The December 1990 blockbuster trade with San Diego is famously known for bringing Joe Carter, who hit the most iconic home run in Canadian baseball history. However, it was the second player in that deal who truly transformed the franchise's competitive spirit. Roberto Alomar arrived at Toronto alongside Carter, in exchange for Fred McGriff and Tony Fernández, giving the Blue Jays a dynamic, top-tier presence. Over a focused five-year period, he not only strengthened the middle of the infield but also cemented his status as the leading second baseman in the league.

His 1991 summer debut north of the border set a high energetic tone. He stole 53 bases, hit 41 doubles, and achieved 11 triples while leading off the lineup. His vibrant presence drove the Blue Jays to win the AL East and placed him sixth in the AL MVP voting. In 1992, he improved further, batting .310, drawing a career-best 87 walks to boost his on-base percentage to an impressive .405, and scoring 105 runs. He placed sixth in MVP again that fall, but his real highlight was in October. Alomar was named ALCS MVP after a historic, game-tying ninth-inning home run off Oakland's Dennis Eckersley—then scored the series-winning run in the 11th inning of Game 6 of the World Series, leading Canada to its first championship.

The momentum carried directly into a spectacular 1993 masterpiece, marking the absolute apex of his offensive peak. Alomar battered junior-circuit arms all summer, batting a career-high .326 while showing improved power to slug 17 home runs and drive in 93 runs. He added 55 stolen bases to his tally and finished a close third in the AL MVP voting, behind teammate Paul Molitor and winner Frank Thomas.

Alomar earned an All-Star selection and a Gold Glove in every season he played in Ontario, defending the right side of the field with exceptional agility and acrobatic skills that made remarkable plays seem effortless. However, the team's golden era came to a sudden end as the roster aged and the front office shifted toward rebuilding. Frustrated with the team's decline, Alomar, eager to remain competitive, entered free agency after the 1995 season and signed a lucrative contract with the Baltimore Orioles, marking the end of his notable tenure in Toronto.

As a Blue Jay, Alomar secured 832 hits, 55 home runs, 342 RBIs, and 206 stolen bases while authoring a spectacular .307/.382/.454 slash line (123 OPS+), 

His accomplishments paved the way for his first-ballot election into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2011, as well as his induction into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame.

His relationship with the organization changed after an independent investigation into sexual misconduct allegations from his post-playing career, leading MLB to permanently ban him in 2021. The Blue Jays then severed all ties, removing his name from the Level of Excellence, taking down his banner, and un-retiring his number 12 for active use.

Vernon Wells, chosen fifth overall in the 1997 amateur draft, was intentionally nurtured by the front office to become the flagship of Toronto's future outfield. After gradually advancing through the minor leagues, the Shreveport native took over the starting center field position in 2002 and quickly became one of the most energetic and athletic players in the American League.

His early seasons laid the groundwork for a breakout year in 2003. Throughout the summer, Wells dominated opposing pitchers, having a remarkable season with 215 hits, 49 doubles, 33 home runs, and 117 RBIs. His impressive offensive output resulted in a .317/.359/550 slash line, earning him his first All-Star selection, a Silver Slugger Award, and an eighth-place finish in the AL MVP voting.

While his explosive right-handed bat anchored the top of the lineup, Wells paired his offensive production with premier run prevention. He patrolled the vast turf of Rogers Centre with elite tracking instincts and an exceptional vertical leap, securing three consecutive Gold Glove Awards from 2004 through 2006. He remained a high-ceiling run producer throughout the decade, earning a second All-Star nod during a 32-home-run summer in 2006 and recapturing his elite form in 2010 to smash 31 long balls and land his third career All-Star selection.

Burdened by a massive, back-loaded $126 million contract extension and with the front office eager to reset its payroll flexibility, the Blue Jays shocked the baseball world in January 2011 by orchestrating a blockbuster trade, shipping their long-time franchise center fielder to the Los Angeles Angels. 

Wells appeared in 1,393 games with Toronto, accumulating 1,529 hits, 223 home runs, 813 RBIs, and 90 stolen bases while generating a .280/.329/.475 slash line (108 OPS+).

Last night, at UFC 284, Jen Pulver was announced as an impending member of the UFC Hall of Fame.  He will be entering via the Pioneer Wing.

