One of our favorite days here at notinhalloffame.com has come with the Baseball Hall of Fame’s announcement of the Class of 2025.

The Baseball Writers of America have submitted their votes for the Modern Ballot, and this summer Ichiro Suzuki, C.C. Sabathia and Billy Wagner have been elected to Cooperstown.

They will join Dave Parker and Dick Allen, who were elected by the Veterans Committee.

To enter the Baseball Hall, a candidate must obtain 75 percent of the vote.

Ichiro Suzuki, Outfield:  SEA 2001-12 & 2018-19, NYY 2012-14 & MIA 2015-17.  99.7% on his 1st ballot.  Already cemented his name in Japan, winning three Pacific League MVPs, seven Batting Titles, seven Golden Gloves, seven Best Nine Award and a Japanese Series Title with the Orix BlueWave.   Suzuki signed with the Seattle Mariners in 2001, and he became an instant sensation in North America.  In his first season in MLB, he won the American Rookie of the Year and MVP in his first season, and would overall go to ten All-Star Games, won ten Gold Gloves, three Silver Sluggers and two Batting Titles.  Statistically, he compiled 3,089 Hits with a lifetime .311 Batting Average.  He was also inducted into the Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame and Seattle Mariners Hall of Fame.

C.C. Sabathia, Pitcher:  CLE 2001-08, MIL 2008 & NYY 2009-19.  86.8% on his 1st ballot.  Like Suzuki, Sabathia enters on his first ballot.  Winning the American League Cy Young Award in 2007 with Cleveland, Sabathia achieved greater fame with the New York Yankees where he had three consecutive top-five Cy Young finishes (2008-10) and helped the Bronx Bombers win it all in 2009.  Sabathia went to six All-Star Games, had a record of 251-161 and 2,093 Strikeouts.  He is already in the Cleveland Guardians Hall of Fame.

Billy Wagner, Pitcher:  HOU 1995-2003, PHI 2004-05, NYM 2006-09. BOS 2009 & ATL 2010.  82.5% on his 9th ballot.  Wagner gets in on his ninth ballot, jumping from 73.8% last year.  It is a seismic jump for the reliever, who had less than 20% in his first four years, but the momentum has been there the last three years.  Wagner, who is already in the Houston Astros Hall of Fame, was a seven-time All-Star and had 422 Saves.

Those that did not make the cut were:

Carlos Beltrán, Outfield:  KC 1998-2004, HOU 2004 & 2017, NYM 2005-11, SFG 2011, NYY 2014-16 & TEX 2016.  70.3% on his 3rd ballot.  Beltran, who has the statistical requirements to make the Hall, looks to still be punished by some voters for his role in the 2017 Astros cheating scandal.  Hr did have a considerable improvement from last year’s 57.1%.

Andruw Jones, Outfield:  ATL 1996-2007, LAD 2008, TEX 2009, CHW 2010 & NYY 2011-12.  66.2% on his 8th ballot.  The ten-time All-Star grew his tally from 61.6%, and though he only has two years left, he is trending in the right direction.

Chase Utley, Second Base:  PHI 2003-15 & LAD 2015-18.  39.8% on his 2nd ballot.  Utley’s support grew from 28.9% and looks like he will enter the Hall in a few years time.

Alex Rodriguez, Shortstop and Third Base:  SEA 1994-2000, TEX 2001-03 & NYY 2004-14.  37.1% on his 4th ballot.  Nobody has a better on-field resume than A-Rod, who is a three-time MVP, but he was suspended twice for PEDs.  His vote Toal did rise from last year’s 34.8, but he began the process at 34.3%.  Rodriguez is just treading water at this point.

Manny Ramírez, Outfield:  CLE 1993-2000, BOS 2001-08, LAD 2008-10, CHW 2010 & TBD 2010.  34.3% on his 9th ballot.  Ramirez is in the same boat as Rodriguez as he too was twice suspended for PEDs, and though this is highest tally to date, there is no reason to think that he can the 41.7% needed to enter in 2026.

