We love this day!

Though, that does not mean, we always love the results.

The Baseball Hall of Fame announced the results of the Class of 2022, and it ends an era of sorts as many of the controversial PED associated players are off the ballot.

Let’s get right into it.

The Baseball Hall of Fame elected one player this year, which was David Ortiz, who enters on his first year with 77.9%.  The long-time Designated Hitter led the Red Sox to three World Series Championships, and had 541 Home Runs, 1,768 RBIs and went to ten All-Star Games.  Ortiz becomes the first predominant DH to enter the Hall in his first year.

Here is a look at the rest of the vote:

Barry Bonds. 66.0%, 10^th and Final Year:  Bonds was a seven-time MVP, and let’s be frank: We all knew that he was using PEDs, and so did the people who kept voting him as an MVP.  Saying that, Bonds is one of the greatest offensive baseball players that the game ever saw, and is the game’s all-time leader in Home Runs (762) and Walks (2,558), and has a career Slash Line of .298/.444/.607.  Statistically speaking, we know that Bonds belongs in the Hall, and we also know why the voters kept him out.  He climbed from 61.8% from last year.

Roger Clemens. 65.6%, 10^th and Final Year:  We could “lather, rinse, repeat” with Clemens in regards to Bonds, as he is also a generational superstar who won seven Cy Youngs.  Like Bonds, Clemens was surly, but also was never officially popped for PEDs by Major League Baseball.  Clemens has every Hall of Fame stat you can think of, and shatters many of the inductees, but he will have to exist in an island with Bonds of players that eclipse the actual Hall of Famers.  Clemens reached his highest total, increasing from last year’s 61.6%.

Scott Rolen.  63.2%, 5^th Year:  Rolen, continues to rocket up the votes.  Debuting with only 10.2% in 2018, Rolen had 52.9% last year, and is poised to enter in 2023 with this result.  We would bet on it!

Curt Schilling.  58.6%, 10^th and Final Year.  Schilling told voters not to vote for him, and that is exactly what he got, as he dropped from 71.1% from last year.   While we think he has the resume for Cooperstown, his off-field feud with the media did him no favors.  This was his last year on the ballot, debuting at 38.8% in 2013, and peaking at 71.1% in 2021. Frankly, we feel that this elevates his fame, rather than decreases it, and a martyr factor now exists with Schilling.  His only path is the Veteran’s Committee, and it is likely that he will feel the same when he is eligible in those forums.

Todd Helton.  52.0%, 4^th Year:  Helton has now gone from 16.5 in Year one to looking like he is one or two years away.  We recently named Helton the greatest Colorado Rockies player of all-time.

Billy Wagner.  51%, 7^th Year:  Wagner is the top closer on this ballot, and considering his first three years he was barely over 10%, his ascension has been more than impressive.  This is his first year exceeding 50%.

Andruw Jones.  41.1%, 5^th Year:  Jones did not have double-digits if Hall of Fame votes in his first two years, but made it to 33.9% last year and cracks 40% this year.

Gary Sheffield.  40.6%, 8^th Year:   Sheffield has all of the Hall of Fame metrics, but lacks the name, the team, and the notoriety.  It was a little surprising he got to 40 percent last year, and he has the exact same number this year.  This is not boding well for Sheffield.

Alex Rodriguez.  34.3%, 1^st Year:  We said this for years, in that we were most intrigued of any player in any potential Hall to see where he would finish in terms of his first year of eligibility.  A-Rod was popped for PEDs, was at one time massively unpopular, but only Bonds had better stats of any position player on this ballot, and he is among the top ten ever in terms of skills and stats.  Bluntly, this is way lower than we thought.

Jeff Kent.  32.7%,  9^th Year:  Kent is a former MVP but never got past 30 percent on the ballot until last year (32.4).  A rise of less than half a percent tells us all we need to know about his chances.

Manny Ramirez.  28.9%,  6^th Year:  Unlike other PED-associated players on this list, Ramirez WAS popped and suspended for steroids.  He only climbs up .7% from last year.

