It is with great pleasure that we continue the third annual Notinhalloffame MLB Regular Season Cup, and let us explain how this works:

With every single regular season game, we anointed the best five players in the game with descending points, 5-4-3-2-1.

We knew 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 easier that 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, and overall favors position players. Starting Pitchers have a hard time with approximately 30-35 Starts and throwing less innings than in previous generations. This also is true for closers, which is 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 did, as a fun process and more of a compilation of temporary statistical domination.

At present 664 (up from 619 last week) Players have generated at least one Cup Point.

So, MLB players! Get your agents to work winning this into your contracts!

This is the second update, with standings as of May 8.

1. Rafael Devers: Boston Red Sox, Third Base: (Ranked #1 Last Week)

49 Cup Points, 35 Games, 1.40 Cup Points per Game, 11 Home Runs, 34 Runs Batted In, 0 SB, .250/.301/.550, 1.1 bWAR.

Devers remains a slight surprise at the top of the heap, batting only .250 with an OBP barely over three, but he has been collecting runs when it matters. Currently the American League leader in Home Runs (11), Devers is second in RBIs (34), fifth in OPS (.879) and eighth in Slugging (.550).

2. Shohei Ohtani: Los Angeles Angels, Designated Hitter & Pitcher: (Ranked #2 last week)

45 Cup Points, 33 Games, 1.36 Cup Points per Game, 7 Home Runs, 20 Runs Batted In, 5 SB, .295/.366/.512, 2.2 bWAR & 4-0, 2.54 ERA, 59 SO, 0.872 WHIP.

The Notinhalloffame Cup is built for Ohtani, who can compile points in two different avenues; the only one who can do so. The Japanese superstar led his nation to a World Cup, and right now his Angels have a winning record. Ohtani is off to his best pitching start, leading the AL in Strikeouts (59), and he is his usual self with the bat. We can’t imagine Ohtani not leading this by June.

3 (TIE). Ronald Acuna: Atlanta Braves, Outfield: (Ranked #6 Last Week)

40 Cup Points, 35 Games, 1.14 Cup Points per Game, 6 Home Runs, 21 Runs Batted In, 15 SB, .338/.431/.551, 2.0 bWAR.

Acuna leads all NL batters in bWAR (2.0), Runs Scored (30), Stolen Bases (15) and Power-Speed # (8.6), and is in the top five in Batting Average and On Base Percentage.

3 (TIE). Ozzie Albies: Atlanta Braves, Second Base: (Not in the Top Ten Last Week)

40 Cup Points, 35 Games, 1.24 Cup Points per Game, 9 Home Runs, 26 Runs Batted In, 1 SB, .283/.320/.543, 1.3 bWAR.

Albies is tied for third with teammate, Acuna, making Atlanta the first team with two ranked players (last week it was the Angels). While the Second Baseman is not in the top ten in any major category, he is close, and has been money when it matters.

5 (TIE). Max Muncy: Los Angeles Dodgers, First Base: (Ranked #3, Last Week)

39 Cup Points, 31 Games, 1.26 Cup Points per Game, 12 Home Runs, 28 Runs Batted In, 1 SB, .218/.385/.584, 1.4 bWAR.

Muncy is only batting .218, but he is also at the top of the leaderboard in Home Runs (12) and is third in Slugging (.584).

5 (TIE). Marcus Semien: Texas Rangers, Shortstop: (Ranked #9, Last Week)

39 Cup Points, 33 Games, 1.18 Cup Points per Game, 5 Home Runs, 28 Runs Batted In, 4 SB, .286/.377/.466, 2.0 bWAR.

Semien is currently second in Runs Scored (28), and fifths in RBIs in the AL (28). He is also seventh in Hits (38).

7. Ian Happ: Chicago Cubs, Outfield: (Not in the Top Ten Last Week)

38 Cup Points, 33 Games, 1.15 Cup Points per Game, 4 Home Runs, 15 Runs Batted In, 4 SB, .300/.418/.475, 0.7 bWAR.

Happ had a great week, placing him in the top ten here and he is also now in the top ten in OBP, Win Probability Added and Championship Win Probability Added.

