gold star for USAHOF
Committee Chairman

Committee Chairman

Kirk Buchner, "The Committee Chairman", is the owner and operator of the site.  Kirk can be contacted at [email protected] .

It is with great pleasure that we have brought back the Notinhalloffame MLB Regular Cup, and let us explain how this works:

For every regular-season game, we anointed the top five players with the most points, in descending order: 5-4-3-2-1. 

We know the following:

  • The top players for the MLB NIHOF Cup are not always the best in the league, as injuries keep players out of games, and a premium on staying healthy can help pile up points. It also does not hurt to be a top player on an average or mediocre team, as they can amass Cup points more easily than elite players on loaded squads.
  • In Baseball, it is more common than in Basketball and Hockey for a player to accrue points with a single Home Run in a game, which favors position players. Starting Pitchers have a hard time with approximately 30-35 Starts and throw fewer innings than previous generations. This is also true for closers not made for this process.
  • Please remember that this is NOT necessarily who we think were the best players this year and does not reflect overall consistency. Treat this the way we did: as a fun process and more of a compilation of temporary statistical domination.
  • As such, expect it to take time to see Pitchers on this list, or high-average hitters with limited power.

 

Here are the final standings (and note that we will be adding more of the results over the next few weeks):

1. Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Dodgers, Designated Hitter & Pitcher:  220 Cup Points in 158 Games, 1.39 Cup Points per Game.   7.7 bWAR, 146 Runs Scored, 164 Hits, 55 Home Runs, 102 Runs Batted In, 20 Stolen Bases, .282/.392/.622 Slash Line, 1.014 OPS & 179 OPS+.  14 Games, 1-1 Record, 2.87 ERA, 47.0 IP, 62 SO, 145 ERA+, 1.043 WHIP, 6.89 SO/BB.

Who other than a superstar who can accrue points with his bat and on the mound, win the Notinhalloffame Cup?

This is a trophy built for Shohei Ohtani, the only active player in the Majors who plays both ways. Although he threw for only 47 Innings, that is what put him over New York’s Aaron Judge.  Ohtani led the National League in Runs (146), Slugging (.622), OPS (1.014), OPS+ (1.014), and broke his single-season Home Run record with 55 dingers. 

The final week in the standings was a battle between Ohtani and Judge, and while his work as a hurler put him over the top, what Ohtani has done this year and since 2021 has been nothing short of immaculate.

Congratulations to Shohei Ohtani for winning the notinhalloffame.com MLB Cup. 

By the way, the title needs to be accepted in person here at our current home base in Seattle.

2. Aaron Judge, New York Yankees, Outfield:  217 Cup Points in 152 Games, 1.43 Cup Points per Game.  9.7 bWAR, 137 Runs Scored, 179 Hits, 53 Home Runs, 114 Runs Batted In, 12 Stolen Bases, .331/.457/.668 Slash Line, 1.114 OPS & 215 OPS+.

Aaron Judge had the Notinhalloffame Cup locked up, but after bouncing back and forth with Shohei Ohtani, Judge fell in the last two games. However, it is hard to beat a player (for this Cup) when you don’t pitch.  Wait, does that mean Judge is the de facto winner here?   Sadly, no.

Judge had a phenomenal year, where he maintained his power (53 Home Runs) while winning his first Batting Title (.331).  He did not just lead the AL in that stat; he swept the Slash Line, OPS, and OPS+ while also finishing first in Runs (137) and Walks (124).   

The Yankees made it to the playoffs, but could they have done so without Judge?  We doubt it.

3. Cal Raleigh, Seattle Mariners, Catcher:  183 Cup Points in 159 Games, 1.15 Cup Points per Game.  7.3 bWAR, 110 Runs Scored, 147 Hits, 60 Home Runs, 125 Runs Batted In, 14 Stolen Bases, .247/.359/.589 Slash Line, .948 OPS & 169 OPS+.

Is this the best year by a Catcher?  Offensively, yes, it looks like!

Raleigh shattered the Home Run record for a Catcher with 60 taters, and led the AL in that stat and RBIs (125).  “The Big Dumper” was an All-Star for the first time in 2025, and his output propelled the Mariners to a top seed in the 2025 playoffs. 

