Kirk Buchner and Chris Mouradian are back on the Sports Elevator to look at who, in the last 30 days, made their Hall of Fame case go up in the elevator or pressed the button going down!This month, they dissect the Pro Football Hall of Fame semifinalists, debating whether a first-ballot semifinalist nod is Philip Rivers' biggest victory. In hockey, two stars cement their cases by hitting the 1,000-point milestone. On the baseball side, they analyze the MVP vote results, including "The Big Dumper" Cal Raleigh's record-setting season at catcherPlus, the hosts break down everything wrong with today's NBA, from flopping and the lack of physicality to the utterly forgettable NBA Cup.0:04:21 The biggest winner among Pro Football Hall of Fame semifinalists (Philip Rivers) 0:08:53 Brad Marchand's 1,000th career point cements his Hockey Hall of Fame legacy 0:14:29 Cal Raleigh's historic season and the controversy of "The Big Dumper" nickname 0:37:33 NBA Twitter drama (PJ Washington/Brittney Renner) and the useless NBA Cup 0:40:40 The decline of the NBA: Too many threes and the death of physicality 0:49:39 Ricky Watters' Hall of Fame case falls off the ballot after 20 years 0:55:03 The quarterback logjam: How the upcoming QB classes hurt Philip Rivers and Eli Manning 1:00:51 Barry Bonds and other players with "suspicious backgrounds" on the Veterans Committee ballot If you want to know who is Not In Hall of Fame, hit the like button, subscribe to the channel, and share this with a fellow sports fan!Don't miss our upcoming episodes, including the Baseball Roundtable and the announcement of the latest inductees for the United States Athletics Hall of Fame. #SportsHallofFame #ProFootballHallofFame #HOF #PhilipRivers #EliManning #BradMarchand #NikitaKucherov #CalRaleigh #JoseRamirez #MLB #NHL #NFL #NBA #NBACup #RickyWatters #BarryBonds #SportsPodcast #NotInHallofFame

Kirk Buchner (NotInHallOfFame.com) and Robert Dobek dive into the dark shadow the MLB's PED Era cast over some of the game's cleanest and best players. They analyze the careers of superstars who were not implicated in the Mitchell Report or any other scandal, arguing their Hall of Fame cases were wrongfully overshadowed by the inflated numbers of their juiced-up peers.From a fiery Yankees legend to a small-market OBP machine, you’ll never look at the late 90s/early 2000s the same way!In this episode, we discuss:-How players like Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens created an unfair standard for greatness.-The surprising Hall of Fame-level statistics of players who never got the credit they deserved.-The argument that a player's OPS+ should outweigh their career hit totals.00:02:22 Why Paul O'Neill's Hall of Fame Case Was Lost in the Steroid Era00:04:14 Comparing O'Neill's WAR to Hall of Famers Kirby Puckett and Ryne Sandberg00:08:42 Brian Giles: A Career OPS+ Better Than Duke Snider and Andre Dawson00:11:45 How the Sosa/McGwire Chase Overshadowed Giles' MVP-Caliber Peak00:14:48 The Case for Shawn Green: One of the Era's Most Productive Right Fielders00:20:45 The Small-Market OBP King: Tim Salmon’s Statistics vs. Tony Gwynn and Rod Carew00:26:00 Bernie Williams: Is the Yankees Center Fielder a Hall of Very Good Player?00:28:44 Todd Helton and the "Coors Field Effect" Bias00:31:30 Paul O'Neill's Impact: The Trade that Sparked the Yankees Dynasty00:34:26 Final Thoughts: Why We Need to Revisit the Overshadowed Stars👍 LIKE this video if you think these players belong in the Hall of Fame!🔔 SUBSCRIBE for more episodes of The Buck Stops Here podcast!💬 COMMENT below: Which "Clean" player from the PED Era was the most overlooked?Check out more from the hosts:The United States Hall of Fame: www.theusahof.comKirk Buchner: NotInHallOfFame.com#MLBHallOfFame #SteroidEra #MitchellReport #PaulONeill #BrianGiles #TimSalmon #ShawnGreen #BernieWilliams #BaseballHistory #MLB #TheBuckStopsHere #Podcast #NotInHallOfFame

