Orel Hershiser overcame the odds to become one of the Dodgers' best Pitchers, as 17^th Round Selections are not expected to be great.

Hershiser debuted for Los Angeles in 1983 and was in the starting rotation a year later, eventually supplanting Fernando Valenzuela as the staff ace with a 19-3 year in 1985, which also featured a third-place Cy Young finish with a 2.03 ERA.  

From 1987 to 1989, Hershiser was named to the All-Star Game, with the middle seasons seeing the Buffalo native throw one of the best seasons in Dodgers history.  Hershiser won the Cy Young and led the NL in Wins (23) and Innings Pitched (267) while also earning a Gold Glove.  He led Los Angeles to a World Series win, capturing both the NLCS and World Series MVP, dominating all playoff performances.

A torn labrum kept Hershiser out of most of 1990 and half of 1991, though when he returned he was no longer the top hurler he once was.  Hershiser was still a competent starter and valuable to the team, but he left the Dodgers for Cleveland as a Free Agent in 1995.  He had one last run in 2000 with the Dodgers, but his time had passed, and he was released that summer.

Hershiser had a record of 135 and 107 with 1,455 Strikeouts and an ERA of 3.12.

Different countries have varying gambling laws. For some, gambling is totally prohibited, while in others, bettors have different levels of freedom. In countries where gambling is permitted, the sector has thrived, while in those with stringent regulations, it has lagged. Kate Richardson, a sports betting expert who has been providing insights and tips and exploring different gambling markets, observes that even in countries where wagering is allowed, some aspects are not permitted. 

not collide with the authority. In her scrutiny of the gambling laws and the list of online UK bookmakers, Kate observes that UK betting laws are relatively permissive compared to most western countries. She concludes that operators and punters find it easy to engage in gambling activities in the UK than in any other country in the Western sphere. In this article, we focus on UK gambling laws and compare them with regulations in other western countries.

The UK Gambling Commission

Kate Richardson observes that different forms of gambling have enjoyed massive popularity over the years in the United Kingdom. Any person who is over 18 years is eligible for gambling. However, one must gamble on a platform licensed by the gambling authority. The body that is charged with regulating and licensing all gambling activities is the UK Gambling Commission. The regulatory body was founded in 2007. The commission offers licenses to operators and advises the authorities on gambling-related matters. It works together with the police department to curb illegal gambling in the country.

In her review of UK gambling, Kate Richardson states that the commission is not only about licensing and regulating; it also offers guidance to people and businesses interested in offering gambling in the country. It does this by providing the interested parties with information to help establish a successful establishment. She has been instrumental to the sports betting fraternity in the United Kingdom and other jurisdictions. Her insights and tips on sports betting have helped beginners and established bettors. To access her profile and some of the articles she has written on sports betting, click here.

Operators find the UK market easy to penetrate compared to other jurisdictions in Europe and the whole of the western sphere. Analysts observe that the licensing process in the UK is straightforward while also listing the transparency that characterizes the market and the policies and standards that guarantee the player protection. 

Any company ready to adhere to the set rules and regulations in the United Kingdom will find it easy to establish its base in the market. For this reason, analysts view the United Kingdom gambling market as welcoming and its laws more permissive than other western countries such as Germany, Australia, Austria, France, Japan, the USA, and Canada, among others. For instance, compared with Austria, UK gambling laws are quite permissive.

Although gambling is allowed in Austria, authorities have stringent online and land-based gambling regulations. For a player looking to wager in such a market, it is advisable to familiarize themself with all the laws governing gambling in the country. Through this, a player can decide on what to venture into, as each gambling platform has its benefits.

France

Like most countries in the western sphere, all forms of gambling in France are highly regulated. For players looking to play in brick-and-mortar platforms, most forms of gambling are available. Online operators are also allowed to offer the same, with the exception of casino games. Generally, France is a gambling-friendly nation, but operators and players are burdened by taxes on their winnings.