4. Pete Alonso, New York Mets, First Base: 179 Cup Points in 162 Games, 1.11 Cup Points per Game.  3.4 bWAR, 87 Runs Scored, 170 Hits, 38 Home Runs, 126 Runs Batted In, 1 Stolen Base, .272/.347/.524 Slash Line, .871 OPS & 144 OPS+.

Would you believe that Alonso was at the top of the standings (by far) when we first published our ranking in early May? 

This is arguably the first surprise on this list, as, with all due respect to Alonso, he does not seem like he should be this high, but again, we remind you that this is a point system based on individual games! 

Alonso had a great year, blasting away like always, but this time with a respectable Batting Average of .272 (his best), and a National League leading 41 Doubles. 

Regardless, the biggest news for Alonso is that he opted out of his contract and will likely not be a Met next year.

5. Jose Ramirez, Cleveland Guardians, Third Base:  166 Cup Points in 158 Games.  1.05 Cup Points per Game.  5.8 bWAR, 103 Runs Scored, 168 Hits, 30 Home Runs, 85 Runs Batted In, 44 Stolen Bases, .283/.360/.503 Slash Line, .863 OPS & 137 OPS+.

The story of the improbable Guardians' run to the postseason can not happen without their top gun, and potential Hall of Famer, Jose Ramirez, who added his seventh All-Star and fifth straight.  He was fourth in OPS+, sixth in OPS, and eighth in Slugging.

6. Juan Soto, New York Mets, Outfield: 164 Cup Points in 160 Games, 1.03 Cup Points per Game.  6.2 bWAR, 120 Runs Scored, 152 Hits, 43 Home Runs, 105 Runs Batted In, 38 Stolen Bases, .263/.396/.525 Slash Line, .921 OPS & 160 OPS+.

It is the New York Mets that are the first team to post two players, and it comes in the form of a player who had a slow start after signing a monster contract.

Juan Soto did not make the All-Star Game (making him the highest-ranked player on this list not to), but he finished the season as the National League leader in OBP (.396), Walks (127), and Stolen Bases (38), the last of which was a huge surprise considering his previous high was 12.  Soto also had a career-high 43 Home Runs.  The Mets may not have made the playoffs, but in year one, New York got value from the superstar.

7. Francisco Lindor, New York Mets, Shortstop: 163 Cup Points in 160 Games, 1.02 Cup Points per Game.   5.8 bWAR, 117 Runs Scored, 172 Hits, 31 Home Runs, 86 Runs Batted In, 31 Stolen Bases, .267/.346/.466 Slash Line, .811 OPS & 129 OPS+.

Yes.  The New York Mets, the team with the most epic choke job in the last twenty years, have three ranked players before any other squad has two.  How is this possible?  The short answer is to see how long it takes for the Mets to have five players here, and when a Pitcher finally shows up.

Lindor had his first All-Star since 2019 (fifth overall), and was the NL leader in Plate Appearances (732) and At Bats (644).  He also had his second 30-30 year, and was third in Runs Scored (117), fifth in Hits (172), and was eighth in Home Runs (31).

8. Manny Machado, San Diego Padres, Third Base: 162 Cup Points in 159 Games, 1.02 Cup Points per Game.   4.1 bWAR, 91 Runs Scored, 169 Hits, 27 Home Runs, 95 Runs Batted In, 14 Stolen Bases, .275/.335/.460 Slash Line, .795 OPS & 118 OPS+.

Machado continues his amazing career by adding a seventh All-Star and continuing to be the Padres' top offensive weapon.  Machado, who was ninth in Hits in the NL, also turned a National League-leading 34 Double Plays at Third Base. 

9 (TIE). Kyle Schwarber, Philadelphia Phillies, Designated Hitter: 161 Cup Points in 162 Games, 0.9938 Cup Points per Game.  4.7 bWAR, 111 Runs Scored, 145 Hits, 56 Home Runs, 132 Runs Batted In, 10 Stolen Bases, .240/.365/.928 Slash Line, .928 OPS & 150 OPS+.

This year’s All-Star Game MVP led the NL with 56 Home Runs and 132 RBIs, both of which were career highs.  He also had a career best in Hits (145), and was second in both Slugging and OPS, but his 197 Strikeouts cost him Cup Points. 

