Here is the article (mlb.mlb.com) that lists all of the names, which are (in case you don't feel like bothering with the link):
• Harold Baines (1) • Albert Belle (2) • Dante Bichette (1) • Bert Blyleven (10) • Bobby Bonilla (1) • Scott Brosius (1) • Jay Buhner (1) • Ken Caminiti (1) • Jose Canseco (1) • Dave Concepcion (14) • Eric Davis (1) • Andre Dawson (6) • Tony Fernandez (1) • Steve Garvey (15) • Rich Gossage (8) • Tony Gwynn (1) • Orel Hershiser (2) • Tommy John (13) • Wally Joyner (1) • Don Mattingly (7) • Mark McGwire (1) • Jack Morris (8) • Dale Murphy (9) • Paul O'Neill (1) • Dave Parker (11) • Jim Rice (13) • Cal Ripken (1) • Bret Saberhagen (1) • Lee Smith (5) • Alan Trammell (6) • Devon White (1) • Bobby Witt (1)
* The number in parenthesis represents the number of ballots in which the players have appeared.
Ripken and Gwynn are no-brainers, while I could see McGwire getting left off, for at least a year. I cannot fathom any other player, at least from the first-timers, getting even a sniff.
Man, you know you're getting old when the guys who started their careers when I was already in grade school are now getting into the Hall.
This might be the year that Blyleven sneaks in, though if he couldn't get the votes last season (the shallowest HOF pool in many moons), he might never get over the hump.
"I don't know what is more disquieting -- the fact that the rest of the statue is missing, or that it has four toes."
Everything I have read re: McGwire indicates he's got no shot in hell of making it. Which is fine with me. I remember preaching about 4 - 5 years ago that McGwire has no place in the hall, because he was a one-dimensional all or nothing machine. A beefed up Rob Deer. His XBH are sad, he didn't walk anywhere near what he should have (until later in his career), and if Maris doesn't deserve it because we don't reward individual one year achievements, then Mark too can go to hell.
Now it seems that many baseball writers who get ballots have jumped on board, but it isn't because of his numbers, but a looming suspicion of steroids, which is about the dumbest thing I've ever heard - but if convicted by the court of public opinion, you're finished.
The number that I am most looking forward to is that of Jose Canseco. Does he get the required 5%? Do the writers who mark him down have their ballots revoked? What will Canseco say to the media when the results are announced? Does he make it back to the majors as a knuckle-baller in an attempt to boost public support for his HOF ballot in 2013?
I think this is the final year that Rose would have been allowed on the ballot. Punishment stands, good work Bud for not caving!
Can we please stop cock-teasing Burt Blyleven and Jim Rice and simply NOT vote for them, so at least they have closure?
Do we start a campaign to see to it that Wally Joyner doesn't get a donut?
If I had a ballot:
- Albert Belle... You can think what you want, but he was THE dominant force in the majors in the mid 90's and only retired because of a degenerative hip condition. He was surprisingly quick for a big guy, and put up some amazing numbers.)
- Rich Gossage... One of the earliest elite closers, who set forth a path that would be followed by the top guys today. If Eckersley is in, Gossage should be as well.
- Tony Gwynn... I doubt I need to justify this.
- Cal Ripken Jr. ... I can't stand the guy, I think his streak was overplayed and just a display of hype and little else, but his numbers are nice and stuff. I don't advocate rewarding consistency as a rule, because otherwise we'd lead a string of guys into the hall who hit .280 with 25 homers and 90 RBIs over a long period of time (see Fred McGriff) - but he did it at Shortstop when power was scarce, is a beloved face for baseball, and will fight with Tony for a possible Highest First Ballot Percentage Ever! Look out Nolan Ryan.
You know, maybe this is speculative and unfair, but why isn't Belle put the in same high suspicion category as McGwire? Because he spaced out his HRs better?
only retired because of a degenerative hip condition
I'm not doctor, but I'd think that that habitually injections in the same area could cause such a condition. He'd fit the rage too.
This is less meant to finger Belle, but I guess more to point out how people gravitate to easy answers in this discussion.
Anyway, between - acting as protest vote - wanting to keep more ideal representations of what (they feel) baseball should be - Ripken and Gwynn - free from his shadow and taint
a lot of writers are going to leave off McGwire this year, enough so that I think he'll be in real danger of slipping off the ballot. If that feeling becomes more widespread, will McGwrire try to find a friendly writer and actually say something? I'm not sure.
