In discussions concerning the highest attainable level of human athletic achievement, baseball analysts often categorize performance into five distinct tools: batting for average, power hitting, speed on the bases, defensive glove work, and arm strength. While numerous distinguished players excel in two or three of these areas, Willie Mays not only possessed all five attributes but also demonstrated them with transcendent, high-velocity artistry that permanently expanded the boundaries of what is considered possible in the sport. Prior to donning the renowned black-and-orange uniform, the young prodigy from Alabama spent two foundational seasons with the Birmingham Black Barons of the Negro American League, showcasing a remarkable raw skill set that compelled Major League scouts to contact their offices urgently. When the New York Giants ultimately secured his contract, they did more than acquire an elite center fielder; they gained the

From the moment he made his major league debut in 1951, Mays served as a pivotal catalyst for team success. Entering the major leagues as a charismatic twenty-year-old, he transformed simple batting performance into an extraordinary display, inspiring a legendary team spirit that notably rallied from a significant 13.5-game deficit in August to secure the National League pennant. While his batting average was a modest .274 with 20 home runs, his remarkable defensive range and relentless energy earned him the National League Rookie of the Year accolade. Just as his career was ascending rapidly, he was called to serve; military obligations in the U.S. Army caused him to miss nearly the entire 1952 and 1953 seasons. Nevertheless, rather than allowing this enforced hiatus to impede his progress, his return to active duty in 1954 marked a vigorous and multifaceted resurgence in the sport.

The 1954 campaign exemplifies a definitive mastery in individual performance and postseason execution. Leading the lineup with substantial authority, Mays secured the National League batting title with an impressive .345 average and hit 41 home runs, earning his first career Most Valuable Player Award. In Game 1 of the 1954 World Series against the Cleveland Indians, he achieved a moment of lasting significance by sprinting into the expansive center field of the Polo Grounds to make "The Catch"—a remarkable over-the-shoulder basket catch of a Vic Wertz drive that remains one of the most iconic defensive plays in the history of baseball.

His exceptional playmaking abilities contributed significantly to the Giants' historic sweep and their subsequent triumph in the World Series. Although this remained his solitary championship ring, his absolute peak was only just beginning.

That spectacular 1954 showcase launched an unyielding, 20-year run of dominance that made him a regular-season routine at the midsummer classic, earning an astonishing 24 All-Star selections through the 1971 season. At the plate, Mays possessed a telepathic eye for the strike zone and a thunderous right-handed swing, batting north of the .300 threshold nine separate times.

He declined to relinquish at-bats, utilizing his exceptional perception to draw walks at an extraordinary rate and surpassing the esteemed .400 on-base percentage threshold five times, while also securing two National League OBP efficiency titles.

As a pure power threat, he stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the greatest sluggers of all time. Mays captured four National League home run titles, blasting an unbelievable 646 of his 660 career home runs while with the Giants.

While a highly volatile RBI crown somehow eluded him due to situational lineup context, he remained the ultimate, high-leverage run producer, eclipsing the 100-RBI plateau ten separate times on his way to driving home 1,909 runs in a Giants uniform.

He brought home his second National League Most Valuable Player Award after a stellar 1965 season in which he hit a career-high 52 home runs. His consistent performance also earned him six more top-five finishes in the MVP voting.

Focusing solely on his offensive leaderboards provides only a partial view. Mays transformed the center field defensive position with a combination of exceptional closing speed, impeccable tracking, and a powerful throwing arm that intimidated opposing third-base coaches. In his extraordinary 1954 season, he led all National League position players in defensive bWAR and ranked in the top ten in seven other seasons, while leading the Senior Circuit in Total Zone Runs three times. Once the Gold Glove Award was introduced in 1957, Mays quickly amassed a record 12 consecutive Gold Gloves through 1968.

Additionally, his rapid and intense acceleration made him a dangerous threat on the basepaths well before the modern emphasis on speed in running games. From 1956 to 1959, he led the National League in stolen bases for four straight seasons, amassing 336 steals while playing for the Giants. He often executed double-steals, which frequently left opposing pitchers and catchers completely shaken.

Whether he was making a barehanded catch, sliding into third base with his cap flying off, or launching a 450-foot rocket into the seats, Mays infused the sport with a joyful, unadulterated passion that made him a beloved icon across two coasts. He served as the franchise’s ultimate structural bridge, guiding the organization through its seismic, landscape-shifting relocation from New York to San Francisco in 1958. As the club adjusted to the brutal, swirling winds of Candlestick Park, Mays remained the unshakable anchor, proving that his elite mechanics could overcome any environment.