Kirk Buchner and Evan Nolan return for Season 6, Episode 15 of The Buck Stops Here to break down the latest news from around the Hall of Fame world!Evan is back in action after a big exam and dives right into the controversial Pro Football Hall of Fame semi-finalists list, discussing first-ballot shoo-ins like Drew Brees and Larry Fitzgerald, the surprising inclusion of Kevin Williams, and the offensive line clog. They also update the Hall of Fame Draft with Roger Federer's unsurprising entry into the Tennis Hall of Fame and recap the latest inductees into the International Toy Hall of Fame.Later, they break down the ongoing vote for the United States Athletic Hall of Fame and talk about a Baseball Hall of Fame candidate who survived the writers' ballot. The show finishes with a look at the tragic story of NBA star Michael Ray Richardson and a retrospective on the NFL career of Seahawks legend Kenny Easley.00:00:34 | Intro: Season 6, Episode 15 with Kirk Buchner and the return of Evan Nolan.00:01:18 | Update on the United States Athletic Hall of Fame voting, noting the highly competitive contributor and coach categories.00:04:27 | Diving deep into the Pro Football Hall of Fame semifinalists.00:06:19 | Discussing first-ballot expectations for Drew Brees and Larry Fitzgerald.00:07:49 | Kevin Williams makes the list for the first time.00:11:32 | Critiquing the flawed PFHOF voting system and the wide receiver backlog.00:16:19 | A discussion on the pettiness that could keep Bill Belichick out of the Hall of Fame.00:17:33 | Hall of Fame Draft Update: Roger Federer's "slam dunk" induction into the Tennis HOF.00:21:52 | Guessing the newest inductees into the International Toy Hall of Fame.00:30:52 | Baseball HOF: The case for Carlos Beltran and Dustin Pedroia.00:45:52 | Hall of Fame of Shame: Analyzing the tragic, drug-destroyed career of NBA All-Star Michael Ray Richardson.01:02:18 | Paul Tagliabue's forgotten political impact, including saving the Saints after Hurricane Katrina.01:04:22 | A look back at the vicious hitting and surprise Hall of Fame induction of Seattle Seahawks safety Kenny Easley.01:12:21 | Kirk mentions recruiting an actual Pro Football Hall of Fame elector for their committee.Don't forget to cast your vote for the United States Athletic Hall of Fame at https://www.theUSAHOF.com ! Want to help us induct more deserving people? We are currently recruiting more members for our blue ribbon committee, including a Pro Football Hall of Fame elector, so visit theusahof.com to learn how you can join.#HOF #HallOfFameShow #ProFootballHallOfFame #PFHOF #DrewBrees #LarryFitzgerald #KevinWilliams #RogerFederer #TennisHOF #ToyHallOfFame #BaseballHOF #NFL #Podcast #NotInHallOfFame #BuckStopsHere

Kirk Buchner and Paul Lawrence sit down to break down the newly announced 26 semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026.In this episode, the guys go position-by-position to analyze who made the cut, who got snubbed, and who is facing a "logjam" at their position. They discuss the difficult path for Philip Rivers compared to Eli Manning, the surprising omission of Ricky Waters, and why Kevin Williams is finally getting his due.Plus, they take a deep dive into the Senior, Coach, and Contributor pools—predicting how the committee might handle heavy hitters like Bill Belichick and Robert Kraft against deserving seniors like Roger Craig and Joe Jacoby.In this episode:Quarterbacks: Is Drew Brees the only lock?Running Backs: The "Compiler" argument against Frank Gore.Wide Receivers: How Larry Fitzgerald impacts Torry Holt and Reggie Wayne.The Trenches: The rise of Willie Anderson and the return