9 (TIE). Junior Caminero, Tampa Bay Rays, Third Base: 161 Cup Points in 154 Games, 1.0454 Cup Points per Game.  4.5 bWAR, 93 Runs, 159 Hits, 45 Home Runs, 110 Runs Batted In, 7 Stolen Bases, .264/.311/.535 Slash Line, .846 OPS & 131 OPS+.

This was the (expected) breakout year for the 22-year-old Dominican Third Baseman, who exploded with 45 Home Runs, a .846 OPS, and the best bat on a promising Rays roster.  We can’t wait to see what “La Maxima” has next!

11. Bobby Witt Jr., Kansas City Royals, Shortstop: 158 Cup Points in 157 Games, 1.0064 Cup Points per Game.  7.1 bWAR, 99 Runs, 184 Hits, 23 Home Runs, 88 Runs Batted In, 38 Stolen Bases, .295/.351/.501 Slash Line, .852 OPS & 136 OPS+.

Witt spent most of the year in the top ten, and having “only” 23 Home Runs might have cost him a Cup Point or two.  Nevertheless, this is Kansas City’s top gun, who led the American League in Hits (184) for the second straight year, and also topped the AL in Doubles (47).

12. Freddie Freeman, Los Angeles Dodgers, First Base: 155 Cup Points in 147 Games, 1.0544 Cup Points per Game.  3.5 bWAR, 81 Runs, 164 Hits, 24 Home Runs, 90 Runs Batted In, 6 Stolen Bases, .295/.367/.502 Slash Line, .869 OPS & 141 OPS+.

Freeman was an All-Star again this year, his ninth overall, and is now four-for-four in Los Angeles. 

13. Fernando Tatis Jr., San Diego Padres, Outfield: 149 Cup Points in 155 Games, .09613 Cup Points per Game.  5.9 bWAR, 111 Runs, 159 Hits, 25 Home Runs, 71 Runs Batted In, 31 Stolen Bases, .268/.368/.446 Slash Line, .814 OPS & 125 OPS+.

Tatis Jr. was an All-Star for the third time this year, and led the NL Rightfielders in Total Zone Runs (31) and Range Factor per Game (2.33).

14. James Wood, Washington Nationals, Outfield: 148 Cup Points in 157 Games, .09427 Cup Points per Game.  3.7 bWAR, 87 Runs, 153 Hits, 31 Home Runs, 94 Runs Batted In, 15 Stolen Bases, .256/.350/.475 Slash Line, .825 OPS & 132 OPS+.

While Wood struck out an NL-leading 221 times, he smacked 31 Home Runs and was the Nationals' top bat.  He was an All-Star for the first time.

15 (TIE). Eugenio Suarez, Arizona Diamondbacks & Seattle Mariners, Third Base: 145 Cup Points in 159 Games, .09120 Cup Points per Game.  3.6 bWAR, 91 Runs, 134 Hits, 49 Home Runs, 118 Runs Batted In, 4 Stolen Bases, .228/.298/.526 Slash Line, .824 OPS & 126 OPS+.

Suarez had a great year, where he was traded from Arizona to Seattle, and matched his career-best in taters with 49.  Suarez did have a better period in Arizona (.897 OPS) than in Seattle (.682 OPS).

15 (TIE). Riley Greene, Detroit Tigers, Outfield: 145 Cup Points in 157 Games, .09236 Cup Points per Game.  2.1 bWAR, 84 Runs, 155 Hits, 36 Home Runs, 111 Runs Batted In, 2 Stolen Bases, .258/.313/.493 Slash Line, .806 OPS & 120 OPS+.

Following James Wood, the American League leader in Strikeouts, Greene dodged the same in the NL (201).  Greene went to his second straight All-Star, and showed his best power numbers (36 HR & 111 RBI).

15 (TIE). Julio Rodriguez, Seattle Mariners, Outfield: 145 Cup Points in 160 Games, .09063 Cup Points per Game.  6.8 bWAR, 106 Runs, 174 Hits, 32 Home Runs, 95 Runs Batted In, 30 Stolen Bases, .267/.324/.474 Slash Line, .798 OPS & 128 OPS+.

Julio completed his fourth season and earned his third All-Star.  Rodriguez matched his career-best 32 Home Runs and was the American League leader in Plate Appearances (710) and At-Bats (652).

