NASCAR: Real Competition Is Not Only Between Cars and Drivers
NASCAR season is back. Sunday, May 17, at Darlington Raceway, will be the initial race out of seven, over 11 days during the month. However, things will not be quite the same after the recess' fogs dissipate. Last Friday, competition executives released an official bulletin filled with rules changesfor the remaining 2020 NASCAR Cup Series season and forward. The technical changes detail safety and competition alterations as a measure to restrain the team’s costs and boosting racing safety measures.
These guidelines come from the deliberation that took place after the preliminary investigation into Ryan Newman’s crash. The violent incident on the final lap of the Daytona 500 left the driver severely injured. After missing three races and a still recovering bruised brain, he was cleared to come back on May 10. NASCAR is preparing a media briefing to reveal the Newman investigation findings.
As competition grows endlessly, the regulations promise safe quality racing for both the teams and the fans. The mentioned regulations will not affect current competition significantly. Moreover, those intend to lessen comprehensive modifications for the Next Gen Car to debut on the 2021 season. However, NASCAR senior vice president of racing development, John Probst, stated that teams were provided with details about the technical changes in advance.
NASCAR's return comes impregnated with a lot more than instructions for custom wheels manufacturer selectionand tuning restrictions. The following modifications are very specific and its goals are aiming to minimize about 30 to 40 horsepower from 510 hp for Daytona and Talladega tracks. Although these modifications are a decision NASCAR took after Newman’s incident, overall rules were reviewed and adjusted according to the identified needs. The following is a summarized version of the recently released bulletin.
- During the remaining season, NASCAR will not allow on-track testing for Cup Series, Gander Truck Series, and Xfinity Series.
- Wind tunnel usage time is now under restriction. Every organization will have only 150 hours to test. These will be distributed for 70 hours during 2020 and 90 hours in 2021. Individual NextGen vehicle organizations are banned from wind tunnel testing. Only a few facilities were approved for wind-testing such as Aerodyn Wind Tunnel in Mooresville and Windshear Wind Tunnel in Concord, both in North Carolina.
- Short block sealed engine changes are now restricted to eight. This measure is for both full or long blocks and the bottom portion only or short blocks. This means that each vehicle needs to endure these events with a short-block sealed engine. It will require the team’s adaptation since it previously was a 13 limit. For all the remaining races or cycles, teams can only change engine parts such as valves, cylinder heads, and valve springs. This action is meant to prevent time and costly rebuilds.
- Restrictions on the throttle body were reduced to 57/64” at superspeedways. It was formerly a 59/64”.
- Obligatory changes and updates regarding the padding roll bar. These will be mandatory for all vehicles from June 1.
- Talladega beginning tracks require the setting up of a check valve at overflow expansion tanks and/or oil reservoir tanks.
- Superspeedways tracks require the application of slip tape along the facing surfaces. It needs to be applied throughout the entire lower rearward. Likewise, within the rear bumper cover extension.
- Mandatory addition of a lower main roll support bar #20 and an upper main roll support bar #21. This modification will be needed for superspeedways tracks. Additionally, requirements demand an intrusion plate. This specification is optional in other tracks.
- Chassis modification regulations. Each organization will be allowed twelve active and four inactive certified chassis modifications. Those can only be retired after a minimum of three races use. However, if irreversibly damaged after a crash in a shorter period, the chassis can be replaced. Each racing organization is restricted to ten unique chassis designs. These may be available for display in preseason shows.
- Officials limited at-track or road crewmembers. Maximum personnel is twelve during race weekends. This includes engineers and mechanics, crew chiefs, and spotters. Moreover, the organizational staff is reduced to three. Also, the driver’s team will be 16 members only. This measure is an answer to the global pandemic situation.
- Superspeedway tracks will not have aero ducts.
Although previous incidents lead to car modifications that teams will struggle to fulfill, stock-car racing is not only about cars. During a NASCAR race, a driver must be in flawless physical strength to be able to endure sustained high G force. Three G of acceleration on turns triple the driver’s weight. Additionally, the driver is wearing a helmet, gloves, and a long-sleeved fire suit. These, along with the mid-summer weather rises internal car temperature to hit the 120°F. In these scenarios, drivers can lose focus and experience dizziness. Consequently, riders need to train hard to endure these harsh circumstances. Pit crews also train very hard. These athletes have 15 seconds and no retries to accomplish their task: jacking up the largely heavy car to change its tires and refilling its fuel tank.
Patience, discipline, and adaptability are the main skills surrounding this fast-paced sport. Stock-car racing embraces crewmembers and organizations working together as an engine to lead both the vehicle and its driver on top conditions. Poor communication and a miniscule mistake during the job can lead to accidents like Newman's.
NASCAR Safety Standards Regarding Coronavirus Pandemic
While NASCAR prepares to resume its season with the coronavirus pandemic still in motion, safety measures are being taken with this in mind. NASCAR prepared a protocol following the advice of health professionals. Carolina’s public health officials gave their blessing and added a few recommendations. The safety protocol during Daytona and Talladega races aims to safeguard the competitors and the surrounding community’s health. These recommendations include:
- Zero fans attendance plan. NASCAR is still considering if fans will be allowed into July's competition. Social distancing measures are being taken into account.
- Cancellation of the 2020 submission meetings. It might include the cancellation of the traditional Champaign opening at the end of the matches.
- Lowering staff member’s size according to NASCAR bulletin specifications.
- Use of the most local venues possible, allowing organizations to travel through roads. This to avoid air mobilization and the need for accommodations.
- Drivers and crewmembers are confined to their motorhomes, disseminated all over the facility. Self-isolation is mandatory until the competition starts.
- The use of face masks is required, including for drivers on the way to their vehicles.
- Teams were asked to self-monitor their staff using random temperature checking through the event.
NASCAR is working hard to be the first major U.S. sport to resume competitions. Therefore, a mistake could become a landmark for its history and put lives into high-risks. After all, the NCS is the racing highest level of competition. About 700 hundred people are expected to meet at the Daytona track. That number will only include the 40-car crews, leaving outside the picture officials, inspectors, and the broadcast team.
If things run smoothly, other sports eager to come back might consider resuming matches. NASCAR executive vice president, Steve O'Donnell stated: "We realize upfront it's a huge responsibility for us as a sport… We're certainly going to learn as we go, the process we put in place gives the industry the confidence that we can be first." Moreover, Mark Miles, Indianapolis Motor Speedway CEO, told the press "We can do it. We are prepared for fans… Just based on the size of our facility we can do it… We've got time to get this right."
Additionally, rules are strictly enforced and those with personal staffs who do not follow those, including the general COVID19 recommendations such as facemasks use and social distancing will be removed from the facilities and presented with a $50,000 fine. NASCAR is making an extraordinary effort on its return. Real-life racing comes with real-life incidents and circumstances. Safety precautions aim to guarantee the event develops hassles-free.
Nathan Spears is a managing editor at BlaqueDiamond
<https://blaquediamond.com/>. He became a car enthusiast at the age of
four, when his father taught him the difference between Chevy and Ford. In
2012 Nathan put his knowledge in practice and started reporting on cars,
races and the auto industry on different social media platforms. Currently,
he’s a happy owner of a 1967 Alfa Romeo and a Lancer GSR and a person who
still has lots of topics to cover.
Celebrities Who Really Love Sports
Celebrities are just like regular people when it comes to sports. They love to watch and attend sporting occasions, whether it be football, hockey, soccer, basketball, tennis, golf or any other sport. As long as there is a ball to be hit, a sharp corner to negotiate or a punch to be thrown, the buzz of sports is the same for everyone.
Celebrities have even become part of sporting occasions. Their attendance in the crowd gathers airtime, and some also perform at the stadium – just look at the Super Bowl and its string of megastar performers. But who are the most prominent celebrity sports fans?
1. Floyd Mayweather
He may be better known for his eagle eye and fast defence in the ring, but Mayweather also likes to kick back and watch sports as well. He attends boxing games but is known to be a big fan of the NBA. While Mayweather has been busy staking thousands on sports betting - reportedly winning over $6million on an NBA game back in 2013, he's also not shy of the casinos themselves. Having won nearly £800,000 on a slot machine in 2017, his latest conquest seems to be to tackle Japan by building a new casino in 2020/21.
2. Denzel Washington
America's acting hall of fame has a seat for Denzel Washington. But the movie star is not just about taking his place among the film gods. He likes to take a seat at Lakers and Yankees games too and is known to be in the crowd always wearing his all-black cap. But Washington could play the game as well. During his university days at Fordham University, he was a point guard for coach Carlesimo. Yes, the same coach who made it to the NBA.
3. Kevin Hart
Kevin Hart has gone from working as a shoe salesman to being one of the world's best comedians with some flagship acting jobs along the way. When Hart is not writing comedy gold, he is a massive sports fan. He participates in the NBA's All-Star weekend and even plays himself in the celebrity match, which he has won the MVP award on three occasions. By being in and around the players, he has acquired some new NBA buddies.
4. Jerry Seinfeld
But Hart is not the only comedy royalty to love sports. Jerry Seinfeld, the creator of his namesake comedy hit show, is a renowned Mets fan. When he is not watching sports, he can be found talking about them on the WFAN sports radio station in New York. This may be why his famous show includes many references to Mets and one or two appearances from players.
5. Drake
Actor rapper and singer, Drake has a controversial history with the sporting world. It began when he was denied access to the locker room of Miami Heat after they won the championship in 2013. In the same year, he announced himself as an official ambassador for the Raptors. Since then, the cameras have been on him during sporting occasions due to his courtside behaviours and celebrations. Some think it could be part of a publicity stunt, but he undoubtedly loves his sports.
Awards = HOF?: Part Forty-Seven: The NBA Finals MVP
We here at Notinhalloffame.com thought it would be fun to take a look at the major awards in North American team sports and see how it translates into Hall of Fame potential.
Needless to say, different awards in different sports yield hall of fame potential. In basketball, the team sport with the least number of players on a roster, the dividend for greatness much higher. In baseball, it is not as much as a great individual season does not have the same impact.
Last time, we looked at the Art Ross Trophy. This time we went back to basketball, and the NBA Finals MVP.
The award was first given out in 1969, and basketball is the most star driven team sport of the big four, so we should expect that it will have a higher yield than the others.
So how many NBA Finals MVPs have made the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame?
Let’s find out!
The following are the past players who have won the NBA Finals MVP who are eligible for the Basketball Hall of Fame and have been enshrined.
Jerry West, Los Angeles Lakers, 37.9 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 7.4 APG (1969)
The first NBA Finals MVP was a Laker, which is not a shock, but with Jerry West, it was also from a losing team, as L.A. lost to the Boston in seven games. West did everything he could, and considering he pulled his hamstring in Game 5, and was still performing at an elite level in Games 6 and 7, it was hard to award to anyone else. In the regular season, West was a Second Team All-NBA Selection, and he was a First Team Selection in his first six seasons. West played 14 years in the NBA, all with Los Angeles, and he was an All-Star in every single one of those years. He would finally win his title as a player in 1972. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1980.
Willis Reed, New York Knicks, 23.0 PPG, 10.5 RPG, 2.8 APG (1970)
Willis Reed had a phenomenal 1969-70 year. Reed became the first player to win the NBA MVP, the All-Star Game MVP and the Finals MVP in the same year. Reed was injured in the Finals with a torn thigh muscle, and was forced to miss Game 6, but he willed his way to play in Game 7, where he only scored four Points, but considering he should not have been on the court at all, it was miraculous. That display of courage helped will the Knicks over the Lakers to win the Championship. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1982.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Milwaukee Bucks, 27.0 PPG, 18.5 RPG, 2.8 APG (1971)
Known at the time as Lew Alcindor, Abdul-Jabbar was only in his second season in the NBA, and he followed up being the Rookie of the Year with his first MVP and Scoring Title. Abdul-Jabbar was the undisputed best player in the game at the time, and he led Milwaukee to a four-game sweep over the Philadelphia 76ers to win his first title, and the first for Milwaukee. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1995.
Wilt Chamberlain, Los Angeles Lakers, 19.4 PPG, 23.2 RPG, 2.6 APG (1972)
Wilt Chamberlain was the most prolific scorers in the history of basketball, and some will say that he was the best. “The Stilt” was near the end of his career, and at 35, and now a Laker, Chamberlain showed a more nuanced game to help Los Angeles beat the Knicks. Over his career, Chamberlain won four MVPs, seven Scoring Titles, and two NBA Titles. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1979.
Willis Reed, New York Knicks, 16.4 PPG, 9.2 RPG, 2.6 APG (2) (1973)
Willis Reed would win his second NBA Championship this year, but his All-Star years were behind him. While he was good in the Finals, there were other teammates (Bill Bradley, Walt Frazier and Dave DeBusschere) that could have won this. Reed’s injuries compounded, and he retried a year after. Over his career, Reed was a five-time All-Star, a Rookie of the Year, and an MVP. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1982.
John Havlicek, Boston Celtics, 26.4 PPG, 7.7 RPG, 4.7 APG, 1.9 SPG, 0.0 BPG (1974)
The Boston Celtics were loaded with superstars and they won a plethora of championships in the 1960s. Boston was still a very good team in the 1970s, and John Havlicek was part of a lot of their success, and this year was his seventh of eight NBA Titles. The Celtic was a 13-time NBA All-Star, a four-time First Team All-NBA player and this year he helped will the Celtics over Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and the Milwaukee Bucks. He played his entire career with the Celtics and retired in 1978. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1984.
Rick Barry, Golden State Warriors, 29.5 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 5.0 APG, 3.5 SPG, 0.8 BPG (1975)
The Hall of Fame career of Rick Barry was a complicated one, as he could be as moody as he was talented. Barry began his career with the Warriors, and after a run in the ABA, he was back and he led Golden State to the title in their sweep over the Washington Bullets. Barry would be a 12-time All-Star and he was also a six-time All-NBA and four-time All-ABA Selection. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1987.
Jo Jo White, Boston Celtics, 21.7 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 5.8 APG, 1.5 SPG, 0.0 BPG (1976)
A member of the Celtics’ 1974 Championship, Jo Jo White was an All-Star annually from 1971 to 1977. In 1976, The Celtics defeated the Phoenix Suns in six games, with White notably scoring 33 Points in the Game 5 triple-overtime win. White, who was also a Second Team All-NBA player twice, played until 1981, though he did not finish his career with Boston. White also played with Golden State and the Kansas City Kings. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2015.
Bill Walton, Portland Trail Blazers, 18.5 PPG, 19.0 RPG, 5.2 APG, 1.0 SPG, 3.7 BPG (1977)
Bill Walton had a pro career that was constantly plagued with foot problems, so much so that the famed Grateful Dead fan missed three full years during his prime. In 1976-77, Walton was mostly healthy, and he led Portland to an upset over the favored 76ers. Walton, who was a two-time All-Star, won a second title with the Boston Celtics in 1985-86, when he won the Sixth Man of the Year Award. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1993.
Wes Unseld, Washington Bullets, 9.0 PPG, 11.7 RPG, 3.9 APG, 0.6 SPG, 0.1 BPG (1978)
Elvin Hayes was by far the better statistical performer in the Bullets’ 1978 championship, but the popular Wes Unseld won this honor on the strength of his defense. Unseld was a five-time All-Star, and he played his entire career with the Baltimore/Washington franchise. Unseld’s 9.0 PPG is the lowest of any NBA Finals MVP. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1988.
Dennis Johnson, Seattle SuperSonics, 22.6 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 6.0 APG, 1.8 SPG, 2.2 BPG (1979)
In the only NBA Championship of the existence of the Seattle SuperSonics, Dennis Johnson was an All-Star for the first of five times over his career. This was a star-making performance for Johnson, who would later win two more NBA Titles as a member of the Boston Celtics. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2010.
