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 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 2017 Hall of BAHL class are listed in no particular order below:

TREV ALBERTS


Trev Alberts came to Nebraska from Cedar Rapids, IA to play football for the Cornhuskers.

Alberts became an All-American at defensive end for the 'Huskers, winning the Butkus Award for the nation's top linebacker in 1993.

In perhaps his top performance for the Big Red, Alberts, playing with an injured elbow, had three sacks of Florida State Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Charlie Ward in the Orange Bowl, a game I attended (somewhat in turmoil given my heartfelt allegiance to both Universities).

Alberts went on to be the sixth pick in the NFL Draft, selected by the Indianapolis Colts.  Although he played three season, that arm injury lingered and Alberts never quite materialized to be the NFL player many hope he would become.

No worries; Alberts was a consensus Academic All American, earning an NCAA Top Six Award.















After football, Alberts turned up working at CNN/SI as a college football analyst. In 2002, ESPN hired Alberts and he became part of top analyst team. Alberts often argued with co-host Mark May, and while the fans enjoyed it, it became too heavy for ESPN and Alberts was let go in 2005.

Now, Trev Alberts is Athletic Director at The University of Nebraska-Omaha.  The Mavericks athletic program has been making great strides under the leadership of Alberts, who just may find himself back in Lincoln performing that duty at a late date.

While Florida State was in New Orleans waiting to play Virginia Tech for the National Championship in New Orleans, we ran into Alberts, who was in town covering the game for CNN. Before being called away late in the game to do a Sugar Bowl preview, Alberts joined our group to watch Nebraska bury Tennessee in the Fiesta Bowl.

We really enjoyed that experience, loved Albert as a Husker and welcome him as a 2017 inductee to the Hall of BAHL

MIKE MARTIN

Ole #11

That is how Mike Martin, who has been manager of FSU Baseball since 1978, likes to be referred to as.

Martin took over for Dick Howser, who left to manage the New York Yankees and later managed the Kansas City Royals to a World Series championship in 1985.


Florida State under Martin has had tremendous success, and leading the Seminoles to 38 consecutive regional tournament appearances and 16 trips to the College World Series, winning at least 40 games for the 38th consecutive seasons. That is some resume.

Only a championship could top of Martin's career, which includes playing in the College World Series for the Seminoles. Yes, Martin has always been a Seminole.

Beyond his coaching attributes, Martin is a complete class act.  He has warmed the hearts of fans talking baseball across the nation at Seminole Booster events, and I have had many an occasion to visit with him, as pictured above some years back.

Eleven is among the most beloved figures in Florida State history, nothing would be nicer to than for the Seminoles to win the College World Series in 2017. They are one of eight going to Omaha!

Florida State baseball's Mike Martin joins the Hall of BAHL

ERIC HOSMER

When we arrived at Tropicana Field in St. Pete to watch our Kansas City Royals take on the home Tampa Bay Rays, we had no idea what the day would hold.

While watching the Royals take batting practice, just off the dugout, rising Royal Eric Hosmer tossed a ball to my daughter, and life has not been quite the same. From that moment, our family have been huge Eric Hosmer fans.

Whether we have watched at The K in Kansas City or over at the Trop, we have always cheered on theReal305, who happens to be a fellow Floridian.  He has not disappointed either, always smiling and waving to us, and knocking some home runs along the way.

Hosmer has become one of the premier players in the league, earning All Star honors and winning a truck last year of the MVP of the game. Hosmer played an integral role helping Kansas City to back to back World Series, with the Royals winning the 2015 title.  Forever Royal!

Consideration was given to wait another year to induct Eric, as he is a free agent and may not re-sign with Kansas City. The Royals desperately want to keep him, as he is not only an All Star player and a team leader, but has gained favor in the greater Kansas City community for his charitable activities.

Hosmer was Raised Royal, and I certainly hope the Royals can find a way to keep hin Kansas City.

However, we are great fans of Eric will support him in all future endeavors as he has given us plenty of Royal Roar and smiles along the way. Here's hoping one of our all time favorites, Eric Hosmer, stays Forever Royal as he is welcomed as a 2017 inductee into the Hall of BAHL


JEFF GORDON

Jeff Gordon, The Wonder Boy, was a California kid who entered NASCAR just as Richard Petty retired and took the sport by storm, becoming a four time champion driving for the famed Rick Hendrick stable of Chevrolet's.

Jeff Gordon's Hendrick Racing Chevy SS

Gordon, who was hated by the fans of rival Dale Earnhardt, earned the respect of the garage area and his fellow drivers, by not only winning races, but by carrying himself in sportsmanship and humility.

