the nations most Academic All America players. It was Devaney who set foundation for much of the success the Cornhuskers enjoy today.

Through my Grandmothers association with Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company in Lincoln, I had occasion to meet Coach Devaney several times as a child, and enjoyed visiting with him over at Mistys Steakhouse as a student when Florida State played at Lincoln in 1985. Devaney, for whom the current basketball arena is named, was a man about town and someone all Husker fans cherish, without question worthy as an early BAHL's Hall inductee. Go Big Red!

DON SHULA

Becoming a fan of the National Football League as a youngster in Central Florida, the only game in town was the newly formed Miami Dolphins, coached by Don Shula. The Dolphins came into existence in 1966, with Shula taking over in 1970.

Under Shula, the Dolphins quickly became a powerhouse, reaching three consecutive Super Bowls in 1971, 1972 and 1973, winning back to back titles in 72-73 and scoring the only perfect season in NFL history in 1972. Shula put together solid teams in these days, with a powerful running attack behind quarterback Bob Greise and a stellar defensive unit of no-name players who dominated. These were indeed great times for the Dolphins and their fans.

Shula, a stern competitor but consummate gentleman, kept the Dolphins strong in the post Super Bowl seasons, adjusting philosophies where appropriate. Trick plays and the emergence of the Killer Bees, as the defense was had several players whose last name began with the letter B. Those old days of confetti swirling in the Orange Bowl are classic moments. Miami reached the top levels of the game under Shula behind quarterback Dan Marino, losing the Super Bowl in 1984. Marino was among the best ever, but the lack of a quality running game and defensive lapses always upended Dolphin playoff runs.

Shula was practically ran out of town 1995, something that does not sit well for me to this day, particularly considering University of Miami coach Jimmy Johnson was named to replace him. Don Shula is one of the greats, and in his post football life has been a wonderful corporate citizen, owning a restaurant chain of steakhouse and being a catalyst for many philanthropic endeavors. Shula, given his time as a player and reaching the top of the game as a coach, was very appropriately elected to the NFL Hall of Fame in 1997 and is welcomed as an early inductee to The Hall of BAHL.

EARVIN "MAGIC" JOHNSON

In what has to be considered the glory days of the National Basketball Association, the classic battle had the Los Angeles Lakers, with Magic Johnson, battling the Boston Celtics and Larry Bird. Having no home team, I had become a Laker fan, following Kareem Abdul Jabbar and Lucius Allen over from the Milwaukee Bucks in 1975.

Earvin "Magic" Johnson, fresh off a National Championship at Michgan State, was selected as the first pick of the 1979 NBA draft by the Lakers, which signaled the birth of Showtime in Tinseltown as the Lakers. With the 6'9" Johnson running point in never before seen precision, couples with infectious smile,the Lakers changed the game with their fast break offense. It was Showtime!

Although the Lakers had a very strong cast, including Abdul-Jabbar, the NBA all time scoring leader, and North Carolina superstar James Worthy, it was Magic that lead the way. Beyond being one of the best all time players, it was Johnson's personality that really pushed him to become such an endearing figure, both on and off the court. Unfortunately, Magic contracted the AIDS virus through unprotected sex.

"The Announcement", that he had to retire from the game, was a significant event in American history, as at the time AIDS was thought to be a death sentence.  Magic stood very tall staring in the face of this adversity, or perhaps death, no doubt about it.  We all had a lot to learn at that time, and I somehow think Magic may have been hand picked to lead the fight with his winning attitude and that wonderful smile. ESPN's outstanding 30 for 30 has a great show on "The Announcement".

Magic came back to play some, and won the MVP of the NBA All Star game here in Orlando in 1992 behind an awesome shooting performance. Magic is doing just fine physically these and is thriving in the business community. Johnson runs Magic Johnson Enterprises, which helps business development in inner city communities and houses the Magic Johnson Foundation, which helps combat HIV.

Although Johnson is active in Democratic politics, we cannot hold that against him because he was among the greatest athletes ever to play the sports we love, had a great attitude and competitive spirit and had a bunch of fun performing Showtime.  I had fun watching it, admire Johnson, and welcome him as an inductee into The Hall of BAHL.

DAN MARINO

Although the Miami Dolphins continued as among the winningest NFL teams following the Super Bowl years, the Dolphins were searching to recapture their dominance. With the 27th pick in the 1983 NFL draft, Miami selected Pitt Panther quarterback Dan Marino, and life in south Florida would never be same. Not only did the Dolphins hit paydirt, so did the south Florida community as Marino became a beloved figure on and off the gridiron.

Marino showed flashes while at Pitt, leading the Panthers to Cotton and Sugar Bowl appearances. In fact, I got a chance to see Marino live as Pitt visited Florida State in Tallahassee in 1982. Once a Dolphin, history under Marino immediately began being written. Marino devastated opponents with his pinpoint accuracy and arm strength, leading Miami to the 1984 Super Bowl by throwing an NFL record 48 touchdown passes and with over 5000 yards passing. Marino was brilliant most of his career, but the lack of a solid running game and defensive lapses derailed the Dolphin playoff runs throughout the remainder of Marino's career.

I only saw Marino play live twice as a Dolphin, but my second opportunity was stellar as Marino and the Fins hosted Joe Montana and the Kansas City Chiefs in an AFC Playoff game on December 31, 1994. The Dolphins won 27-17, but witnessing two Hall of Fame signal callers go at it is a cherished memory. Marino retired after the 1999 season, as the Dolphins imploded with a 62-7 playoff loss at Jacksonville. Although Dangerous Dan's legs were shaky, his arm was not and he could have easily played a few more seasons.

Unfortunately, the Dolphins have not been the same since Marino was half sort of shoved out. When they showed Marino the door, it deepened my wounds from Shula's exit, and I came to become a Buccaneer fan also after a lifetime of pulling for the Fins. Marino continues to excel out of football, having a short stint as a NASCAR team owner, and NFL analyst for CBS Sports and effort in philanthropy as founder of the Dan Marino Foundation for Autism. Marino, unfortunately like many other athletes, has an Autistic child.

Dan Marino had the strongest arm of any quarterback I have seen, and had a stellar career for my beloved Miami Dolphins. Marino, elected to the NFL Hall of Fame in 2005, the best player in Dolphin history, is a very worthy inductee to The Hall of BAHL.