Andy Pettitte, Pitcher:  NYY 1995-2003, 2007-10 & 2012-13 & HOU 2004-06.  27.9% on his 7th ballot.  Pettitte’s candidacy looked dead in the water, as he dropped to 13.5% last year, and he more than doubled that in 2025. 

Felix Hernandez, Pitcher:  SEA 2005-19.  20.6% on his 1st ballot.  King Felix makes a solid debut, and though he is behind Pettitte, his first tally is much better than Andys.

Bobby Abreu, Outfield:  HOU 1996-97, PHI 1998-2005, NYY 2006-09, LAA 2009-12, LAD 2012 & NYM 2014. 19.5% on his 6th ballot.  Abreu jumped from last year’s 19.5% but needs to average double digit increases to get into the Hall.

Jimmy Rollins, Shortstop:  PHI 2000-14, LAD 2015 & CHW 2016. 18.0% on his 4th ballot.  Rollins continues his growth of support, but has yet to see a 4% jump.

Omar Vizquel, Shortstop:  SEA 1989-93, CLE 1994-2004, SFG 2005-08, TEX 2009, CHW 2010-11 & TOR 2012. 17.8% on his 8th ballot.  Omar might have 17.8% of the vote but has zero chance to get in.  During the 2021 voting process, it was revealed that he was a domestic abuser, and since then he seen his support go from over 50% to less than 20.  Nobody has fallen like this before, and there is no reason to think he can regain that support.

Dustin Pedroia, Second Base:  BOS 2006-19.  11.9% on his 1st ballot.  The former MVP may have barely broke 10 percent, but others have started at the similar spot and entered the Hall.  Look at Billy Wagner!

Mark Buehrle, Pitcher:  CHW 2000-11, MIA 2012 & TOR 2013-15. 11.4% on his 5th ballot.  We have reached the half-way point for Buehrle, and 11.4 is the highest percentage he has received to date, but this is not a number that will cut it.

Francisco Rodríguez, Pitcher:  ANA/LAA 2002-08, NYM 2009-11, MIL 2011-13 & 2014-15, BAL 2013 & DET 2016-17. 10.2% on his third ballot.  K-Rod’s 10.2 is higher than last year’s 7.8, but is lower than his ballot debut of 10.8.

David Wright, Third Base:  NYM 2004-18:  8.1% on his 2nd ballot.  Wright saw a small increase from his 6.2% last year.

Torii Hunter, Outfield:  MIN 1997-2007 & 2015, LAA 2008-12 & DET 2013-14.  5.1% on his 5th ballot.  Hunter is clinging for life as one less vote would have eliminated him permanently.  HIs highest total was 9.5%, which was his first year on the ballot.

Those that failed to receive the 5% needed to stay on the ballot:

Ian Kinsler, Second Base.  TEX 2006-13, DET 2014-17, LAA 2018, BOS 2018 & SDP 2019.  2.5% on his 1st ballot.

Russell Martin, Catcher.  LAD 2006-10 & 2019, NYY 2011-12, PIT 2013-14 & TOR 2016-18.  2.3% on his 1st ballot.

Brian McCann, Catcher.  ATL 2005-12 & 2019.  NYY 2014-16 & HOU 2017-18. 1.8% on his 1st ballot.

Troy Tulowitzki, Second Base.  COL 2006-15, TOR 2015-17 & NYY 2019.  1.0% on his 1st ballot.

Curtis Granderson, Outfield.  DET 2004-09, NYY 2010-13, NYM 2014-17, LAD 2017, TOR 2018, MIL 2018 & MIA 2019.  0.8% on his 1st ballot.

Adam Jones, Outfield.  SEA 2006-07, BAL 2008-18 & ARI 2019.  0.8% on his 1st ballot.

Carlos González, Outfield.  OAK 2008, COL 2009-18, CLE 2019 & CHC 2019.  0.5% on the 1st ballot.