18 (TIE). Rafael Devers, Boston Red Sox & San Francisco Giants, Designated Hitter: 144 Cup Points in 163 Games, .08834 Cup Points per Game.  4.0 bWAR, 99 Runs, 153 Hits, 35 Home Runs, 109 Runs Batted In, 1 Stolen Base, .252/.372/.479 Slash Line, .851 OPS & 140 OPS+.

Devers had a great year, but, interestingly, the Red Sox soared when he left and the Giants declined when he arrived.  This was his fifth straight 35 Home Run year, and his .372 OBP was the best of his career.

18 (TIE). Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Toronto Blue Jays, First Base: 144 Cup Points in 156 Games, .09231 Cup Points per Game.  4.5 bWAR, 96 Runs, 172 Hits, 23 Home Runs, 84 Runs Batted In, 6 Stolen Bases, .252/.381/.467 Slash Line, .848 OPS & 133 OPS+.

Vladdy was an All-Star for the fifth straight time, and he brought the Blue Jays to their first American League Pennant since 1993.  Not bad considering it looked like Guerrero was going to become a free agent after this year.

20. Geraldo Perdomo, Arizona Diamondbacks, Shortstop: 143 Cup Points in 161 Games, .08888 Cup Points per Game.  7.0 bWAR, 98 Runs, 173 Hits, 20 Home Runs, 100 Runs Batted In, 27 Stolen Bases, .290/.389/.462 Slash Line, .851 OPS & 136 OPS+.

Perdomo quietly was the National League leader in bWAR in what was his breakout year.

Soon, we will release more updates that will show the complete list.

From Crypto to Cashback: The Evolution of Casino Rewards

Casino reward programs now influence 78% of player decisions when choosing where to gamble, up from 63% in 2022. This significant increase highlights how crucial effective reward systems have become for casino operators worldwide.

The journey from traditional loyalty cards to blockchain-based reward systems represents not just a technological shift, but a fundamental change in how casinos interact with their customers. Let’s examine this evolution and what it means for both players and operators in today’s dynamic gambling environment.

Traditional Loyalty Programs: The Foundation

Casino reward programs began simply enough. Players at Rainbet Australia received plastic cards that tracked their gameplay and awarded points based on how much they wagered. These points could then be exchanged for:

  • Complimentary meals
  • Hotel stays
  • Show tickets
  • Free play credits

In 2025, only 17% of casinos worldwide rely exclusively on these traditional systems, down from 42% in 2020. Despite this decline, these fundamental principles continue to underpin even the most advanced reward programs today.

Limitations of Traditional Systems

Traditional reward programs faced several significant challenges:

  • Limited personalization capabilities
  • Difficulty tracking player activity across multiple properties
  • Physical cards that could be lost or damaged
  • Manual redemption processes that created friction
  • Rewards that didn’t always match player preferences

“The old plastic card systems were revolutionary when introduced in the 1980s, but they simply can’t meet the expectations of today’s digitally-native gamblers,” explains Maria Sanchez, Chief Customer Experience Officer at Las Vegas Sands Corporation.

Digital Revolution: Online Casinos Change the Game

The rise of online casinos in the early 2000s necessitated a new approach to rewards. Without physical interactions, digital operators needed creative ways to build loyalty. This led to the development of more sophisticated systems that tracked detailed player behaviors and offered instant gratification.

By 2025, online casinos have refined these systems to remarkable levels of efficiency. The average online casino now offers 16 different reward mechanisms compared to just 7 in 2020.

Key Innovations in Digital Rewards

The shift to digital platforms enabled several important innovations:

  • Real-time reward tracking and redemption
  • Tiered loyalty programs with clear progression paths
  • Achievement-based rewards and gamification elements
  • Personalized offers based on player behavior
  • Cross-platform integration between mobile and desktop

Furthermore, 89% of online casinos now employ AI-driven algorithms to customize reward offers based on individual player preferences and behaviors, according to the 2025 iGaming Technology Assessment.

Cryptocurrency Revolution

Perhaps no development has transformed casino rewards more dramatically than the integration of cryptocurrency. First adopted by offshore operators seeking to circumvent payment restrictions, crypto rewards have now become mainstream across the gambling industry.