Omar Vizquel.  23.9%. 5^th Year:   Ouch!!!!  While we don’t this for sure, has anyone fallen worse than Vizquel?  Since the last vote, he was accused of domestic violence, and it has shattered his chances.  Considering he debuted at 37.0, and he is now double digits lower than this, what chance does he have?  He drops from 49.1% and 52.6% from 2020.

Sammy Sosa.  18.5%, 10^th and Final Year:  Say what you want about Sosa, but this is a player who at one point was considered to be one of the top five players in the game for a half-decade, and was in the upper-echelon in terms of popularity.  For what it is worth, this was the highest result that Sosa received.

Andy Pettitte.  10.7%, 4^th Year:  Pettitte has a lot of the numbers you need, but is an admitted PED user.  For whatever reason, Pettitte dropped from 13.7%.

Jimmy Rollins.  9.4%, 1^st Year:  Rollins enters the ballot and survives to see another day.  

Bobby Abreu.  8.6%, 3^rd Year.  Abreu still has not reached ten percent, but he hasn’t dipped below five either.  He had 8.7% last year.

Mark Buehrle.  5.8%, 2^nd Year.  Buehrle hangs on, but plummets from 11.0% from last year.

Torii Hunter.  5.3%, 2^nd Year.  Hunter is clinging to life on this ballot, and like Buehrle, he suffered a similar drop.  He had 9.5% last year.

The following did not receive the 5% needed to remain on the ballot:

Joe Nathan (4.3%), Tim Hudson (3.0%), Tim Lincecum (2.3%), Ryan Howard (2.0%), Mark Teixeira (1.5%), Justin Morneau (1.3%), Jonathan Papelbon (1.3%), Prince Fielder (0.5%), A.J. Pierzynski (0.5%), Carl Crawford (0.0%) and Jake Peavy (0.0%).

We will rework our Notinhalloffame.com Baseball list of those to consider for the Baseball Hall of Fame by the end of February.  This will involve removing those who were inducted, and added those worthy and eligible.

We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to congratulate David Ortiz.

With the 2022 Super Bowl match played at So-Fi Stadium, Inglewood on Sunday 13th February almost here, the remaining teams in the frame will be preparing for their shot at glory. Their place in the sporting history books and into the running for a future hall of fame spot. Which name will reign supreme and become the 57th Super Bowl champion? That’s a question that has got the professional online bettors of the world paying attention. 

Every year we see from the live TV viewing figures that the Super Bowl ranks amongst the most popular fixtures in sport. It’s up there with the soccer World Cup and the summer Olympics so it’s only natural that the biggest NFL betting companies began to show more interest. You can now have your say on dozens of exciting match specials from anywhere in the country using your mobile app.

Super Bowl LVI will be the most-watched and most bet-on American Football match played in history. That’s thanks to the increase of reliable live streaming apps and the easing of the sports betting laws across the United States. It could all become a bit complicated, but we’re here to help. Below you’ll find some of the most common questions asked regarding sports betting and the answers given by the experts.

Is Super Bowl betting legal?

Online sports betting is legal in many countries worldwide and in a growing number of states across America. Online gambling isn’t yet legal in every area of the US just yet with some states still debating the move while others remain dead against it. It is important that you check the latest laws regarding online gambling in your country and state before attempting to place a wager on the Super Bowl. 

If betting is legal, you can join an online bookie and place your bets. If betting is illegal you should respect the laws of the land. It is possible to visit your nearest state where betting has been legalised and place a gamble.

Can I get a free bet on the Super Bowl?

Most online bookmakers offer new customers a welcome bonus when they sign-up, make their first deposit and place a bet. These promotions come in many different shapes and sizes, including free bets, risk-free bets, enhanced odds, cashback, profit boosts and extra places each way. The most popular is the deposit matched free bet. 

With this deal, you should join a bookie, make a deposit and place a qualifying bet on sports. When that wager has been confirmed, a free bet equal in value to your deposit will be added to your account balance and can be used to gamble on your favourite sports.

Do I need to wait for the fixture to be confirmed?