Hanley Ramirez, Shortstop, First Base and Third Base.  BOS 2005 & 2015-18, FLA/MI 2006-12, LAD 2012-14 & CLE 2019.  0.0% on the 1st ballot.

Fernando Rodney, Pitcher.  DET 2002-09, LAA 2010-11, TBR 2012-13, SEA 2014-15, CHC 2015, SDP 2016, ARI 2016, MIN 2018, OAK 2018-19 & WAS 2019.  0.0% on the 1st ballot.

Ben Zobrist, Second Base, Outfield and Shortstop.  TBR 2006-14, OAK 2015, KCR 2015 & CHC 2016-19. 0.0% on his 1st ballot

We will now begin revising the Notinhalloffame Baseball list.

In today’s interconnected world, the idea of talking to strangers online has become more common and accessible than ever before. Whether you’re looking to expand your social circle, practice a new language, or simply engage in interesting conversations, online platforms provide countless opportunities to connect with people from all walks of life. But with so many options available, which platforms truly stand out for meaningful interactions? Let’s explore some of the best platforms to talk to strangers online and how they cater to different interests and needs.

1. Airtalk.live: A Fresh Take on Random Chats

Airtalk.live is a rising star in the world of online chatting platforms. It provides users with a clean, user-friendly interface that makes connecting with strangers enjoyable and hassle-free. The platform focuses on fostering genuine conversations by pairing users with others based on shared interests. Airtalk.live also prioritizes safety, offering moderation tools and guidelines to create a respectful community. Whether you’re looking for casual chats or meaningful discussions, Airtalk.live offers an engaging and secure environment to meet new people.

2. Omegle: The Classic Gateway to Random Chats

Omegle is one of the most well-known platforms for chatting with strangers. Launched in 2009, it allows users to connect anonymously through text or video chats. Its simplicity and randomness make it appealing, especially for those who enjoy spontaneous conversations. However, due to its unmoderated nature, users should exercise caution and adhere to safety guidelines when using the platform.

3. Chatroulette: Where Visual Conversations Take Center Stage

Similar to Omegle, Chatroulette connects users via video chats. It’s a great choice for those who prefer face-to-face interactions without leaving their homes. The platform’s random pairing system ensures every chat feels unique. While it’s often entertaining, it’s important to be mindful of the platform’s community guidelines to ensure a positive experience.

4. Reddit: Dive Into Subreddit Communities

Reddit isn’t a traditional chat platform, but its vast array of subreddits makes it an excellent place to engage in conversations with like-minded individuals. Subreddits like r/RandomKindness and r/CasualConversation are dedicated to fostering connections through meaningful dialogue. With Reddit, you can join discussions on almost any topic imaginable, making it a versatile option for talking to strangers.

5. Tandem: Perfect for Language Learners

If you’re looking to practice a new language while connecting with strangers, Tandem is the platform for you. It pairs users with native speakers of their target language, allowing for immersive language exchanges. With built-in translation tools and a supportive community, Tandem offers a unique way to learn and connect simultaneously.

6. Discord: A Hub for Community Building

Originally designed for gamers, Discord has grown into a platform for anyone looking to join niche communities. By joining servers dedicated to specific interests—from book clubs to fitness groups—users can engage in text and voice chats with strangers who share their passions. Discord’s organized structure makes it easy to find your tribe and start meaningful conversations.

7. Bumble BFF: Making Friends in a Structured Way

Bumble isn’t just for dating. Its BFF mode is specifically designed for people looking to make new friends. The platform’s swipe-based system pairs you with individuals who share similar interests, ensuring compatibility. Bumble BFF is an excellent choice for those who prefer a more curated approach to talking with strangers.

8. Clubhouse: Conversations in Real-Time

Clubhouse is an audio-based platform where users can join rooms to discuss various topics in real-time. Whether you’re interested in tech, entrepreneurship, or entertainment, Clubhouse offers countless opportunities to engage in thought-provoking conversations. Its live, unscripted nature makes it a standout option for meaningful interactions.