Magic Johnson, Los Angeles Lakers, 21.5 PPG, 11.2 RPG, 8.7 APG, 2.7 SPG, 0.3 BPG (1980)
For the first and to date only time in the history of the NBA Finals MVP, a rookie and/or Rookie of the Year won the award. Johnson came in to Los Angeles at the start of the season as the new star of the team and the number one pick also went from NCAA Champion to NBA Champion. The Lakers won over the Sixers in six games and Magic was now considered one of the best clutch players in the NBA. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2002.
Magic Johnson, Los Angeles Lakers, 16.2 PPG, 10.8 RPG, 8.0 APG, 2.5 SPG, 0.3 BPG (2) (1982)
Johnson and the Lakers again faced Philadelphia, and while Johnson’s star was rising, he had a tumultuous 12 months prior with injuries and clashes with management. Winning cures everything, and Johnson was again money in their six-game series win. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2002.
Moses Malone, Philadelphia 76ers, 25.8 PPG, 18.0 RPG, 2.0 APG, 1.5 SPG, 1.5 BPG (1983)
This was the first season of Moses Malone in a Philadelphia 76ers uniform after being a two-time MVP with the Houston Rockets. Malone was an NBA All-Star for the sixth of twelve straight years, and he also won his fourth of six Rebounding Titles. Malone won his third MVP (and last MVP), and the Sixers finally won the title and Malone was incredible in their sweep over the Lakers. He played until 1995, with stops in Atlanta, Milwaukee, Philadelphia (again) and San Antonio. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2001.
Larry Bird, Boston Celtics, 27.4 PPG, 14.0 RPG, 3.6 APG, 2.1 SPG, 1.1 BPG (1984)
Larry Bird was already a superstar player and an NBA Champion. This was his fifth season in basketball, and he was an All-Star each year, but this year he was the elite player, on a championship team on a legendary franchise. Bird helped topple Magic Johnson and the favored Lakers, and he became a legend in the process. Notably, Bird also won the MVP for the first time. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1998.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Los Angeles Lakers, 25.7 PPG, 9.0 RPG, 5.2 APG, 1.0 SPG, 1.5 BPG (2) (1985)
It was 14 years since Abdul-Jabbar won his first Finals MVP, and a lot happened since that first win. The big man won five more MVPs, bringing his total to six, and he took the Lakers to titles in 1980 and 1982. Abdul-Jabbar was no longer the best player, that was Magic Johnson, but he was still a great player, and was great in their six-game win over the Celtics. Abdul-Jabbar played until 1989, and he was named an All-Star in all but one of his seasons. He was also a ten-time First Team All-NBA Selection, and a First Team, All-Defensive Player five times. At the time of his retirement, he was the all-time leader in Games Played, Points, Field Goals and Minutes Played. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1995.
Larry Bird, Boston Celtics, 24.0 PPG, 9.7 RPG, 9.5 APG, 2.7 SPG, 0.3 BPG (2) (1986)
Bird won the MVP and Finals MVP in 1984, and in the year after, he was “just” the MVP. Bird did reach the Finals, but they lost to the Lakers. Boston made it to the Finals again in 1986, with Bird winning his third straight MVP, however this time they were opposed by the Houston Rockets. Bird and the Celtics won in six games, with Bird leading Boston to a lopsided Game Six win. This year would be the last MVP and Title for Bird, who began to suffer back issues, but played until 1992. Bird was an All-Star every year of his career but one, and he went on to be the only man in NBA history to win the Rookie of the Year, MVP, All-Star Game MVP, Finals MVP, Coach of the Year and Executive of the Year. This will likely never happen again. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1998.
Magic Johnson, Los Angeles Lakers, 26.2 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 13.0 APG, 2.3 SPG, 0.3 BPG (3) (1987)
Magic Johnson became the first player to win the NBA Finals MVP three times, and his 13.0 APG is the most ever by a Finals MVP. Johnson’s Laker beat the Celtics in six, and this season, he was also named the league MVP. Johnson won the MVP again in 1988 and 1990, and this year was his fourth NBA Title of five as a player. Johnson would test positive for HIV in 1991, retiring abruptly, but he came back for the 1992 All-Star Game and briefly in 1996. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2002.
James Worthy, Los Angeles Lakers, 22.0 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 4.4 APG, 0.7 SPG, 0.6 BPG (1988)
James Worthy was the first overall pick of the 1982 Draft, and he would play his entire career with the Lakers. The Small Forward went to his first of seven All-Star Games in 1986. The 1988 championship was Worthy’s third (and last), but his “Big Game James” was at full-force in this seven-game series win over the Detroit Pistons. Worthy played until 1994, and would also be a two-time Third Team All-NBA Selection. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2003.
Joe Dumars, Detroit Pistons, 27.3 PPG, 1.8 RPG, 6.0 APG, 0.5 SPG, 0.3 BPG (1989)
Joe Dumars may have been part of the “Bad Bo Pistons” but he was not exactly a player who fit that mold. No matter. Dumars arrived this season and was the highest scorer with his 27.3 PPG in Detroit’s sweep of the Lakers. Dumars would later go to six All-Star Games, and he would play his entire career with the Pistons. He retired in 1999, and would win another championship as a Pistons Executive in 2004. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2006.
Isiah Thomas, Detroit Pistons, 27.6 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 7.0 APG, 1.6 SPG, 0.4 BPG (1990)
Isiah Thomas was the face of the Pistons for years, and it is fitting that he was one of the players who won the Finals MVP. Thomas the top scorer in the five-game series win over Portland, and this year he was an All-Star for the ninth time of what was 12 straight. Thomas was a three-time First Team All-NBA choice, and he played his entire career with the Pistons, retiring in 1994. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2000.
Michael Jordan, Chicago Bulls, 31.2 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 11.4 APG, 2.8 SPG, 1.4 BPG (1991)
The Chicago Bulls had arrived, and Michael Jordan was their king. We could go one step further. Michael Jordan was the king of the entire sport. No, one more step. He was the king of all sports! This was the first title for Jordan and the Bulls and Jordan won his second MVP. Jordan was Chicago’s leading scorer in the first four games, of what was a five-game series win over the Lakers. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2009.
Michael Jordan, Chicago Bulls, 35.8 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 6.5 APG, 1.7 SPG, 0.3 BPG (2) (1992)
Jordan was an MVP for the third time, and while he was not the first man to become the NBA Finals MVP for a second time, he was the first to win it in back-to-back years. Jordan and the Bulls beat the Portland Trail Blazers in six games, and he was Chicago’s leading scorer in every game. Jordan was also the leading scorer regardless of the team in five of those games. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2009.
Michael Jordan, Chicago Bulls, 41.0 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 6.3 APG, 1.7 SPG, 0.7 BPG (3) (1993)
Jordan lost out on the MVP to Charles Barkley, but Jordan was not going to lose out to Barkley in the NBA Finals. Chicago defeated Phoenix in six games and the Bulls would “Three-peat”, a term they coined. Jordan’s 41.0 PPG is the highest ever in NBA Finals history, and conceivable it could stay like that for decades. Jordan became the second player after Magic Johnson to win the Finals MVP three times, but Jordan was the first to do it three consecutive years. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2009.
Hakeem Olajuwon, Houston Rockets, 26.9 PPG, 9.1 RPG, 3.6 APG, 1.6 SPG, 3.9 BPG (1994)
Hakeem Olajuwon made history this year as the first non-American born player to win the Finals MVP. The Nigerian born Olajuwon was the key to defeating the New York Knicks in the seven-game series, as he outplayed New York’s star, Patrick Ewing. Olajuwon was also named the league MVP. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2008.
Hakeem Olajuwon, Houston Rockets, 32.8 PPG, 11.5 RPG, 5.5 APG, 2.0 SPG, 2.0 BPG (2) (1995)
Olajuwon and the Rockets successfully defended their NBA Championship, and Olajuwon was statistically better in his second win than the was in the first. The Rockets swept the Orlando Magic, who made their Finals debut. Olajuwon played with the Rockets until 2001, and he was a 12-time All-Star, two-time Defensive Player of the Year and a six-time First Team All-NBA Selection. Olajuwon retired in 2002 after one final year with the Toronto Raptors. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2008.
Michael Jordan, Chicago Bulls, 27.3 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 4.2 APG, 1.7 SPG, 0.2 BPG (4) (1996)
Michael Jordan was back after an attempt to make Major League Baseball, and the Bulls were ready to dominate again. Chicago defeated the Seattle SuperSonics in six, and Jordan won the MVP for the fourth time. Jordan was again Chicago’s leading scorer in all of the games, and he was the first player to be named the Finals MVP on a fourth occasion. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2009.
Michael Jordan, Chicago Bulls, 32.3 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 6.0 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.8 BPG (5) (1997)
Jordan made history again with his fifth NBA Championship Ring and fifth Finals MVP. Jordan, who was not the league MVP this year, led his Bulls to a six-game win over the Utah Jazz. Jordan was his team’s top scorer in five games, and in assists in all of them. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2009.
Michael Jordan, Chicago Bulls, 33.5 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 2.3 APG, 1.8 SPG, 0.7 BPG (6) (1998)
For the second time, the Chicago Bulls “three-peated” and Jordan did the same with his record sixth NBA Finals MVP. Jordan had the what looked to be the final shot of his career in Game Six, as he sank the series winner over the Jazz. Jordan was also named the league MVP for the fifth time. Jordan retired, but came back with the Washington Wizards in 2001 for two years. Michael Jordan is the best player of all-time, and that should be an undisputed fact. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2009.
Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs, 27.4 PPG, 14.0 RPG, 2.4 APG, 1.0 SPG, 2.2 BPG (1999)
This was the second season of Tim Duncan’s career, and “The Big Fundamental” took over as the big star of the Spurs for David Robinson. Duncan was the top scorer and rebounder in three of the games, which was a five-game series win over the New York Knicks. Duncan did not go to the All-Star Game this year, but he was named a First Team All-Defensive and First Team All-NBA player. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2020.
Shaquille O’Neal, Los Angeles Lakers, 38.0 PPG, 16.7 RPG, 2.3 APG, 1.0 SPG, 2.7 BPG (2000)
This championship was the beginning of the new Lakers dynasty, starring a dominant Shaquille O’Neal and a rising Kobe Bryant. O’Neal and the Lakers beat the Indiana Pacers in six, and in every single game, was his team’s leading scorer and rebounder. In fact, there was only one game where a Pacer had more boards (game six) than O’Neal. O’Neal was a First Team All-NBA selection, and he was named the league MVP. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2016.
Shaquille O’Neal, Los Angeles Lakers, 33.0 PPG, 15.8 RPG, 4.8 APG, 0.4 SPG, 3.4 BPG (2) (2001)
Shaq and the Lakers dispatched the Philadelphia 76ers in five games, and O’Neal was his usual dominant self, although Kobe Bryant was approaching being his equal. O’Neal was again a First Team All-NBA Selection. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2016.
Shaquille O’Neal, Los Angeles Lakers, 36.3 PPG, 12.3 RPG, 3.8 APG, 0.5 SPG, 2.8 BPG (3) (2002)
O’Neal became the second player to win the NBA Finals MVP in three straight years, and he again was a First Team All-NBA Selection, an honor, he would secure in the next four seasons. O’Neal also was the NBA leader in PER for the fifth straight year. In this year’s Finals, Los Angeles swept the Nets, but this was the shocking end of the Kobe/Shaq dominance. They made it to the Finals again in 2004, but lost to the Pistons, and the two could no longer work together. O’Neal won a fourth title with the Miami Heat, and he would later play for Phoenix, Cleveland and Boston, retiring in 2011. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2016.
Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs, 24.2 PPG, 17.0 RPG, 5.3 APG, 1.0 SPG, 5.3 BPG (2) (2003)
Duncan was the MVP in 2001-02, and he was named the MVP again this year, and he was in his fifth consecutive season as a First Team All-NBA selection. In this NBA Finals, the Spurs beat the New Jersey Nets in six games, and Duncan’s 5.3 Blocks per Game are by far a Finals record. In Game Six, Duncan was two Blocks away from a quadruple-double and replays show that he likely should have had two more Blocks. Nevertheless, Duncan was incredible in this series. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2020.
Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs, 20.6 PPG, 14.1 RPG, 2.1 APG, 0.4 SPG, 2.1 BPG (3) (2005)
Duncan joined the rare three-time NBA Finals club in 2005, and Duncan led the Spurs in a seven-game series win over the Detroit Pistons. 2005 also saw Duncan named to his seventh straight First Team All-NBA. This year ended a streak, but he earned that honor two more times. Duncan won two more NBA Titles, was a 15-time All-Star and he played his entire career with the Spurs, retiring in 2016. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2020.
Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers, 32.4 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 7.4 APG, 1.4 SPG, 1.4 BPG (2009)
Bryant was dominant in his first NBA Championship win as the top banana. The Lakers took out Orlando in five games, and this was a year after he won his lone MVP award. This season also saw Bryant earn his seventh First Team All-NBA Selection. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2020.
Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers, 28.6 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 3.9 APG, 2.1 SPG, 0.7 BPG (2) (2010)
Bryant 5, O’Neal 4. That was on the mind of many as Bryant eclipsed his former teammate in rings, and Bryant climbed another rung on the basketball pyramid. Bryant played until 2016, all of which were with the Lakers. He would go to 18 All-Star Games, 11 First Team All-NBAs and would have a legacy where his name is spoken amongst the best basketball player ever. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2020.
The following are the players who have won the NBA Finals MVP who are eligible for the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame and have not been selected:
Cedric Maxwell, Boston Celtics, 17.7 PPG, 9.5 RPG, 2.8 APG, 0.2 SPG, 1.0 BPG (1981)
Cedric “Cornbread” Maxwell was Boston’s leading scorer in three of Boston’s games, and he stepped up when his teammate, Larry Bird was focused on by Houston’s defense. Maxwell would help the Celtics win the 1984 NBA Championship, and he played until 1988. Maxwell is the first player to win the NBA Finals MVP who never was an All-Star. Eligible Since 1994. Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com
Chauncey Billups, Detroit Pistons, 21.0 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 5.2 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.0 BPG (2004)
The Detroit Pistons five-game series win over Shaq, Kobe and the Lakers will likely be the biggest upset ever in the NBA Finals, and it will always be looked more as the Lakers losing than the Pistons winning. Regardless, Billups was the Point Guard of a very balanced team, and for years, there were GM trying to mimic the Pistons title. Billups would later be named to five All-Star Games, and he went on to play with Denver, New York, and the Los Angeles Clippers before returning to Detroit and retiring in 2004. Billups is the most likely player on the ’04 Championship team to enter the Hall. As of this writing, there are none. Eligible Since 2018. Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com
Let’s update our tally, shall we?
|
Award in Question |
Percentage of recipients who have entered the HOF |
Percentage of recipients by year who have entered the HOF. |
|
NBA MVP |
100% |
100% |
|
NHL Art Ross |
100% |
100% |
|
NBA Finals MVP |
91.3% |
94.9% |
|
NHL Norris |
90.5% |
96.4% |
|
NBA All-Star Game MVP |
89.5% |
91.7% |
|
NHL Conn Smythe |
74.2% |
85.4% |
|
NFL Bert Bell Award |
73.7% |
71.4% |
|
NFL AP Offensive Player of the Year |
73.1% |
79.4% |
|
NFL AP MVP |
68.3% |
74.0% |
|
NHL Lady Byng |
63.8% |
76.0% |
|
NFL Defensive Player of the Year |
60.8% |
71.1% |
|
NFL Super Bowl MVP |
60.6% |
64.9% |
|
NBA Defensive Player of the Year |
58.3% |
56.5% |
|
NHL Vezina |
57.1% |
66.3% |
|
NBA Rookie of the Year |
56.5% |
56.5% |
|
MLB MVP |
55.0% |
60.2% |
|
NFL Pro Bowl MVP |
52.3% |
54.8% |
|
MLB Lou Gehrig Award |
51.9% |
51.9% |
|
MLB Roberto Clemente Award |
47.4% |
47.4% |
|
MLB/NL/AL Cy Young Award |
44.4% |
55.4% |
|
MLB Babe Ruth Award |
37.0% |
39.3% |
|
NHL Frank J. Selke Trophy |
33.3% |
36.7% |
|
MLB World Series MVP |
33.3% |
36.8% |
|
MLB Hutch Award |
33.1% |
33.1% |
|
NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year |
28.6% |
28.6% |
|
NHL Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy |
27.9% |
27.9% |
|
MLB Edgar Martinez Award |
26.7% |
17.2% |
|
MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (Designated Hitter) |
25.0% |
30.8% |
|
MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (Shortstop) |
23.5% |
52.6% |
|
MLB (NL/AL) Gold Glove |
21.7% |
36.8% |
|
NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year |
20.6% |
20.6% |
|
MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (Catcher) |
20.0% |
22.5% |
|
MLB (NL/AL) Gold Glove (Second Base) |
18.8% |
39.8% |
|
MLB (NL/AL) Gold Glove (Shortstop) |
18.2% |
35.1% |
|
MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (Pitcher) |
18.2% |
20.1% |
|
MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (Second Base) |
16.7% |
32.7% |
|
MLB (NL/AL) Gold Glove (Outfield) |
16.7% |
30.1% |
|
MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (Outfield) |
15.7% |
25.2% |
|
MLB (NL/AL) Gold Glove (Third Base) |
14.3% |
14.3% |
|
MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (Third Base) |
13.6% |
14.3% |
|
MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (First Base) |
13.6% |
13.3% |
|
MLB (NL/AL) Rookie of the Year |
13.3% |
13.3% |
|
MLB (NL/AL) Gold Glove (Catcher) |
10.3% |
15.2% |
|
NBA Most Improved Player of the Year |
5.3% |
3.2% |
|
MLB (NL/AL) Gold Glove (First Base) |
3.8% |
3.2% |
|
NFL AP Comeback Player of the Year |
0.0% |
0.0% |
So, who is up next?
