The process continues.

We here are Notinhalloffame.com have plans to create our own set of post-season awards, which we will look back and retroactively present from 1901 on.  That will take a while, but it has never stopped us before!

Our awards are not be league specific.

Now it is time for our 2021 positional awards.

We will be awarding a positional player of the year, but not only that, offer up the runner-up and second runner-up, meaning that we will have First, Second and Third All-MLB players.

Let’s work our way around the diamond and award the best of the best in Baseball!

Please note that with Closers, we are reverting back to the what we did with positional players, in that there are only one First Team, Second Team and Third Team player. 

Closer of the Year (First Team All-MLB): Josh Hader, Milwaukee Brewers.  3.3 bWAR, 2.6 fWAR, 4-2 Record, 34 Saves, 1.23 ERA, 58.2 IP, 102 SO, 4.25 SO/BB, 0.835 WHIP, 1.69 FIP.

Hader was an All-Star for the third time in his career, and he continued his tradition of never having a WHIP over one.  He also posted career-lows in ERA, ERA+ and FIP.

Second Team All-MLB Closer:  Liam Hendriks, Chicago White Sox.  2.8 bWAR, 2.7 fWAR, 8-3 Record, 38 Saves, 2.54 ERA, 71 IP, 113 SO, 16.14 SO/BB, 0.732 WHIP, 2348 FIP.

The 11-year veteran had his best year in 2021, and in his first year as a member of the White Sox, Henriks was a large reason that Chicago made the playoffs.  This was his second All-Star appearance.

Third Team All-MLB Closer:  Emmanuel Clase, Cleveland Indians.  2.8 bWAR, 2.2 fWAR, 4-5 Record, 24 Saves, 1.29 ERA, 69.2 IP, 74 SO, 4.63 SO/BB, 0.962 WHIP, 2.11 FIP.

After missing the entire 2020 Season due to a PED suspension, Clase was back, finishing third in Games Finished and fifth in Saves in the AL.  His advanced metrics were better than his traditional ones, and he earns his spot as our Third Team All-MLB Closer.

For die-hard baseball fans, getting your fill of baseball content can sometimes seem like a challenge. Outside of the confines of MLB, it can sometimes be impossible to find any baseball games taking place out of season, especially outside of North America. That is why the market for baseball-themed video games and online games is so robust.

It allows us to step into the shoes of our favorite players and experience all of the action ourselves, from the comfort of our living room. If you're a die-hard baseball fan looking for some worthwhile games, read our definitive guide to find out. 

1. MLB '20: The Show 

When it comes to baseball video games, any ranking out there will mention the MLB series in spades. For long-time fans of the genre, the question of which installment is the best in the series is a hotly contested one that will invariably spiral into a vicious online debate. While there are many excellent titles worth playing, it is the 2020 version that captures the essence of the series best. The Show '20 is a masterpiece of baseball simulation, one that so comprehensively captures every minute aspect of the sport to give you probably the most realistic experience that you will possibly find on a console. 

2. Wii Sports Baseball

It might not be the most "serious" game on the roster, but the baseball experience on Wii Sports, probably the biggest game of all time, is not to be sniffed at. One of the only games in history that allow you to physically simulate the sport, thanks to the unique and iconic motion-sensor controller that has caused countless accidents in living rooms around the world. Create your "Mii" avatar, select your old-school baseball strip of choice, head to the plate, and swing with all your might. 

3. Baseball Frenzy 

Sometimes, a good game is one that is self-referential and pays homage to the sport, rather than simulating outright. This is certainly true of the online casino slot Baseball Frenzy, which anyone can play at a popular online casino such as Casumo or 888. This 5-reel slot features all of the iconic sounds and imagery from the sport, with a little bit of tongue-in-cheek humor to boot. What's more, baseball fans can even access free spins to play Baseball Frenzy online for free, without having to wager their own cash on the reels. 