In 2025, 63% of all online casinos and 41% of land-based casinos offer some form of cryptocurrency rewards, representing a 215% increase since 2022.

Blockchain-Based Loyalty Programs

The adoption of blockchain technology has enabled several key advantages:

  • Transparent reward systems where players can verify the fairness of rewards
  • Immediate value transfer without banking delays
  • Reduced operational costs for casinos
  • Cross-platform reward portability
  • Enhanced security and fraud prevention

“Blockchain technology has fundamentally changed how we think about player loyalty,” notes Jason Wong, CTO of Evolution Gaming. “We can now offer rewards that have real-world value beyond our ecosystem, creating incentives that resonate with today’s tech-savvy players.”

Rise of Cashback Programs

While cryptocurrency rewards continue to gain traction, cashback programs have emerged as the most popular reward mechanism in 2025. The Gaming Analytics Consortium reports that 92% of players prefer immediate cashback rewards over points-based systems.

Cashback Implementation Comparison

Casino Type

Average Cashback %

Implementation Method

Processing Time

Player Satisfaction Score (1-10)

Land-Based

0.5-2%

Account credit

24-48 hours

6.7

Online Traditional

3-7%

Account wallet

Immediate

8.2

Crypto Casino

5-12%

Cryptocurrency transfer

Immediate

8.9

Hybrid Operators

2-15%

Multiple options

Varies

7.8

This shift toward cashback represents a recognition that modern gamblers value simplicity and tangible benefits. Rather than accumulating points toward future rewards, players increasingly prefer immediate returns on their play.

Personalization: The Key to 2025’s Most Effective Programs

In today’s data-rich environment, the most successful casino rewards programs leverage advanced analytics to deliver highly personalized experiences. The 2025 Casino Player Engagement Report reveals that personalized reward offers generate 340% higher redemption rates than generic promotions.

Modern systems analyze:

  1. Game preferences
  2. Betting patterns
  3. Time and frequency of play
  4. Deposit and withdrawal habits
  5. Response to previous promotions

Consequently, casinos can now deliver tailor-made incentives that precisely match individual player motivations. For example, a player who enjoys slot tournaments might receive free tournament entries, while a table game player might get reduced-edge blackjack promotions.

Integration of Gamification Elements

Another significant trend in 2025 is the incorporation of gamification into reward programs. Casinos now employ game design principles to make earning rewards more engaging and entertaining.

Common Gamification Techniques

  • Progress bars showing advancement toward reward thresholds
  • Daily challenges with escalating rewards
  • Achievement badges for reaching milestones
  • Leaderboards comparing players’ status and achievements
  • Limited-time events with special reward opportunities

These elements tap into fundamental human motivations like competition, collection, and achievement. According to the Psychology of Gambling Institute, gamified reward programs increase player engagement by an average of 47%.

Looking Forward: The Future of Casino Rewards

As we look beyond 2025, several emerging trends suggest where casino rewards may be heading next:

  1. Metaverse Integration – Virtual reality casinos offering unique digital assets as rewards
  2. Cross-Industry Partnerships – Casino rewards that connect with airline, retail, and entertainment loyalty programs
  3. Biometric Verification – Seamless reward redemption through facial recognition or fingerprint scanning
  4. Environmental Consciousness – Eco-friendly reward options like carbon offset credits and sustainable merchandise
  5. Community-Based Incentives – Group challenges and shared rewards that build player communities

In conclusion, the evolution from simple comp points to today’s sophisticated digital and cryptocurrency rewards represents a fundamental shift in how casinos build relationships with players. The most successful operators in 2025 are those who recognize that effective reward programs must balance technological innovation with genuine understanding of player psychology and preferences.

Current Landscape of Cryptocurrency Gambling

The crypto gambling market has expanded dramatically over the past several years, exceeding $150 billion in early 2025 — a 300% increase from the value in 2022, which is an astounding growth. Such a sudden and substantial hike in the industry can be attributed to several factors like going crypto use globally, gaming with blockchain technology and user’s changing preference towards decentralized betting platforms.

Based on a recent report of the Global Gambling Commission, it is believed that about 32% of all online gambling transactions are carried out using cryptocurrencies. Bitcoin is the leading crypto in use; however, there have been some challengers in the form of tokens specifically created for the gambling industry. The decentralized nature of these platforms has attracted players’ attention, especially those coming from areas where the gambling laws are very strict or banking is not well established.

