People who contributed their time endlessly should never be forgotten. In this age of social media, where people try to get followers and likes, these Hall of Famers only cared about improving the community, whether others knew about it or not. And so their nature of giving through kindness should always be remembered.
Billy Idol, at 70, has not only maintained his relevance in the music scene but has also been recognized with an induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. His performances, including a surprise appearance at Coachella, highlight his ongoing connection with fans and the music industry.
"My heart aches with the loss of Coach Mac, who was so much more than a coach and broadcaster -- he was family. Coach Mac gave so much of himself to this organization over the years, and his passion, loyalty, and love for the Titans never wavered."
Donald Trump does not belong in the wrestling Hall of Fame, he said. He never earned it. You know what I had to do to get into the pro wrestling Hall of Fame? At one point in my career I wrestled 63 consecutive nights in a row. That's how you get into the Hall of Fame.
In just four years, the Dodgers star has won two championships and hit the first and only walk-off grand slam in World Series history. Freeman's Hall of Fame legacy appears destined to be defined by what he has and will accomplish with the Dodgers.
Blue Jays manager John Schneider raved about Scherzer's competitiveness and preparation, and the three-time Cy Young Award winner threw well enough to earn three big starts for Toronto in the postseason -- in Game 4 of the American League Championship Series, when he worked through early-inning trouble to stifle the Seattle lineup, and in Games 3 and 7 of the World Series.
"I don't think about it too much because it's an individual accolade, and I know this is a team sport. I just know that it [would] help my case a little bit. I always wanted that, though," Diggs told reporters this week when asked about his desire to become a Hall of Famer. "I'm never gonna shun or run away from wanting to be a Hall of Famer or wanting to be a guy that played this game and be respected, so I don't run from that. But I know this would help your case a little bit."
For Encarnación it was going to be tough to make an argument for why he should be a hall of famer. He had a lot of really good seasons, but never had one of those all-time great stretches, although between 2012 and 2019 he hit 297 home runs, had an OPS of .892 and and OPS+ of 138. He was worth 29.1 bWAR while playing with the Blue Jays, Cleveland Guardians, New York Yankees and Seattle Mariners over that run.
It's time one of the all-time greats of the Toronto Blue Jays franchise got his flowers. Carlos Delgado is a Hall of Famer, no doubt about it. But for whatever reason the voters just keep making the same mistakes and not bestowing said honor on Delgado. However, after Tuesday night's Hall of Fame vote, perhaps there is now finally a pathway and a willingness to right this wrong.
Mets legend David Wright's Hall-of-Fame credentials had been pretty cut and dry. When healthy, he was on a fast track to Cooperstown, but spinal stenosis derailed his career during his age-32 season in 2015, relegating him to one of the more prominent what ifs? in recent baseball history. Yet the Baseball Writers' Association of America (BBWAA) appears to be taking his entire journey, and just how good he was during his peak years, into consideration, which surprisingly bodes well for potential enshrinement down the road.
Anyone who receives 75% of the vote or more will join second baseman Jeff Kent as part of the 2026 Hall of Fame class. This year's class of newcomers to the ballot is headlined by southpaw Cole Hamels, though the lefty won't be inducted on his first ballot. Outfielder Manny Ramirez is entering his final year on the ballot and will surely miss out on induction due to PED usage during his career, as steroid era legends like Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens have before him.
A year ago, I wrote of the 2025 candidates for the Hall of Fame, "This year's ballot is probably the weakest since the early 2000s." Well, the 2026 edition is probably even weaker. The 2025 ballot at least featured newcomers Ichiro Suzuki and CC Sabathia, who were elected along with Billy Wagner. Pitcher Cole Hamels is the only newcomer to the ballot in 2026 with more than 50 career WAR.
The Braves likely remain involved in many of the conversations focusing on adding a starting pitcher. And with the added bonus of not having traded away any prospects to feel their offseason needs, they could always pivot to the trade market as well. The good thing is that many avenues remain available for the Braves to strengthen their already strong rotation, even if it could into the new year when the move finally occurs.
Pat LaFontaine has waited long enough - and New York Islanders fans have waited right along with him. On Saturday afternoon at UBS Arena, one of the most electrifying, beloved, and downright iconic players ever to wear the Islanders crest will finally take his rightful place in the Islanders Hall of Fame. And let's be honest: this honor is long overdue. Hall of Famer. Franchise pillar. Face of an era. Pat LaFontaine has been all of that and more.
This isn't the only notable piece of news that Mattingly has been involved with this off-season. Shortly after the Blue Jays' defeat at the hands of the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series, Mattingly departed from the team. Moreover, Mattingly was one of a handful of players up for a Hall of Fame nomination via the Contemporary Era committee. Unfortunately, he fell six votes shy of getting in, while former Blue Jay Carlos Delgado missed by three votes.