4. MVP Baseball 2005

Is there any game out there in history that did more to popularize the baseball genre than EA's MVP series? We're willing to bet that the answer is "no". This is the game that gamified the pitch like nothing else, with the various strength and aim meters on the screen causing countless hours of frustration and entertainment for fans around the world. Meanwhile, running baseball commentary throughout the game, provided by real-world legends such as Duane Kuiper and Mike Krukow, mean that this is a baseball game that has well and truly earned its spot in the Hall of Fame. 

The process continues.

We here are Notinhalloffame.com have plans to create our own set of post-season awards, which we will look back and retroactively present from 1901 on.  That will take a while, but it has never stopped us before!

Our awards are not be league specific.

Now it is time for our 2021 positional awards.

We will be awarding a positional player of the year, but not only that, offer up the runner-up and second runner-up, meaning that we will have First, Second and Third All-MLB players.

Let’s work our way around the diamond and award the best of the best in Baseball!

Please note that with Middle Relievers, we will be naming a Middle Reliever of the Year, three Second Team and three Third Team Middle Relievers.  

Middle Reliever of the Year (First Team All-MLB): Jonathan Loaisiga, New York Yankees.  3.3 bWAR, 2.4 fWAR, 9-4 Record, 18 Holds, 2.17 ERA, 57 Games, 70.2 IP, 69 SO, 4.31 SO/BB, 1.018 WHIP, 2.58 FIP.

Loaisiga won this narrowly, and we could have made cases (and did) for any of the Middle Relievers we named to the Second Team.  The Nicaraguan reliever was sixth this season in the AL in WPA and third in cWPA.

Second Team All-MLB Middle Reliever:  Blake Treinen, Los Angeles Dodgers.  2.4 bWAR, 1.8 fWAR, 6-5 Record, 32 Holds, 1.99 ERA, 72 Games, 72.1 IP, 85 SO, 3.40 SO/BB, 0.982 WHIP, 2.88 FIP.

Treinen led the NL in Holds, and was the closest in our eyes to supplanting Loaisiga.  Treinen’s value as the Dodgers’ top bullpen Pitcher was shown by the Dodgers success, and he finished tenth in NL in cWPA.

Second Team All-MLB Middle Reliever:  Andrew Chafin, Chicago Cubs & Oakland Athletics.  2.9 bWAR, 1.4 fWAR, 2-4 Record, 22 Holds, 1.83 ERA, 71 Games, 68.2 IP, 64 SO, 3.37 SO/BB, 0.932 WHIP, 2.98 FIP.

Chafin was one of the many Cubs stars jettisoned off, and although the team he landed in, Oakland, did not make the playoffs, Chafin did his job and had the best season of his eight-year career.

Second Team All-MLB Middle Reliever:  Chad Green, New York Yankees.  2.4 bWAR, 1.6 fWAR, 10-7 Record, 18 Holds, 3.12 ERA, 71 Games, 83.2 IP, 99 SO, 5.82 SO/BB, 0.884 WHIP, 3.59 FIP.

Green gives the Yankees two All-MLB Middle Relievers, after recording his best year since 2017.

Third Team All-MLB Middle Reliever:  Garrett Whitlock, Boston Red Sox.  2.4 bWAR, 1.6 fWAR, 8-4 Record, 14 Holds, 1.96 ERA, 46 Games, 73.1 IP, 81 SO, 4.76 SO/BB, 1.205 WHIP, 2.84 FIP.

The Red Sox rookie had a nice debut, quickly becoming the best middle reliever on the team.

Third Team All-MLB Middle Reliever:  Tyler Rogers, San Francisco Giants.  2.4 bWAR, 1.3 fWAR, 7-1 Record, 31 Holds, 2.22 ERA, 80 Games, 81.0 IP, 81 SO, 4.23 SO/BB, 1.074 WHIP, 3.28 FIP.