8. Mike Trout: Los Angeles Angels, Outfield: (Ranked #3, Last Week)

37 Cup Points, 27 Games, 1.16 Cup Points per Game, 8 Home Runs, 20 Runs Batted In, 0 SB, .308/.395/.589, 1.2 bWAR.

Trout remains the baseball player we all know and love and the future first-ballot Hall of Famer is currently is in the top ten in Hits, Home Runs, OBP, Slugging and OPS.

9 (TIE). Cody Bellinger: Chicago Cubs, Outfield:

36 Cup Points, 31 Games, 1.16 Cup Points per Game, 7 Home Runs, 19 Runs Batted In, 9 SB, .300/.368/.567, 1.9 bWAR.

Is Cody back? The 2019 MVP faltered in his last three seasons as a Dodger, but he playing excellent baseball at the moment and emerging from the grave that many pundits dug for him. In the NL. Bellinger is second in bWAR for NL Position Players (1.9), and seventh in Slugging (.567).

6 (TIE). Yordan Alvarez: Houston Astros, Designated Hitter & Outfield:

36 Cup Points, 28 Games, 1.29 Cup Points per Game, 7 Home Runs, 31 Runs Batted In, 0 SB, .275/.385/.539, 0.8 bWAR.

Alvarez has cooled off a bit after a blistering start, but is still third in RBIs (31), and is leading the NL in both Win Probability Added (2.6) and Championship Win Probability Added (1.5).

9 (TIE). Yandy Diaz: Tampa Bay Rays, Third Base:

36 Cup Points, 32 Games, 1.22 Cup Points per Game, 9 Home Runs, 19 Runs Batted In, 0 SB, .325/.435/.605, 1.5 bWAR.

Diaz has been excellent lately, and took over the American League lead in Runs Scored (29), OBP (.435), and has rocketed into second in Slugging (.605) and OPS (1.040).

Chicago’s (NL) Patrick Wisdom, Houston’s Yordan Alvarez, New York’s (NL) Pete Alonso and Tampa Bay’s Randy Arozarena have fallen out of the top ten.

Our next update will be the morning of May 15.

Rey Mysterio's induction into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2023 was a proud moment not only for him but also for his fans all around the world. The masked marvel's incredible career spanned over three decades and saw him become one of the most beloved wrestlers of all time.

As sports fans and bettors, we can learn a lot from Rey's inspiring journey and apply it to our lives and approach to sports betting. Rey's dedication and hard work helped him develop an unconventional style that included high-flying moves like the 619 and the West Coast Pop. This level of commitment can also be applied to sports betting, where research and analysis of teams and athletes can give us an edge in placing informed bets.

Rey's story also highlights the importance of support and teamwork. His wife, Angie, played a crucial role in his career, putting her medical career on hold to support Rey's dreams and working an extra job to send him money so he could pursue wrestling. In sports betting, having a support system can also be crucial, whether it's trusted betting partners or reliable sports betting apps. As a sports fan, a support system could mean getting statistics, updates, notifications, and competitive odds in good time to support your athlete. Luckily, the best sports betting apps tick every box.

It Takes Time

Rey's career began in the late 1980s when he was just a teenager. He started training with his uncle, Rey Misterio Sr., and quickly developed a passion for wrestling. He made his professional debut in 1989 and honed his skills over the next few years to develop an unconventional style, including his signature high-flying moves such as the 619 and the West Coast Pop.

Rey's induction into the Hall of Fame reminds us of the importance of chasing our dreams and never giving up. Despite facing obstacles and setbacks, he never lost sight of his goals and remained committed to his craft. His perseverance and dedication can inspire us all to pursue our own passions and work towards achieving our goals. It took him 9 years of practice to make his debut, and once he did, he worked hard to be the best. His fans made it clear that he deserved the induction to the Hall of Fame, and we all agree. His hard work, determination, and commitment have finally paid off.