Many bettors prefer to wait until the Super Bowl final line-up has been confirmed and they have just two teams to choose from. This is a fair approach as it ensures you get, at least, a run for your money in the final but there is another way that could allow you to back your team at better odds. The earlier you make your bets, the higher the price will be.

You can bet antepost on the Super Bowl, before game one of the regular season, or at any time during the competition. Traders offer odds on the outright winner during the regular season, the playoffs, on the approach to the Super Bowl and during the big match itself. The more teams in the running, the more risk posed to your stake but the better the rewards.

What Super Bowl markets can I gamble on?

The most popular way to bet on the Super Bowl is to back the team you expect to win the match. Get your stake down and if your prediction is correct, you will be paid out at the secured odds with the profits added to your betting account in withdrawable cash. 

The match winner isn’t the only market available with traders at the leading betting apps going all out to mark the occasion and enhance their customers' enjoyment of the play. Other popular betting markets include total points, handicap, spread, first touchdown scorer, first points scorer and more.

Every year, Super Bowl betting outnumbers all other sporting events in terms of volume, with billions of dollars wagered on the game, attracting sports bettors from all over the world. 

The Super Bowl's competitive nature is amplified by large incentives, gorgeous championship rings, and lucrative endorsement deals, making it one of the most exciting sporting events of the year.

Is Betting on the Super Bowl Legal?

There's no federal regulation that prohibits sports bettors from wagering on the Super Bowl, thanks to the repeal of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act, often known as PASPA. In any of the states with betting regulations, you can legally bet on the Super Bowl. 

Even if your state is yet to enact sports betting legislation, overseas sportsbooks operate in such jurisdictions. So, residents can register on these sportsbooks and place Super Bowl LVI wagers. 

Where Can I Bet on the Super Bowl In My State?

You can bet on the Super Bowl from anywhere in the United States. Depending on your jurisdiction, you can use land-based sportsbooks or an online sportsbook. Looking for great options? Bet on the Super Bowl at FanDuel to find NFL futures and get your first bet up to $1000 risk-free.

If your state is yet to enact betting legislation, consider using a legitimate offshore sportsbook. 

Betting Strategies for the Super Bowl

While there's no foolproof gambling strategy, it's helpful to have a strategy in place when you're ready to gamble. 

To get you started, we'll go through the three most basic betting types: betting the spread, taking the over/under, and selecting the money line. 

Point Spread - The point spread is a set number of points assigned to each side that tells the bettor how much they are expected to win or lose by. To cover, a team must win by more than the point spread or lose by less than the point spread. As points are awarded to underdogs, they are recorded in the positive column, while favored clubs are shown in the negative column.

Money Line - If you just want to bet on the winner of the game and nothing else, money line bets on the Super Bowl are the way to go. Each team will have three-digit Super Bowl odds in the positive or negative, indicating their chances of winning or losing as well as the amount of money that can be won vs the amount of money that can be lost.

Over/Under - This statistic is often shown on the far right of Super Bowl betting lines, and it denotes the total number of points that bookmakers believe both teams will score. Bettors must wager on whether the final point total will be more than or lower than the line. It simply asks the bettor to predict whether the combined score of both teams will be higher or lower than the specified point total.

Other Legal Super Bowl Betting Options

Prop betting is perhaps the most well-known kind of betting during Super Bowl season. For the Super Bowl, both online and land-based sportsbooks will provide various options — whether you're betting on the team or on player prop bets. 

Offshore betting sites will provide more alternatives, but it's up to you to decide what you want to achieve.

Prop betting is similar to the three strategies discussed above, but it focuses only on one aspect of the game. Instead of choosing a winner or the number of points scored, you may choose how many yards the quarterback will throw, how many touchdowns will be allowed, if a fumble will be allowed, how far the longest field goal will be, how long the longest completed pass will be, and so on. 

Because there are so many options, do your study ahead of time before trying to lock in a prop bet. Although the majority of these are simple yes/no questions with a standard fee, some may be more difficult to answer.

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 ABA Rookie of the Year.  This time, we look at the ABA All-Star Game MVP.