Rogers just qualified, as he did finish 18 Games with 13 Saves, but was not the finisher in 75% of his Games.  Notably, this is the second year in a row that Rogers led the NL in Games Pitched.  Rogers also finished eighth in WPA.

Third Team All-MLB Middle Reliever:  Luke Jackson, Atlanta Braves.  2.3 bWAR, 0.6 fWAR, 2-2 Record, 33 Holds, 1.98 ERA, 71 Games, 63.2 IP, 70 SO, 2.41 SO/BB, 1.162 WHIP, 3.66 FIP.

In his seventh year in the Majors, Jackson had his best year by far, proving to be one of the many potent arms in the Braves bullpen.

We have updated our Football futures with some new names for you to cast your votes on and offer your opinions.

Added to the 2024 Football Section are:

John Denney a Long Snapper who was a two-time Pro Bowler who played his entire career with the Miami Dolphins.

He joins Adam Jones, Andrew Luck, Antonio Gates, Brandon Marshall, Brent Grimes, Brian Orakpo, Chris Ivory, Connor Barwin, Corey Graham, Derek Anderson, Derrick Johnson, Doug Martin, Eric Berry, Glover Quin, Haloti Ngata, Jamaal Charles, Jermaine Gresham, Jermon Bushrod, Jonathan Stewart, Jordy Nelson, Josh Sitton, Julius Peppers, Kyle Williams, Lorenzo Alexander, Mark Sanchez, Matt Cassell, Max Unger, Muhammad, Wilkerson, Phil Dawson, Reggie Nelson, Sam Shields, Sebastian Janikowski, T.J. Lang, Vontae Davis and Zane Beadles.

Added to the 2025 Football Section are:

Adam Vinatieri, who is the most successful Place Kicker of all-time, and is the all-time leader in Points and Field Goals. He also has three Super Bowl wins with the Patriots.

DeMaryius Thomas, a four-time Pro Bowl Wide Receiver who won a Super Bowl with the Broncos.  He had 9,763 Receiving Yards and 69 Touchdowns.

Roosevelt Nix, a Fullback who went to the Pro Bowl in 2017.

They join Antoine Bethea, Aqib Talib, Brynden Trawick, Cameron Wake, C.J. Anderson, Darren Sproles, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Donald Penn, Eli Manning, Eric Weddle, James Develin, Joe Staley, Jon Condo, Kyle Long, Luke Kuechly, Marshal Yanda, Matt Bryant, Michael Bennett, Mike Pouncey, Patrick DiMarco, Patrick Chung, Ryan Kalil, Travis Frederick, Vernon Davis, Zach Brown and Zak DeOssie.

Added to the 2026 Football Section are:

Dez Bryant, who went to three Pro Bowls and led the NFL in Touchdown Receptions in 2016 as a Cowboy.

Don Muhlbach, a two-time Pro Bowl Long Snapper who played his entire career with the Lions.

Johnathan Joseph, a two-time Pro Bowl Cornerback.

Jurrell Casey, who went to five Pro Bowls as a Defensive End, and played most of his career with Tennessee.

LeSean McCoy, who went to six Pro Bowls and led the NFL in Rushing Yards in 2013.  He was also a two-time First Team All-Pro and would have an even 15,000 Yards From Scrimmage.

Malcolm Butler, a two-time Super Bowl Champion with the Patriots.

Marshawn Lynch, the man who made “Beast Mode” popular, and was a five-time Pro Bowl, one-time First Team All-Pro and two-time Rushing Touchdown leader.  The Running Back would win a Super Bowl with the Seahawks and had 10,413 Rushing Yards.

They join Alex Smith, Anthony Costanzo, Anthony Sherman, Drew Brees, Greg Olsen, Jason Witten, Jordan Reed, Julian Edelman, Matt Schaub, Maurkice Pouncey, Mike Iupati, Philip Rivers, Sean Lee, Thomas Davis and Tramon Williams.

As we proceed further, we will be adding new names to all of our future sections.

As always, thank you for your support.