• Spain has the Spanish Gambling Act, which regulates all gaming activities in the country. The law stipulates that only regional players can play on licensed platforms.
• Italy, which is home to Baccarat, has a gambling law that regulates sports betting, lotteries, and other games of chance.
• New Zealand does not allow any gambling and betting activities unless they are established in accordance with the NZ Gambling Act 2003. Gambling activities are classified into levels 1-4. Remote gambling remains prohibited in the country.
• The current laws in Canada prohibit all forms of gaming, with the exception of the provincial government, which is allowed to conduct and manage gambling in their jurisdictions.
• Germany only passed a law allowing for partial liberalization of gambling in 2021. The law allows private operators to offer gambling services but to the extent of the licensing and regulatory standards.
• In the United States of America, gambling largely remains legal per federal law, but each state has its own rules and standards.

Although the United Kingdom has similar laws where operators are guided on how to conduct their business, the country has the most permissive gambling regulations.

Some say that Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year.  For us at Notinhalloffame.com, it is the month after, where “Hall of Fame Season” is in its apex, with the announcement of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Finalists.

We at Notinhalloffame.com, held our mock committee meeting last month, where we pushed through our 15, which differs from the actual Hall (as expected).

The 15 Pro Football Hall of Fame Finalists of 2023 are:

Jared Allen: Defensive End.  2004-07 KC, 2008-13 MIN, 2014-15 CHI, 2015 CAR.  Allen advances for the third straight year, and has been a Finalist in all three of his eligible years.  A two-time Sack leader with 136 career Sacks, Allen also has 171 Tackles for Loss.  A five-time Pro Bowl and four-time First Team All-Pro, Allen is ranked #22 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Willie Anderson: Offensive Tackle.  1996-2007 CIN, 2008 BAL.  Anderson was eligible for the first time in 2013, and eight years later, he was a Semi-Finalist for the first time.  Big Willie is now on a two-year streak as a Finalist.  Anderson went to four Pro Bowls, was a three-time First Team All-Pro and is ranked #137 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Ronde Barber: Cornerback & Safety.  1997-2002 TB.  Barber has been on the ballot for six years and is now a three-time Finalist.  A member of Tampa’s first Super Bowl Title, Barber has 47 Interceptions, 20 Sacks and went to five Pro Bowls as well as earning three First Team All-Pros.  Barber is ranked #8 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Dwight Freeney: Defensive End.  2002-12 IND, 2013-14 SD, AZ 2015, 2016 ATL, 2017 SEA, 2017 DET.  Freeney was one of the five first year eligible players to make the Semi-Finals, and he is now a first-year Finalist; a huge accomplishment for a Hall of Fame path.  Freeney won a Super Bowl with the Colts, had 125.5 Sacks and went to seven Pro Bowls earning three First Team All-Pros.  Freeney is ranked #61 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Devin Hester: Punt Returner, Kick Returner & Wide Receiver.  2006-13 CHI, 2014-15 ATL, 2016 BAL.  Hester is a Finalist in his first two years of eligibility.  A three-time First Team All-Pro and four-time Pro Bowler, Hester is a member of the 100^th Anniversary Team.  Hester is ranked #54 on Notinhalloffame.com, and was one of the 15 selected by our Mock Committee.

Torry Holt: Wide Receiver.  1999-08 STL, 2009 JAX.  A nine-time Semi-Finalist, Holt is no a four-time Finalist.  A Super Bowl Champion with the Rams, Holt went to seven Pro Bowls, and was a two-time Receiving Yards leader.  Holt is ranked #7 on Notinhalloffame.com, and was one of the 15 selected by our Mock Committee.

Andre Johnson: Wide Receiver.  2003-14 HOU, 2015 IND, 2016 TEN.  Johnson is a two-time Finalist, which is the same number of years he has been eligible.  Named to seven Pro Bowls and two First Team All-Pros, Johnson had well over 14,000 Receiving Yards and twice led the league in that category.  Johnson is ranked #23 on Notinhalloffame.com, and was one of the 15 selected by our Mock Committee.

Albert Lewis: Cornerback.  1983-93 KC, 1994-98 LA/OAK.  Lewis makes the Finals on his last year of eligibility, and was only a Semi-Finalist once before, in 2013.  He was a four-time Pro Bowl and two-time First Team All-Pro and is ranked #259 on Notinhalloffame.com, and was one of the 26 selected by our Mock Committee.

