Yes, we know that this is taking a while!

As many of you know, we here at Notinhalloffame.com are slowly generating the 50 of each major North American sports team.  That being said, we have existing Top 50 lists out and we always consistently look to update them when we can and based on necessity.  As such, we are very happy to present our pre-2022 revision of our top 50 Minnesota Twins.

As for all of our top 50 players in baseball we look at the following: 

1.  Advanced Statistics.

2.  Traditional statistics and how they finished in the American League. 

3.  Playoff accomplishments.

4.  Their overall impact on the team and other intangibles not reflected in a stat sheet.

You will have to forgive us, as this was very anti-climactic, but we thought it was worth reporting our efforts.  There were no changes in our Top 50, as there were no active Twins on the list going into the season, and nobody from 2021 cracked our Top 50.

As always, we present our top five.

1. Walter Johnson

2. Rod Carew

3. Harmon Killebrew

4. Kirby Puckett

5. Joe Mauer

You can find the entire list here.

We welcome your input and comments and as always, we thank you for your support.

We here at Notinhalloffame.com thought it would be fun to take a look at the major awards in North American team sports and see how it translates into Hall of Fame potential.

Needless to say, different awards in different sports yield hall of fame potential.  In basketball, the team sport with the least number of players on a roster, the dividend for greatness much higher.  In baseball, it is not as much as a great individual season does not have the same impact.

Last time, we looked at the MLB All-Star Game MVP.  This time, we return to Basketball, with the ABA, and the now defunct league’s MVP.

The trophy was awarded every year of the league’s existence, beginning in 1968 and concluding in 1976.

How many ABA MVPs made the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame?

Let’s find out!

The following are the past players who have won the ABA MVP who are eligible for the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame and have been enshrined.

1968: Connie Hawkins, Pittsburgh Pipers, 44.9 MP, 26.8 PPG, 13.5 RPG, 4.6 APG, N/A SPG, N/A BPG, 17.9 WS.

Hawkins was involved in the Iowa point shaving scandal that rocked college basketball, though it is widely believed he had nothing to do with it.  Nevertheless, he was blackballed from college hoops and went undrafted, essentially being banned from earning a living in pro basketball.  Hawkins became a streetball superstar, but had a pro lifeline when the ABA formed, and he signed with Pittsburgh, the team he led to the first ABA Title, while he won the first ever ABA Scoring Title.  An ABA All-Star this year, he would later join the Phoenix Suns in 1969, and would go to four consecutive All-Star Games. 

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1992.

1969: Mel Daniels, Indiana Pacers, 38.6 MP, 24.0 PPG, 16.5 RPG, 1.5 APG, N/A SPG, N/A BPG, 8.6 WS.

A member of the Minnesota Muskies as an ABA rookie, Mel Daniels won the league’s first Rebounding Title, and won it again this year.  Daniels led the Pacers to the ABA Title the following season.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2012.

1968: Mel Daniels, Minnesota Muskies, 22.2 MP, 15.6 PPG, 1.4 RPG, 2.2 APG, N/A SPG, N/A BPG, 9.2 WS.

Mel Daniels was drafted by the Cincinnati Royals (9^th Overall), but he opted for the higher salary of the Minnesota Muskies.  As a rookie, Daniels led Minnesota to the Finals where they lost to Pittsburgh, and he began a streak of seven All-Star Games.  The Muskies were struggling financially, and moved to Florida, but not with Daniels who they traded to Indiana.  As a Pacer, Daniels won two MVPs and three ABA Titles

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2012.

1971: Mel Daniels, Indiana Pacers, 38.7 MP, 21.0 PPG, 18.0 RPG, 2.2 APG, N/A SPG, N/A BPG, 11.4 WS. (2)

Daniels won his third Rebounding Title this year, and though he would not win the ABA Championship this year, he would take them to wins in the next two.  He would be named to the All-ABA Team, went to seven ABA All-Star Games, and was a five-time All-ABA Selection.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2012.