Regulatory Frameworks and Compliance Challenges

The regulation of cryptocurrency gambling on websites like Royal Reels is still a patchwork of different laws and rules, and the local authorities are implementing various measures that are significantly different from each other:

  • Comprehensive regulation – Countries like Malta, Estonia and Singapore have established robust licensing frameworks specifically for crypto gambling operations
  • Conditional tolerance – The UK, Australia and Canada permit cryptocurrency gambling under traditional gambling licenses with additional compliance requirements
  • Outright prohibition – China, India and several Middle Eastern nations maintain strict bans, though underground markets continue to flourish
  • Regulatory uncertainty – Many jurisdictions, including parts of the United States, still operate in a gray area with unclear guidance

Perhaps the most significant development has been the implementation of the International Digital Asset Gambling Standards (IDAGS) in late 2024, which has been voluntarily adopted by over 70 major platforms. This framework establishes minimum requirements for:

Regulatory Aspect

Standard Requirements

Implementation Rate

Compliance Cost

KYC/AML Procedures

Three-tier verification

86% of platforms

$0.3-1.2M annually

Responsible Gaming

AI-powered monitoring

64% of platforms

$0.5-0.8M annually

Fund Segregation

Multi-signature wallets

92% of platforms

$0.1-0.4M annually

Provable Fairness

Open-source RNG algorithms

78% of platforms

$0.2-0.5M annually

Data Protection

End-to-end encryption

81% of platforms

$0.3-0.7M annually

Technological Innovations Reshaping the Industry

The technological foundation of cryptocurrency gambling continues to evolve at breakneck speed. Some of the most impactful innovations of 2025 include:

Layer-2 Scaling Solutions

The widespread adoption of Layer-2 scaling solutions has dramatically improved transaction speeds and reduced costs. Ethereum gambling dApps leveraging Optimism and Arbitrum can now process over 10,000 transactions per second with fees below $0.01 — eliminating one of the major barriers to mainstream adoption.

Cross-Chain Compatibility

Multichain gambling platforms have become the new standard, allowing players to seamlessly use assets from different blockchain ecosystems. Market leader PolyBet currently supports gambling with native tokens from 18 different blockchains through its proprietary bridge technology.

NFT Integration and Metaverse Expansion

The convergence of NFTs, metaverse environments and gambling has created entirely new categories of entertainment:

  • NFT-based player avatars with statistical advantages
  • Virtual casino real estate that generates passive income
  • Tournament entry tokens with appreciating secondary market value
  • Game-specific equipment with provenance and history

Player Protection and Responsible Gambling

As the industry expands, concerns about problem gambling have intensified. A 2025 study by the Global Problem Gambling Research Institute found that cryptocurrency gamblers were 27% more likely to develop problematic behaviors compared to traditional online gamblers.

In response, leading platforms have implemented advanced responsible gambling tools:

  • Behavior analysis algorithms that detect problematic patterns before they become harmful
  • Blockchain-verified self-exclusion programs that work across multiple platforms
  • Smart contract-enforced deposit limits that cannot be circumvented
  • Mandatory cooling-off periods after significant losses

“The transparency of blockchain actually gives us powerful tools to promote responsible gambling,” says Dr. Sarah Nguyen, addiction specialist and advisor to several crypto gambling platforms. “When implemented correctly, these systems can be more effective than traditional controls because they’re immutable and universal.”

Market Outlook and Future Trajectories

Industry analysts project continued growth for cryptocurrency gambling through 2027, though at a more moderate pace of 20-30% annually. Several factors will shape the landscape:

Institutional Involvement

Major traditional gambling corporations have accelerated their entry into the cryptocurrency space, with MGM, DraftKings and Flutter Entertainment all launching dedicated crypto divisions in the past 18 months.

Emerging Markets

Regions with high cryptocurrency adoption but underdeveloped traditional gambling infrastructure — particularly in Southeast Asia, Latin America and parts of Africa — represent the fastest-growing markets.

Regulatory Convergence

Experts anticipate more standardized international regulations as governments recognize the impossibility of completely controlling decentralized gambling platforms.

