The Baseball Hall of Fame includes 12 players who were born in the state of Alabama. There are 10 Pro Football Hall of Fame inductees from the state (not including those born elsewhere who played college ball here). Four players born here are in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, although Harpersville native George McGinnis grew up in Indianapolis.

Our point? Alabama has always produced great athletes, even a couple dozen who are in halls of fame that honor only the best of the best.