of the "Williams Wall."Seniors: Will the committee use "sacrificial lambs" to get a specific candidate in?00:00:00 – Intro & The "Fictitious" Athlete Hall of Fame update.00:01:00 – Shedeur Sanders, the Browns, and the "Legendary" hype.00:03:00 – Quarterbacks: Drew Brees is a lock, but does Philip Rivers have a chance against Eli Manning?.00:08:00 – Running Backs: The shocking snub of Ricky Waters and the Frank Gore "compiler" debate.00:16:00 – Wide Receivers: Larry Fitzgerald enters the chat; the Hines Ward "20 for 20" prediction.00:20:00 – Tight Ends: Jason Witten’s first-ballot chances vs. the Antonio Gates precedent.00:24:00 – Offensive Line: Steve Wisniewski’s final year of eligibility and the rise of Willie Anderson.00:31:00 – Defensive Line: Kevin Williams (The Williams Wall) finally gets respect.00:35:00 – Linebackers: Luke Kuechly: Is he a lock for the final 7?.00:38:00 – Defensive Backs: Earl Thomas’s character concerns & the safety logjam.00:41:00 – Special Teams: Adam Vinatieri’s waiting game.00:45:00 – The Senior Committee Strategy: Using "pawns" to ensure specific candidates get elected?.00:50:00 – Coach & Contributor: The likelihood of Bill Belichick and Robert Kraft dominating the ballot.00:53:00 – Senior Candidates: Breaking down Roger Craig, Joe Jacoby, and the 49ers/Steelers representation.01:00:00 – Upcoming timeline for Finalist announcements and the vote.Which snub surprised you the most: Ricky Waters falling off the ballot or the continued wait for Sterling Sharpe? Let us know your "Class of 2026" predictions in the comments below! 👇#NFL #ProFootballHOF #HallOfFame #DrewBrees #EliManning #FrankGore #NFLHistory #FootballPodcast #TheBuckStopsHere #LukeKuechly #Steelers #Cowboys #49ers

Welcome back to a special episode of The Buck Stops Here! Kirk Buchner and Rob the Yankee (Robert Dobek) are on the show to talk baseball and draft their ultimate All-1990s Major League Baseball team, position by position. The hosts dive deep into the differences between 90s hitters and the modern game, with the minimum expectation of a starter being seven innings back then.In this episode, they break down:Catcher: The tough battle between Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez and Mike Piazza, with defense being the deciding factor. First Base: Debating whether Frank Thomas (The Big Hurt) or Jeff Bagwell deserves the nod, considering Frank Thomas's argument as the best all-around hitter in the 90s.Second Base: The no-brainer choice of Roberto Alomar. Shortstop: Cal Ripken Jr. vs. Barry Larkin, and whether games played should outweigh a great prime. Third Base: Why Matt Williams gets the pick over Chipper Jones for the decade. Outfield: Easy selections like Barry Bonds (pre-juicing era dominance) and Ken Griffey Jr., and the debate for the final spot between Tony Gwynn and Albert Belle. They even discuss Tony Gwynn's innovative use of video to study his at-bats.You'll hear the hosts' final All-90s lineups, and get a sneak peek at their next potential debate: an All-Time Yankees team vs. an All-Time Blue Jays team.00:01:14 Comparing 90s hitters to modern MLB and the expectation of a starter going seven innings00:04:12 The Catcher Debate: Ivan Rodriguez vs. Mike Piazza, and defense as the deciding factor00:06:36 The First Base Pick: Frank Thomas vs. Jeff Bagwell00:09:56 The easiest choice of the lineup: Roberto Alomar at second base00:11:44 Shortstop Showdown: Cal Ripken Jr. vs. Barry Larkin, and the weight of "games played"00:14:51 Why Matt Williams gets the pick over Chipper Jones for the decade at third base00:17:47 Locking in Barry Bonds (pre-juicing era dominance) and Ken Griffey Jr. in the Outfield00:19:45 Why Tony Gwynn gets the final Outfield spot (contact vs. power)00:22:49 Tony Gwynn's groundbreaking use of