The following are the players who have won the NBA Finals MVP in the NBA who have retired but have not met the mandatory years out of the game to qualify for the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame:
Dwyane Wade, Miami Heat, 34.7 PPG, 7.8 RPG, 3.8 APG, 2.7 SPG, 1.0 BPG (2006)
Shaquille O’Neal won his fourth NBA Title, but it was Dwyane Wade who was the star of the show by far in Miami six-game series win over Dallas. This was Wade’s first title, and it was also the first championship for Miami. Years later, Wade was joined by LeBron James and Chris Bosh, and the trio would win two NBA Championships. Wade left Miami for brief runs in Chicago and Cleveland, but he returned appropriately to the Heat to finish his career, retiring in 2019. Over his career, Wade was an All-Star 13 times, and was an All-NBA Selection eight times, with two of them being First Team. Eligible in 2023.
Tony Parker, San Antonio Spurs, 24.5 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 3.3 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.0 BPG (2007)
Tony Parker was not only the first Frenchmen to win the Finals MVP, but also the first European to win it. This season, the Spurs swept LeBron James and he Cleveland Cavaliers and Parker was the leading scorer of the series. Parker was a six-time All-Star, a four-time NBA Champion and he played until 2019, all with the Spurs with the exception of his final year, which was in Charlotte. Eligible in 2023.
Paul Pierce, Boston Celtics, 21.8 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 6.3 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.3 BPG (2008)
Paul Pierce was the star of the Celtics for years but there was only so much he could do. Boston’s fortune changed this year when they added Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen, and they won the NBA Championship by beating Los Angeles in six games. Pierce was a ten-time All-Star, all of which occurring as a Boston Celtic. He was with Boston until 2013, and he finished his career in 2017 after playing for Brooklyn, Washington and the Los Angeles Clippers. Eligible in 2021.
Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas Mavericks, 26.0 PPG, 9.7 RPG, 2.0 APG, 0.7 SPG, 0.7 BPG (2011)
The Dallas Mavericks were not supposed to beat James, Wade and Bosh, but they did, and were led by Dirk Nowitzki, their German star who played his entire career in Dallas. Nowitzki was four years removed from his MVP, and while he was older, he was wiser, and the Mavericks won their first NBA Title. Nowitzki was a 14-time All-Star and a four-time First Team All-NBA player. Eligible in 2023.
The following are the players who have won the NBA Finals MVP who are still active.
LeBron James, Miami Heat, 28.6 PPG, 10.2 RPG, 7.4 APG, 1.6 SPG, 0.4 BPG (2012)
LeBron James finally won the big one, and he did it by taking over as the primary weapon for the Heat, eliminating any doubt between him and his friend, Dwyane Wade. James was Miami’s leading scorer and rebounder and Miami soundly beat Oklahoma City in five. James was also named the MVP for the third time in his career. 35 Years Old, Playing for the Los Angeles Lakers.
LeBron James, Miami Heat, 25.3 PPG, 10.9 RPG, 7.0 APG, 2.3 SPG, 0.9 BPG (2) (2013)
LeBron and the Heat successfully defended their title in a grueling seven-game win over San Antonio. James did it all as he was Miami’s leader in Points, Rebounds, Assists and Steals, and he was also the league MVP. The mileage that James logged this year was staggering but he got the job done. 35 Years Old, Playing for the Los Angeles Lakers.
Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio Spurs, 17.8 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 2.0 APG, 1.6 SPG, 1.2 BPG (2014)
A new star emerged with San Antonio, as Duncan, Parker and Manu Ginobili were getting older but with Kawhi Leonard and a team-first ethic, the Spurs beat the Heat in five. Leonard went on to win two Defensive Player of the Year Awards, and was a First Team All-NBA Selection twice for the Spurs before he became disenchanted with the team. He would be traded to the Toronto Raptors before the 2018-19 season. 28 Years Old, Playing for the Los Angeles Clippers.
Andre Iguodala, Golden State Warriors, 16.3 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 4.0 APG, 1.3 SPG, 0.3 BPG (2015)
This was the first time that an NBA Finals MVP did not start every game, as Andre Iguodala was incredible in his role, though arguably Steph Curry, who outscored Iggy by almost 10 Points per Game could have won it without a backlash. The Warriors won by beating LeBron and the Cavaliers in six. 28 Years Old, Playing for the Los Angeles Clippers.
LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers, 29.7 PPG, 11.3 RPG, 8.9 APG, 2.6 SPG, 2.3 BPG (3) (2016)
As impressive as LeBron was in the 2013 Finals, what James did in 2016 had to feel infinitely more fulfilling. James finally brought the title to Cleveland, and to do so they had to defeat a powerful Golden State Warriors team. In the seven-game series, James led all players in all five major offensive categories. Seriously, how impressive was that? 35 Years Old, Playing for the Los Angeles Lakers.
Kevin Durant, Golden State Warriors, 35.2 PPG, 8.2 RPG, 5.4 APG, 1.0 SPG, 1.6 BPG (2017)
Kevin Durant won the MVP in 2014 with the Oklahoma City Thunder, and he was a perennial All-Star, but he grew frustrated. When he was a free agent in 2016, he jumped to the Golden State Warriors, joining a super team. The Warriors were spectacular, and Durant led his new team to a title, despite many people cheering against KD. 31 Years Old, Playing for the Brooklyn Nets.
Kevin Durant, Golden State Warriors, 28.8 PPG, 10.8 RPG, 7.5 APG, 0.8 SPG, 2.3 BPG (2) (2018)
Durant repeated as NBA Champion and Finals MVP, and the Warriors would obliterate the Cavaliers in a four-game sweep. Durant would be a First Team All-NBA Selection for the sixth time in his career. 31 Years Old, Playing for the Brooklyn Nets.
Kawhi Leonard, Toronto Raptors, 28.5 PPG, 9.8 RPG, 4.2 APG, 2.0 SPG, 1.2 BPG (2) (2019)
The Toronto Raptors rolled the dice, trading their best player, DeMar DeRozan for Kawhi Leonard. It was a huge gamble, as Leonard had only one year left on his contract, and was unlikely to stay in Canada. Leonard only played the one year, but he led the Raptors to their first ever NBA Championship, and he became the first player ever to win the Finals MVP in both conferences. 28 Years Old, Playing for the Los Angeles Clippers.
It should come as no surprise that the Finals MVP yield so many Hall of Famers. Basketball is more star driven sport than the other team sports, and it is where the best have the most opportunity due to minutes logged and the nature of the game.
So, what is up next?
We return to baseball, but it will be a quick one, as we look at the Comeback Player of the Year. That award has only come into existence in 2005, so it won’t be a long read!
As always, we thank you for your support, and look for that soon.
How Real is Willie Beamen?
How Real is Willie Beaman?
In the 2001 season, the once-great American Football team Miami Sharks, had a hard time making it to the AFFA (Associated Football Franchises of America) divisional playoffs. Coached by Tony D’Amato, the 30-year veteran that had seen it all, the team lost its starting quarterback Jack “Cap” Rooney, and second string quarterback Tyler Cherubini due to injuries.
This leaves the desperate Sharks to depend on their third-string QB, University of Houston graduate Willie Beamen. Never doing anything beyond warming the bench, Beamen pukeshis guts out and embarrasses the hell out of the Miami Sharks on the first few games, but then he just gets it and becomes the MVP, star quarterback that carries the team to glory.
You probably figured it out by now, this is the tale of Oliver Stone’s 1999 movie Any Given Sunday. Where Coach D’Amato is played by Al Pacino, Cap Rooney by Dennis Quaid, and rookie-turned-narcissist-starring-QB Willie Beamen is no other than Jamie Foxx.
It’s pretty cool to see the upsets that are taking place during the first games where Beamen is leading the Sharks as starting quarterback. At the beginning bookies wouldn’t give him and his team a chance, and when the movie was made there were no legal sports-betting apps that everyone can use from their mobile phone to place bets. But if it was today, the whole stadium would have pulled out their phones and use their sports-betting app for sure to place bets on the Miami Sharks every time Beaman threw up, as that became is trademark for winning plays.
So how much of this great American sports drama is based on true events? And does Beamen have any truth in him? Or is the Sharks hall-of-fame quarterback totally made up? The story is based on a novel by the same name written by ex NFL Defensive End, and Super Bowl champion Pat Toomay. Selected in the sixth round of the 1970 NFL draft by the Dallas Cowboys, he started an impressive football career which in addition to the Cowboys, included playing for the Buffalo Bills, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Oakland Raiders. Toomay said that the characters are loosely based on actual players.
Although the NFL declined to participate, and supposedly issued a memo to teams suggesting they do not cooperate with the film, Jamie Williams who was the movie’s technical adviser and writer played in the league for 12 years, including playing as a Tight End for the San Francisco 49ers. Many others involved with the movie, other crew or cast, have played professional football at some point in their lives. And most said that Beamen is “very close to the real thing.”
Beaman is supposedly based on several NFL players, including Washington Redskins, Super Bowl XXII MVP Doug Williams, Philadelphia Eagles’ quarterback Randall Cunningham. Many also draw similarities to larger-than-life Defensive Back Deion Sanders who was one of the most interesting and famous players the NFL has seen.
And when asking Jamie Fox who played Beamen, he actually thinks the real-life Beamen is Dallas Cowboys Quarterback Dak Prescott. “He’s the real live Willie Beaman” said Jamie Foxx in an interview. But that may be due to Foxx being a die-hard Cowboys fan.
But if you are into real, non-fictional sports action, now is the time to get into the excitement of sports-betting, casino and poker mobile apps and websites, which are legal in many states in the US including Pennsylvania, Nevada, New Jersey, West Virginia, and many more states that are now in the process of signing legal bills that allow punters to legally download a sportsbook mobile app and place bets online safely and securely.
Diamond Theater: Baseball Movies Through the Eras
Rogers Hornsby, the Hall of Fame second baseman second only to fellow Hall of Famer Ty Cobb in career batting average, once said, "People ask me what I do in the winter when there's no baseball. I tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring." The right-handed slugger, who remains the only player to combine a .400 batting average with 40 or more home runs in the same season (1922, the year he won the first of his two Triple Crowns), also never went to the movies (or read books), claiming that it would harm his eyesight.
- baseball
- movies
- Joe Jackson
- jackie robinson
- alibi ike
- fireman, save my child
- elmer, the great
- it happens every spring
- the babe ruth story
- the pride of the yankees
- the winning team
- ladies' day
- angels in the outfield
- the stratton story
- big leaguer
- the jackie robinson story
- fear strikes out
- The Bad News Bears
- Major League
- eight men out
- Bull Durham
- field of dreams
- A League of Their Own
- Mr Baseball
- mr 3000
- chasing 3000
- the natural
- soul of the game
- 42
- million dollar arm
- Sugar
- trouble with the curve
- 61*
- moneyball
Awards = HOF?: Part Forty-Six: The Art Ross Trophy
We here at Notinhalloffame.com thought it would be fun to take a look at the major awards in North American team sports and see how it translates into Hall of Fame potential.
Needless to say, different awards in different sports yield hall of fame potential. In basketball, the team sport with the least number of players on a roster, the dividend for greatness much higher. In baseball, it is not as much as a great individual season does not have the same impact.
Last time, we looked at the World Series MVP. This time we went back to hockey, and the Art Ross Trophy.
Named after Hockey Hall of Fame player, coach and general manager, Art Ross, the award began in 1947-48, and is awarded to the player who accumulates the most Points in the regular season. Unlike most awards, it is not arbitrary at all, as it based purely on one statistic. Notably, if players tie in Points, the tie-breaker goes to the player with the most Goals.
So how many Art Ross Trophy winners have made the Hockey Hall of Fame?
Let’s find out!
The following are the past players who have won the Art Ross Trophy who are eligible for the Hockey Hall of Fame and have been enshrined.
Elmer Lach, Montreal Canadiens, 30 G, 31 A, 61 P (1948)
How fitting is it that a Montreal player won this award first? Elmer Lach has already won two Stanley Cups for Montreal, and he won the coveted Hart Trophy in 1944-45. This season, he won his only Art Ross Trophy, narrowly beating New York’s Buddy O’Connor by one point. Lach would finish third in Hart Trophy voting, and was a First Team All-Star this season. Lach played for the Habs until 1954, and he would win another Stanley Cup, and earned another First Team All-Star before retiring. He would have 623 career Points. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1966.
Roy Conacher, Chicago Blackhawks, 26 G, 42 A, 68 P (1949)
This was by far the best season of Roy Conacher’s career. As a rookie with the Boston Bruins, he would lead the NHL in Goals (26), and would win the Stanley Cup. He won his second two years later, but individually this was his best year, where had a career-high 68 Points, and the then Blackhawk winger would finish third in Hart Trophy voting and was a First Team All-Star for the first and only time. Conacher played three more years and retired with 427 Points. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1998.
Ted Lindsay, Detroit Red Wings, 22 G, 55 A, 78 P (1950)
This would be Ted Lindsay’s only Art Ross win, with him earning the second First Team All-Star of what would be eight over his career. Finishing seventh in Hart Trophy voting this season, Lindsay would win his first Stanley Cup, and he won three more in the 1950s. Lindsay played until 1960, with another season in 1964-65. He had 851 Points overall in his career. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1966.
Gordie Howe, Detroit Red Wings, 43 G, 43 A, 86 P (1951)
Gordie Howe had already been established as a star in the NHL after having been named a Second Team All-Star the last two seasons, but this year he destroyed everyone in the race for the Art Ross. His 86 Points were 20 more than the second place finisher (Rocket Richard), and he was third in Hart Trophy voting. This was just the beginning of Howe’s association with the Art Ross. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1972.