Athleticism and Charisma Can Work

Rey's athleticism and agility were unmatched in the wrestling world. He was able to execute moves that no one else could, and he always left the crowd in awe. His high-flying style was a sight to behold, and it helped him win over fans all around the world.

But Rey was more than just a talented wrestler. He was also an expert storyteller in the ring. Rey knew how to connect with the crowd and make them care about the matches he was in. He had a magnetic charisma and enthusiasm, making him one of the most popular wrestlers of his time. For over 30 years, he managed to sell charisma to his fans, who reciprocated their love in unwavering support. Even these superstars have lives beyond the ring and, even better, a sense of humour. 

A Legacy That Will Live On

Rey's impact on the wrestling world cannot be overstated. He inspired a generation of young wrestlers to pursue their dreams and showed fans that anything is possible if you believe in yourself. His legacy will live on for more generations to come as wrestlers continue to emulate his high-flying style and fans continue to be inspired by his story. Examples of his signature moves, such as the 619 and the West Coast Pop, will be remembered for years, if not forever.

As Rey stood on stage, accepting his induction into the Hall of Fame, he looked out at the cheering crowd with tears in his eyes. He knew he had achieved something extraordinary that would live on long after he was gone. He knew that he had become a legend and that his legacy would inspire others for generations.

In the end, Rey's story is a reminder that everything is possible if you believe in yourself and have the support of those who love you. The story demonstrates the strength and significance of putting in effort, commitment, and trust. Angie's unwavering dedication to Rey's dreams is a prime example of this. And it is a celebration of the human spirit, which can overcome any obstacle and achieve greatness.

One of the most recognized southpaws of the 1970s, Vida Blue, passed away yesterday at the age of 73.

Debuting in 1969, where in his 12 Games in Oakland, he was ineffective with a 6.64 ERA.  His 1970 callup was different with a 2-0 record over six starts and a pair of Shutouts.  1971 was one of the best seasons ever for an Oakland A’s Pitcher.

1971 was the year where he went 24-8 with 301 Strikeouts and led the American League in ERA (1.82), FIP (2.20), and WHIP (0.952).  Blue won both the MVP and the Cy Young, and he was part of what became an elite franchise in the AL.  While Blue would have ups and downs afterward, but the ups were very special.  Blue was an anchor on the A's staff, helping them win three straight World Series Rings (1972-74), and while he was with Oakland, he was a three-time All-Star.  In addition to his Cy Young, he had three other top ten Cy Young finished as an Athletic.

In 1978, Blue crossed the bay and switched leagues to play for San Francisco, where in his first year there, he was an All-Star again and was third in Cy Young voting.  He went to two more All-Stars with the Giants, and after a stint with Kansas City, he returned to San Francisco, where he played two final years before retiring in 1986.

Blue left the game with a 209-161 record and 2,175 Strikeouts.

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

When William Browder was born in Humboldt, Tennessee in 1944, he and his parents probably never expected him to turn into a very successful country singer going by the name of T. G. Sheppard. At the age of 15, William dropped out of high school and ran away from home to join the music industry in Memphis. He signed with a record label in the mid-1960’s, but none of those singles became hits so that was over fast. He worked lots of behind-the-scenes jobs in the industry around this time. While working as an executive at RCA Records, he signed a new recording contract with a small label named Melodyland. He did not want to jeopardize his job at RCA while signing with a competing label, so he made the decision to choose a stage name for himself. He ended up deciding on T. G. Sheppard. It was at this small label where his career as a country music hitmaker began. Getting a number one with his very first song was a good sign, and he ended up continuing to get hit songs for a full 15 years. His radio dominance came to an end when the “Class Of ‘89” came in a started the next generation of country singers. His chances of getting inducted anytime soon are very slim, but T. G. has a great catalog of songs. It would be nice to see him in the Hall, but probably not happening right now.