video to analyze his swing00:33:03 Kirk and Rob reveal their final All-90s Lineups00:34:45 Teasing a future debate: Could the Yankees' second all-time team win a championship?00:36:44 Robert asks Kirk for his "Franchise Four" for the Toronto Blue Jays00:38:03 Kirk names his Blue Jays Franchise Four: Stieb, Halladay, Bautista, Delgado00:42:08 Discussion on Blue Jays pitcher Alex Manoah and whether the team should "cut bait"00:44:09 Podcast hosts' closing remarks and final thoughtWho made your All-90s team that we missed? Let us know your favorite 90s players and your full lineup in the comments!If you enjoyed the debate, please Like this video, Subscribe to The Buck Stops Here for more special episodes, and hit the Notification Bell so you never miss a new episode! Make today count, because it never comes again!#MLB #Baseball #All90sTeam #90sBaseball #IvanRodriguez #Pudge #MikePiazza #FrankThomas #JeffBagwell #RobertoAlomar #CalRipkenJr #BarryLarkin #ChipperJones #TonyGwynn #KenGriffeyJr #BarryBonds #Podcast #TheBuckStopsHere

In this special episode of The Buck Stops Here, Kirk Buchner and special guest Robert Dobek discuss the most pressing question in baseball: Which active players are already Hall of Fame worthy?They debate which current superstars have built a Cooperstown-worthy career if they retired today, regardless of service time or eligibility.From the incomparable unicorn Shohei Ohtani to the dominant trio of Cy Young winners (Kershaw, Verlander, Scherzer), Kirk and Rob break down the stats, awards, and narratives that make these active players future first-ballot inductees.Key Topics Discussed:• Is Shohei Ohtani a Hall of Famer before reaching the 10-year requirement? • The tragic career of Mike Trout on the Angels • The case for Freddie Freeman as the best all-around hitter of the last five years • Why Mookie Betts' willingness to play multiple positions earns him huge respect • The controversial take that Clayton Kershaw is the best Dodger of all time • The legacy of the Astros' engine, Jose Altuve • Is Bryce Harper built for the big moments and the postseason? 00:02:41 The Hall of Fame criteria: Discussing active players whose careers end today 00:04:04 Shohei Ohtani: Three MVPs and the 10-year service time hurdle 00:07:23 Mike Trout: Three MVPs and why injuries and the Angels organization have hurt his legacy 00:10:37 Freddie Freeman: MVP, postseason prowess, and his standing among first basemen 00:12:45 Mookie Betts: The defensive genius and versatile player who the Red Sox let go 00:15:37 Clayton Kershaw: Three Cy Youngs, 3,000 strikeouts, and the controversial "Best Dodger Ever" take 00:20:05 Justin Verlander: His dominance, MVP, and reinventing himself later in his career 00:22:15 Jose Altuve: The heart of the Astros and the debate around his place in history 00:26:13 Paul Goldschmidt: The case for the power hitter and great fielder 00:30:40 Max Scherzer: Completing the legendary Cy Young trio 00:39:27 Bryce Harper: Two MVPs and being "built for the big game" 00:44:38 Salvador Perez: A position player argument based on positional rarity (catcher) and longevity 00:50:22 Wrap-up and Next Episode Idea: A discussion on the Hockey Hall of Fame #MLB #BaseballHallofFame #Cooperstown #ShoheiOhtani #MikeTrout #MookieBetts #ClaytonKershaw #JustinVerlander #JoseAltuve #FreddieFreeman #MaxScherzer #BryceHarper #BaseballPodcast #TheBuckStopsHere #ActiveHOFCandidates #BaseballPicks #Dodgers #Astros #Angels• What active player did we miss? Drop your full top 10 list below and let us know!• Hit the like button if you agree with any of these picks, and subscribe to The Buck Stops Here for more in-depth Hall of Fame discussions across all sports!• Be sure to follow Robert Dobek for more of his insights and great baseball picks!