Gordie Howe, Detroit Red Wings, 47 G, 39 A, 86 P (2) (1952)
Gordie Howe became the first player to repeat as the Art Ross Trophy winner and also the first to win the Hart Trophy in the same season. Howe helped the Red Wings the Stanley Cup, which was second, as he helped them win in 1950. Notably, Howe’s closest competitor was his teammate, Ted Lindsay, who was 17 Points behind. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1972.
Gordie Howe, Detroit Red Wings, 47 G, 39 A, 86 P (3) (1953)
Howe made history again as the first three-time winner, which he accomplished in three straight seasons. Howe again would see his teammate, Ted Lindsay, and this time he led his closest competitor by 24 Points. Howe repeated as the Hart Trophy winner. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1972.
Gordie Howe, Detroit Red Wings, 33 G, 48 A, 81 P (4) (1954)
Another year, and another Art Ross Trophy for Howe, who made it four in a row. Howe again led the Red Wings to another Stanley Cup, and he was again more than ten Points ahead of his nearest competitor, who this year was Rocket Richard who had 67 Points. Howe finished fourth in Hart Trophy voting. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1972.
Bernie Geoffrion, Montreal, 38 G, 37 A, 75 P (1955)
In the province of Quebec, this is the most controversial Art Ross Trophy winner, despite the fact that a member of the Montreal Candiens won it. Bernie Geoffrion beat his teammate, Rocket Richard, by one Point, which he was able to accomplish when Richard was suspended by the league for striking an official. Richard was so popular, that they booed Geoffrion for winning the scoring title and it was Richard who was named a First Team All-Star, and not Geoffrion, who was named to the Second Team. This marked the first time that an Art Ross winner would not be a First Team All-Star. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1972.
Jean Beliveau, Montreal, 47 G, 41 A, 88 P (1956)
Playing his entire career with the Montreal Canadiens, Jean Beliveau won the Art Ross and the Hart Trophy this year. This might have been Beliveau’s only Art Ross, but this was the second First Team All-Star of what would be six. Beliveau would also win the Hart again in 1963-64, and this season he captured the first of his ten Stanley Cups. The Quebecer played until 1971 and retired with 1,219 career Points. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1972.
Gordie Howe, Detroit Red Wings, 44 G, 45 A, 89 P (5) (1957)
Howe would help the Red Wings win another Stanley Cup in 1955, and this season not only did he win his fifth Art Ross Trophy, he won his third Hart Trophy. Howe’s closest competitor was again his teammate, Ted Lindsay, who was only four Points behind. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1972.
Dickie Moore, Montreal Canadiens, 36 G, 48 A, 84 P (1958)
Dickie Moore would also win his only Goal Scoring Title this season, and he was eighth in Hart Trophy voting. Moore also helped Montreal win the Stanley Cup this year. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1974.
Dickie Moore, Montreal Canadiens, 41 G, 55 A, 96 P (2) (1959)
Moore went back-to-back with Art Ross Trophies, and this was also his second (and final) First Team All-Star Selection. Moore again won the Stanley Cup, this being the fourth of what would be six total. Moore played until 1968, where he would accumulate 607 Points. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1974.
Bobby Hull, Chicago Blackhawks, 39 G, 42 A, 91 P (1960)
Bobby Hull narrowly defeated Bronco Horvath of the Boston Bruins by one Point to win his first Art Ross Trophy. “The Golden Jet” was a First Team All-Star for the first time, and he also won his first Goal Scoring Title, and he finished second in Hart Trophy voting. He would help Chicago win the Stanley Cup this season. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1974.
Bernie Geoffrion, Montreal, 50 G, 45 A, 95 P (2) (1961)
This was Geoffrion’s second and last Art Ross, and considering the drama he dealt with in his first one in 1955, this had to feel so much better. Geoffrion did finish ahead of another teammate, Jean Beliveau, by five Points but Habs fans were ok this time. This season, Geoffrion was a First Team All-Star for the only time, and he also captured the Hart Trophy. While Montreal did not win the Stanley Cup this year, he helped them win the previous five. Geoffrion played for Montreal until 1966, and had two final seasons with the New York Rangers. He retired with 822 Points. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1972.
Bobby Hull, Chicago Blackhawks, 39 G, 42 A, 91 P (2) (1962)
For the first time there was a tie in the Points standings, but Hull had 50 Goals to Andy Bathgate’s 28, thus giving the Blackhawk his second Art Ross trophy. Hull was third in Hart Trophy voting this season. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1974.
Gordie Howe, Detroit Red Wings, 38 G, 48 A, 86 P (6) (1963)
This was the last Art Ross of Gordie Howe’s career, and it was also his last Hart Trophy, which coincidentally was also his sixth. Howe defeated Andy Bathgate by five Points for this honor. Overall, he was a 12-time First Team All-Star, and he retired in 1971. He would come back in the WHA in 1973, first with the Houston Aeros, and then the New England Whalers, who became the Hartford Whalers of the NHL in 1979. Howe stayed with the team for their first year in the NHL. He retired with 2,358 combined Points in the NHL/WHA. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1972.
Stan Mikita, Chicago Blackhawks, 39 G, 50 A, 89 P (1964)
Stan Mikita was a First Team All-Star for the third straight year, and he was fifth in Hart Trophy voting in his first Art Ross winning season. While this would not be Mikita’s proverbial breakout season, he was cemented as an elite player. Notably, Mikita won the scoring title by two points over Bobby Hull, his longtime teammate. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1983.
Stan Mikita, Chicago Blackhawks, 28 G, 59 A, 87 P (2) (1965)
Mikita went back-to-back in Art Ross Trophy wins, but he was not named a First Team All-Star, as that would go to Norm Ullman the person who finished second in scoring to him. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1983.
Bobby Hull, Chicago Blackhawks, 39 G, 42 A, 91 P (3) (1966)
Bobby Hull won his third and final Art Ross Trophy and did so the season after he secured his first Hart and only Lady Byng Trophy. This year would see Hull win his second straight Hart. Hull stayed in the NHL until 1972 (and would return in 1980 with the Jets), he was a nine-time First Team All-Star. Hull would join the Winnipeg Jets in 1972, where he stayed during the NHL/WHA merger, and he played nine final games in pro hockey with the Hartford Whalers before retiring. His combined NHL/WHA Points totaled 1,808. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1974.
Stan Mikita, Chicago Blackhawks, 28 G, 59 A, 87 P (3) (1967)
Mikita returned as the scoring leader after Bobby Hull had it the year before, and he was 17 Points ahead of the nearest skater, which was Hull. Mikita swept the major regular season awards with not only the Art Ross, but also the Hart Trophy and the Lady Byng. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1983.
Stan Mikita, Chicago Blackhawks, 28 G, 59 A, 87 P (4) (1968)
This was Mikita’s fourth and final Art Ross, and the second back-to-back for the star. Mikita’s win also marked five consecutive Blackhawks winning the Art Ross. Like the season before, Mikita also won the Hart and Lady Byng. Mikita played until 1980, in a career that was spent entirely with Chicago. He finished his career with 1,467 Points. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1983.
Phil Esposito, Boston Bruins, 49 G, 77 A, 126 P (1969)
As expansion diluted the talent pool, it was only a matter of times before there was a 100 Point Scorer. This season there were three, with Gordie Howe (103), Bobby Hull (107) and this season’s Art Ross Trophy winner, Phil Esposito (126). The Boston Bruin would win his first Hart Trophy and also made his First Team All-Star debut. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1984.
Bobby Orr, Boston Bruins, 33 G, 87 A, 120 P (1970)
What Bobby Orr accomplished this year was unprecedented. This season, Orr became the first, and to date only Defenseman, to win the Art Ross Trophy. It was such a phenomenal year, that Orr would lead the Bruins to a Stanley Cup Championship, and he won the Conn Smythe Award as the playoff MVP. Orr would also win the Norris Trophy and the Hart Trophy this year. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1979.
Phil Esposito, Boston Bruins, 76 G, 76 A, 156 P (2) (1971)
The season before, Esposito, Orr and company took Boston to a Stanley Cup win. They did not win this season, but Esposito shattered the single-season Goal record and his own Points record. Amazingly, he was not the Hart Trophy winner, as that went to Orr (who had 139 Points). Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1984.
Phil Esposito, Boston Bruins, 66 G, 67 A, 133 P (3) (1972)
The Bruins won the Stanley Cup again, with Esposito having a lot to do with their success. Orr repeated as the runner up (117), and he was again the Hart Trophy winner with Esposito coming in at third. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1984.
Phil Esposito, Boston Bruins, 55 G, 75 A, 130 P (4) (1973)
Esposito’s 130 Points were 26 more than Bobby Clarke of Philadelphia, his nearest competitor, and he repeated as the runner-up to the Hart, losing to Clarke. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1984.
Phil Esposito, Boston Bruins, 68 G, 77 A, 145 P (5) (1974)
Esposito became the second player to earn five Art Ross Trophies and the second to have four straight wins. This would be his last Art Ross, and he would also earn his second (and last) Hart Trophy. Esposito would also have his sixth straight and final First Team All-Star this year. He would be traded to the New York Rangers in 1975, and he retired after the 1980-81 Season, ending his career with 1,590 Points. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1984.
Bobby Orr, Boston Bruins, 33 G, 87 A, 120 P (2) (1975)
It took Esposito’s teammate, Bobby Orr, to break his Art Ross streak, and while it did end Esposito’s run, this was the seventh year in a row where a Boston Bruin won the Art Ross. In between his first and second Art Ross Trophy, Orr won another Stanley Cup, another Conn Smythe Trophy, four Norris Trophies and two Hart Trophies. This season, he would win his eighth and final Norris Trophy, and he was already cemented as the greatest Defenseman that ever lived, a mantle he still holds today. Orr played until 1979, and he was fast-tracked into the Hockey Hall that year. He retired at the age of 30, as back issues forced hm out of the game, and Orr would have 915 Points in only 657 career Games. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1979.
Guy Lafleur, Montreal Canadiens, 56 G, 69 A, 125 P (1976)
For the first time in the 1970s, a non-Boston Bruin won the Art Ross Trophy, and it went back to Montreal with Guy Lafleur, who had six more Points than Bobby Clarke of Philadelphia. Lafleur, who had a Stanley Cup in 1973, would win his second this year. He was third in Hart Trophy voting this year. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1988.
Guy Lafleur, Montreal Canadiens, 56 G, 80 A, 136 P (2) (1977)
Two touchdowns of points ahead of Marcel Dionne, Lafleur again won a Stanley Cup Ring with the Canadiens, this time winning the Conn Smythe Trophy. The Quebecois superstar also won the Hart Trophy for the first time. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1988.
Guy Lafleur, Montreal Canadiens, 60 G, 72 A, 132 P (3) (1978)
Lafleur won his third straight Art Ross, and this would be his final time winning the coveted award. This also was his second and last Hart Trophy win, but it was year four of six straight First Team All-Star selections. Montreal again won the Stanley Cup, and captured another the year after making it four straight. He played until 1985, and would retire. That would be short-lived, as he returned as a New York Ranger in 1988, and played two more years after that with the Quebec Nordiques. Lafleur would have 1,353 career Points. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1988.
Bryan Trottier, New York Islanders, 47 G, 87 A, 134 P (1979)
It took a dozen years, but Bryan Trottier became the first player from an expansion team to win the Art Ross Trophy. Trottier beat Marcel Dionne by four Points for the Award, and the Islander would also win the Hart Trophy. Following this win, Trottier would lead New York to four consecutive Stanley Cups. Trottier became a two-time First Team and two-time Second Team All-Star, and he later played for the Pittsburgh Penguins earning two more Stanley Cups. He retired in 1994 with 1,425 career Points. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1997.
Marcel Dionne, Los Angeles Kings, 53 G, 84 A, 137 P (1980)
Marcel Dionne tied Wayne Gretzky of the Edmonton Oilers in Points, but Dionne got the nod for the Art Ross over “The Great One”. Dionne became the first King to win this award, and he was the runner-up for the Hart. Over his career that spanned from 1971 to 1989, Dionne played for Detroit, L.A. and the New York Rangers, and he would have 1,307 Points. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1997.
Wayne Gretzky, Edmonton Oilers, 55 G, 109 A, 164 P (1981)
Wayne Gretzky tied Marcel Dionne in Points the year before, but lost out on the Art Ross due to a goal differential of two. Gretzky did not have to worry about Dionne, who was second with 135 Points, but that was 29 behind the number of the Edmonton Oiler, who set the new benchmark for Points in a season. Gretzky would win his second straight Hart Trophy this season. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1999.
Wayne Gretzky, Edmonton Oilers, 92 G, 120 A, 212 P (2) (1982)
Wayne Gretzky broke so many records this year. First, he shattered his own record with 212 Points, making him the first player to elevate the single-season Points record two years in a row in the Art Ross era. Second, he set the single-season Goal mark with 92. Third, he was the first player to have a 200 Point season. Mike Bossy of the New York Islanders was the closest competitor with 212 Points. Gretzky would again win the Hart, his third in a row. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1999.
Wayne Gretzky, Edmonton Oilers, 80 G, 71 A, 196 P (3) (1983)
Gretzky did it again, destroying any competitor for the Art Ross. His nearest competitor was Peter Stastny, the Nordiques star from Czechoslovakia, who “only” had 124. Gretzky again won the Hart Trophy, but this time his Oilers reached the Stanley Cup Finals, a harbinger of what was to come. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1999.
Wayne Gretzky, Edmonton Oilers, 87 G, 118 A, 205 P (4) (1984)
Gretzky again reached the 200 Point threshold, and it was his teammate, Paul Coffey at 126 Points who was the closest. This year the Oilers broke through by winning the Stanley Cup, and Gretzky again captured the Hart Trophy. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1999.
Wayne Gretzky, Edmonton Oilers, 87 G, 118 A, 205 P (5) (1985)
Gretzky repeated as a Stanley Cup Champion, but this year he would win the Conn Smythe as the playoff MVP. By winning his fifth straight Art Ross Trophy, Gretzky broke the record that was shared by Gordie Howe and Phil Esposito in terms of consecutive Art Ross winners. Gretzky again destroyed his nearest competitor, Jari Kurri, who was also an Oiler. Not surprisingly, he won his sixth consecutive Hart Trophy. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1999.
Wayne Gretzky, Edmonton Oilers, 52 G, 163 A, 215 P (6) (1986)
It was a bittersweet year for Gretzky as he broke his own mark by three Points, and his 215 Points has set a since unbreakable mark. He won the Hart Trophy again, but in the playoffs, the Oilers were upset in the divisional round, and he did not win a Stanley Cup. Gretzky was again much further ahead than his nearest rival, but this year it was Mario Lemieux of the Pittsburgh Penguins, who had 141 Points. This win would also tie Gordie Howe for the most Art Ross Trophies. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1999.
Wayne Gretzky, Edmonton Oilers, 62 G, 121 A, 183 P (7) (1987)
The Edmonton Oilers were back on track, and they won their third Stanley Cup in four years, with Gretzky winning the Conn Smythe. Gretzky set Art Ross history as he broke Howe’s record of six Art Ross trophies, and he did it in seven straight years, also a record. “The Great One” also secured his eighth straight Hart Trophy. Once again, nobody was near Gretzky, as Jari Kurri, who was second, had 108 Points. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1999.
Mario Lemieux, Pittsburgh Penguins, 62 G, 121 A, 183 P (1988)
Gretzky had 149 Points this year, but his Art Ross trophy streak ended at seven when Mario Lemieux bet his total by 19. Lemieux became the first Penguin to win the Art Ross, and this year he also was the first Penguin to win the Hart. As you will see, Lemieux was just getting started! Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1997.