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

How many ABA All-Star Game MVPs made the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame?

Let’s find out!

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

1970: Spencer Haywood, Denver Nuggets, 39 MIN, 23 PTS, 19 RB, 2 AST, N/A STL, N/A BLK

Opting to turn pro after his sophomore year in college, Spencer Haywood’s only option was the ABA, as the NBA then had a rule that a player could not turn professional until his class graduated.  Haywood then played one year with Denver of the ABA, winning both the MVP and Rookie of the Year, becoming the only player to do so.  He also led the league in Minutes and Rebounds and Points per Game.  Following this season, Haywood joined the NBA with Seattle, and successfully challenged to join the league in a case that went to the Supreme Court.  Haywood later would be a four-time NBA All-Star, and won an NBA Title with the Lakers.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2015.

1971: Mel Daniels, Indiana Pacers, 30 MIN, 29 PTS, 13 RB, 3 AST, N/A STL, N/A BLK

Daniels was one of the top players in ABA history, winning two ABA MVPs, with this year being his second win.  An All-Time ABA Selection, Daniels led Indiana to three ABA Titles.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2012.

1972: Dan Issel, Kentucky Colonels, 23 MIN, 21 PTS, 9 RB, 5 AST, N/A STL, N/A BLK

Issel went to the All-Star Game in his first seven years; six in the ABA with the first five as a Colonel.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1993.

1974: Artis Gilmore, Kentucky Colonels, 27 MIN, 18 PTS, 13 RB, 1 AST, 1 STL, 4 BLK

Gilmore was an 11-time All-Star, five of which in the ABA, which coincided with the amount of years he played there.  Gilmore was also an ABA MVP (1972), and ABA Champion with the Colonels the following year.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2011.

1976: David Thompson, Denver Nuggets, 34 MP, 29 PTS, 8 RB, 2 AST, 0 S, 1.2 BPG, 12.4 WS. 

Taken number one by the Atlanta Hawks, David Thompson instead opted to play for Denver of the ABA, in what would be the last year of the ABA.  An All-Star this year, Thompson remained with the Nuggets when the leagues merged.  He would later go to four more All-Star Games in the NBA, three with Denver and one with Seattle.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1996.

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

1968: Larry Brown, New Orleans Buccaneers, 22 MIN, 17 PTS, 3 RB, 5 AST, N/A STL, N/A BLK

Larry Brown entered the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame as a Coach in 2002, but in Springfield, you can enter multiple times in varying capacities.  Brown was one of the many players who benefited from the ABA to be a pro, and he made the most of it as a three-time ABA All-Star., and ABA Champion with Oakland in 1969.

Eligible Since 1978.

1969: John Beasley, Dallas Chapparals, 29 MIN, 19 PTS, 14 RB, 2 AST, N/A STL, N/A BLK

Beasley was a three-time ABA All-Star in his first three seasons in the league.  He never played in the ABA, also playing for Utah.

Eligible Since 1980.

1973: Warren Jabali, Denver Nuggets, 31 MIN, 16 PTS, 4 RB, 7 AST, 3 STL, 0 BLK

Jabali won the Rookie of the Year and ABA Championship for Oakland in 1969, and this season was his third of four ABA All-Star Games.  Jabali never played in the NBA, and also competed for Washington, Indiana, Florida and San Diego.

Eligible Since 1981.

1975: Freddie Lewis, Spirits of St. Louis, 33 MIN, 26 PTS, 5 RB, 10 AST, 2 STL, 0 BLK

Lewis was traded from Memphis after six Games this year, and was an overall three-time ABA All-Star, with this season being his last.  He previously won three ABA Titles with Indiana.

Eligible Since 1983.

Let’s update our tally, shall we?       

So, who is up next?

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

None.

Nothing will change in this going forward as none of the ABA All-Star Game MVP who have not been inducted feel like they have Hall of Fame potential.  As this is now a defunct category, this feels like more than a footnote going forward.

So, what is up next?

We return to Baseball with the Major League Player of the Year from The Sporting News.

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