1947 1949
1962
Henshall’s résumé. Then the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame board member nodded politely and told me that Mike Folkestad, Darrell Lowrance and Jack Wingate were more deserving.
I lost my ultra-cool exterior. “You must be %!#@&*$ kidding me!” I said, far too loud for the room. And that’s when he made the most intelligent move of our meeting. He backed away from me very quickly. People have a tendency to do that if you’re foaming at the mouth.
Now, I don’t want anyone to think ¾ not even for a moment ¾ that I believe Henshall, Heddon and Lucas need to be honored by the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame. In fact, that is the exact opposite of what I am saying.
None of these giants need the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame ¾ not even a little bit. Not only have they been dead for many years, but the hall is currently in no condition to “honor” them.
Imagine the National Baseball Hall of Fame without Babe Ruth, Cy Young or Ty Cobb. If those players were missing, how could they honor Ken Griffey Jr., Greg Maddux or Rickey Henderson? The gesture would be empty.
Well, Henshall, Heddon and Lucas are the Babe Ruth, Cy Young and Ty Cobb of bass fishing.
It is the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame that needs Henshall, Heddon and Lucas ¾ not the other way around. And the hall needs them desperately … if it is to have any credibility at all.
NOTE:
The views and opinions expressed in this and all articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of this entity or persons involved with this entity.
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