Darrelle Revis: Cornerback.  2007-12 NYJ, 2013 TB, 2014 NE, NYJ 2015-16, KC 2017.  A Super Bowl Champion with the Patriots in the lone year he was there, Revis is best known for his time with the Jets.  Revis went to seven Pro Bowls, had four First Team All-Pros and is the 2009 leader in Approximate Value.  This is his first year on the ballot.  Revis is ranked #5 on Notinhalloffame.com, and was one of the 15 selected by our Mock Committee.

Joe Thomas: Offensive Tackle.  2007-17 CLE.  Thomas is without a doubt the best player in the second wave of the Cleveland Browns, but he did not have a lot of help.  This is his first year on the ballot, and he was pegged to be a first-year Finalist by EVERYONE!  The Lineman was a six-time First Team All-Pro, and went to ten Pro Bowls.  Thomas is ranked #1on Notinhalloffame.com, and was one of the 15 selected by our Mock Committee.

Zach Thomas: Linebacker.  1997-2007 MIA, 2008 DAL.  Thomas is now on a four-year streak of Finalist Selections.  He went to seven Pro Bowls, earned five First Team All-Pros and was a two-time leader in Combined Tackles.  Thomas is ranked #10 on Notinhalloffame.com, and was one of the 15 selected by our Mock Committee.

DeMarcus Ware: Linebacker & Defensive End.  2005-13 DAL, 2014-16 DEN.  Ware is on his second year of eligibility has been a Finalist both years.  A nine-time Pro Bowl and four-time First Team All-Pro, Ware twice led the NFL in Sacks, with 138.5 in total.  Ware is ranked #4 on Notinhalloffame.com, and was one of the 15 selected by our Mock Committee.

Reggie Wayne: Wide Receiver.  2001-14 IND.  Wayne won a Super Bowl with the Colts and this marks the fourth consecutive trip to the Finalist round.  A former Receiving Yard leader and six-time Pro Bowler, Wayne is ranked #12 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Patrick Willis: Linebacker.  2007-14 SF.  Willis adds a second straight Finalist to his resume, and with teammate, Bryant Young out of the way, there should be less obstruction.  Willis only played eight years but was a Pro Bowl in seven and a First Team All-Pro in five of them.  He is ranked #15 on Notinhalloffame.com, and was one of the 15 selected by our Mock Committee.

Darren Woodson: Safety.  1992-03 DAL.  Woodson, who was a six-time Semi-Finalist, is finally a Finalist.  He was a three-time Super Bowl winner, a three-time First Team All-Pro and is ranked #90 on Notinhalloffame.com.

The Semi-Finalists who did not advance are Anquan Boldin, Henry Ellard, Jahri Evans, London Fletcher, James Harrison, Rodney Harrison, Robert Mathis, Steve Smith, Fred Taylor, Hines Ward, Ricky Watters and Vince Wilfork.

It should be noted that we will be holding our Mock Committee meeting on January 17, 9:30 EST, and we will be combining the official Finalists with ours.

This means we will be adding Randall Cunningham, Henry Ellard, Tom Nalen, Leslie O’Neal, Pat Swilling, and Richmond Webb. 

So, who is going to get in!!! 

You know that we will be paying attention, and we are excited to see how this pans out.

Burleigh Grimes had a lot of great moments outside of Brooklyn, but the meat of his career took place with the team then named the Robins.

From Wisconsin, Grimes began his Major League career with Pittsburgh, where he noticeably lost 13 consecutive Games, so the Pirates fan base did not shed any tears when he was traded to Brooklyn after the 1917 Season.  Grimes made an immediate impact with the Robins, going 19-9 with a 2.13 ERA in his debut season, and once the spitball was outlawed in 1920, he was grandfathered in and allowed to use it throughout the rest of his career.  

An aggressive player on the mound, Grimes led the NL in Wins in 1921 (22) and was an innings-eater with four 300-plus Inning years.  Grimes had a sub-standard year in 1925 (12-19, 5.04 ERA) and was marginally better in 1926.  The Robins traded Grimes to the New York Giants, where he got back on track, but his Brooklyn record of 158-121 and a 3.46 ERA is good enough to place him on the top half of a baseball list, even as storied as the Dodgers.  His rank is also propelled by his solid hitting, as he batted .251 with 227 Hits for the team.

Grimes was chosen by the Veterans Committee in 1964 to enter the Baseball Hall of Fame.