9. Meetup: Connecting Through Shared Experiences

While primarily an event-planning platform, Meetup’s online communities allow users to connect before meeting in person. Joining virtual events and discussions hosted by Meetup groups can be a great way to break the ice with strangers who share your interests. It’s particularly useful for those looking to build connections that could eventually transition into real-world friendships.

Why These Platforms Work

The platforms listed above excel in fostering connections because they cater to specific needs and preferences. Whether you value anonymity, shared interests, or structured interactions, there’s an option for everyone. Statistics show that online interactions are becoming increasingly common, with a Pew Research Center study revealing that 31% of U.S. adults have made new friends online. This demonstrates the growing importance of digital spaces in building relationships.

Tips for Safe and Enjoyable Conversations

1. Protect Your Privacy: Avoid sharing sensitive personal information with strangers.
2. Be Respectful: Approach every interaction with kindness and an open mind.
3. Set Boundaries: Know your comfort level and don’t feel pressured to continue conversations that make you uncomfortable.
4. Report Misconduct: Most platforms have tools to report inappropriate behavior; use them when necessary.

The Future of Online Conversations

As technology evolves, platforms for talking to strangers will only become more sophisticated. Features like AI-powered matchmaking and real-time translation are already enhancing the way we connect. The key to maximizing these opportunities lies in choosing platforms that align with your goals and interests.

In conclusion, the digital age has made it easier than ever to talk to strangers online. Whether you’re seeking casual chats, deep discussions, or language practice, the platforms mentioned above offer a range of possibilities. So why not take the plunge? With the right platform and mindset, you might just find that talking to strangers online opens doors to incredible connections and unforgettable experiences.

Following the 2015 World Series Championship win, the Kansas City Royals went immediately into rebuilding mode.  They would need a star to get them back to the playoffs, and they found him in Bobby Witt Jr..

Witt was taken second overall in 2019 from the University of Oklahoma and in 2021 he was named by Baseball America as the Minor League Player of the Year.  The following season, he cracked the Royals roster and was fourth in Rookie of the Year voting, but was still finding his way in the Majors.  The year after, Witt had a 30-30 year, led the AL in Tripled (11) and Power-Speed# (37.2).

Building on that breakout 2023 season, Witt exploded with not only his second 30-30 year (making him the first Shortstop to do so in back-to-back years), won the Batting Title (.332), led the AL in Hits (211), and won the Silver Slugger and Gold Glove.  Finishing second in MVP voting, Witt’s efforts propelled the Royals to their first post season in years.

Entering 2025, Witt is one of the top stars in baseball and has the making of a top five all-time Kansas City Royal.

Yes, we know that this is taking a while!

As many of you know, we at Notinhalloffame.com are slowly generating the top 50 of each major North American sports team. That being said, we have existing Top 50 lists and consistently look to update them when necessary and based on necessity. As such, we are delighted to present our post-2024 revision of our top 50 Houston Astros.

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 that are not reflected in a stat sheet.

Please note that our algorithm has changed, which yielded minor changes throughout the baseball lists.

Last year, the Astros expectedly returned to the postseason but were dismissed in two games in the Wildcard by the Houston Astros.  There was one new entry and three significant elevations.

As always, we present our top five, which saw no changes.

1. Jeff Bagwell

2. Craig Biggio

3. Jose Altuve

4. Lance Berkman

5. Cesar Cedeno 

You can find the entire list here. 

Of note, Jose Altuve remained at #3, and as good as he has been still has some work to do to surpass Hall of Fame inductee, Craig Biggio for #2.

The elevations were Alex Bregman (#11 to #8), Yordan Alvarez (#27 to #19) and Kyle Tucker (#33 to #23). 

The new entrant is Framber Valdez, who debuts at #31.

We thank you for your continued support of our lists on Notinhalloffame.com.