If fact, him and Earnhardt became quite good friends, even engaging in some avenues of business together.

Jeff Gordon is third all time in wins, with 93, trailing only David Pearson and the King, Richard Petty.

While Gordon was not my favorite out there, it always seemed he was my second favorite.  My wife and I got the experience of a lifetime watching live in person Gordon winning the 2005 Daytona 500.

Gordon retired, only to be called back to substitute for an injured Dale Earnhardt, Jr. in 2016. But Gordon seems officially out now, having settled in to a new career, doing an outstanding job as an analyst joining Mike Joy and famed drive Darrell Waltrip in the booth for NASCAR coverage for FOX Sports.

Jeff Gordon becomes the fourth NASCAR drive to become a member of the Hall of BAHL.

KAREEM ABDUL-JABBAR

As a young boy, when I first became aware of NBA basketball, I became a fan of the Milwaukee Bucks. Maybe it was the red and green uniforms, but more likely, it was the players on the team. There was the famed Big O, Oscar Robertson, and Bobby Dandridge along with two UCLA guys, guard Lucious Allen and center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.













Almost immediately after I became a fan, Allen and Jabbar went to join the Los Angeles Lakers. I went along with them.

Abdul-Jabbar, formerly Lew Alcindor, was a towering figure, both figuratively and literally, within the game. Kareem, known as The Captain for the Lakers, had developed his own unstoppable shot; the sky hook. Jabbar could probably make a living in the league to this day with that shot!

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar will without question always be one of the greatest basketball players of all time, a mellow individual who was a fierce competitor who embraced discipline and commitment.

Abdul-Jabbar is also a noted author and an outspoken individual off the court, who more often than not seems to approach topics with thoughtfulness and respect.  I am rarely in agreement with Kareem on the issues of the day, but I do respect him as an individual and appreciate the greatness he exhibited on the hardwood.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the Captain, is now a member of the Hall of BAHL.

Glimpses of Greatness

There were glimpses of greatness.

In a battle of titans, Florida State faced the Michigan Wolverines, coached by favorite son Jim Harbaugh, in the Capital One Orange Bowl in Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. Michigan was favored by a touchdown.

But did the odds makers really know the Seminoles? Hardly.

There is little question the Seminoles underachieved in 2016, taking half the season to get hold of a defensive unit that lacked early discipline and focus.

Florida State went to work fast, taking the opening possession down for a touchdown, culminated by a short run by the phenomenal Dalvin Cook.

3, 2 1 Touchdown FSU, Dalvin Cook!

Florida State had stopped Michigan early, but Nyqwan Murray muffed a punt, giving the Wolverines the ball inside the FSU five, but the Seminoles were able to hold Michigan to a field goal. Murray made up for the blunder quickly, scoring on a 92 yard bomb from Deondre Francois (the longest passing touchdown in Orange Bowl history) which helped FSU build a 20-6 halftime lead.

The game should have been over, and looking around the stadium at the faces of the large contingent of those in blue, it was. However, that would not be the case.

Michigan was tough, and they stuck with their game plan.  It had some effectiveness.

QB Wilton Speight leads the Wolverines

Florida State redshirt freshman quarterback Deondre Francois, beyond demonstrating significant toughness, did not make the mistakes in 2016 one might expect from his lack of experience, but he made a big one on this night, throwing an ill fated late pass deep in our own territory which was picked and returned for a touchdown. The error put Michigan right back in the ball game, cutting the score to 20-15 FSU.

Then, Dalvin Cook went to work, racing 71 yards to set up another FSU score.  FSU 27 Michigan 15.

Michigan fought back, with perhaps their best drive, getting a touchdown pass to cut it to 27-22. The Wolverines stopped FSU, and then put together a scoring drive capped by a 29 yard run by tailback Chris Evans.  Out of seemingly  nowhere, Michigan led 30-27.

With less than two minutes left, things looked bleak for FSU.

When Keith Gavin accepted the kickoff, he appeared to not know where he was on the field, and decided to run the kickoff back. It seemed a poor decision, but defenders seemed somewhat frozen by his action, allowing him to race 66 yards before being stopped.

Francois hit Cook for 21 yards, and then fired a 12 yard score to Nyqwan Murray, giving FSU the 33-30 lead. The PAT would exponentially increase the odds of victory, forcing Michigan to score a touchdown with little time to work. But the Wolverines blocked the PAT, returning it for 2 points, cutting the lead to 33-32.

FSU WR Nyqwan Murray

Florida State held Michigan on downs and won the football game.

Dalvin Cook was brilliant as usual, and Nyqwan Murray more than atoned for his early fumble blunder with two major touchdown grabs. Defensively, LB Matthew Thomas (15 tackles, 9 solo) shined, and DE DeMarcus Walker was nothing short of outstanding, with 4.5 tackles for loss.

