A Day of Fame

Today is the anniversary of two similar events in two separate sports separated by more than two dozen years.

On Jan. 29, 1936, the first inductees into Baseball's Hall of Fame were announced. Those inductees were:

• Ty Cobb


• Babe Ruth


• Honus Wagner


• Christy Mathewson


• Walter Johnson

In nearly three–quarters of a century, almost 300 people, of whom more than 200 were players (although managers, umpires, executives and Negro Leaguers are enshrined), have been inducted. Next summer, one former player — Andre Dawson — will be inducted, along with an umpire and a manager.

Twenty–seven years later, to the day, the Pro Football Hall of Fame announced its first group of inductees. A total of 17 people were named on that day:

• Sammy Baugh


• Bert Bell


• Joseph Carr


• Dutch Clark


• Red Grange


• George Halas


• Mel Hein


• Pete Henry


• Cal Hubbard


• Don Hutson


• Curly Lambeau


• Tim Mara


• George Preston Marshall


• Blood McNally


• Bronko Nagurski


• Ernie Nevers


• Jim Thorpe

More than 250 people are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. This year's class has not yet been announced.

Perhaps it was a coincidence that both sports announced their charter classes on January 29. Or maybe the NFL manipulated things — but why?

Does anyone know?