How about we start a Rainout Blog Sports/Weather Hall of Fame?
Not just me, all of us. You, too.
I’ve been thinking about doing this project for a while, ever since I made a post about Rick Dempsey way back in July, 2007.
So, what makes a Rainout Blog Hall of Famer? I’ve been wrestling with that question for a while.
(Warning: Here goes a lot rambling…)
At first, I was thinking of individuals who have had outstanding performances in a bad weather games. While his performances did not happen while games were in play, Dempsey certainly made his mark performing on soaked tarps during rain delays.
To me, the notoriety Dempsey received for his acts make him a first-ballot Rainout Blog Hall of Famer. Also, I think we need to give Dempsey credit for the rash of rain delay antics we saw a few years ago by college baseball games. With those 1970s performances, we may not have seen those elaborate, choreographed acts performed by want-to-be thespian college ball players.
So, we’ve established that qualifications for entry into the RoBHoF are not exclusive to great on-field game performances. If a player, or coach, or fan, or whomever – how about a horse? Sure! – performs in a manner that is widely recognized, then that person, or whatever, can be considered for induction.
A performance that is good or bad, right?
Right.
That brings us to Leon Lett.
Remember Lett’s gaffe in the snow during in the 1993 Thanksgiving Day game that snatched defeat for his Cowboys from the jowls of victory? Of course you remember. We all remember.
I’m not comparing the moment to far more significant historic events, but I remember exactly where I was when the play happened.
For that one play in the snow, an unusual snow game for Texas Stadium, Lett is a Rainout Blog Hall of Famer.
First ballot? We’ll debate that later.
So, who else? Hmmm.
We’ll, LeShean McCoy had more than 200 yards rushing to lead the Eagles to a win over the Lions in blizzard-like conditions a couple of weeks ago. Does that qualify?
Maybe.
It was great day for McCoy, but is it his performance that stands out about that game?
No. It’s the snow.
Ok. So, do we induct events/games in to the hall of fame?
If so, the Ice Bowl has to be the leading candidate. And when I think of weather games, I immediately think of the Fog Bowl playoff game at Soldier Field in 1988. There are many, many others to consider.
If I’m going to do this, take the time for such an uber fun project as creating a sports/weather hall of fame, it’s going to take a lot of time, thought and research.
Wanna help?
If you have suggestions or creative ideas for the project, I’ll gladly accept. Send me an email or tweet (@TheRealChadOz).