Someone will vote for Canseco and cite his book as changing the landscape. That person will amuse me.
I'm not saying Belle didn't use ... In fact, it wouldn't shock me if he did.
I just refuse to Not elect people to the hall based on suspicion .... My reasons not to elect McGwire have nothing to do with roids and they never have.
The only players I'm prepared to keep out BECAUSE of PEDs are the ones who were caught (and thus far, only Palmeiro fits the profile as a potential HOFer)
Out of curiousity what is the knock on Andre Dawson? Over 400 homeruns, over 300 steals, 8 time gold glove and All Star, top 10 in homeruns nine times, RBI eight times, triples four times, steals three times. His batting average might not look as gaudy as today's players but he was in the top 10 in that five times. He even won the MVP while playing for a last place team which is unheard of. Seems to me like Gwynn is the only one with a better resume than that.
Also what's the wager on what percentage votes in Gwynn? It seems like even obvious choices for the Hall don't get a unanimous vote but I don't see how anyone can not vote for him considering how great a hitter he was and how likable a guy he is.
Gwynn will not get 100% of the vote because some writer will state that even babe Ruth did not get 100% of the vote. He will get in easy for sure, but I think Ripken will get a higher vote persentage, but neither will take the record.
...that motherfucker is always spiked with pain.....
Originally posted by QuezzyHe even won the MVP while playing for a last place team which is unheard of.
I agree, Dawson is deserving. The Orioles were in 2nd last place when Ripken won the MVP in 1991, so I always considered that close enough.
(And as a totally unrelated note of interest that I came aross while confirming the Orioles' standing in 1991, the highest team payroll in 1991 was Oakland with $39M. Yankees only had $31M.)
There was an AP article in my morning paper today which included an unofficial poll of some of the hall voters that would put McGwire somewhere around 20%. He's not making it in this year, but he'll stay on the ballot.
I'm pretty much in aggreement with everyone else here. Gwynn and Ripken are locks to get in, and maybe one or two more out of the Rice/Blyleven/Dawson/Gossage quartet.
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Originally posted by piemanMy two cents worth of ballot:
BERT BLYLEVEN! Rich Gossage Mark McGwire Tony Gwynn Cal Ripken Alan Trammell
Outstanding calls. This would almost be my exact ballot as well. My only quibble is that I would put RICH GOSSAGE! on my ballot instead of Rich Gossage.
I'd give consideration to Belle, but I think he is lacking longevity. And, even his warm, cuddly and generally affable nature can't make up for that.
"Teach children that they have great potential because they are human." -Warrior
Originally posted by piemanMy two cents worth of ballot:
BERT BLYLEVEN! Rich Gossage Mark McGwire Tony Gwynn Cal Ripken Alan Trammell
Outstanding calls. This would almost be my exact ballot as well. My only quibble is that I would put RICH GOSSAGE! on my ballot instead of Rich Gossage.
I'd give consideration to Belle, but I think he is lacking longevity. And, even his warm, cuddly and generally affable nature can't make up for that.
No McGwire. Rice.
Dawson should've been in a long time ago.
Anyone who votes for Concepcion should never be allowed to vote again.
As of 2/28/05: 101 pounds since December 7, 2004 OFFICIAL THREE-MONTH COUNT: 112 pounds on March 9, 2005 OFFICIAL SIX-MONTH COUNT: 142 pounds on June 8, 2005 OFFICIAL ONE YEAR COUNT: 187 pounds on December 7, 2005 As of 2/27/06: 202 pounds "I've lost a heavyweight" As of 7/31/06: 224 pounds
Don Mattingly gets my vote. Man, I will always wonder what if with him.
Gwynn and Ripken, easy choices. A case could and should be made for Albert Belle, Bert Blyleven, Andre Dawson. Jack Morris and Rich Gossage deserve to be in there. I think McGwire will be in eventually.
But what about Jim Rice? How in the hell is this guy not in the HOF? He was the most feared and one of the most dominant hitters for a decade. Opposing hitters from his era, have consistantly expressed astonishment at his exclusion. I don't wanna hear about his bad attitude, that should never factor in. That's one of the arguments for changing the selection committe. Writers holding a grudge for something that happened in 1978? C'Mon!
Rusty Shackleford is just the name he uses to order Pizza with.
Someone noted that this is the first time a league championship series has been played between two teams that previously faced each other in the World Series.