Ah, November. 

Let’s first begin with what Notinhalloffame.com is thankful for…

Hall of Fame Season amps up every time this year!

Today, the Baseball Hall of Fame has announced the 2025 Ballot, which will be sent to the Baseball Writers of America.  Each committee member will send back their ballot, which can contain up to ten names from a 29-player list.  This includes 14 returning names and 15 new candidates.

To enter the Baseball Hall of Fame, a candidate must receive at least 75% of the vote.

Here are the 2025 candidates:

Billy Wagner:  73.8% last year and is now on his tenth and final ballot.  It is now or the Senior Ballot for the relief pitcher, who has worked his way up from less than 12% on his first three years of eligibility.  Wagner compiled 422 Saves (8^th All-Time) and was a seven-time All-Star.  He finished in the top ten in Cy Young voting twice and is also a former Rolaids Relief Pitcher of the Year.  Ranked #42 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Andruw Jones:  61.6% last year and is now on his eighth ballot.  Jones has progressed well, especially considering that he had lower than eight percent in his first two years.  The five-time All-Star won ten Gold Gloves, smacked 434 Home Runs, 1,289 RBIs, and was the 2005 NL MVP runner-up.  Ranked #29 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Carlos Beltran:  57.1% last year and is now on his third ballot.  Have the voters punished Beltran for his role in the 2017 Houston Astros cheating scandal?  Probably.  Beltran has the stats for the Hall (435 HR, 1,587 RBI) and the accolades (nine All-Stars, two Silver Sluggers, and three Gold Gloves), and it is a matter of time for a player who looked like a fringe first-ballot entry.  This could be the year.  Ranked #13 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Alex Rodriguez:  34.8% last year and is now on his fourth ballot.  No player on the ballot has a better resume than A-Rod, but he has two PED suspensions on a resume with three MVPs, 10 Silver Sluggers, and two Gold Gloves.  Boasting 3,115 Hits, 696 Home Runs, and 2,086 RBIs, Rodriguez, Rodriguez can make a claim as one of the ten best players ever, but his 34.8 percent in 2024 is DOWN 0.9 from last year.  This is not a Hall of Fame path.  Ranked #3 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Manny Ramirez:  32.7% last year and is now on his ninth ballot Ramirez is in the same expensive boat as Rodriguez, as he also has the stats (555 Home Runs, 1,831 RBIs) and the awards (12 All-Stars, nine Silver Sluggers, and two World Series rings) that eclipse many Hall of Famers.  However, again, like A-Rod, Ramirez also has two PED suspensions and has treaded water on the ballot since he debuted.  Ranked #12 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Chase Utley.  28.8% last year and is now on his second ballot.  Utley is a six-time All-Star and four-time Silver Slugger at Second Base who owns a World Series Ring (Philadelphia 2008).  He has 259 Home Runs, 1,885 Hits, and a bWAR over 60.  Ranked #30 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Omar Vizquel:  17.7% last year and is now on his eighth ballot.  Vizquel looked to be headed toward the Baseball Hall of Fame, but the defensively gifted Shortstop was accused of domestic violence, and his support plummeted to his lowest mark last year (17.7) from 52.6% in 2020.  11 Gold Gloves and over 2,800 Hits won’t matter.  Ranked #55 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Bobby Abreu:   14.8% last year and is now on his sixth ballot.  Abreu remains on the ballot, but his total dropped 0.6% from last year.  He is a two-time All-Star with 2,470 Hits, 288 Home Runs, and a bWAR of just over 60.  Ranked #75 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Jimmy Rollins:  14.8% last year and is now on his fourth ballot.  Rollins’s 14.8% from last year was his best result, and the three-time All-Star needs a significant jump this year.  He is a former World Series winner with the Phillies, won four Gold Gloves and one Silver Slugger, and has 231 Home Runs and 2,455 Hits.  Ranked #116 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Andy Pettitte:  13.5% last year and is now on his seventh ballot.  Pettitte looks like he will miss Cooperstown, and despite the solid metrics (256-153, 2,448 SO & 60.2 bWAR) and five World Series rings, he was also popped for PEDs.  That is probably why he has only broke 15% once (17.0% in 2023).  Ranked #43 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Mark Buehrle:  8.3% last year and is now on his fifth ballot.  Beuhrle is going nowhere on the ballot, having debuted at 11%, a number he has not hit since.  Buehrle had a career record of 214-160 with 1,870 Strikeouts and was a five-time All-Star who won a World Series with the Chicago White Sox.  Ranked #73 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Francisco Rodriguez:  7.8% last year and is now on his third ballot.  Despite Rodriguez having similar numbers to Wagner, he has fallen since his 10.8% debut.  K-Rod was a World Series Champion with the Angels, and record 457 Saves with six All-Star Games and two Rolaids Relief Awards.  Ranked #127 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Torii Hunter:  7.3% last year and is now on his fifth ballot.  Hunter remains in jeopardy of falling off the ballot, having never made double digits in the vote.  Hunter collected 2,452 Hits, smacked 353 Home Runs, and went to five All-Stars, winning nine Gold Gloves and two Silver Sluggers.  Ranked #107 on Notinhalloffame.com.