Mays was traded to the New York Mets during the 1972 Season, where he unceremoniously ended his career, though he did help them win the 1973 Pennant.  He is still the all-time Giants leader in bWAR (154.5), Offensive bWAR (134.8), Runs Scored (2,011), Hits (3,187), and Home Runs (646).

Mays was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1979, his first year on the ballot.  San Francisco retired his number 24 in 1972 while he was still an active player, and he was later an inaugural member of the Giants’ Wall of Fame in 2008.

Mixed Martial Arts lost one of its favorite sons, as Stephan Bonnar, died of heart issues at the tender age of 45.

From Hammond, Indiana, Bonnar became a permanent fixture on the MMA scene when he made the Ultimate Fighter 1 Finals, in a unanimous decision loss to Forrest Griffin.  Despite his loss, Bonnar was so impressive in defeat that Dana White signed him to a UFC contract.

Bonnar went on to have a good career, but was never a champion in the UFC, though he would have many high-prominent fights, including losses to Rashad Evans, Jon Jones, Mark Coleman and Anderson Silva.  He retired in 2014 with a record of 15-9.

At UFC 162, Bonnar’s first fight with Griffin was inducted into the Fight Wing of the UFC Hall of Fame.

We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to extend our condolences to the fans, friends and family of Stephan Bonnar.

If you are a regular visitor at Notinhalloffame.com, you know that we created the Notinhalloffame NBA Cup, where in every regular season game, we award points (5-4-3-2-1) to the top five performers.  This is the third year that we have done this, and Denver’s Nikola Jokic won the first two.

To keep everyone regularly in the loop this time, we have decided to give regular updates, starting at when the first player cracked 120 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 120 Notinhalloffame Cup Points:

1 (Tie). Kevin Durant, Brooklyn Nets, 121 Points:  31 Games, 30.1 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 5.3 APG, 0.8 SPG, 1.6 BPG, 27.0 PER, 5.0 WS.  (#2 on last ranking)

Durant moves back up to the top spot, albeit in a tie, and sure enough, he also shares the most amount of Points (934) with Luka Doncic, though KD has played two more Games.

1 (Tie). Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks, 121 Points:  29 Games, 32.2 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 8.7 APG, 1.6 SPG, 0.6 BPG, 30.3 PER, 5.3 WS.  (#1 on last ranking)

Doncic remains at the top (though now tied with Durant) and should be considered the top contender for the MVP.  At present, he is second in Points per Game behind Joel Embiid, and is also topping the stat line in VORP (3.6).

3. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder, 113 Points:  29 Games, 31.2 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 5.7 APG, 1.7 SPG, 1.0 BPG, 27.0 PER, 4.5 WS.  (#5 on last ranking)

Gilgeous-Alexander is going to be an All-Star this year, and is shattering last year’s averages, which were already good.  How great will this Canadian be?

4. Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics, 111 Points:  30 Games, 30.6 PPG, 8.1 RPG, 4.1 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.9 BPG, 24.9 PER, 4.4 WS.  (#3 on last ranking)

Tatum continues to get better which should scare the hell out of anybody cheering against the Celtics.  He has never finished a season averaging over 30 Points per Game, and Tatum is over that now.

5.  Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks, 110 Points:  26 Games, 31.6 PPG, 11.2 RPG, 5.1 APG, 0.8 SPG, 1.0 BPG, 28.8 PER, 3.7 WS. (#5 on last ranking)

Giannis is back where he belongs in the top five and the two-time MVP’s Bucks look ready to win it all.  He is in the top five in Rebounds and Points per Game.

6. Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets, 103 Points:  27 Games, 24.7 PPG, 11.0 RPG, 9.2 APG, 1.5 SPG, 0.7 BPG, 32.0 PER, 5.5 WS.  (#10 on last ranking)

The “Joker” is on fire lately, and we know someone wants to get that third Cup!  He is currently leading the NBA in Box Plus/Minus (12.0) and Win Shares (5.5).

7 (Tie). Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics, 102 Points:  30 Games, 26.2 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 3.5 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.5 BPG, 19.8 PER, 2.3 WS. (#7 on last ranking)

Brown’s appearance here gives Boston the only team to have two players in the top ten, and he currently has the highest traditional numbers of his career.  