Mario Lemieux, Pittsburgh Penguins, 62 G, 121 A, 183 P (2) (1989)
Lemieux was one Point shy of 200, and his 199 would be a career-high, as he went back-to-back in Art Ross Trophy wins. Despite his 199 Points, Gretzky’s 168 Points for his new team, Los Angeles, was enough to earn him the Hart. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1997.
Wayne Gretzky, Los Angeles Kings, 40 G, 102 A, 142 P (8) (1990)
After two years of not winning the Art Ross, Gretzky returned to the top of the scoring table, but this time it was as a Los Angeles King. Gretzky, who won the Hart Trophy as a King the year before finished fourth this year behind Mark Messier, his former teammate who led his former team, Edmonton, to their fifth Stanley Cup. Messier was second in scoring to Gretzky, 13 behind. As for Lemieux, he had 129 Points in only 59 Games. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1999.
Wayne Gretzky, Los Angeles Kings, 41 G, 122 A, 163 P (9) (1991)
Gretzky went back-to-back again, and he was incredible this season. While he did not win the Hart, he was 32 Points ahead of the one who did win it (and was second), Brett Hull. Hull would however have 86 Goals, well more than twice as much as Gretzky. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1999.
Mario Lemieux, Pittsburgh Penguins, 44 G, 87 A, 131 P (3) (1992)
Mario Lemieux may have only finished fifth in Hart voting, but he won the scoring title only with 64 Games. More importantly, he led the Penguins to their second straight Stanley Cup win. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1997.
Mario Lemieux, Pittsburgh Penguins, 44 G, 87 A, 131 P (4) (1993)
Lemieux’s 160 Points was a dozen more than his nearest competitor, Pat Lafontaine, but Lemieux had his Points in only 60 Games! Despite only playing 60 Games, what he did was so impressive that the Hart Trophy voters could not help but vote for him. Lemieux would also win the Bill Masterton Trophy this season. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1997.
Wayne Gretzky, Los Angeles Kings, 38 G, 92 A, 130 P (10) (1994)
Arguably, his was the end of an era, as this was Gretzky’s tenth and last Art Ross Trophy. Nobody has won this more than the native of Brantford, Ontario, and it is quite likely that nobody ever will. Gretzky did not win the Hart, as that went to Sergei Fedorov, who he beat by 10 Points to win Art Ross. Gretzky actually never received any Hart votes, but he did have nine, which is more than any other player. This season also saw Gretzky win his fourth of what would be five Lady Byng Trophies. He was an eight-time First Team All-Star, a seven-time Second Team All-Star and he retired with 2,857 Points, well more than any other player. As expected, the Hockey Hall relaxed their three-year wait, and he was inducted immediately. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1999.
Mario Lemieux, Pittsburgh Penguins, 69 G, 92 A, 161 P (5) (1996)
Mario Lemieux sat out the entire 1994-95 season due to Hodgkin’s lymphoma. He came back the year after with a vengeance, winning his fifth Art Ross, beating his teammate, Jaromir Jagr by 12 Points. Lemieux would win the Hart Trophy for the third and final time. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1997.
Mario Lemieux, Pittsburgh Penguins, 50 G, 72 A, 122 P (6) (1997)
This was the last Art Ross Trophy win by Mario Lemieux, and he completed it with three two-year runs. His 122 Points was his lowest Point win, but was still 13 Points higher than Teemu Selanne, who was second. Lemieux retired after this year, but came back three years later, but this time as a player/owner, as he bought the team in 1999. He continued to play until 2006, and retired with 1,723 Points. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1997.
Peter Forsberg, Colorado Avalanche, 29 G, 77 A, 106 P (2003)
Peter Forsberg became the first player in Colorado Avalanche franchise history, and the first Swedish player to win the Art Ross. To win the award, he eked out another Swede, Markus Naslund by two Points. Forsberg, who had already won two Stanley Cups with the Avalanche, won the Hart Trophy this season. Forsberg played until 2011, and retired with 885 Points in 708 Games. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2014.
Martin St. Louis, Tampa Bay Lightning, 38 G, 56 A, 94 P (2004)
After two unremarkable seasons with the Calgary Flames, Martin St. Louis became a surprise star with the Tampa Bay Lightning. In the 2003-04 Season, Martin St. Louis won the Art Ross, and also won the Hart Trophy. St. Louis also took the Lightning to their first Stanley Cup this season. He was a First Team All-Star this year, and would be a Second Team All-Star four more times. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2018.
Martin St. Louis, Tampa Bay Lightning, 17 G, 43 A, 60 P (2) (2013)
In the strike-shortened 48-game season, Martin St. Louis’s 60 Points were the lowest ever for an Art Ross winner. St. Louis would only finish ninth in Art Ross voting, but he did win his third Lady Byng this season. St. Louis played until 2015, with two final years in the New York Rangers. He retired with 1,033 Points. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2018.
The following are the players who have won the Art Ross Trophy who are eligible for the Hockey Hall of Fame and have not been selected:
None.
Let’s update our tally, shall we?
|
Award in Question |
Percentage of recipients who have entered the HOF |
Percentage of recipients by year who have entered the HOF. |
|
NBA MVP |
100% |
100% |
|
NHL Art Ross |
100% |
100% |
|
NHL Norris |
90.5% |
96.4% |
|
NBA All Star Game MVP |
89.5% |
91.7% |
|
NHL Conn Smythe |
74.2% |
85.4% |
|
NFL Bert Bell Award |
73.7% |
71.4% |
|
NFL AP Offensive Player of the Year |
73.1% |
79.4% |
|
NFL AP MVP |
68.3% |
74.0% |
|
NHL Lady Byng |
63.8% |
76.0% |
|
NFL Defensive Player of the Year |
60.8% |
71.1% |
|
NFL Super Bowl MVP |
60.6% |
64.9% |
|
NBA Defensive Player of the Year |
58.3% |
56.5% |
|
NHL Vezina |
57.1% |
66.3% |
|
NBA Rookie of the Year |
56.5% |
56.5% |
|
MLB MVP |
55.0% |
60.2% |
|
NFL Pro Bowl MVP |
52.3% |
54.8% |
|
MLB Lou Gehrig Award |
51.9% |
51.9% |
|
MLB Roberto Clemente Award |
47.4% |
47.4% |
|
MLB/NL/AL Cy Young Award |
44.4% |
55.4% |
|
MLB Babe Ruth Award |
37.0% |
39.3% |
|
NHL Frank J. Selke Trophy |
33.3% |
36.7% |
|
MLB World Series MVP |
33.3% |
36.8% |
|
MLB Hutch Award |
33.1% |
33.1% |
|
NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year |
28.6% |
28.6% |
|
NHL Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy |
27.9% |
27.9% |
|
MLB Edgar Martinez Award |
26.7% |
17.2% |
|
MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (Designated Hitter) |
25.0% |
30.8% |
|
MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (Shortstop) |
23.5% |
52.6% |
|
MLB (NL/AL) Gold Glove |
21.7% |
36.8% |
|
NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year |
20.6% |
20.6% |
|
MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (Catcher) |
20.0% |
22.5% |
|
MLB (NL/AL) Gold Glove (Second Base) |
18.8% |
39.8% |
|
MLB (NL/AL) Gold Glove (Shortstop) |
18.2% |
35.1% |
|
MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (Pitcher) |
18.2% |
20.1% |
|
MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (Second Base) |
16.7% |
32.7% |
|
MLB (NL/AL) Gold Glove (Outfield) |
16.7% |
30.1% |
|
MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (Outfield) |
15.7% |
25.2% |
|
MLB (NL/AL) Gold Glove (Third Base) |
14.3% |
14.3% |
|
MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (Third Base) |
13.6% |
14.3% |
|
MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (First Base) |
13.6% |
13.3% |
|
MLB (NL/AL) Rookie of the Year |
13.3% |
13.3% |
|
MLB (NL/AL) Gold Glove (Catcher) |
10.3% |
15.2% |
|
NBA Most Improved Player of the Year |
5.3% |
3.2% |
|
MLB (NL/AL) Gold Glove (First Base) |
3.8% |
3.2% |
|
NFL AP Comeback Player of the Year |
0.0% |
0.0% |
So, who is up next?
The following are the players who have won the Art Ross Trophy in the NHL who have retired but have not met the mandatory years out of the game to qualify for the Hockey Hall of Fame:
Jarome Iginla, Calgary Flames, 52 G, 44 A, 96 P (2002)
This would be the lone Art Ross for Jarome Iginla, and while he never had a 100 Point season, he would not need to in this era. Iginla played most of his career with the Calgary Flames, and he would have 1,095 career Points. Eligible in 2020.
Henrik Sedin, Vancouver Canucks, 52 G, 44 A, 96 P (2010)
Henrik Sedin was the first Vancouver Canuck to win the Art Ross, which he won by besting both Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin by three Points. Sedin would also win the Hart Trophy this year, and he was a First Team All-Star this season, and the one after. Sedin played until 2018, all with Vancouver, and he would retire with 1,070 career Points. Eligible in 2021.
Daniel Sedin, Vancouver Canucks, 41 G, 63 A, 104 P (2011)
There have been players who have won the Art Ross in back-to-back years. There have been different teammates who have won this accolade in two straight years. This is the first time, and we think likely the only time where we will have twins capture the Art Ross in two years. Like his brother, Henrik, Daniel Sedin played his entire career with the Canucks, but he did not win the Hart like his brother as he would finish second to Corey Perry. Sedin played until 2018 and would have 1,041 career Points. Eligible in 2021.
The following are the players who have won the Art Ross Trophy who are still active.
Jaromir Jagr, Pittsburgh Penguins, 32 G, 38 A, 70 P (1995)
This was Jagr’s first Art Ross, and he narrowly beat Eric Lindros to get it. Both stars had 70 Points in this strike-shortened year, but Jagr had three more Goals than Lindros. Lindros would however edge out Jagr for the Hart Trophy. Jagr was a First Team All-Star for the first time, and he had already won two Stanley Cups with Pittsburgh. Historically speaking, this is the first time that a non-Canadian would win the Art Ross. 48 Years Old, Playing in the Czech League.
Jaromir Jagr, Pittsburgh Penguins, 32 G, 38 A, 70 P (2) (1998)
Jagr would also lead the NHL in Assists for the first time this season. The Czech star was a First Team and Second Team All-Star in the two years prior, and this year, it was Peter Forsberg of Colorado who was his closest competitor with 91 Points, and he was second to Dominik Hasek of Buffalo for the Hart. 48 Years Old, Playing in the Czech League.
Jaromir Jagr, Pittsburgh Penguins, 44 G, 83 A, 127 P (3) (1999)
Jagr became the second Penguin to win consecutive Art Ross Trophies, besting Teemu Selanne by 20 Points. Jagr’s 127 Points would be a career-high, and for the first time in his career, he would win the Hart Trophy. 48 Years Old, Playing in the Czech League.
Jaromir Jagr, Pittsburgh Penguins, 42 G, 54 A, 96 P (4) (2000)
The Czech star made it three in a row, and for the first time in a full season in decades we have an Art Ross Trophy winner under 100 Points. Jagr narrowly beat Pavel Bure by two Points, though St. Louis Defenseman, Chris Pronger, beat them both for the Hart. 48 Years Old, Playing in the Czech League.
Jaromir Jagr, Pittsburgh Penguins, 52 G, 69 A, 121 P (5) (2001)
This would be Jagr’s last Art Ross Trophy, and he joined the four in a row club. Jagr was third in Hart voting, behind his teammate (and boss), Mario Lemieux, and Joe Sakic, who won the award, and was only three Points behind Jagr. This would be Jagr’s last season with the Penguins, as he was traded to the Washington Capitals in the offseason. Jagr later played for the New York Rangers, Avangard Omsk of the KHL, Philadelphia, Dallas, Boston, New Jersey, Florida, Calgary, and then the Czech League. In the NHL, Jagr had 1,921 career Points. 48 Years Old, Playing in the Czech League.
Joe Thornton, Boston Bruins & San Jose Sharks, 52 G, 69 A, 121 P (2006)
For the first time in Art Ross Trophy winner was split between two teams. In the season prior, Joe Thornton was the Bruins top star, but management questioned his leadership and the Boston fan base began to turn on him. Furthermore, Thornton was frustrated with the fate of the Bruins, and he needed a change of scenery, which he got 23 games into this season. Thornton’s Art Ross winning 121 Points was split with 33 in Boston and 92 with San Jose. Thornton was only two Points ahead of Jaromir Jagr, who he also edged out for the Hart Trophy this year. Thornton, who was a First Team All-Star, would go on to have two more Second Team All-Stars. 40 Years Old, Playing for the San Jose Sharks.
Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins, 36 G, 84 A, 120 P (2007)
Sidney Crosby became the third Pittsburgh Penguin to win the Art Ross Trophy, and he did so with a six-Point lead over the previous winner, Joe Thornton. “Sid the Kid” was just that, as he was only 19 when the year started, and he was in his second year in the NHL. Crosby also won the Hart Trophy and was a First Team All-Star for the first time in his career. Two years later, he would hoist the Stanley Cup. 32 Years Old, Playing for the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Alexander Ovechkin, Washington Capitals, 65 G, 47 A, 112 P (2008)
Ovechkin became the first Washington Capital and the first Russian to win the Art Ross this year. This was Ovechkin’s third season in hockey, and his third consecutive First Team All-Star, and it was Ovechkin who defeated Sidney Crosby for the Calder. Ovechkin also won the Hart Trophy this year. Since that win, he went to three more First Team All-Stars, won two more Hart Trophies, and led the Capitals to the Stanley Cup in 2018. 32 Years Old, Playing for the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Evgeni Malkin, Pittsburgh Penguins, 35 G, 78 A, 113 P (2009)
Malkin’s win allowed Russian born players to go back-to-back in Art Ross wins, and he became the fourth Penguin to win trophy. Malkin was only three points ahead of Ovechkin for the Art Ross, but was second for the Hart to Ovechkin. This season, Ovechkin, Crosby and the Penguins would win the Stanley Cup. 32 Years Old, Playing for the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Evgeni Malkin, Pittsburgh Penguins, 50 G, 59 A, 109 P (2) (2012)
This season, Malkin won his second Art Ross, but this season, he would win the Hart Trophy. Malkin would lead the Penguins win the 2016 and 2017 Stanley Cups. 32 Years Old, Playing for the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins, 36 G, 68 A, 104 P (2) (2014)
In between Crosby’s first Art Ross and this one, he had won a Stanley Cup, and was a Second Team and First Team All-Star. This season, he was a First Team All-Star again, and also a Hart Trophy winner. Crosby and the Penguins would win the Stanley Cup the next two seasons. 32 Years Old, Playing for the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Jamie Benn, Dallas Stars, 36 G, 68 A, 104 P (2015)
Jamie Benn won the Art Ross by only one Point (edging out John Tavares), and it was done in a season that bookended First Team All-Stars. Benn was a Second Team All-Star this year, and was only 12thin Hart Trophy voting, but he was an Art Ross winner. This would be the first time that Minnesota North Star/Dallas Star won the Art Ross. 30 Years Old, Playing for the Dallas Stars.
Patrick Kane, Chicago Blackhawks, 46 G, 60 A, 106 P (2016)
Patrick Kane already won three Stanley Cups with Chicago, and he was 16 Points ahead of last year’s winner, Jamie Benn. Kane would be a First Team All-Star for the second time, and this season he won the Hart Trophy. 31 Years Old, Playing for the Chicago Blackhawks.
Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers, 30 G, 70 A, 100 P (2017)
Connor McDavid was one of the most highly touted NHL prospects in years, and in his second year, he would win not only the Art Ross but the Hart Trophy as well. He was 11 Points ahead of Sidney Crosby, who was also second in Hart Trophy voting. 23 Years Old, Playing for the Edmonton Oilers.
Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers, 41 G, 67 A, 108 P (2) (2018)
McDavid won his second straight Art Ross, this time with a six-point lead over Claude Giroux. The Oiler was fifth in Hart voting, but did win the Lester B. Pearson Award, which was his also his second in a row. 23 Years Old, Playing for the Edmonton Oilers.
Nikita Kucherov, Tampa Bay Lightning, 41 G, 87 A, 128 P (2019)
Connor McDavid was unable to make it three straight, as he was second, 12 Points behind Nikita Kucherov. Kucherov also won the Hart Trophy, and this was his second consecutive year as a First Team All-Star. 26 Years Old, Playing for the Tampa Bay Lightning.
100 Percent. Every single winner of the Art Ross Trophy has made it to the Hockey Hall of Fame. The Hart Trophy and the Norris Trophy can’t say that. From what we can see, it looks like the Art Ross will be perfect in resulting in Hall of Famers for a long time.
So, what is up next?
We are going to return to the court, and look at the NBA Finals MVP.
As always, we thank you for your support, and look for that soon.
Awards = HOF?: Part Forty-Five: The World Series MVP
We here at Notinhalloffame.com thought it would be fun to take a look at the major awards in North American team sports and see how it translates into Hall of Fame potential.
Needless to say, different awards in different sports yield hall of fame potential. In basketball, the team sport with the least number of players on a roster, the dividend for greatness much higher. In baseball, it is not as much as a great individual season does not have the same impact.
Last time, we looked at the Bert Bell Award. This time we went back to baseball, and the World Series MVP.
The World Series was first played in 1903, but they did not award an MVP of the Fall Classic until 1955. It goes without saying only a great team can win a World Series, but in a seven-game series any player can get on a hot streak.
So how many World Series MVPs have made the Baseball Hall of Fame?
Let’s find out!
The following are the past players who have won the World Series MVP who are eligible for the Baseball Hall of Fame and have been enshrined.
Whitey Ford, New York Yankees, Pitcher (1961)
Based on who won the World Series MVP from 1955 to 1960, we think it safe to day that Whitey Ford will forever be the first chronological World Series MVP to enter the Baseball Hall of Fame. Ford was a career-Yankee who would help the Bronx Bombers win six World Series Titles. In 1961, Ford won the Cy Young Award with a 25-4 record, and in the World Series he won both starts. Ford pitched 14 Innings without allowing a single run, and the Yankees would defeat the Cincinnati Reds in five games. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1974.
Sandy Koufax, Los Angeles Dodgers, Pitcher (1963)
Sandy Koufax was on year two of his second-half of brilliance, and in the regular season he would win the first of five consecutive ERA Titles. In the World Series, his Dodgers were paired against the New York Yankees, and Koufax won both starts. He would throw for 18 Innings with a 1.50 ERA. Los Angeles would sweep New York. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1972.
Bob Gibson, St. Louis Cardinals, Pitcher (1964)
Bob Gibson would do well in 1964 with a 19-12 record, but he was still not yet a superstar. The World Series would change that. He led the St. Louis Cardinals to a win over the New York Yankees where he went 2-1 with 27 Innings and 31 Strikeouts. Gibson would go to the All-Star Game annually from 1965 to 1970 but had plenty left to offer. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1981.
Sandy Koufax, Los Angeles Dodgers, Pitcher (2)(1965)
Koufax became the first player to repeat as the World Series MVP, and doesn’t it seem appropriate? In between his World Series MVPs, Koufax won the Cy Young and MVP. This year, Los Angeles faced the Minnesota Twins and Koufax went 2-1 with a 0.38 ERA. He played two more seasons, winning the Cy Young in both of them. Koufax retired after that with a record of 165-87 and 2,396 Strikeouts. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1972.
Frank Robinson, Baltimore Orioles, Outfield (1966)
The Cincinnati Reds made a colossal error when they traded Frank Robinson to the Baltimore Orioles after 1965 season. Robinson proceeded to have the best year of his life, becoming the first player to win the MVP in both leagues. It got even better, as Robinson led the Orioles to their first World Series, and he would have two Home Runs with a 1.217 OPS in Baltimore’s sweep of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1982.
Bob Gibson, St. Louis Cardinals, Pitcher (2) (1967)
Gibson’s star rose since 1964, and in 1967, he had an even better World Series performance than his first. Gibson pitched three complete games, winning them all, and only allowed three earned runs. His 1.00 ERA was matched with an equally spectacular WHIP of 0.704. Gibson would have a phenomenal 1968 in the “Year of the Pitcher” where he led the National League with a 1.12 ERA and a 0.853 WHIP. He won the Cy Young and MVP that season, and he would play until 1975, ending a career spent entirely with the St. Louis Cardinals. Gibson had a record of 251-174 with 3,117 Strikeouts. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1981.
Brooks Robinson, Baltimore Orioles, Third Base(1970)
Brooks Robinson was already a superstar by this point, as he was already a World Series champion (1966), an MVP (1964), and he was on year 11 of 15 straight All-Star Games. The 16-time Gold Glove winner batted .429 with two Home Runs in the Orioles five-game victory over the Reds. Robinson played his entire career with Baltimore and would accumulate 2,848 Hits, 268 Home Runs and 1,357 Runs Batted In. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1983.
Roberto Clemente, Pittsburgh Pirates, Outfield(1971)
A legend with 3,000 career Hits, Clemente was already a World Series Champion (1960), and an MVP (1966). In 1971, the 15-time All-Star batted .414 with two Home Runs in the Pirates seven-game win over Baltimore. Clemente only played one more season and died shortly after in a plane crash. He was delivering aid to earthquake victims in Nicaragua. He was fast-tracked to the Baseball Hall of Fame the year after. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1973.
Reggie Jackson, Oakland Athletics, Outfield (1973)
Reggie Jackson won the American League MVP this year, and would win the first of what would be four Home Run Titles. In the seven-game win over the New York Mets, Jackson batted .315 with a Home Run, in what was Oakland’s second of three straight World Series Championships. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1993.
Rollie Fingers, Oakland Athletics, Pitcher (1974)
This was the last of three straight Oakland World Series titles, and the future Hall of Fame closer was in the beginning of his turn as an elite closer. In this World Series, Fingers appeared in four Games, won one of them, had two Saves with an ERA of 1.93. Fingers would later win the Cy Young and MVP in 1983 when he was with the Milwaukee Brewers. He would play until 1985 and accumulate 341 Saves over his 17-year career. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1992.
Johnny Bench, Cincinnati Reds, Catcher (1976)
The Catcher of the “Big Red Machine”, was a two-time MVP by this point and had already won two Home Run Titles. In this year’s World Series, Bench batted .533, a 1.667 OPS with two Home Runs and six Runs Batted In. The 14-time All-Star played his entire career with Cincinnati and would collect 2,048 Hits, 389 Home Runs and 1,376 RBIs. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1989.
Reggie Jackson, New York Yankees, Outfield (2)(1977)
This was the first of two straight World Series Championships for the New York Yankees, and it was this year where Reggie Jackson became “Mr. October”. In Game Six of the 1977 World Series, Jackson belted three Home Runs on three first pitches against Dodger hurlers, and that was the clinching game. He would bat .450 with an OPS of 1.792 with five taters. Jackson played until 1987, and would retire with 2,584 Hits, 563 Home Runs, 1,702 RBIs. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1993.
Willie Stargell, Pittsburgh Pirates, First Base (1979)
Winning the MVP this year (though he probably should not have), Willie Stargell did earn both NLCS and World Series MVP. The career-Pirate helped his team defeat Baltimore in seven games with a .400 Batting Average with three Home Runs and seven RBIs. He played 21 seasons and retired in 1982 with 2,232 Hits, 475 Home Runs and 1,540 RBIs. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1988.
Mike Schmidt, Philadelphia Phillies, Third Base (1980)
This season, Mike Schmidt won the first of what would be three MVPs and it was also the year he set career-highs (also league-leading) in Home Runs (48) and Runs Batted In (121). Schmidt also finished first in Slugging Percentage (.624) and OPS (1.004). The Phillies would win his first World Series this year as Schmidt batted .381 with a two Home Runs and seven RBIs. Philadelphia would beat Kansas City in six games. Schmidt played his entire career with the Phils and would retire in 1989. Overall, he would appear in twelve All-Star Games, win six Silver Sluggers, ten Gold Gloves and had 2,234 Hits with 548 Home Runs and 1,595 RBIs. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1995.
Alan Trammell, Detroit Tigers, Shortstop (1984)
This year, Alan Trammell was on his second of what would be six All-Star Games and the Detroit Tigers were an unstoppable team in 1984. In this World Series, Detroit took out the San Diego Padres in five games with Trammell batting .450 with two Home Runs, six RBIs and a 1.300 OPS. He would play his entire career with the Tigers, retiring in 1996 with 2,365 Hits, 185 Home Runs, four Silver Sluggers and three Gold Gloves. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2018.
Jack Morris, Minnesota Twins, Pitcher (1991)
Jack Morris already won a World Series title in 1984 with the Detroit Tigers, but this title was especially sweet. In the 1991 World Series, Morris pitched in three games, winning two games with a 1.17 ERA. In Game 7, Morris pitched a ten-inning shutout to win the Fall Classic for the Twins. Morris went on to win two more World Series Rings with the Toronto Blue Jays. He retired in 1994 with a record of 254 Wins against 186 Losses with 2,478 Strikeouts. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2018.
Paul Molitor, Toronto Blue Jays, Third Base and Designated Hitter (1993)
Paul Molitor was with the Milwaukee Brewers for 15 years before joining the Toronto Blue Jays in 1993, who were the defending World Series Champions. That year, Molitor would go to his fifth All-Star Game, and led the American League in Hits (211) and would bat .332. The Blue Jays returned to the World Series, and in their successful title defense, Molitor batted .500 with two Home Runs, eight RBIs and a 1.571 OPS. Moltor played until 1998, and retired with 3,319 Hits, 234 Home Runs, 1,307 RBIs with a Batting Average of .303. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2004.
Tom Glavine, Atlanta Braves, Pitcher (1995)
The Atlanta Braves were one of the most loaded teams of the 1990s, but it only translated into one World Series win. That was in 1995, and the World Series MVP went to one of the big three, Tom Glavine. He would win the 1991 Cy Young, and later the 1998 Cy Young, and this season was a nice 16-7 year, a 3.08 ERA, and a third place finish in the Cy Young vote. In the World Series, Glavine won both starts and had an ERA of 1.29, a WHIP of 0.714 and 11 Strikeouts. He retired in 2008 with a 305-203 record and 2,607 Strikeouts. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2014.
Mariano Rivera, New York Yankees, Pitcher (1999)
Considered to be the greatest Relief Pitcher of all-time, Mariano Rivera would win five World Series Rings, and was a 13-time All-Star. In the 1999 World Series, Rivera appeared in three games, winning one, saving two, and he did not allow a run. Rivera’s overall post-season record was 8-1, 42 Saves, 0.70 ERA, 0.759 WHIP over 141 Innings. Let that sink in! When Rivera retired, he was the all-time leader in Saves (652), Games Finished (952) and a career WHIP of 1.000. Rivera became the first player to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame with a unanimous vote. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2019.
Derek Jeter, New York Yankees, Shortstop (2000)
Playing his entire career with the New York Yankees, Derek Jeter was not only the leader of the team, but was the most popular player and recognizable player of his day. In the 2000 World Series, he batted .409 with two Home Runs, two RBIs and an OPS of 1.344. Jeter would overall go to 14 All-Star Games, and was a five-time Silver Slugger and five-time Gold Glove winner. He retired in 2014 with 3,465 Hits, 260 Home Runs, 1,311 RBIs and a Batting Average of .310. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2020.
Randy Johnson, Arizona Diamondbacks, Pitcher (co-winner) (2001)
Sharing the World Series MVP with Curt Schilling, Randy Johnson was on the third of four straight Cy Young Awards, one of the most incredible runs of any pitcher in the history of the game. With the Arizona Diamondbacks, Johnson took the team that was still under ten years old to the World Series, and he won three World Series Games with a 1.04 ERA against the Yankees. He also had a WHIP of 0.692 with 19 Strikeouts. Johnson played until 2009, and retired with a record of 202-166 with 4,875 Strikeouts. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2015.
The following are the players who have won the World Series MVP who are eligible for the Baseball Hall of Fame and have not been selected:
Johnny Podres, Brooklyn Dodgers, Pitcher (1955)
The winner of the first World Series MVP, coincided with the only championship that the Dodgers would win in Brooklyn. This was Podres third year in baseball, and he had been an average starter at best. He would win both his starts, including a shutout in Game 7. Over 18 Innings, he had a 1.00 ERA with 10 Strikeouts. Podres would play until 1969, mostly with the Dodgers and he retired with a record of 141-116 with 1,435 Strikeouts. He won two more World Series Rings with the Dodgers after they relocated to Los Angeles. Eligible Since 1975. Podres was on the ballot for three years and finished as high as 0.8% in both 1975 and 1978. Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com
Don Larsen, New York Yankees, Pitcher (1956)
After only lasting 1.2 Innings in Game 2 (though all four runs were unearned due to errors), Larsen came back to throw a perfect game, the only time that this happened in the history of the World Series. The Yankees beat the Dodgers in seven games, and Larsen’s Game 5 meant you could not possibly give the World Series MVP to anyone else. Aside from the most spectacular pitching performance ever, Larsen was an average pitcher at best. The 11 regular season Wins that he had in this regular season, was the most he had, and Larsen would only post 81 Wins against 91 Losses. Eligible Since 1973. Larsen was on the ballot for fifteen years and finished as high as 12.3% in 1979. Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com
Lew Burdette, Milwaukee Braves, Pitcher (1957)
This was the only World Series that the Braves would win while competing in Milwaukee. Burdette, who was an All-Star this year, had a 17-9 regular season record, would win all three of his World Series starts, throwing for 27 Innings with a 0.67 ERA. Burdette would go to a second All-Star Game two years later and would retire in 1967 with a 203-144 record. 179 of those wins were with the Braves. Eligible Since 1973. Burdette was on the ballot for fifteen years and finished as high as 24.1% in 1984. Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com
Bob Turley, New York Yankees, Pitcher (1958)
This was the best season of Bob Turley’s career as he was an All-Star for the third (and final) time, and he would have a career-high 21 Wins. For the regular season, he won the Cy Young, and was the runner-up for the MVP. In the World Series, he lost his first start, but won the next two, aiding the Yankees in their seven-game win over the Milwaukee Braves. In the process, the Yanks became the second team to overcome a 3-1 deficit to win the World Series. It was all downhill for Turley, as he never had another 10 Win season again, and he retired with 101 Wins against 85 Losses. Eligible Since 1969. Although he was eligible, he was not on the ballot. Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.
Larry Sherry, Los Angeles Dodgers, Pitcher (1959)
1959 was Sherry’s second year of an 11-year journeyman career. In the six-game series win over the Chicago White Sox, he appeared in four games, pitched in 12.2 Innings and had a 2-0 record with 2 Saves. He had a 0.71 ERA and a 0.789 WHIP over the Fall Classic. Sherry would have a record of 53-44 with 82 Saves. Eligible Since 1974. Although he was eligible, he was not on the ballot. Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.
Bobby Richardson, New York Yankees, Second Base (1960)
The sixth World Series MVP finally went to a position player, and while it is not a Hall of Famer, it is of course a New York Yankee! Bobby Richardson was already a two-time All-Star, and he would go to five more over his career. Historically speaking, this was also the first, and to date, only player to win the World Series as the member of the losing team. Richardson would bat .367 with 11 Hits in the Series. While the Yanks lost this one, Richardson would win three rings with the team. He retired in 1966 with 1,432 career Hits. Eligible Since 1972. Richardson was on the ballot for three years and finished as high as 2.0% in 1972. Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.