The cryptocurrency gambling industry in 2025 stands at a crucial inflection point — balancing explosive innovation with the need for responsible growth. As blockchain technology continues to evolve and mainstream adoption increases, the line between traditional and crypto gambling will likely continue to blur, creating a more integrated, transparent and accessible global gambling ecosystem.

1986 PRELIMINARY RESULTS:

Thank you to all who participated in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Revisited Project. If you are still determining what that is, we acted like the PFHOF had its first class in January 1946.

We have completed the first 41 years thus far.

For “1986,” a Preliminary Vote with close to 100 players whose playing career ended by 1980. We are also following the structure, where players have 20 years of eligibility, and if they do not make it into the Hall, they are relegated to the Senior Pool.

Each voter was asked to select 25 names from the preliminary list, and the top 25 vote-getters were named Semi-Finalists.

A week later, the voters will be asked to select 15 names from the 25 Semi-Finalists and then choose five from the remaining 15. We will continue this process every week until we catch up to the current year.

Please note that a significant change occurred “years ago,” allowing voters to submit fewer than the allotted spots. 

30 Votes took place.

This is for the “Modern Era”

Bold indicates they advanced to the Semi-Finals:

*Indicates they have been removed from future ballots

 

Player

Year of Eligibility

Vote Total

Carl Eller DE

2

21

Mick Tingelhoff C

3

19

Rayfield Wright T-TE

2

19

Gene Hickerson G

8

18

Charlie Sanders TE

4

18

Charley Taylor WR-SE-RB

4

18

Paul Krause S

2

18

Bob Hayes SE-WR

6

16

Jackie Smith TE

3

16

Emmitt Thomas DB

3

16

Larry Czonka FB

2

16

Larry Little G

1

16

Pete Retzlaff E-HB-TE

15

15

Dave Wilcox LB

7

14

Tom Mack G

3

14

Bob Griese QB

1

14

Ken Houston DB

1

14

Gino Cappelletti FL-SE-DB-WR-PK

11

13

Tommy Nobis LB

5

13

Roger Brown DT

12

12

Gene Lipscomb DT

19

11

Joe Fortunato LB

15

11

Bobby Boyd DB

13

11

Cliff Harris S

2

11

Charlie Conerly QB

20

10

Dick LeBeau DB

9

10

Dave Robinson LB

7

10

Nick Buoniconti LB

5

10

Gene Washington WR

2

9

Art Powell E

12

8

Otis Taylor WR-FL

6

8

Jim Marshall DE

2

8

Les Richter LB-C

19

7

Fuzzy Thurston G

14

7

Walt Sweeney G

6

7

Winston Hill T

4

7

Harlon Hill E-DB

19

6

Cookie Gilchrist FB

14

6

Dick Schafrath T-G-DE

10

6

Floyd Little RB

6

6

Jerry Smith TE

4

6

Max McGee E

14

5

Dave Grayson DB

11

5

Daryle Lamonica QB

7

5

Chris Hanburger LB

3

5

Chuck Foreman RB

1

5

Jack Tatum

1

5

Rosey Grier DT-DE

15

4

Abner Haynes HB

14

4

Mike Stratton LB

8

4

Ernie McMillan T

5

4

Dick Anderson DB

4

4

Pat Fischer CB

4

4

Jake Scott DB

3

3

Jim Katcavage DE-DT

13

3

Jack Kemp QB

12

3

Erich Barnes DB

9

3

Andy Russell LB

5

3

Otis Armstrong RB

1

3

Mike Wagner DB

1

3

Bobby Walston E-HB-K

19

2

Bob Gain DT-D-MG-T

17

2

Rick Cesares FB

15

2

Goose Gonsoulin DB

14

2

Clem Daniels HB-DB

13

2

Ernie Ladd DT

13

2

Don Meredith QB

