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Jerry McKinnis 
Gaylen Pitts 
Todd Day 
Charles Cella 
Michael Cage 
Torii Hunter 
Tommy Tuberville 
Jon Richardson 
Bruce James 
Cal Partee Sr. Two Oaklawn regulars go into Hall Sunday, Feb 17, 2008 By Harry King Arkansas News Bureau LITTLE ROCK - Asking around Magnolia for the scoop on the owner of the Kentucky Derby winner, somebody said a banker knew him best. The source's name is long forgotten, but he shared a story about W. Cal Partee. Everybody in the small South Arkansas town knew that Partee had money, but Partee wouldn't think of rubbing it in. So, each year, he'd quietly buy a new car, selecting the same brand and same color so as not to trumpet the purchase. The scope of the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame has been broadened in recent years to include those who participate in the competition, but are not on the field, and that has opened the door to people like Partee. He lived the dream of virtually every thoroughbred owner when Lil E. Tee won the "Run for the Roses" in 1992. During an interview a few weeks after the Kentucky Derby, the 82-year-old Partee was proud and emotional about drawings and notes from local elementary school kids. Appropriately, Charles J. Cella, Oaklawn Park president for 40 years, will also be inducted into the Sports Hall of Fame on Friday night. Lil E. Tee's victory in Louisville after a second in the Arkansas Derby focused national spotlight on Hot Springs and Oaklawn, which was Partee's favorite race place for years and years. In recent years, Oaklawn's series for 3-year-olds has been the springboard for Smarty Jones, Afleet Alex and Curlin - each the winner of at least one Triple Crown race. Also being inducted on Friday is Jerry McKinnis, considered by many to be the pioneer of outdoor television. Recently inducted into the Professional Bass Fishing Hall of Fame, he has lived in Arkansas for the past 40 years. The other nine inductees into the Hall of Fame are being honored for more conventional achievements: -Michael Cage, a standout at West Memphis, played 15 years in the NBA. Although only 6-foot-9, Cage twice led the league in rebounding, averaging 11.5 in 1986-87 and 13.03 in 1987-88, while playing with Seattle. He also played for four other teams. -Todd Day, the University of Arkansas career leader in points with 2,395, was all-conference in both the Southwest Conference and the Southeastern Conference. A lottery pick by Milwaukee, he played eight years in the NBA. -Torii Hunter, a four-sport standout at Pine Bluff and a seven-time Gold Glove winner with the Minnesota Twins, recently signed a five-year contract with the Los Angeles Angels. Twice a member of the American League All-Star team, Hunter hit .297 with 28 home runs and 107 RBI last year. -Bruce James, an All-American defensive end at Arkansas in 1970, was a three-year starter while the Razorbacks compiled a 28-5 record. James, who chose Arkansas over about 20 other schools, recorded 26 quarterback sacks and recovered nine fumbles. -Gaylen Pitts, a native of Mountain Home, spent five years as a coach with the St. Louis Cardinals. Pitts was manager of the Cardinals' Class AAA team for five years and won the New York Penn League championship with the New York Yankees' farm club in 2006. -John Prock, football coach at Harding University for 24 years, was NAIA District 17 Coach of the Year four times and is a member of the NAIA Hall of Fame. During his reign, Harding had 14 All-Americans, 63 All-AIC players and won two conference championships. -Jon Richardson, a native of Little Rock, became the first black scholarship football player in 1969. The former Horace Mann running back scored 19 touchdowns for the Razorbacks and twice led the team in kickoff returns. -Tommy Tuberville, named college football coach of the year by a half-dozen organizations after Auburn's 13-0 season in 2004, has been head coach of the Tigers since Nov. 28, 1998. The year before he arrived, Auburn was 3-8. Since then, the Tigers have won or shared the Western Division title five times. A native of Camden, he began his college coaching career at Arkansas State University. -Tracy Webb, a native of Batesville, was the first Lady Razorback basketball player to be named All-Southwest Conference. With Webb leading the way, the Lady Razorbacks put together four consecutive 20-win seasons and made their first appearance in the NCAA Tournament. She was MVP of the National Women's Invitational Tournament when Arkansas won in 1987. |
