The Hall of Fame remembers three-
time World Series champion pitcher
and longtime coach and manager
Roger Craig, who passed away on
Sunday. (Doug McWilliams/National
Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum)
The “Humm Baby” skippered the
Giants for eight seasons. His 586
wins are sixth-most in Giants history
and third-most in the San Francisco
era Last month, the NFL released its
semifinalists for the Pro Football
Hall of Fame. They will announce
the list in early January. The list has
been reduced to 15 people, and
voting will be done by mail. It’s
Roger Craig’s first appearance on
the semifinal roster and it’s about time

If he was an agent, there would be
no arguments, no need to piece
together convincing arguments.
While Roger’s life stats don’t make
him a HOF lock, his reputation as a
game changer and Super Bow
success puts him on par with
baseball HOFer Kirby Puckett (RIP).

In reality, Craig has two or three
spots up for grabs. Rob Woodson
and Bruce Smith will likely be
recognized. Shannon Sharpe has
been a dominant tight end in
multiple Pro Bowl appearances.

Besides Sharpe, the other major
offensive challengers for those
valuable HOF votes are Chris Carter,
Terrell Davis and Andre Reed.

Craigs’ career stats include 8,189
rushing yards, 4,911 receiving yards,
13,100 total yards, 73 touchdowns
and three Super Bowl rings.
Let’s compare Rodger’s numbers to
those of other Hall of Famers, and
then to those of the nominees.
Almost half of Walter Payton’s
career spots, but more than HOF’s
Larry Songka, Gail Sayers, Lenny
Moore and Ollie Matteson.

Fewer yards than Marcus Allen
(Roger’s 4911 in 11 seasons Vs
Allen’s 5,411 in 16 seasons), but
more yards than HOFers Thurman
Thomas, Barry Sanders, Eric Dixon,
Tony Dorsey Walter Paton, John
Riggins and Franco Harrisdo.
Roger’s 4,911 receiving yards are
just 551 shy of HOF WR Lynn
Swann’s career total.

Overall, just 278 yards from 0.J.
Simpson, but more than HOF’s Earl
Campbell, Larry Csonka, Gayle
Sayers and Lenny Moore.

The 13,100 total yards are also more
than HOF wide receivers: Steve
Largent (1 4 vs. Rodgers 11), Paul
Warfield, Lynn Swann (more than
twice), John Stallers and Michael
Owen.

Only two short of 0.J. Simpson, but
more than HOF members Ollie
Matson, Gayle Sayers, Larry Csonka.