David Wright:  6.2% last year and is now on his second ballot.  Playing for the New York Mets for his entire career, Wright played at Third Base where he was a seven-time All-Star and won two Silver Sluggers and two Gold Gloves.  Ranked #90 on Notinhalloffame.com.

The following are making their debut on the ballot:

Ichiro Suzuki:   Suzuki should enter on his first ballot and make history as the first Japanese-born player to enter Cooperstown. He has a resume with 3,089 Hits, an MVP, ten All-Stars, ten Gold Gloves, and two Silver Sluggers, as well as a lifetime Batting Average of .311. Ranked #5 on Notinhalloffame.com. 

C.C. Sabathia:  A five-time All-Star and former Cy Young winner, Sabathia won a World Series with the Yankees and had a career record of 251-161 with 3,093 Strikeouts. He is arguably now the best Pitcher on the ballot. Ranked #29 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Felix Hernandez:  “King Felix” won a Cy Young Award with the Mariners, where he had a lifetime record of 169-136 with 2,524 Strikeouts.  He was also a five-time All-Star and twice led the AL in ERA. Ranked #66 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Dustin Pedroia:  Pedroia helped the Red Sox win two World Series Championships and individually was an MVP with four Gold Gloves four All-Stars, and a Silver Slugger.  He compiled 1,805 Hits. Ranked #89 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Ian Kinsler:  A World Series Champion with Boston in 2018, Kinsler had his best years earlier with Texas and Detroit, where he went to four All-Star Games and won two Silver Sluggers.  He had 257 Home Runs and 1,999 Hits.  Ranked #261 on Notinhalloffame.com

Carlos Gonzalez: Gonzalez was a three-time All-Star who also won three Gold Gloves, two Silver Sluggers, and a Batting Title.  He had 234 Home Runs and 1,432 Hits.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Curtis Granderson:  Granderson belted 344 Home Runs with 1,800 Hits and was a three-time All-Star.  Unranked on Nothinhalloffame.com.

Adam Jones:  A five-time All-Star with a Silver Slugger and 282 Home Runs, Jones was also a five-time Gold Glove winner.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Russell Martin:  The Catcher went to four All-Star Games and was a one-time Silver Slugger and Gold Glove winner.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com

Brian McCann:  A World Series winner with the Astros, McCann was a seven-time All-Star and six-time Silver Slugger at Catcher with 282 Home Runs.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Hanley Ramirez:  A former Rookie of the Year, Ramirez had 271 Home Runs with three All-Stars, two Silver Sluggers and a Batting Title. Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Fernando Rodney:  Rodney won a World Series Ring with the Nationals and had 327 Saves.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com

Troy Tulowitzki:  Tulo has a pair of Silver Sluggers and Gold Gloves and was a five-time All-Star.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Ben Zobrist:   The infielder had 1,566 Hits, was a three-time All-Star and won two World Series rings, one with Kansas Cty and one with the Chicago Cubs.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Clay Bucholz, Francisco Liriano, Ian Desmond, Jason Vargas, Kendrys Morales, Mark Reynolds, Mark Trumbo, Martin Prado and Melky Cabrera all played enough seasons to qualify for the ballot but were left off.