The Seminoles looked like a playoff team at times on this evening, but made a boatload of errors which prohibit teams from reaching lofty goals like that.

It was an exciting game, although is should not have been.  It was a stellar crowd, which included former Dolphin great Dan Marino, current Pitt Panther James Conner, Dolphin broadcaster "Hammerin" Hank Goldberg and Kansas City Royal first basemen and Miami native Eric Hosmer.

Dalvin Cook is off to the NFL, but Florida State has a veteran team returning in 2107, with approximately 37 of 44 on the two deep coming back. Talent abounds, and given improvement in focus, FSU has the look of a playoff team.

Always a pleasure to run with King Orange in Miami. I attended my first Orange Bowl in 1972, and this was my fifteenth contest. The game gave us all another glimpse of the greatness that could have been for FSU in 2016.

Give Them All The Credit

The Kansas City Royals are World Series bound for the first time since 1985, the last time the Royals made the postseason. The 29 year drought is over, and the celebration in the Power & Light District is just beginning.

Kansas City swept the AL East champion Baltimore Orioles 4-0, becoming the first team in history to win eight consecutive playoff games to start the postseason. Outfielder Lorenzo Cain won the MVP trophy.

But during this unimaginable run, it has really been a total team effort.  One moment it is Mike Moustakis blasting a home run, or Jarrod Dyson stealing a base, or Alex Gordon making a highlight reel catch, the next it is lumbering Billy Butler stealing a base, or fleet of foot power hitting Cain bunting to move the runners. Then there is the all around play of emerging superstar Eric Hosmer.

Apparent to anyone watching, this team feeds off one another and is enjoying every minute of it. The team is an excellent example of how a cohesive locker room of people who individually make up a great team.

With the Royals baseball home located at the Harry S. Truman Sports Complex, it is surely appropriate to quote President Truman, who once said "It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit."

Cain may have appropriately won the MVP, but give them all the credit.  They deserve it.

‪#‎TakeTheCrown, #BeRoyal

Be ROYAL

#Be ROYAL!


Eric Hosmer

For the first time since 1985, behind Eric Hosmer and former 'Husker Alex Gordon, the Kansas City Royals are playoff bound!  Along with George Brett, I celebrate.  #TakeTheCrown

Playing Ball

Derek Jeter

Without question, sports has always been deeply embedded in the fabric of our nation.  Lessons that are learned on the diamond, in the gym and on the gridiron assist participants in all aspects of their life. Discipline, responsibility, teamwork, perseverance, passion, work ethic and sportsmanship are among the many attributes on display.

Last evening at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, Yankee shortstop Derek Jeter played his last home game in Yankee pinstripes in front of an adoring crowd.  Jeter, who had previously announced he would be retiring at seasons end, had been on a farewell tour which ended for the home crowd on this evening threatened by rain.

You see, this was special.  Jeter will not be considered the best Yankee of all time, as there are legends of the first order for this storied franchise, but Jeter is no doubt among the best.  However, it is worth noting that Jeter is representative of all the aforementioned attributes you can find in a player.

With the media focusing on so many stories about players in various sports who  are having difficulties like the rest of society, fans and parents can point to Jeter to see an example of doing it right.  Jeter, an instant Hall of Famer when eligible, is a class act, and what went on last night was story book.

Jeter hit a walk off single to score a run and give the Yankees a victory of AL East Champion Baltimore.  The Orioles players and staff did not seem to mind, as they were taken in by the events of the evening that put a smile on sports fans everywhere.  Jeter thanked and congratulated the Orioles.

For those who embrace the romance of the game, and those who appreciate the example Jeter set in the world of professional sports, we can all tip out hat to one of the best, Derek Jeter.


The Yankees are not my favorite baseball team, but I do like them and have great appreciation for their storied history.  My favorite team is the Kansas City Royals, with whom the Yankees had legendary battles with in the late seventies and early eighties.

It has been quite a long time since Kansas City was relevant in the game, owning the longest post-season drought in MLB, or any major sport for that matter.  But, behind Alex Gordon and Eric Hosmer, the long drought appears on the brink of ending.

The Hunt for Blue October. My family and I really enjoyed attending a Kansas City Royals game a couple of weeks ago as they attempt to make the postseason for the first time since 1985. Alex Gordon hit a two run homer to knock of the Texas Rangers.

Optimism is high, and with another victory or two, the Royals will be in postseason.  I hop they can make it. #Be Royal #KCR

Kauffman Stadium at The Harry S. Truman Sports Complex, Kansas City MO