Wide Right Hall of Fame – Second Class

As the first class had a feel of the season (baseball’s first pitch) the second class follows suit with football season approaching. 

Kinnick Stadium – The Empire Strikes Back – Hayden Fry – Back In Black – The Tiger Hawk – Tecmo Bowl

Kinnick Stadium – As with Wrigley Field in the Inaugural Class, Kinnick Stadium is my other of my 2 favorite places in the world.  I’ve been to close to 100 games there and every time I walk up that old tunnel still in the shadow.  Looking up you can see the sun and as I still get closer to that point every time I get goose bumps.  Once you hit the top of the ramp the brightness of the sun hits you, the green grass (turf) and the Hawkeyes in black jersey’s and the black helmets.  It’s one of the favorite things in my life.  I’ve seen many games there with my dad and mom and I can’t wait to take my kids there for games.

The Empire Strikes Back – Star Wars started my love of that galaxy far far away, but Empire continued it.  Luke grows up, Han & Leia’s relationship starts and the 2 coolest guys in the galaxy are introduced, Boba Fett and Lando! 

Hayden Fry – Hayden is a first ballot Hall of Famer, but wanted to save him close to football season.  He’s one of my ultimate heroes.  At Iowa games I’d always scope out the white pants where they were on the sideline.  I’d listen to his radio show every Thursday with my dad.  I even dressed as him a couple Halloweens.  I got to meet him during the 93 spring game and got a picture with him. 

Back in Black – Just watch this!

The TigerHawk – The symbol of my child hood and life.  It’s one of the first things I learned to draw and I used to draw A LOT OF THEM. It’s one of the first things I taught my kids what it is, when they see one they shout “Dad, Hawkeyes!” 

Tecmo Bowl – The first great football video game!  I can’t count how many hours I played it.  I used to keep stats manually since the game didn’t do it, and I’d make my own “Big Peach” sports pages.  Bo Jackson on it is LEGENDARY too! 

  

Wide Right Hall of Fame – Inaugural Class

So I thought about doing this for a while, and did it back like a long time ago when no one ever looked at a website hardly or blog.  Figured I’d revive it here, the Wide Right Hall of Fame.  Something I’d probably do every quarter or 3 times a year.  Some of the options I may create a poll as to who/what gets to get more interaction and stuff of the blog.  I’ll probably also stick to a Place, Movie, Song, Person, and an “other”  or 2 that gets in every class.  There’s no plaque or bust or even certificate, just the honor of being in the WIDE RIGHT HALL OF FAME on the internet.  Hope y’all like the idea.

So with that, here is the prestigious and infamous inaugural class.

Wrigley Field -- Shawshank Redemption -- Harry Carey -- Born In The USA -- The General Lee -- Grainbelt

Wrigley Field - One of my 2 favorite places in the world.  I’ve only been there 4 times and have great memories of all the trips (though not all wins)  heck, I got my daughter’s name from the street it sits on (Addison) and when the ivy is in bloom you can’t go wrong with a day game there.

Shawshank Redemption  - Get Busy Living or Get Busy Dying….the movie may be 3 hours or so but it hooks me every time I flip past it no matter where it is in the movie. 

Harry Carey – Getting the nod since it is close to the baseball season’s first pitch.  He (and WGN) are the reason I’m a cubs fan.  I remember running home after school during day games so I could see the 7^th inning stretch.  Got to sing it there in Wrigley with Harry twice.  “You know Steve, Alou spelled backwards is Uola….sounds like a first name”

Born in the USA – Harder to pick the song than I thought.  Went with the one that I first remembered singing the words too.  Even dressed up as the Boss to sing it when I was a kid.

The General Lee – My Dream Car!  A ’69 Dodge Charger.  Damn I loved seeing that thing jump a bridge or creek.  The Dukes is probably my all time favorite tv show.  Watched them a lot with my grandma too every Friday night.  My dream is to own one of these too someday.

Grainbelt – It’s the friendly beer!  Introduced to it by my cousin Ryan during Iowa tailgating in 2002 (BIG TEN CHAMPS!) it’s been my beer of choice since then.  My favorite local establishments in Des Moines carry it too and just got a sweet Grainbelt lid from my buddy Scott.