The first ever UFC Lightweight Champion won the belt at UFC 30 in 2001 with a win over Caol Uno.  He defended it twice before leaving the promotion for PRIDE, but would return in UFC 68, albeit in defeat.  He had an overall MMA record of 27-19-1 

We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to congratulate Pulver for his impending honor.

If you are a regular visitor at Notinhalloffame.com, you know that we created the Notinhalloffame NHL Cup, where in every regular season game, we award points (5-4-3-2-1) to the top five performers.  This is the second year that we have done this, and Edmonton’s Connor McDavid won the first one.

To keep everyone regularly in the loop this time, we have decided to give regular updates, starting at when the first player cracked 40 Points, and tell all of you the top ten.  We will this going forward with every update as the first player breaches the elevated ten-point threshold afterward.

Here is the current top ten, based on the first player to breach 100 Notinhalloffame Cup Points:

1. Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers.  104 Cup Points:  53 Games, 42 G, 55 A, 97 P, +7, 11.4 PS.  (#1 on last update)

There are a lot of stories at the near-halfway mark of the 2022/23 NHL Season, with one of the top ones being Connor McDavid running away with every major statistical category.  Last year’s Notinhalloffame NHL Cup winner is extending his lead and he is currently the league-leader in Goals (42), Assists (55), Points (97) and Point Shares (11.4).  The Hart is his to lose.  

2. Jack Hughes, New Jersey Devils.  90 Cup Points, 50 Games, 35 G, 32 A, 67 P, +15, 8.7 PS. (#6 on last update)

Hughes rockets from #6 to #2, and has scored 11 Points in his last five Games.  The two-time All-Star in third in Goals (35) and ninth in Points (67) and Point Shares (8.7).

3. David Pastrnak, Boston Bruins. 87 Cup Points:  52 Games, 38 G, 34 A, 72 P, +25, 9.7 PS. (#2 on last update)

The Bruins are one of the NHL’s top teams and Pastrnak is their top scorer.  He currently is leading the NHL in Shots (248), is second in Goals (38) and fifth in Points (72).

4. Mikko Rantanen, Colorado Avalanche. 83 Cup Points:  51 Games, 34 G, 29 A, 63 P, +4, 7.6 PS. (#3 on last update)

Rantanen drops a spot, and is also fifth in Goals (34).

5 (Tie). Matthew Tkachuk, Florida Panthers, 80 Cup Points:  52 Games, 27 G, 46 A, 73 P, +16, 8.2 PS.  (#9 on last update)

Tkachuk has been on fire and proving Florida right in their pursuit of the power forward.  He is currently fifth in Assists (46) and third in Points (73).

5 (Tie). Brayden Point, Tampa Bay Lightning.  80 Cup Points:  52 Games, 32 G, 27 A, 59 P, +8, 7.2 PS. (#5 on last update)

Point is having a good year, and is a point-per-game player, there are still quite a few players with higher point tallies than the Tampa Center.  Saying that, Point has been the most clutch player for the Lightning, and a reason we love this process!  He is currently eighth in Goals (32).

7. Jake Oettinger, Dallas Stars.  76 Cup Points:  40 Games, 23-7-7, 2.22 GAA, .926 Save Percentage, 8.8 PS.  (#10 on last update)

In his third season, Oettinger is playing the best hockey of his life and is second in the NHL in GAA and Save Percentage.

8. Elias Pettersson, Vancouver Canucks.  73 Cup Points:  51 Games, 25 G, 39 A, 64 P, +5, 6.7 PS.  (not on last update)

The Canucks have been a disappointment, but Pettersson has emerged as a bright spot as their best player.  The fifth-year player and former Calder winner is currently tenth in Points.

9. Jason Robertson, Dallas Stars.  72 Cup Points:  54 Games, 33 G, 36 A, 69 P, +26, 9.4 PS. (#5 on last update)

Robertson is on pace to shatter last season’s 41-38-79 output, and the fourth-year player is now the undeniable top dog of the Stars lineup.  He recently went to his first All-Star Game.

10. Leon Draisaitl, Edmonton Oilers, 71 Cup Points:  51 Games, 29 G, 49 A, 78 P, +3, 8.3 PS.  (#8 on last update)

The 2020 Hart Trophy winner gives the Oilers two players in the upper-tier and is currently fourth in Assists and second in Points behind his teammate, Connor McDavid.

Toronto’s Auston Matthews and Winnipeg’s Connor Hellebuyck fell off the top ten.

Our next update will occur when the first player breaks 110 Cup Points.