Ralph Terry, New York Yankees, Pitcher (1962)
Ralph Terry would only go to one All-Star Game in his career, which would be 1962. That season, he led the American League in Wins (23) and Innings Pitched (298.2) and was 14thin MVP voting. Terry was on the World Series Title the year before with New York, and in this championship, he went 2-1 with an ERA of 1.80 and WHIP of 0.766. This was the best year he had, and he played until 1967, retiring with a record of 78-59. Eligible Since 1973. Although he was eligible, he was not on the ballot. Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.
Mickey Lolich, Detroit Tigers, Pitcher (1968)
Mickey Lolich had an up and down 1968, and was overshadowed by Denny McClain, who was a 30-Game winner that year. However, in the 1968 World Series, it was Lolich who was the star, winning all three starts with a 1.67 ERA. He would later go to three All-Star Games, and finished his career with a 217-191 record and 2,832 Strikeouts. Eligible Since 1985. Lolich was on the ballot for fifteen years and finished as high as 25.5% in 1988. Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.
Donn Clendenon, New York Mets, First Base (1969)
A very unlikely winner of the World Series MVP, Donn Clendenon was traded midway through the 1969 season from the Montreal Expos and he would platoon at First Base with Ed Kranepool. Clendendon did not even play on the NLCS, but played in four of the five World Series Games where he batted .367 with three Home Runs and four RBIs. He played until 197 and had 1,273 Hits with 159 Home Runs. Eligible Since 1978. Although he was eligible, he was not on the ballot. Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.
Gene Tenace, Oakland Athletics, Catcher (1972)
It was in the 1972 post-season where Gene Tenace finally won the starting Catcher’s job, and in what was the first of three straight World Series wins by Oakland, Tenace was on fire. He would bat .348 with four Home Runs and nine RBIs. He would play until 1983, winning a fourth World Series win with the Cardinals in 1982. Eligible Since 1989. Tenace was on the ballot for one year and finished with 0.2% of the ballot. Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.
Pete Rose, Cincinnati Reds, Third Base (1975)
Pete Rose was at the heart of Cincinnati’s Big Red Machine, and he was already an MVP. In this World Series, Rose and the Reds beat Boston and had a .370 Batting Average with 10 hits with five Walks. Rose would help the Reds win another World Series in 1976, and the first for Philadelphia in 1980. He played until 1986 and would retire as the all-time leader in Hits with 4,256. Eligible Since 1992. Rose was declared ineligible by the Baseball Hall of Fame due to gambling on baseball. Ranked #1A on Notinhalloffame.com.
Bucky Dent, New York Yankees, Shortstop (1978)
Bucky Dent was never known for his hitting, but the three-time All-Star came to life in the 1978 World Series. Prior to that, he hit the Home Run tin the tie-breaker where the Yankees beat the Red Sox to win the AL East. He batted .417 with seven RBIs in the World Series, earning him his second ring, as he was with the Yanks the year before. Dent played until 1984 and retired with 1,114 Hits. Eligible Since 1990. Dent was on the ballot for one year and finished with 0.7% of the ballot. Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.
Ron Cey, Los Angeles Dodgers, Third Base (co-winner) (1981)
For the first and only time in World Series MVP history, there were three co-winners. Prior to this win, Ron Cey was a six-time All-Star, and had already appeared in three World Series for the Dodgers, albeit in losing efforts. This year, he batted .350 with a Home Run and six RBIs. He played until 1987, and had 1,868 Hits and 316 Home Runs when he retired. Eligible Since 1993. Cey was on the ballot for one year and finished with 1.9% of the ballot. Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.
Pedro Guerrero, Los Angeles Dodgers, First Base (co-winner) (1981)
For the first and only time in World Series MVP history, there were three co-winners. This season would see the first of five All-Star years for Pedro Guerrero, and in the World Series, he batted .333 with two Home Runs, seven RBIs and an OPS of 1.179. Eligible Since 1998. Guerrero was on the ballot for one year and finished with 1.3% of the ballot. Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.
Steve Yeager, Los Angeles Dodgers, Catcher (co-winner) (1981)
For the first and only time in World Series MVP history, there were three co-winners. A light hitting Catcher but well-respected handler of pitchers, Steve Yeager had two key Home Runs with a ,286 Batting Average in the World Series. Eligible Since 1998. Yeager was on the ballot for one year and finished with 0.5% of the ballot. Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.
Darrell Porter, St. Louis Cardinals, Catcher (1982)
Darrell Porter had been a four-time All-Star prior to this World Series, and in this season’s Fall Classic, the Catcher batted .286 with one Home Run and five RBIs. Notable, he batted .556 in the NLCS, and won the NLCS MVP that season. He played until 1987, and retired with 1,369 Hits and 188 Home Runs. Eligible Since 1993. Porter was on the ballot for one year but did not receive any votes. Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.
Rick Dempsey, Baltimore Orioles, Catcher (1983)
For the third year in a row, a Catcher won the World Series MVP. Dempsey, who was never known for being a great hitter delivered on this stage with a .385 Batting Average and a Home Run in Baltimore’s five-game Series win over Philadelphia. Dempsey would later win a second World Series Ring with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1988. He played until 1992. Eligible Since 1998. Dempsey was on the ballot for one year and finished with 0.2% of the vote. Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.
Bret Saberhagen, Kansas City Royals, Pitcher (1985)
In his second year in the Majors, Bret Saberhagen won the Cy Young with a 20-6 record and a league-leading 1.056 WHIP. In the World Series win over the Cardinals, he would win both starts and have a stellar 0.50 ERA and 0.667 WHIP. Saberhagen would win his second Cy Young in 1989. The hurler would play until 2001 and retire with a record of 167-117 and 1,715 Strikeouts. Eligible Since 2007. Saberhagen was on the ballot for one year and finished with 1.3% of the vote. Ranked #65 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Ray Knight, New York Mets, Third Base (1986)
While it could be joked that the World Series MVP was really Bill Buckner, Ray Knight had an incredible World Series. He would bat .391 with an OPS of 1.005 with one Home Run and five RBIs. Knight was an All-Star twice and he played until 1988 with 1,311 Hits. Eligible Since 1994. Knight was on the ballot for one year and finished with 0.2% of the vote. Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.
Frank Viola, Minnesota Twins, Pitcher (1987)
Finishing sixth in Cy Young voting this year, Frank Viola ascended to the ace of the Twins pitching staff. In the seven-game World Series win over the St. Louis Cardinals, Viola started three of them and went 2-1 over 19.1 Innings with an ERA of 3.72 and 16 Strikeouts. Viola would win the Cy Young the following season, and he played until 1996, retiring with a record of 176-150. Eligible Since 2002. Viola was on the ballot for one year and finished with 0.4% of the vote. Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.
Orel Hershiser, Los Angeles Dodgers, Pitcher (1988)
Before 1988, Orel Hershiser was already the ace of the Dodgers pitching staff, but he was about to embark on the best season of his career. This year, Hershiser won the Cy Young while leading the National League in Wins (23) and posting an ERA of 2.26 with 178 Strikeouts. Hershiser would win the NLCS MVP, appearing in four games, winning one, and earning an ERA of 1.09. In that World Series, he won both starts against the Oakland A’s winning both games with an ERA of 1.00 and a WHIP of 0.722. Hershiser played until 2000 and would have a record of 204-150 with 2,014 Strikeouts. Eligible Since 2006. Hershiser was on the ballot for two years and finished as high as 11.2% in 2006. Ranked #71 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Dave Stewart, Oakland Athletics, Pitcher (1989)
From 1987 to 1990, Dave Stewart finished in the top four in Cy Young voting, and was the ace of the Oakland staff that went to three straight World Series (1988-90). 1989 was the only one of the three that the A’s would win, and in this year, he would win both starts against the San Francisco Giants with a 1.69 ERA and 14 Strikeouts. Stewart played until 1995, retiring with a 168-129 record and 1,741 Strikeouts. Eligible Since 2002. Stewart was on the ballot for two years and finished as high as 7.4% in 2001. Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.
Jose Rijo, Cincinnati Reds, Pitcher (1990)
Jose Rijo and the Cincinnati Reds would shock Oakland in a four-game sweep in the World Series, and Rijo won both starts, with a phenomenal 0.59 ERA and 14 Strikeouts. The Puerto Rican played until 1995, and after a five-year layoff due to injury, he returned for two years before retiring for good in 2002. He would have a record of 116-91. Eligible Since 2008. Rijo was on the 2001 ballot and received 0.2% of the ballot, and appeared again in 2008, but had no votes that year. Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.
Pat Borders, Toronto Blue Jays, Catcher (1992)
An unlikely World Series MVP, Pat Borders never had a season where he hat over 125 Hits and only had two 100 Hit plus years. Regardless, his bat was on fire in the 1992 World Series where he batted .450 with nine Hits, one Home Run and three RBIs. This would be the first World Series win for the Toronto Blue Jays, and he would help them win it again in 1993. He played until 2006. Eligible Since 2011. Although Borders was Hall of Fame eligible, he was never on the ballot. Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.
John Wetteland, New York Yankees, Pitcher (1996)
John Wetteland played two seasons with the New York Yankees, and this was the second of them. For the first and only time, the closer would lead the league in Saves (43), and he was an All-Star for what would be the first of three times. Wetteland appeared in five games in the ’96 World Series against the Braves, and he would net four Saves with a 2.08 ERA and six Strikeouts. He played until 2000, retiring with 330 Saves. Eligible Since 2006. Wetteland was on the ballot for one year and received 0.8% of the vote. Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.
Livan Hernandez, Miami Marlins, Pitcher (1997)
In Florida’s shocking World Series win, Livan Hernandez was a rookie, who was the runner-up for the Rookie of the Year Award. Hernandez was incredible in the post-season, winning the NLCS MVP (2-0), and he won both his starts in the ’97 World Series against the Cleveland Indians, albeit with a 5.27 ERA. Hernandez played until 2012, and was a two-time All-Star. He finished his career one game over .500, with a record of 178-177. Eligible Since 2018. Hernandez was on the ballot for one year and received 0.2% of the vote. Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.
Scott Brosius, New York Yankees, Third Base (1998)
Scott Brosius became very popular when he arrived in 1998 to New York. This would be his only All-Star year, and in the World Series he batted .471 with two Home Runs and six RBIs. Brosius played for three more years, and retired with two more World Series Rings and 1,001 Hits. Eligible Since 2007. Brosius was on the ballot for one year and but did not receive any votes. Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.
Curt Schilling, Arizona Diamondbacks, Pitcher (co-winner) (2001)
In the regular season, Curt Schilling finished second in Cy Young voting to his teammate, Randy Johnson, which would be the same hurler who he shared the World Series MVP with. In this World Series, Schilling pitched in three games, winning one with an ERA of 1,69 with 26 Strikeouts. He would win two more World Series rings with the Boston Red Sox, and he retired in 2007 with a record of 216-146 with 3,116 Strikeouts. Eligible Since 2013. Schilling has been on the ballot for eight years and has finished as high as 70.0% in 2020. Ranked #5 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Troy Glaus, Anaheim Angels, Third Base (2002)
Troy Glaus was a four-time All-Star, two of which happened before 2002, and two after. In the Angels first World Series win, Glaus batted .385 with an OPS of 1.313. and three Home Runs and eight RBIs. He would play until 2010 and retired with 320 Home Runs. Eligible Since 2016. Glaus was on the ballot for one year and but did not receive any votes. Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.
Josh Beckett, Florida Marlins, Pitcher (2003)
We think it can be safely stated that the Marlins are the most unlikely two-time World Series Champions, but that is sports for you! Their second World Series MVP was Josh Beckett, who was in his third year in the Majors. In this World Series, he would pitch in two Games, going 1-1 with a 1.10 ERA and 19 Strikeouts. A future three-time All-Star, Beckett would later help the Red Sox win the 2007 World Series, and he played until 2014, retiring with a 138-106 record. Eligible Since 2020. Beckett was on the ballot for one year and but did not receive any votes. Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.
Manny Ramirez, Boston Red Sox, Outfield (2004)
One of the huge reasons that the “Curse of the Bambino” was finally eradicated in 2004 was because of Manny Ramirez, who was on year seven of eleven straight All-Star Game appearances. In the four-game sweep of the St. Louis Cardinals, Ramirez batted .412 with a Home Run and four RBIs. His controversial career came to an end in 2011, and would have 2,574 Hits, 555 Home Runs and 1,831 RBIs. Eligible Since 2017. Ramirez has been on the ballot for four years and has finished as high as 28.2% in 2020. Ranked #6 on Notinhalloffame.com.
Jermaine Dye, Chicago White Sox, Outfield (2005)
An All-Star in 2000, and later in 2006, Jermaine Dye would win his first and only World Series ring in 2005 with the Chi-Sox. In the White Sox sweep of the Astros, Dye had a Home Run, three Runs Batted In, and a .438 Batting Average. He played until 2009, and would have 1,779 Hits with 325 Home Runs. Eligible Since 2015. Dye was on the ballot for one year and but did not receive any votes. Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.
David Eckstein, St. Louis Cardinals, Shortstop(2006)
This was the first of two straight All-Star Game years for David Eckstein, and he had already won a World Series Championship with the Anaheim Angels in 2002. Eckstein batted .364 with four RBIs in this World Series, and he played until 2010. Eligible Since 2016. Eckstein was on the ballot for one year and received 0.5% of the vote. Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.
Mike Lowell, Boston Red Sox, Third Base (2007)
Mike Lowell finished fifth in MVP voting this year, which would be the highest he would ever finish. A four-time All-Star, Lowell already had a World Series Ring with the Marlins, and in this World Series sweep over the Colorado Rockies, he would bat .400 with a Home Run with four RBIs. Lowell played until 2010, and he retired with 1,619 Hits and 223 Home Runs. Eligible Since 2016. Lowell was on the ballot for one year and but did not receive any votes. Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.
Hideko Matsui, New York Yankees, Outfield (2009)
Hideki Matsui was already a two-time All-Star, and with his MVP in the 2009 World Series, he became the first Japanese to win the award. In the six-game win over the Philadelphia Phillies, “Godzilla” blasted three Home Runs, had eight RBIs, and had a disgusting Slash Line of .615/.643/1.385, meaning he had an OPS over 2.000. He played in the Majors until 2012. Eligible Since 2018. Matsui was on the ballot for one year and received 0.8% of the vote. Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.
Edgar Renteria, San Francisco Giants, Shortstop (2010)
This was the penultimate season of Edgar Renteria, who was a five-time All-Star, who had previously won a World Series Ring in 1997 as a Florida Marlin. In the 2010 World Series, the Venezuelan Shortstop had two Home Runs, six RBIs and batted .412. Retiring in 2011, Reneteria had 2,327 Hits with 140 Home Runs. He was also a three-time Silver Slugger and twice a Gold Glove winner. Eligible Since 2018. Matsui was on the ballot for one year and received 0.8% of the vote. Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.