1972: Artis Gilmore, Kentucky Colonels, 43.6 MP, 23.8 PPG, 17.8 RPG, 2.7 APG, N/A SPG, 5.0 BPG, 19.8 WS. 

Gilmore also won the ABA Rookie of the Year Award, and remained with Kentucky for the remainder of the ABA’s existence.  Following the dissolution of the Colonels, Gilmore played for the Bulls, Spurs and Celtics, with the Center appearing in 11 total All-Star Games.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2011.

1973: Billy Cunningham, Carolina Cougars, 38.7 MP, 24.1 PPG, 12.0 RPG, 6.3 APG, 2,6 SPG, N/A BPG, 11.9 WS. 

Billy Cunningham was the lead player for the Philadelphia 76ers, and surprisingly jumped to Carolina of the ABA in 1972, though he fought to get out of that contract when he felt that the Cougars reneged on a bonus.  The court disagreed, and Cunningham was a Cougar for two years, winning the MVP in his first year there.  Cunningham returned to the Sixers in 1974, playing two more years before retiring.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1986.

1974: Julius Erving, New York Nets, 40.5 MP, 27.4 PPG, 10.7 RPG, 5.2 APG, 2.3 SPG, 2.4 BPG, 16.5 WS. 

The ABA had a “Hardship Exemption” that allowed Julius Erving to enter the ABA in 1971, earlier than he would have been in the NBA.  The Virginia Squires landed him in the draft, and “Dr. J” played for the Squires in his first two pro seasons.  Legal entanglements saw Erving try to play for Atlanta of the NBA, but his NBA rights were held by Milwaukee, and he was still contractually bound to Virginia.  The Squires were in financial disarray, and sold his contract to the New York Nets, with whom Erving agreed to play for, and he won his second straight scoring title, and led the Nets to their first ABA Title.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1993.

1975 Co-Winner: Julius Erving, New York Nets, 40.5 MP, 27.9 PPG, 10.9 RPG, 5.5 APG, 2.2 SPG, 1.9 BPG, 17.6 WS. (2)

Erving remained dominant, and he would become the first back-to-back winner of the ABA MVP.  Erving led the ABA in PER (26.2), and it was the third year in a row he did so.  He also topped the league in Win Shares and VORP (10.3).

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1993.

1975 Co-Winner: George McGinnis, Indiana Pacers, 40.4 MP, 29.8 PPG, 14.3 RPG, 6.3 APG, 2.6 SPG, 0.7 BPG, 11.6 WS. 

McGinnis began his pro career with the Pacers in 1971, and this was his fourth and final season in the ABA, and also his best.  He won the Scoring Title, and had previously taken Indiana to two ABA Championships.  McGinnis joined the 76ers after, but returned to the Pacers later when they were a NBA franchise.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2017.

1976: Julius Erving, New York Nets, 38.6 MP, 29.3 PPG, 11.0 RPG, 5.0 APG, 2.5 SPG, 1.9 BPG, 17.7 WS. (3)

In the final year of the ABA, Erving closed it out in style, winning his third straight MVP, and leading the Nets to their second ABA Title.  Erving again led the ABA in PER (28.7) and VORP (10.3), and as the ABA merged with the NBA, the Nets looked like they would instantly compete, or so it would seem.  The New York Knicks balked at territorial rights, and the Nets were forced to offer financial compensation, so much so, that the Nets had to sell Erving’s contract to Philadelphia.  Erving led the Sixers to the NBA Title in 1983, and was the MVP in 1981, becoming the only player to win the MVP in both leagues.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1993.

The following are the players who have won the ABA MVP who are eligible for the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame and have not been selected:

None.

Let’s update our tally, shall we?       

So, who is up next?

The following are the players who have won the ABA MVP who have retired but have not met the mandatory years out of the game to qualify for the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame: 

None.

The following are the past players who have won the ABA MVP are eligible for the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame and are still active.