13

2

Babe Parilli QB

12

2

Billy Cannon TE-HB

10

2

Boyd Dowler FL-SE-LB

10

2

Larry Grantham LB

8

2

Rich Jackson DE

8

2

Carroll Dale WR-E

8

2

Ed Budde G

5

2

Gale Gillingham G-DT

5

2

Earl Morrall QB

5

2

Roman Gabriel QB

4

2

Jim Bakken PK

3

2

Mike Curtis LB-FB

3

2

Otis Sistrunk DT

3

2

Bill Bergey DB

1

2

Dwight White DE

1

2

Bill Forester LB-MG-DT

18

1

Jim Ray Smith G-T

17

1

Dick Modzelewski DT

15

1

John David Crow HB-TE-FB

13

1

Bob Talamini G

13

1

E.J. Holub LB-C

11

1

Howard Mudd G

11

1

Butch Byrd DB

10

1

Ben Davidson DE

10

1

George Andrie DE

9

1

Houston Antwine DT

9

1

George Saimes DB

9

1

Matt Snell RB

9

1

John Brodie QB

8

1

Bob Jeter

8

1

Jim Nance RB-FB

7

1

Cornell Green LB

7

1

John Niland G

6

1

Larry Brown RB

5

1

Bubba Smith DE

5

1

Len Hauss C

4

1

Ralph Neely T

4

1

Billy Kilmer QB-HB

3

1

Ron McDole DE-DT

3

1

Jethro Pugh DT

3

1

Jerrel Wilson P-RB

3

1

George Atkinson DB

2

1

Wally Hilgenberg LB

2

1

Sam Cunningham QB

1

0

Rolland Lawrence DB

1

0

Alex Webster HB-FB

17

0

Earl Faison DE

15

0

*Manny Fernandez DT

6

0

Lee Roy Jordan LB

5

0

Bill Stanfill DE

5

0

*Fred Cox PK

4

0

*John Hadl QB

4

0

*Jim Lynch LB

4

0

*Bob Trumpy TE-WR

4

0

Jon Morris C

3

0

*Wally Chambers DE-DT

2

0

*Ken Ellis DB

2

0

*Roy Gerela PK

2

0

*Jack Gregory DE

2

0

*Tony Greene DB

2

0

*Jim Turner PK

2

0

Tom Banks C-G

1

0

Tommy Hart DE

1

0

Lydell Mitchell RB

1

0

This is for the Senior Era

Bold indicates they advanced to the Semi-Finals:

*Indicates that they will be removed from the ballot permanently.

 

Player

Year

Votes

Tank Younger FB-LB-HB

3

10

Alan Ameche FB

1

10

Billy Wilson FL-E

1

10

Whizzer White TB-HB

20

9

Buckets Goldenberg G-BB

16

9

Pat Harder FB

8

9

Woody Strode E

12

7

George Svendesen  C

20

6

Ward Cuff WB-QB-HB

14

6

Bill Osmanski FB

13

6

Marshall Goldberg FB

13

6

Charley Brock C-HB-FB

14

4

Bill Fischer T-G-DT

8

4

Buster Ramsey G

10

3

Bruno Banducci G

7

3

Paul Christman QB

11

2

Ray Bray G

9

2

Leon Hart E-FB-DE

4

2

Frank Cope WB-QB-HB

14

1

Baby Ray T

13

1

Frankie Albert QB

9

1

Les Bingaman DG-G-C

7

1

George Wilson E

15

0

Spec Sanders TB

11

0

 

This is for the “Coaches/Contributors”

Bold indicates they advanced to the Semi-Finals:

*Indicates that they will be removed from the ballot permanently.

 

Name

Year

Votes

COACH: Hank Stram

7

21

COACH: George Allen

7

20

FILMMAKER: Ed Sabol

3

14

OWNER: Charles Bidwill

17

8

COACH: Greasy Neale

17

8

EXEC:  Arch Ward

17

8

OWNER: Tex Schramm

7

8

OWNER: Bud Adams

5

8

OWNER:  George Preston Marshall

17

7

EXEC: George Halas Jr.

7

6

OWNER: Dan Reeves

17

5

OWNER: Clint Murchison

5

5

OWNER: Joe Robbie

2

2

OWNER: Art Modell

1

2

OWNER: Max Winter

4

1

EXEC: Don Klosterman

1

1

*COACH: Lou Saban

8

0

*OWNER: Gene Klein

2

0

*COACH: Walt Michaels

2

0

*COACH: Jack Patera

2

0

*OWNER: Gerald Phipps

2

0

EXEC: Jim Murray

1

0

EXEC: Leonard Tose

1

0

 

Next week, we will announce the Semi-Finalists for the 1986 Pro Football Hall of Fame Revisited Project.