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We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to congratulate those who have made the 2025 Baseball Hall of Fame ballot.

Using cryptocurrency for betting at casinos and bookmakers can be exciting, but it comes with a big challenge: volatility. Crypto like Bitcoin has volatility in its price, which influences deposits and withdrawals. If you are interested in betting with crypto, learning how to deal with this fluctuation is crucial. This guide will demonstrate how to deal with these fast changes and get the most out of your crypto betting.

The Effects of Crypto Fluctuations on Betting

In fact, whenever you are betting using cryptocurrency, you are always at the mercy of the fluctuating value of the currency. For instance, if the Bitcoin price falls immediately before you deposit your coins, you stand to lose some value before you can bet. To at least somehow minimize the impact of cryptocurrency volatility, many use sites with high odds. After all, simply by registering on Melbet login, you get the opportunity to place bets at the most favorable odds on the market, which really affects your winnings! In general, another way to cope with fluctuations in the cryptocurrency market is to control the time at which you make a deposit. It is about noticing, realizing, and, most importantly, taking advantage of price changes in time.

Key Strategies to Manage Crypto Volatility

Gamblers need to take certain precautions whenever they make use of cryptocurrencies at online casinos. A couple of them may include making the following steps into practice in order to help mitigate the swings and call the trends instead of being called by them:

• Monitor the Market: Track the prices of the coins to establish when to make deposits and when to take out money
• Invest in Stablecoins: There are certain cryptocurrencies, such as USDT, which are pegged to the US dollar, and as such, less risk is involved.
• Put a Cap on Spending: Specify the maximum amount that you are inclined to spend, regardless of fluctuations in the market.
• Spread Your Assets: Never keep your entire investment in one particular form of cryptocurrency.
• Best Timing for Exchange: Exchange your crypto into fiat when the exchange rates are most favorable

With the implementation of these recommendations, your funds will be secured, and you can place wagers using cryptocurrency with minimum fear of unpredictable value loss. It is the preparation and timely acquisition of information that matters.

Keeping Up to Date with Social Media

Social media is one of the most effective tools for knowing the price of crypto and the available betting options. Pages such as Melbet Instagram can help you be aware of the current promotions and the latest events in the sports sphere. The fact of receiving any info as one of the first allows you to make wiser bets. And if you like crypto betting, you will be able to find exclusive bonuses there with the best coefficients. This way, you are ready for any changes in the market, and you catch the opportunities early enough, which makes your betting experience so much easier.

Selecting the Right Time to Deposit with Crypto

Timing is even more critical when you deposit using cryptocurrency. If you deposit during a high, you will be able to enjoy a higher value of the cryptocurrency. But if prices go down before you have deposited your money, you stand to lose big time. That is why many bettors use stablecoins such as USDT, which are pegged to the US dollar, and their value does not change much. The risk is high if you choose the wrong time to make your deposit or cash out your winnings. One should always be informed about the market and act according to what is going on in the crypto space.

Advantages of Deposit Through Stablecoins

Stablecoins are better and less dangerous than the rest of the cryptocurrencies. This value unit is linked to other national currencies and, therefore, does not fluctuate so much. Here are some of the advantages of using stablecoins at gambling sites:

• Less Uncertainty: Stablecoins have stable values, and risk is averted
• Less Volatility: There is lesser fluctuation and thus less planning chaos
• Convenience: All casino sites accept popular stablecoins as payment, which eases the process
• Quick Transactions: The processing time for stablecoins is short
• Less Exposure Risk: Stable currency holdings allow wise risk management

These benefits will appeal to all gamblers who wish to engage in crypto betting without great concerns about market dynamics. It is an easier way to experience betting using virtual currencies.