None.

Nothing will change in this going forward as the ABA MVPs are perfect for Hall of Fame induction.  As this is now a defunct category, this feels like more than a footnote going forward.

So, what is up next?

We stay with the ABA, and look at their past Rookies of the Year.

As always, we thank you for your support, and look for that soon.

The TaxAct Texas Bowl between LSU and Kansas State was expected to be a close game. On BetMGM, the line closed with Kansas State at -4.5. This number caused many bettors to turn to LSU because the Tigers would lose by a field goal, and the bet would still hit.

Even though the TaxAct Texas Bowl has concluded, the National Championship Game is still approaching. The best places to bet on college football and sports, in general, are on betting sites with free bets like BetMGM.

If you watched the Texas Bowl, you know the Wildcats steamrolled the Tigers. The final score ended up being 42-20 in favor of Kansas State. LSU looked lifeless without Coach O, which showed throughout the entire game.

The line varied throughout the bowl season, closing with Kansas State at -4.5. However, it was as high as -7.5, but it looked like it should have been -10. Coach O’s final game coaching the Tigers was against #15 Texas A&M.

The Tigers pulled off the upset in Death Valley in this matchup 27-24, but this team did not show up in Houston on Tuesday night.

In the second quarter, the Wildcats jumped out to a 21 to nothing lead. The night started with a Malik Knowles touchdown catch. Skylar Thompson put the ball right on the money for the 21-yard score.

These two connected again to make the score 21 nothing at the 7:01 mark in the second quarter. However, we cannot forget about Deuce Vaughn for the Wildcats, who scored the team’s second touchdown of the game.

Vaughn carried the ball 21 times for 146 yards and three touchdowns on the night. He also caught a touchdown in the fourth quarter.

Before the half, LSU showed some life and made it a two-score game. Jaray Jenkins caught a 23-yard touchdown pass from Jontre Kirklin to cap off a 13 play, 75-yard drive that lasted 6:41.  

As strong as the Tigers looked to close the half, they had no answer for Kansas State for 27 minutes of the fourth quarter. The Wildcats went out and dominated, scoring 21 unanswered points.

All three of the scores were from Vaughn, the biggest troublemaker of the night for Kansas State. The Tigers had no answer for the running back, which made Wildcats bettors very happy.

Kansas State -4.5 cashed, even though the Tigers rallied at the end of the game. At this point, it was too late for Tigers +4.5 bettors to have any hope. Malik Nabers caught a strike from Kirklin again to make the score 42-14.

The final score of the game happened as time expired. Kirklin threw an 81-yard touchdown pass to Chris Hilton Jr. Hilton was the team’s leading receiver with that one catch.

It was a terrible night for the Tigers, and it showed Brian Kelly has a lot of work to do to fix the program. However, it’s unlikely he will fit the mold that Coach O left in Baton Rouge.

There were two areas that caused LSU to lose this game. The Tigers were 3 of 10 on third down, compared to the Wildcats, who were 8 of 12.

They could not get off the field or continue drives, which is never a winning formula. They were also -2 in the turnover margin, and the winning percentage goes way down when this is the case by winning third down and not turning the ball over.

Kansas State took care of business in Houston, covering -4.5 without much trouble.

We lost another great one, as it was announced today that former Dallas Cowboys star, Ralph Neely, passed away at the age of 78

An All-American at Oklahoma, Neely was drafted in the second round in 1965 by the Baltimore Colts, who traded his rights to Dallas.  The Offensive Lineman was chosen for his first First Team All-Pro in 1967, which would lead to two more right after.  Also, a two-time Pro Bowl recipient, Neely, helped the Cowboys win Super Bowl VI and XII, and he would start 168 of his 172 Games.  He would be named to the 1960s All-Decade Team, and is a member of the Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor.

In our latest Notinhalloffame.com list for those to consider for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Neely was ranked at #178.

We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to extend our condolences to the fans, friends and family of Ralph Neely.