In this October edition of the Sports Elevator from Not in Hall of Fame, Kirk Buchner and Chris Mouradian debate which athletes and coaches are rising, falling, or stalling in their Hall of Fame trajectories. From Mookie Betts’ postseason stumble to Dave Roberts’ managerial mastery, Keenan Allen’s milestone, and Ja Morant’s off-court spiral, the hosts deliver sharp takes across MLB, NFL, and NBA.Plus: a final push to vote for the United States Athletic Hall of Fame—no email required, just your picks.🔔 Subscribe for monthly Hall of Fame debates, milestone breakdowns, and sports history deep dives.🗳️ Vote for the USA Athletic Hall of Fame: https://www.theusahof.comDrop your picks in the comments: who’s trending up or down in your Hall of Fame elevator? Like, subscribe, and vote at theusahof.com—no email, no hassle, just your voice.#SportsElevator #HallOfFameDebate #MookieBetts #DaveRoberts #KeenanAllen #JustinTucker #DavanteAdams #NickBosa #SaquonBarkley #JaMorant #NotInHallOfFame #USAHoF #MLB #NFL #NBA #SportsPodcast #SportsHistory #KirkBuchner #ChrisMouradian

In this special episode of The Buck Stops Here, host Kirk Buchner is joined by Hall of Fame process guru Paul Lawrence to break down the latest Pro Football Hall of Fame cutdowns. From shocking quarterback omissions to the curious disappearance of Lester Hayes from the senior pool, Kirk and Paul dissect the modern, senior, and contributor categories with insight, candor, and a touch of reverence.They also reflect on the legacy of Nick Mangold following his untimely passing and explore how emotional timing can influence Hall of Fame voting. With transparency improving and ballots evolving, this episode is a must-watch for fans of football history, Hall of Fame politics, and the art of sports storytelling.🔔 Voting for the United States Athletics Hall of Fame has been extended—cast your vote now at theusahof.com!| **00:00:34 – 00:02:24** | **Introduction & Hall of Fame Overview:** Kirk Buchner introduces Paul Lawrence and announces record-breaking voting for the United States Athletics Hall of Fame. He highlights the expanded balance across athletes, coaches, and contributors, and names fellow experts involved in shaping the ballot. || **00:02:24 – 00:04:17** | **Pro Football Hall of Fame Process:** They shift to the PFHOF cutdowns, praising the Hall’s increased transparency. Paul outlines the multi-stage voting process from October through the Super Bowl, including press releases and committee timelines. || **00:04:17 – 00:21:26** | **Modern-Era Cuts Discussion:** They react to the reduction to 52 candidates. Notable omissions include Randall Cunningham, Donovan McNabb, Sean Alexander, Tiki Barber, Geno Atkins, Lance Briggs, and Eric Berry. They discuss Nick Mangold’s advancement and how a player’s death may influence voting. Charles Tillman’s inclusion is noted as a pleasant surprise. || **00:21:26 – 00:32:04** | **Senior Cuts Discussion:** The senior pool is trimmed from 52 to 34. Paul explains the role of the rotating nine-member Blue Ribbon Panel. They express shock over Lester Hayes being excluded despite being a finalist the previous year, and compare his résumé to Everson Walls. || **00:32:04 – 00:46:37** | **Mock Voting & Contributor Category:** Kirk discusses voting volatility in his alternate Hall of Fame project. They briefly touch on contributor voting, noting that only one finalist will be chosen. While not deeply explored here, they mention how committee rotation and voter psychology affect outcomes. || **00:46:37 – 00:49:59** | **Wrap-up & Next Steps:** They preview the next PFHOF update expected around American Thanksgiving, when semifinalists will be announced. The episode closes with reflections on football traditions and the emotional weight of Hall of Fame recognition. |#ProFootballHOF #HallOfFameSnubs #NFLHistory #NickMangold #LesterHayes #RandallCunningham #EricBerry #BuckStopsHere #SportsPodcast #FootballLegends #USAthleticsHOF #NotInHallOfFame #HOFVoting #NFL2025 #SeniorCommittee #ModernEraCutsIf you're passionate about sports history and Hall of Fame justice, hit that 👍 like button, subscribe for more deep dives, and drop a comment with your biggest snub or surprise from this year’s Hall of Fame cuts. And don’t forget—your vote matters! Head to theusahof.com to help shape the next class of the United States Athletics Hall of Fame.