Key Points Worth Noting

While managing active volatility associated with cryptocurrencies, these factors should be kept in mind for money protection. Comparison of these aspects helps navigate the hazards in a better way:

• Market Timing: It helps to deposit when the prices are smaller and withdraw the same when the prices are high
• Exchange Fees: Assess all exchange fees as some of them do provide conversion of one crypto to another at high costs
• Crypto News: The prices tend to change considerably due to news. This means that one has to be informed all the time
• Security: Having your cryptocurrency on exchanges is not safe. Make sure you load it in safe wallets.
• Backup Funds: It is quite reasonable to keep some of the money in the fiat currency or stablecoins as a backup

Considering these points makes managing crypto deposits less stressful. As people seeking enjoyment, being careful and well-prepared will ease and add enjoyment in the process.

Conclusion: Raise Your Decision-Making with Crypto Banking

If you understand how to manage volatility very well, then you will really enjoy and profit from cryptocurrency deposits to betting platforms. As you analyze the market, make use of stablecoins, and receive information, you can also make intelligent choices and mitigate dangers. Though cryptocurrency comes with a degree of flexibility, you have to be careful with the cash. With these strategies in line, you are all set to enjoy betting using cryptocurrency without losing control over your finances. Always watch the marketplace and strategize creatively so that you can have a pleasant experience of crypto betting!

The Songwriters Hall of Fame has announced the nominees for the Class of 2025.  The nominating committee has until December 22 to submit their ballots, including up to three nominees in both the Non-Performing Songwriters and Performing Songwriters.

The Non-Performing Songwriters are:

Walter Afanasieff:  Afanasieff is an accomplished musician in his own right and also has extensive work as a producer.  His known work as a songwriter includes: “All I Want for Christmas is You,” “Butterfly,” “Forever,” “Hero,” “One Sweet Day” (with Mariah Carey), “She Bangs” (with Ricky Martin) and “Licence to Kill.”

Steve Barri and P.F. Sloan:  The duo co-wrote “Secret Agent Man” (performed by Johnny Rivers), “Eve of Destruction” (performed by Barry McGuire), and “Where Were You When I Needed You” (performed by The Grass Roots).

Mike Chapman:  A highly sought-after producer in Britain and America in the 1970s and early 80s, Chapman also penned a slew of hits, including “Little Willy” and “Ballroom Blitz” (performed by The Sweet), “Stumblin In” (performed by Suzi Quatro), “Kiss You All Over” (performed by Exile) and “Love is a Battlefield” (performed by Pat Benatar).

Sonny Curtis:  A member of the Crickets with Buddy Holly, Curtis wrote “More Than I Can Say” (which became a big hit for Leo Sayer decades later), “I Fought the Law” (made famous by the Bobby Fuller Four and The Clash, “Walk Right Back” (popularized by the Everly Brothers) and “Love is All Around,” the theme for the Mary Tyler Moore Show.

Tom Douglas:  Douglas co-penned many Country Music hits, including “The House That Built Me” (performed by Miranda Lambert), “Little Rock” (performed by Collin Raye), “I Run to You” (performed by Lady Antebellum), “Grown Men Don’t Cry” (performed by Tim McGraw) and “Love Me Anyway” (performed by Pink and Chris Stapleton.

Franne Golde:  Spanning a wide array of genres, Golde wrote “Stickwitu” (performed by The Pussycat Dolls), “A Man Ain’t Made of Stone” (performed by Randy Travis), “Somebody’s Out There Watching” (performed by The Kinleys), “Dreaming of You” (performed by Selena), “Don’t You Want Me” (performed by Jody Watley) and “Nightshift” (performed by The Commodores).

Ashley Gorley:  Gorley has been one of the most successful Country songwriters over the past 15 years, with hits including “I Had Some Help” (performed by Post Malone and Morgan Wallen), “Last Night” (performed by Morgan Wallen), “You Should Probably Leave” (performed by Chris Stapleton), “Play It Again” (performed by Luke Bryan) and “You’re Gonna Miss This” (performed by Trace Adkins).