7 (Tie). Steph Curry, Golden State Warriors, 102 Points:  26 Games, 30.0 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 6.8 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.3 BPG, 26.7 PER, 4.1 WS. (#4 on last ranking)

Curry is now out with an injury, and will likely be out of the top ten by the next update.

9. Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers, 99 Points:  29 Games, 29.5 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 4.5 APG, 1.3 SPG, 0.3 BPG, 24.8 PER, 4.9 WS.  (Not on last ranking)

Mitchell returns to the top ten, and more and more it looks like he was the true star of his previous team, Utah.

10.  Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies, 98 Points:  25 Games, 27.0 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 7.8 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.2 BPG, 23.8 PER, 2.6 WS. (#10 on last ranking)

Morant is the face of the Grizzles, and he is posting similar numbers from last year, when he took Memphis to the next level.

Anthony Davis of the Los Angeles Lakers fell off the top ten.

Our next update will happen after the first player breaches 130 Cup Points.

The MLS Cup occurs each year in the American soccer calendar and sees the winning team of both the Eastern and Western Conference Finals go against one other in the culmination of the MLS Cup Playoffs. It has existed since 1996 and since then has celebrated 15 different winners – here are the clubs that have won the most trophies.

LA Galaxy (5 wins)

Not only have LA Galaxy celebrated the most title wins, but they have also featured in the most finals (9). Despite reaching three finals without success (1996, 1999, and 2001), their first taste of glory came in 2002 with a 1-0 victory over New England Revolution. Another win in 2005 followed before the Galaxy began their so-called ‘dynasty’ categorized by their multiple high-profile players, such as Landon Donovan, Robbie Keane, and David Beckham.

The Galaxy featured in four finals between 2009 and 2014, winning three of them. Keane scored in their most recent victory in 2014, while at the time his former side Liverpool came within two points of Premier League glory behind Manchester City. Jurgen Klopp’s side was among many bookmakers’ football betting tips to be up there again this season, however, a slow start to the campaign saw them enter the international break sixth in the league. The Reds could certainly do with Keane’s firepower up top, although his two years in Los Angeles beyond 2014 garnered no further trophies, as their last MLS Cup to date remains the 2014 edition.

D.C. United (4 wins)

While just below LA Galaxy in terms of title wins, D.C. United achieved that feat in just five finals. In fact, the inaugural MLS Cup actually featured a final between United and the Galaxy, the latter of whom threw away a two-nil lead before Eddie Pope eventually scored the golden goal to make it 3-2 and D.C. United is the tournament’s first-ever winner. This launched the beginning of a true dynasty in the late nineties and early noughties.

Under the management of American soccer legend Bruce Arena, United featured in each of the first four finals, losing only the 1998 edition. Three MLS Cups formed part of the eight major trophies won by Arena and co. before the turn of the millennium, marking the club’s most prolific period to date. Since then, United returned to celebrate their fourth MLS Cup in 2004, again by a 3-2 margin. The side from the capital has since struggled to replicate that form in the modern day, though, with their most recent major trophy coming in 2013.

Seattle Sounders (2 wins)

There are several teams that place third on this list with two wins to their name. Houston Dynamo, Sporting Kansas City, Colombus Crew, and San Jose Earthquakes all boast a duo of titles, however, Seattle Sounders have been the most recently prolific side. The Sounders were only founded in 2007 – some 11 years after the first MLS Cup was formed – and didn’t come close to glory until 2014. Then, they won their first Supporters Shield, two years later playing in their first MLS Cup final.

The Sounders duly won that match on penalties against Toronto, before playing in three more finals between then and the present day (2017, 2019, and 2020). Their second taste of success came in the 2019 edition in what was a rematch of 2016 final. This time, goals from Kelvin Leerdam, Victor Rodriguez, and Raul Ruidiaz helped the Sounders to a 3-1 victory over their Canadian counterparts in regulation time. However, they then fell to a 3-0 defeat the following year to Columbus Crew, which is their most recent MLS Cup final to date.

As American football continues to grow, the competitive nature of the MLS Cup is steadily increasing. This is reflected in the high number of diverse winners, which is seeing the dynasties of the early years coming to an end. The glory is now shared between a wide selection of impressive sides, the most recent being Gareth Bale’s Los Angeles FC in November 2022.