NFL historian and Hall of Fame selector Rick Gosselin joins Kirk Buchner and Chris Mouradian for a deep dive into his new book The Team That History Forgot, chronicling the overlooked greatness of the AFL-era Kansas City Chiefs. From Lamar Hunt’s founding vision to Super Bowl redemption, Gosselin shares rare interviews, untold stories, and candid reflections on the Hall of Fame’s senior selection process.📘 Learn about:• The Chiefs’ revenge tour after Super Bowl I• Forgotten legends like Abner Haynes and Jim Tyrer• The politics of Hall of Fame voting• Why the AFL deserves more respect🔔 Subscribe for more sports history, Hall of Fame debates, and exclusive interviews.• 00:00:34 – Introduction: Rick Gosselin joins the show• 00:01:32 – Book reveal: The Team That History Forgot• 00:03:00 – Super Bowl I breakdown and media bias against the AFL• 00:05:03 – Chiefs’ revenge tour: Bears, Vikings, Cowboys• 00:07:11 – The underrated 1969 Chiefs defense• 00:08:13 – Forgotten stars: Abner Haynes, Ed Budde, Otis Taylor• 00:10:13 – Player profiles: Dawson, Robinson, Lanier, Bell• 00:15:16 – Gosselin’s 20 years on the Hall of Fame senior committee• 00:17:14 – Why so many All-Decade players are overlooked• 00:19:28 – John Abraham, Leslie O’Neal, and the sack snub• 00:23:21 – AFL bias and the case for Lamar Parrish• 00:26:00 – Rick’s passion picks: Eddie Meador & George Kunz• 00:27:04 – Jim Tyrer’s Hall of Fame dilemma• 00:29:04 – Closing thoughts and where to find Rick’s bookIf you love football history and care about who gets enshrined in Canton, hit that like button, subscribe, and drop a comment:🗣️ Who’s the most overlooked player in NFL history?#RickGosselin #KansasCityChiefs #NFLHistory #AFLFootball #HallOfFame #JimTyrer #OtisTaylor #LenDawson #BuckStopsHere #FootballLegends #ProFootballHallOfFame #SeniorCommittee #SportsJournalism #ForgottenTeams #SuperBowlHistory #NFLPodcast

In this jam-packed episode of The Buck Stops Here, Kirk Buchner and Evan Nolan dive deep into Hall of Fame season madness—from the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s coaching ballot shakeup to the latest inductees in the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame. They debate Bill Belichick’s legacy, mourn the loss of sports and music icons, and celebrate the unexpected rise of fan voting in the United States Athletic Hall of Fame.Plus: tributes to Sister Jean, Ace Frehley, and Robert Redford, and a look at the wild expansion draft history of the NHL. It’s sports, pop culture, and irreverent commentary at its finest.🗳️ Vote now at www.theusahof.com — the only Hall of Fame for the people, by the people!• 00:00:35 – Welcome & USA Hall of Fame voting surge• 00:03:01 – Pro Football Hall of Fame coaching ballot breakdown• 00:05:24 – Bill Belichick’s case: 8 rings, playoff dominance, and legacy• 00:12:37 – Tom Coughlin vs. Eli Manning: Who really beat Brady?• 00:17:02 – Forgotten legends: Ralph Hay, Clark Shaughnessy & the need for an old-timers committee• 00:22:12 – U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame inductees: Pavelski, Parise, Gomez & more• 00:31:48 – Hockey legends we lost: Bernie Parent, Eddie Giacomin, Bob Goodenow• 00:37:08 – Retired numbers: Federov (Red Wings), Chara (Bruins)• 00:42:40 – St. Louis Blues Hall of Fame class: Al Arbour, Barrett Jackman, Alexander Steen• 00:49:06 – In memoriam: Sister Jean, Rudy Johnson, Doug Martin, Mike Greenwell• 01:10:29 – Music legends remembered: Bobby Hart, D’Angelo, Sam Rivers, Moody Blues’ John Lodge• 01:21:35 – Ace Frehley tribute: The Spaceman’s legacy, chaos, and laughter• 01:30:02 – Final push for USA Hall of Fame voting + surprising top vote-getters🎯 Like, comment, and subscribe for more Hall of Fame debates, sports history deep dives, and offbeat cultural commentary.🗳️ Cast your vote at www.theusahof.com — voting extended through December 1st!📩 Share this episode with your fellow sports and music fans!#TheBuckStopsHere #HallOfFameSeason #BillBelichick #AceFrehley #USAHOF #SportsHistory #HockeyLegends #NFLDebate #PopCultureTributes #KirkAndEvan #PodcastHighlights #VoteNow