Unlike most of my family, who love football and basketball, respectively, I tended to fall more towards the spectrum of baseball. I enjoy the game, the strategy that is employed, the scouting and evaluation side of it, and just the fact that I can go to a ballpark, watch a game, and have a conversation with a relative of friend while watching the game. When I first began blogging, it was primarily as a sports blogger, which I maintained for almost three years before finally giving it up a couple of years ago.
However, one thing I did do, and this goes back to my first blog post, is keep track of the baseball hall of fame voting. It was my first time ever offering an analysis on a subject, and since then, I've kept up the tradition of posting my thoughts on the ballot, as well as trying to guess who might make it. So, in that vein, here are my thoughts about the ballot, starting with the fuckers that shouldn't be on the ballot.
Todd Walker (INF), Jose Mesa (RHP), and Roberto Hernandez (RHP) - LOLZ! Average to fringe contributors, but really, why are they even on here? It just gives people the opportunity to chuckle for a moment before moving onto the next name.
Jeff Bagwell (1B) and Craig Biggio (2B/OF/C) - Not This Time, and Strong Possibility. The original Killer B's, and for almost two decades, the faces of the Houston Astros, both players are well regarded as good people, great players, and likely Hall of Famers. However, both are going to have some roadblocks along the way. For Bagwell, it's that there are rumors that he might might have tried the juice at some point in his career, as well as the fact that he didn't reach 500 dingers in his career. In the case of the former, I'm sure that you'll find rumors about everyone, but in the later, it's important to know that Bagwell played in one of the most home run suppressive parks in the Astrodome, where homers went to die. As for Biggio, while he does have 3000 hits, it's the end of his career, which people saw as him holding on simply to reach that milestone, that hurts him, although I think the juice stigma on some guys will help his cause. Still, both will likely get in in time, although I hope that they get in together, much as they did throughout their careers.
Lee Smith (RHP) - No. Smith was the all time saves leader, but this was seen as more of a product of Smith's exceptionally long career than any sort of dominance. With some truly exceptional closers coming up on the horizon in Trevor Hoffman and Mariano Rivera, it's safe to say Smith is kinda screwed.
Allen Trammel (SS) - No, and this is a shame. Trammel was an offensive shortstop who had the misfortune of playing right before a revolution in the way shortstops hit and defended arrived in the league with the arrival of Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, Nomar Garciaparra, Miguel Tejada, and others. As such, the change in the position from one of defense to offense made his numbers look quite pedestrian in comparison, although the position has now turned back to one of defensive value rather than offense. Such a change of philosophy will come too late from Trammel, who will likely never be enshrined ever.
Jack Morris (RHP) - NO! NO! HELL NO!!! Morris is probably one of the more divisive Hall Of Fame candidates out there. Those against him call him an average pitcher, a compiler, someone who was a workhorse, but never dominant. Those for him call him an ace on winning teams, a man that pitched to the score and battled to get the win. The truth might be in between, but trends more to the former, rather than the later. Morris was one of the most durable pitchers in his generation, but looking back at his more advanced stats, Morris only was much better than the league average pitcher in six of his 18 seasons, and was below average for four. Morris was rarely among the league leaders in strikeouts, and his command for much of his career was average at best. And while many will lionize Morris for willing to take the ball and be willing to pitch until he ended up the winning pitcher, that isn't a measure of dominance, but rather remarkable durability. Ultimately, what really is the only factor that gets so many people willing to throw their support behind Morris is Game Seven of the 1991 World Series, which is regarded as one of the best games ever played. It’s only because of that one singular event that so many sports writers are so willing to support Morris. And that’s fine. But ultimately, it’s misguided. Morris might squeak in this year, as there appears to be quite a bit of animosity toward many of the steroid era players, but I doubt it. But I've been wrong before. He'd easily be, based on the stats alone, one of the worst ever inductees to make it into the Hall of Fame (Jim Rice is also up there.)
