[HR][/HR] A NOTE FROM BRIAN BRAKEMAN

After more than 40 years and well over 3,000 pages, it seems time to draw the curtain on the Brakeman Report. It has been a labor of (mostly) love, but its objective from the start--identifying and forecasting the participants in the state meet--has been rendered unnecessary by the explosion of data and data analysts on the Internet. It is a decision, I make with some misgivings since I have always enjoyed the process which lead up to the report. Still, it will now be the first January since 1971 that I will be able to really enjoy without the specter of hard-to-make deadlines.

It has been a privilege to work with the various constituencies within the wrestling community which I hope to maintain in the future. I would like to thank all the folks who have given me so much help over the years, particularly the three principal typists--the late Arnetta Moore, the superstar for over two decades, Kim (Fiftyfingers) Manning, and my own first cousin, the long suffering Nancy Dimitris. And, in addition, I truly have appreciated all my readers and the many comments (both positive and negative) that they have so often provided.

Jerry Des Forges
GCWCOA Secretary

Thanks for all of it! Peace.

wow, what a run. Thanks for everything!

This is sad news! Although I appreciate the recent activity of rankings on the Internet, it was a ritual of anticipation to read the annual Brakemen Report. Thank you for everything you did for the sport Mr. Brakemen!

Ugh. I feel deflated. I'm sure I'll get over it, but man that's a blow.

Thanks for everything, Mr. Brakeman...

You know, to be honest, some of - okay, a lot of it, was the rankings. Carts inky at the start. But over time, it became about the write-ups, his clever quips, and his phraseology.

Long-live the donnybrook!

VIVA! Lord Brakeman!!!

cruiser_96;1370451 wrote:Ugh. I feel deflated. I'm sure I'll get over it, but man that's a blow.

Thanks for everything, Mr. Brakeman...

You know, to be honest, some of - okay, a lot of it, was the rankings. Carts inky at the start. But over time, it became about the write-ups, his clever quips, and his phraseology.

Long-live the donnybrook!

VIVA! Lord Brakeman!!!

It was all about the 'write-ups.' You know how we would just tear through the rankings and then sit back and savour the 'write-ups.'

NO one else has been able to do it yet. With due respect given to the one's who try. They were all just cliff notes to a best seller.

This is really too bad. I agree with MPhillips. With no disrespect to the others- Brakeman was the true Prophet! I'm really bummed out we won't be getting his report anymore.

Thanks for all the hard work Mr Brakeman!

OMG no!!! I feel like a 13 year old who just had his heart broken for the first tine. I've been checking everyday and anticipating the report! Please one more lol!

Man I'll miss this a must read every winter since I was little. Was nice to have my name in there a few times to!

You can find recent years here......

http://www.baumspage.com/brakeman/index.htm

I was just telling the wife yesterday cant wait til Tuesday. Then saw the post No one will ever be as comprehensive as Mr Brakeman. Thank You sir!

I think we should all beg B Brakeman to do one last report this year. It should be a "best of" and should be the top twenty wrestlers in each weight in Mr. Brakeman's opinion since he has begun the report. It MUST have a comprehensive write-up of each ranking and explanations of each era's best wrestler. The wrestling history and data and statistics are what I love, any fool can put numbers next to names...only Brian Brakeman can infuse aphorisms, history, great analogies, and above all data to come up with an informed decision. Who else would like to see a "All-time Brakeman" to send it out with a bang? I would be willing to donate $100 to any charity of Mr. Brakeman's choice to see this final write-up.

P. Carney

snuggly: I just wrote a $100 check to the Human Fund in B. Brakeman's name. Let me know when it happens and I'll send it.

Nice! My check is written as well. Or, uh, paypal anyways, as I have no checks. I will even write a check to the Bees wrestling club if he wants...and I hate Brecksville.

Many 'rasslin dads are bummed they won't get to see where jr. ranks with viva lord.

said_aouita;1372300 wrote:Many 'rasslin dads are bummed they won't get to see where jr. ranks with viva lord.

I was just thinking the same thing earlier. My son will never understand what the "Brakeman" means! It's sad. Someone will step up and try to take the reigns I hope. Maybe Boro's time to shine. lol

I think a all time brakeman should be a thought! Come on Lord Brakeman!

To see your name on that report was something special. That is no more. I am saddened to find out this news. I have been out of the area for a very long time and recently so busy, I missed the "release date." Today I searched for it and found this. Very sad that I don't get to read about schools and kids (who's fathers I know or am familiar with) in the rankings. The other stuff on the internet is fine, but the Brakeman Report IS Ohio Wrestling lore. I was born in 1972, so all I have known is the Brakeman Report!