One of the core lists for us on Notinhalloffame.com is our Football section, which ranked over 100 former players who are worthy of Pro Football Hall of Fame consideration.  In honor of the NFL’s 100^thAnniversary, and announcement that there will be a special committee that will add fifteen senior candidates, we have decreed that our section needed an update.

In looking at our list, we were guilty of not taking a proper look at the pre-Super Bowl era candidates, feeling that they received a proper look by the varying committees who voted for candidates since 1963.  In retrospect, that was wrong.

Before, we continue, a special thank you to Vinny Lospinuso, who has been doing many podcasts with us, in regards to Pro Football Hall of Fame snubs.  Much of his input is reflected in this revision.

We have expanded this list to 300, which is the number we intend to keep it for the unforeseeable future.  You can find the new list here:  http://www.notinhalloffame.com/football?start=0

We here at Notinhalloffame.com thank you all for your support, and we ask you to take a look, and cast your votes and offer your opinions.  Future lists are altered based on your feedback, and we encourage your assistance.

In an interview today with the NFL Network, former Jacksonville Jaguars Running Back, Fred Taylor, decreed that he belongs in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.  He specifically had this to say:

“Obviously I think I belong.  It’s not in my hands. I think the voters, after doing a deep dive, they’ll understand that I belong there too. I really believe I had a solid career, and hopefully the writers will understand that one day.”

Taylor, who has been eligible for Canton since 2016, has yet to make the Semi-Finalist cut.  He likely never will.

Taylor was a very good player, who would accumulate 11,695 Rushing Yards, placing him 17^thall-time as of this writing.  In terms of Yards from Scrimmage, he is 35^thall-time with 14,079.  While these are more than respectable numbers, at no point was Taylor ever considered to be the best Running Back at his position.  Generally, he was never in the discussion.  Taylor made it to the Pro Bowl only once (2007) and his highest finish in Rushing Yards was sixth, which he did twice (2000 & 2003).

This is not to say that he was not good and at times great player, as he certainly was, but to be considered for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, you need to be elite, or at least have been in that debate.  If you are not, you need to have the longevity that has few equals.  13 years is very good, but in his case, not good enough.  

We are in the process of expanding our list to 300.  Taylor was considered, but did not make the cut.  When we get to the all-time Jacksonville Jaguars, he will have a high rank, likely in the top three.

With the announcement of the Modern Era candidates for the Baseball Hall of Fame, it is now time for us to look at the upcoming ballot for the Baseball Writers, who will be voting for the Class of 2020.

What we know so far, is that there is no way that this will be an empty class.  We have a sure-fire first ballot inductee in Derek Jeter, who with his 3,465 career Hits, a career Batting Average of .310 and five-time World Series Champion could become the second former player following Mariano Rivera, to receive a unanimous vote.  Should that happen, it will mark a back-to-back of two former New York Yankees teammates earning that distinction.

Last year, Curt Schilling received 60.9% of the vote last year in a very strong field (especially for pitchers) says Paruk from SportsBettingDime.com.  Less tainted by PEDS than the likes of Roger Clemens and Barry Bonds, Schilling should crack 75% if the outspoken Trump supporter doesn’t rub writers the wrong way in the next couple months.

As for Bonds and Clemens, they are both entering their eighth year of eligibility.  What once was thought as an impossible mountain to climb, the two stars both approached 60% last year.  While enshrinement this year seems unlikely, a continued rise could bode well for them in the next two years.

As for us, the one we are looking at the most is Larry Walker.  The Canadian slugger seemed to have no chance for Cooperstown a year ago, but he rocketed from 34.1% to 54.6% last year, and with him facing his final year of eligibility, we could see the first player inducted with a Colorado Rockies cap.

One thing, we know for sure is that we will be paying attention!a

The Toy Hall of Fame has announced that Magic the Gathering, Matchbox Cars and the Coloring Book comprise their Class of 2019.

Housed at the Strong Museum in Rochester, New York, these toys were chosen and pared down from 12 Finalists.  

The other finalists were Care Bears, the Fisher-Price Corn Popper, Jenga, Mattel’s Masters of the Universe, action figures, My Little Pony, the Nerf Blaster, Risk, the Smartphone and the Top.

Since 1998, 71 toys have been chosen for the Hall.  This is always a fun Hall of Fame, and we look forward to how they expand next year.