Let’s update our tally, shall we?
|
Award in Question |
Percentage of recipients who have entered the HOF |
Percentage of recipients by year who have entered the HOF. |
|
NBA MVP |
100% |
100% |
|
NHL Norris |
90.5% |
96.4% |
|
NBA All Star Game MVP |
89.5% |
91.7% |
|
NHL Conn Smythe |
74.2% |
85.4% |
|
NFL Bert Bell Award |
73.7% |
71.4% |
|
NFL AP Offensive Player of the Year |
73.1% |
79.4% |
|
NFL AP MVP |
68.3% |
74.0% |
|
NHL Lady Byng |
63.8% |
76.0% |
|
NFL Defensive Player of the Year |
60.8% |
71.1% |
|
NFL Super Bowl MVP |
60.6% |
64.9% |
|
NBA Defensive Player of the Year |
58.3% |
56.5% |
|
NHL Vezina |
57.1% |
66.3% |
|
NBA Rookie of the Year |
56.5% |
56.5% |
|
MLB MVP |
55.0% |
60.2% |
|
NFL Pro Bowl MVP |
52.3% |
54.8% |
|
MLB Lou Gehrig Award |
51.9% |
51.9% |
|
MLB Roberto Clemente Award |
47.4% |
47.4% |
|
MLB/NL/AL Cy Young Award |
44.4% |
55.4% |
|
MLB Babe Ruth Award |
37.0% |
39.3% |
|
NHL Frank J. Selke Trophy |
33.3% |
36.7% |
|
MLB World Series MVP |
33.3% |
36.8% |
|
MLB Hutch Award |
33.1% |
33.1% |
|
NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year |
28.6% |
28.6% |
|
NHL Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy |
27.9% |
27.9% |
|
MLB Edgar Martinez Award |
26.7% |
17.2% |
|
MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (Designated Hitter) |
25.0% |
30.8% |
|
MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (Shortstop) |
23.5% |
52.6% |
|
MLB (NL/AL) Gold Glove |
21.7% |
36.8% |
|
NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year |
20.6% |
20.6% |
|
MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (Catcher) |
20.0% |
22.5% |
|
MLB (NL/AL) Gold Glove (Second Base) |
18.8% |
39.8% |
|
MLB (NL/AL) Gold Glove (Shortstop) |
18.2% |
35.1% |
|
MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (Pitcher) |
18.2% |
20.1% |
|
MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (Second Base) |
16.7% |
32.7% |
|
MLB (NL/AL) Gold Glove (Outfield) |
16.7% |
30.1% |
|
MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (Outfield) |
15.7% |
25.2% |
|
MLB (NL/AL) Gold Glove (Third Base) |
14.3% |
14.3% |
|
MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (Third Base) |
13.6% |
14.3% |
|
MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (First Base) |
13.6% |
13.3% |
|
MLB (NL/AL) Rookie of the Year |
13.3% |
13.3% |
|
MLB (NL/AL) Gold Glove (Catcher) |
10.3% |
15.2% |
|
NBA Most Improved Player of the Year |
5.3% |
3.2% |
|
MLB (NL/AL) Gold Glove (First Base) |
3.8% |
3.2% |
|
NFL AP Comeback Player of the Year |
0.0% |
0.0% |
So, who is up next?
The following are the players who have won the World Series MVP in the NFL who have retired but have not met the mandatory years out of the game to qualify for the Baseball Hall of Fame:
David Freese, St. Louis Cardinals, Third Base (2011)
David Freese will mostly be remembered over his career for his 2011 playoffs, where he won both the NLCS MVP and World Series MVP. In Game 6 of the World Series, Freese tied the game to send it into extra innings. In the 11thinning, he homered to win it, and force a Game 7, which the Redbirds won. Overall, in the World Series, he had seven RBIs, the aforementioned Home Run, and a .348 Batting Average. He played until 2019, and had 1,041 Hits. Eligible in 2025.
David Ortiz, Boston Red Sox, Designated Hitter and First Base (2013)
This season would be the ninth of ten of All-Star seasons, for David Ortiz, which would also see him earn his third and final World Series Ring. In the 2013 World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals, Ortiz had the following Slash Line: .688/.760/1.188. Incredible right? He played until 2016, and would end his career with 2,472 Hits, 541 Home Runs, and 1,768 RBIs. Eligible in 2022.
Ben Zobrist, Chicago Cubs, Second Base (2016)
In what Ben Zobrist’s first of four years in Chicago, the Cubs finally broke their curse and won their first World Series in well over a century. In the regular season, Zobrist was an All-Star for the third and final time, and he would win the World Series for the second straight year, as he was with the Royals in 2015. In this World Series, he batted .357 with 10 Hits and two RBIs. He played until 2019 and retired with 1,566 Hits and 167 Home Runs. Eligible in 2025.
Steve Pearce, Boston Red Sox, Outfield (2018)
This was the penultimate year for Steve Pearce, who over 13 years would never have a 100 Hit season. In the 2018 World Series, his bat was on fire with a three Home Run, eight RBI performance with a .333 Batting Average. He would only have 572 Hits over his career. Eligible in 2025.
The following are the players who have won the World Series MVP who are still active.
Cole Hamels, Philadelphia Phillies, Pitcher (2008)
Cole Hamels led the National League in WHIP this year and in the World Series, he pitched two games, going 1-0 with an ERA of 2.77. Hamels also won the NLCS MVP. 35 Years Old, Playing for the Atlanta Braves.
Pablo Sandoval, San Francisco Giants, First Base (2012)
Exceptionally popular, Pablo Sandoval would bat .500 in the four-game sweep over the Detroit Tigers and the “Panda” would have three Home Runs and four RBIs. 33 Years Old, Playing for the San Francisco Giants.
Madison Bumgarner, San Francisco Giants, Pitcher(2014)
Bumgarner was on year two of a four-year run of All-Star Game years, and he would finish fourth in Cy Young voting. In the 2014 playoffs, Bumgarner was on fire winning both the NLCS MVP and the World Series MVP. In the latter, he went 2-0 with a 0.43 ERA, and earned a save in the deciding Game 7 over the Kansas City Royals. 30 Years Old, Playing for the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Salvador Perez, Kansas City Royals, Catcher (2015)
An All-Star for the third straight year, Salvador Perez batted .364 in Kansas City’s five-game World Series win over the New York Mets. He would also have two Doubles and two RBIs. 30 Years Old, Playing for the Kansas City Royals.
George Springer, Houston Astros, Outfield (2017)
This was the breakout year for George Springer, and the breakout for the Houston Astros, who won their first World Series this year. In the seven-game series over the Los Angeles Dodgers, Springer blasted five Home Runs, with seven RBIs, with a .379 Batting Average and an even 1.000 OPS. 30 Years Old, Playing for the Houston Astros.
Stephen Strasburg, Washington Nationals, Pitcher(2018)
In the regular season, Stephen Strasburg led the National League in Wins (18), and was fifth in Cy Young voting. In the World Series, he pitched twice, winning both games with 14 Strikeouts and a 2.51 ERA. 31 Years Old, Playing for the Washington Nationals.
You can’t win the World Series MVP, without making the World Series, and winning teams have stars, average players, and those who seize the moment. The World Series MVP reflects all of those players.
So, what is up next?
We are going to return to the ice, and look at the Art Ross Trophy, which is awarded annually to the player who has the most Points in a season.
As always, we thank you for your support, and look for that soon.
Should Rey Mysterio be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame?
Should Rey Mysterio Be Inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame?
The WWE has, ever since it was founded in 1980, long been the home to a diverse range of different characters, personalities, and styles. However, despite that, you rarely get an athlete who truly captures the heart of the wrestling community. Rey Mysterio is undoubtedly one of the most entertaining competitors that have ever stepped foot in the ring.
Because of that, we think he deserves to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.
A Fan-Friendly Style that Produced Some Iconic Moment
Throughout his career as a professional wrestler for the WWE, Mysterio enjoyed many iconic moments in the ring that are likely to never be forgotten, as his fearless approach to entertainment made him a genuine fan favorite. The now 45-year-old will long be remembered for his lucha libre style that made him a two-time heavyweight champion and, in the process, saw the American-born athlete produce one of the companies most memorable underdog moments.
At WrestleMania 22 in April 2006, Mysterio claimed the title from Kurt Angle in spectacular fashion after unexpectantly defeating the Olympic gold medalist and Randy Orton in a Triple Threat match. Because of his size, Mysterio often went into many of his match-ups as the underdog. However, as demonstrated on numerous title-winning occasions, he more than made up for his lack of height with agility, balance, and speed.
Mysterio is one of few athletes to have ever been on the WWE roster to consistently provide fans with high-flying entertainment, and, as a result of that, established himself as one of the most innovative performersin the history of professional wrestling. This is epitomized by the fact that the mask-wearing wrestler wasted no time in demonstrating his acrobatic style to WWE fans across the globe by leaping from the cageon his debut in a highly-anticipated cage match back in 2002.
The Importance of Promotion in the Entertainment Sector
Because of Mysterio’s style, as a wrestler, he was easy to promote. He was also part of an era that saw many of the sport’s most famous stars enter their peak years, including Shawn Michaels, Triple H, and The Undertaker. The difference with Mysterio, as opposed to other iconic names that have graced the WWE over the last two decades, is that he could promote himself by doing the unexpected when he entered the ring. Generally, he didn’t need a microphone to generate interest in his fights as fans knew what to expect from his all-action style.
Outside of the WWE, promotions have become central to the broader entertainment industry in recent years, with marketing now being essential to the successes of modern-day releases in both the film and music sectors. However, it is not just limited to these, with the iGaming sector also reaching new heights having focused their attentions on incentivizing user participation, with Casino Bonus USpromoting a range of online operators who offer bonus money and non-deposit offers, in addition to deposit lotteries and free spins.
An Icon Worthy of Continued Recognition
Ultimately, Mysterio is a once-in-a-lifetime athlete who will likely not be easy to replace. Although new and emerging professional wrestlers may opt to mirror his high-flying style, the fearlessness of the former WWE champion has resulted in numerous against-the-odds performances, which will live long in the memory.
Who will go into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2021?
Spring is in the air, and that means baseball is back! For our purposes at Notinhalloffame.com, that means we are looking ahead to the Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 2021, which for the first time in years does not have any first ballot nominees who look like they will make it to ballot number two.
We say this with all due respect to Mark Buehrle, Tim Hudson, and Torii Hunter, who are the three biggest names who will debut in 2021. All three were fine baseball players, but it will take an awful lot of surprise votes for any of the three to make the 5% threshold. Throw that fact, and that 22 former players have been elected by the voters over the last seven years, has reduced the backlog that has plagued the ballot for years is now over. This makes the 2021 vote the most opportune one in years for players to gain significant ground and make that Cooperstown run. There are three huge beneficiaries in Curt Schilling, Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens, all of whom exceed 60% last year, and are all in their penultimate year of Hall of Fame eligibility. According to Paruk from SportsBettingDime, it would not be a surprise if the controversial trio enter together in 2021.
Of the three, Schilling has the best chance. The hurler had 70.0 percent, up from last year’s 60.9. The outspoken right-wing thinker has often been critical of the media, and there have been voters who have openly said in the past that it cost him their vote. In the last year, Schilling has been contrite, and if he can do that for another year, the Hall of Fame plaque should come his way.
The cases for Clemens and Bonds are less clear. While a few years ago, the idea of either player enshrined seemed ridiculous, both have inched their way over the 60% threshold. In the past few years, Jeff Bagwell, Mike Piazza and Ivan Rodriguez were voted in, and all three of them had PED whispers over their career. Granted, it was outright kicking and screaming with Clemens and Bonds over their alleged PED use, but the induction of Bagwell, Piazza and I-Rod opened the door. Voters have also voiced their opinion of Bud Selig being voted in by the Veteran’s Committee, as justification to vote for Clemens and Bonds, as it was under Selig where the PED crisis began, and was handled slowly.
A fourth possibility for induction is Omar Vizquel. Considered to be the best defensive infielder of his generation, Vizquel went up nearly 10 percent to 53.6% on his third year of eligibility. The 11-time Gold Glove recipient could potentially shoot up the necessary 21.4% in 2021, but the odds are that his induction speech might have to wait a little longer.
Also look for a strong increase for Scott Rolen (35.3% in 2020) and Todd Helton (29.2% in 2020), though neither receive the necessary votes to enter the Hall in 2021.
Regardless of the outcome, we will be watching!
Taking a Look at Five Future MLS Hall of Famers
While not as widely known as many other sports’ celebrations of its stars in America, soccer has its own Hall of Fame too.
The National Soccer Hall of Fame was founded back in 1979 and set-up at the Toyota Stadium in Texas, where it remains to this day.
A museum was built in Oneonta, New York, to cement the work of the Hall of Fame, and that opened its doors to the public for the first time in 1999.
Numerous stars from Major League Soccer and overseas have made their way into the Hall of Fame, from Bruce Arena to Erik Wynalda and everyone in between.
The highest honor that the HoF bestows is the ‘Medal of Honor’, awarded to those who have ‘demonstrated vision and played a historic role in changing the course of soccer in America.’
So far, the medal has been awarded to three individuals and one team: Alan Rothenberg, the popular former director of U.S. Soccer; Lamar Hunt, co-founder of the NASL; Phil Anschutz, a former owner of six different MLS teams who was vital in the development of soccer-specific stadiums, and finally the U.S. women’s national team, who won the inaugural World Cup in 1991.
The qualification criteria for Hall of Fame entry are clear. The individual must have been retired for at least three years but no longer than ten, won 20 or more caps for the U.S. national team and played at least five seasons in a major American competition, be it the MLS or NWSL.
There are also categories for ‘veterans’, i.e. those who have been retired more than ten years, and ‘builders’, who are individuals that have played a major role in the development of soccer in America in a non-playing capacity.
With these eligibility criteria in mind, let’s try and predict five future entries into the National Soccer Hall of Fame:
Megan Rapinoe
Few individuals of any gender have done more to put U.S. soccer on the world map in the modern era than Megan Rapinoe.
Something of a feminist and LGBT icon, Rapinoe has transcended the sport with her outspoken views on issues ranging from gender equality to politics.
But like all Hall of Famers, she can take care of business out on the turf too. The 34-year-old is a Ballon d’or Feminin winner – the highest award bestowed upon an individual player, as well as a World Cup champion and an Olympic gold medalist.
Landon Donovan
It’s only a matter of time before Landon Donovan is inducted into the Hall of Fame – literally, given that he retired in 2018 and so will be eligible for entry next year.
A six-time MLS Cup winner, Donovan is also a seven-time Best XI selection who enjoyed a fine career outside of America playing for the likes of Everton and Bayern Munich.
He is the joint all-time record goalscorer for the national team, the all-time leader in assists and the second most-capped player.
In short, Donovan enjoyed a phenomenal career that will surely be recognized with an induction into the Hall of Fame in the very near future.
Brian Schmetzer
There are soccer coaches, and then there’s Brian Schmetzer.
Famously employed by the Seattle Sounders after a job interview in a coffee shop back in 2001, Schmetzer has been with the franchise in a variety of roles ever since.
He will be forever remembered for winning two MLS Cups with the Sounders, including last season’s edition, and the fire is still burning strong now with Seattle well-fancied to retain their title according to the football betting at Space Casino market.
Clint Dempsey
In many ways, nobody has blazed a trail greater for U.S. soccer players looking to enjoy a career overseas than Clint Dempsey.
The attacker didn’t enjoy just one season in the English Premier League, he enjoyed seven with Fulham and Tottenham, scoring 57 goals along the way and reaching the Europa League final with the Cottagers.
The joint leading goalscorer for the USMNT alongside Donovan, Clint Dempsey is another ‘shoe in’ for HoF selection when the time is right.
Christian Pulisic
We don’t have a crystal ball, but surely Christian Pulisic is a Hall of Famer in waiting?
It’s a weighty tag to put on a 21-year-old’s shoulders, but Pulisic has already played for two giants of European soccer in Borussia Dortmund and Chelsea – his $73 million transfer to London making him the most expensive American player of all time.
He is the youngest-ever captain of the national team too, and alongside the likes of Tyler Adams, Paxton Pomykal and Antonee Robinson he will be tasked with taking the United States forward in the game.
If Pulisic can, he will no doubt join the other candidates on this list in the National Soccer Hall of Fame.