Rodney “Darkchild” Jenkins:  Jenkins was also an accomplished producer and rapper who wrote or co-wrote hits like “Say My Name” (performed by Destiny’s Child), “The Boy is Mine” (performed by Brandy and Monica), “You Rock My World” (performed by Michael Jackson), “Déjà Vu” (performed by Beyonce) and “Telephone” (performed by Lady Gaga).

Dennis Lambert and Brian Potter:  The pair collaborated on hits such as “One Tin Soldier” (performed by Coven), “Don’t Pull Your Love” (performed by Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds), “Ain’t No Woman” (performed by The Four Tops), and “Country Boy, “It Only Takes A Minute” (performed by Tavares) and You’ve Got Your Feet in L.A.” (performed by Glen Campbell).

Tony Macauley:  From England, Macauley wrote significant hits such as “Baby Now That I Found You” and “Build Me Up Buttercup” (performed by The Foundations), “Last Night I Didn’t Get to Sleep At All” (performed by The 5^th Dimension, “Love Grows where my Rosemary Goes” (performed by Edison Lighthouse) and “Don’t Give Up on Us” (performed by David Soul).

Roger Nichols:  Nichols was a highly respected engineer best known for his work with Steely Dan, among many other Rock and Roll Hall of Fame acts.  He also co-wrote many of the hits by the Carpenters, including “I Won’t Last a Day Without You,” “Rainy Days and Mondays,” and “We’ve Only Just Begun.”

Dan Penn and Spooner Oldham.  The respected duo’s catalog includes soul staples like “I’m Your Puppet” (performed by James & Bobby Purify), “Cry Like a Baby” (performed by The Box Tops), “A Woman Left Lonely” (performed by Janis Joplin), “Out of Left Field” and “It Tears Me Up” (performed by Percy Sledge).  Oldham is already inducted as a Sideman in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Narada Michael Walden.  An excellent drummer, Walden was also a producer and wrote hits such as “How Will I Know” (performed by Whitney Houston), “You’re A Friend of Mine” (performed by Jackson Browne and Clarence Clemons), “Freeway of Love” and “Who’s Zoomin’ Who” (performed by Aretha Franklin) and “Baby Come to Me” (performed by James Ingram and Patti Austin).

The Performing Songwriters are:

Bryan Adams.  Adams wrote and performed all of his hits, the most notable being “Everything I Do I Do it For You,” “Heaven,” “All for Love,” “Summer of ’69”, “Heaven,” and “Have You Really Loved a Woman.”

Boy George.  The frontman and leader of the successful 1980s band Culture Club, Boy George, wrote hits such as “Karma Chameleon,” “Do Yoi Really Want to Hurt Me,” “Time (Clock Of The Heart),” and “Miss Me Blind.”

George Clinton.  The mastermind behind Parliament and Funkadelic, Clinton wrote songs like “Atomic Dog,” “Flash Light,” “Give Up The Funk (Tear the Roof off the Sucker.” “Knee Deep,” and “I’d Rather Be With You.”  He is already in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Sheryl Crow.  Another Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Crow wrote her signature hits among which were “Soak Up the Sun,” “A Change Would Do You Good.” “If It Makes You Happy.” “All I Wanna Do.” and “Everyday Is a Winding Road.”

The Doobie Brothers (Tom Johnston, Michael McDonald, and Patrick Simmons.  The group penned multiple hits such as “Listen to the Music,” “Takin’ It to the Streets.” “Black Water,” “What a Fool Believes,” and “Long Train Runnin’.”

Eminem:  Eminem is also in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and is nominated here for the strength of writing songs like “Lose Yourself.” “Stan,” “Mockingbird,” “Houdini.” and “Rap God.”

David Gates:  Hates was the leader of the group Bread, who are known for their hits “Everything I Own,” “Make It With You.” “Baby I’m-a Want You,” “The Guitar Man” and “If.”

Janet Jackson:  Jackson co-wrote many of her famous hits, including “Black Cat,” “Together Again,” “Again,” and “Rhythm Nation.”  She is also a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee.

Tommy James:  The leader of Tommy James and the Shondells, James wrote their hits, which include “Crimson and Clover,” “Mony Mony,” and “Sweet Cherry Wine.” and “Crystal Blue Persuasion.”

Mike Love:  From The Beach Boys, Love’s writing credits include “California Girls,” “Good Vibrations,” “I Get Around” and “Fun, Fun, Fun.”

Alanis Morissette:  Morrisette dominated the mid-90s with songs like “You Oughta Know.” “Ironic,” “Hand in My Pocket,” “Uninvited” and “Thank U.”

N.W.A. (Dr. Dre, Easy E, Ice Cube, MC Ren and DJ Yella):  N.W.A. is already in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and they are here for songs like “Dopeman,” “911 Is a Joke,” “Fuck Tha Police,” “Gangsta Gangsta,” “Express Yourself,” and “Straight Outta Compton.”

Steve Winwood.  Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Traffic, Winwood helped write songs for that band, The Spencer Davis Group, and his solo efforts.

We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to congratulate this group for their nominations.

The UCL fifth round brings together two of the most successful teams in European club football, with Liverpool taking on Real Madrid. This titanic tussle will see the Spanish Capital club and reigning champions take on England's most iconic team on this stage. Let's quickly get into the details and key information of this highly anticipated UCL match.

Match Info

Home Team: Liverpool FC

Away Team: Real Madrid FC

Venue: Anfield

Date: November 27, 2024

Team stats, league performance and key players

Liverpool FC

The club from the red side of Merseyside are firing on all cylinders at the moment, with new manager Arne Slot picking the torch from departed German tactician Jurgen Klopp. This has resulted in a perfect campaign so far, with four wins from four, propelling them to the summit of the UCL standing in the new look league phase format. These wins are all the more impressive when you consider the calibre of opposition they have dispatched, including the likes of AC Milan, RB Leipzig and Bayer Leverkusen. They also boast the best defence, with only one goal conceded so far.

Key players to watch out for include the likes of Talismanic Mohamed Salah and the defensive duo Alexander Arnold and Captain Virgil Van Dijk, among others, in this star-studded team.

Real Madrid FC

Real Madrid have so far been a shadow of themselves this season, with their struggles well highlighted by two losses in four games. Losing to the likes of Lille and AC Milan at home is less than ideal, as these are teams they should beat easily. Carlo Ancelotti has found it hard to replace the midfield control of the retired Toni Kross, and a long-term injury to first-choice right-back Dani Carvajal has weakened the defence of the defending champions.

The signing of Kylian Mbappe has yet to produce the desired results, with the French star still finding his footing and the coach figuring out how best to utilize the player in a squad brimming with talent. The likes of Ballon D'or runner up Vini Junior, England midfield maestro Jude Bellingham and the so-far quiet but lethal Kylian Mbappe are worth keeping a close eye on in this crunch fixture.

Match prediction and picks

A quick look at the head-to-head shows the positives for the Anfield faithful end here, with the Spanish giants finding more joy historically. There have been 11 UCL matches between these giants of European football in the past. Los Blancos have won seven of the last eight matches with only a goalless draw in that sequence. The Red's only success against this opponent came in their first three games.

This season, however, Liverpool have been a very solid outfit, with three clean sheets from four matches, including all two home matches. Real Madrid also lost their only away match without scoring in a lone goal loss away to Lille. In the last five meetings in Anfield, both teams have found the net only once, with four matches where only one team scored on the day. With Bet365 offering 2.50 odd for no BTS, it looks like good value. If you are looking to bank on Real Madrid and their experience in such big matches, then a Real Madrid win at 3.60 odds looks good. You can visit Cheekypunter for experience and complete evaluation of this bookmaker.

Football fans around the world will be eagerly anticipating this heavyweight clash in the upcoming UCL round. The calibre of players who will be on display promises a match that can go down in history as one of the best nights in Champions League football in recent times.