Edgar Martinez (DH) - No. Much like Tim Raines, Martinez is also going to be stigmized by the fact that he was a DH for most of his career, and didn't play the position. It's unfortunate, because Martinez was really good, and would be a borderline candidate if he were a left fielder or first baseman, rather than just strictly a DH.
Rafael Palmeiro (1B/3B) - Not A Chance In Hell. Palmeiro is one of the only members to be in the 3000 hit club and 500 homer club, and the only one that will never get enshrined. He was arguably one of my favorite players growing up, and seeing him go to the Orioles after he played for my favorite team, the Texas Rangers, killed me as a kid. However, Palmeiro's candidacy went down the tubes when he 1) made his infamous statement to Congress and 2) became the first high profile player ever to be caught under the new steroid testing policy. People haven't forgotten, and judging by how long he's been on the ballot, I don't think anyone ever will.
Dale Murphy (OF) - No. Murphy had a nice enough peak during which he was one of the better outfielders in baseball, but nothing certainly worthy of Hall of Fame consideration.
Bernie Williams (OF) - No. Williams was part of the core four Yankees that came up in the farm system during their dynasty period in the mid to late 90's (along with Derek Jeter, Andy Pettitte, and Mariano Rivera), and was the first of the four to retire. He was a solid player for a time, but wasn't a great one by any means. His also didn't have much of a decline period, as his production, ability to play center field, and durability jumped out the Empire State Building once he turned 34. Still, it's a great career, and one that might get him enshrined in Monument Park, but not anywhere else.
Fred McGriff (OF) - No, and it's a shame. The Crime Dog was a exceptional hitter in his time, hitting for power and showing exceptional patience at the plate. The biggest reason why McGriff hasn't been inducted, and it's a stupid one, is that he didn't reach the 500 home run plateau, which is kind of the standard for hitters, much like 3000 strikeouts and/or 300 wins is for pitchers. It's more likely than not that McGriff will fall of the ballot, which is a crying shame.
Barry Bonds (OF) and Roger Clemens (RHP) - Not this time. The two biggest names of steroid era likely won't get into the Hall right off the bat, as many will refuse to vote for them out of principle. That's stupid, and the Hall of Fame will be incomplete without the era's greatest hitter and it's greatest pitcher in it. They'll make it in time, as I do believe public opinion will soften over time, but the hardline stance that some writers have over the use of PED's, as well as the fact that both were/are colossal pricks will hurt their causes in the short term.
Mike Piazza (C) - Yes. One of the greatest catchers in Baseball History, Piazza hit for power, was a capable defender, and was generally an asset to the teams that he played for. He might have held on for a bit too long, and his career does have the usual steroid rumblings, as much of the era's best players do, but there is no reason why he shouldn't be in.
Curt Schilling (RHP) - Not this time. Schilling was one of the more dominant pitchers in the late 90's, early aught's, although it did take him sometime to turn his talents into production. He was one of the biggest big game pitchers of all time, and the owner of one of the more memorable post-season moments of all time, Schilling will probably make it into the Hall of Fame in time, provided he doesn't get tossed into the can for the shenanigans with his video game company first.
Kenny Lofton (OF) - No. Kenny Lofton was sort of like the Shasta version of Ricky Henderson. Both were speedy outfielders who got on base and functioned as above average leadoff men. Both had some pop in their otherwise tiny frames, although Henderson had a slight edge on him. However, Lofton wasn't quite as effective as he began to lose his speed, and towards the end of his career, he was miscast as a starter when it was obvious he needed to be a bench player. Good player, but not hall worthy.
Sammy Sosa & Mark McGwire (OF) - Not a chance in hell. Sosa and McGwire will forever be linked by the '98 Home Run Chase, which saw McGwire hit 70, breaking Roger Maris' long standing home run record. However, they'll also both be linked as the poster children of the steroid era.
Steve Finley (CF) - No. A very good player, who was a solid lead off man, and a excellent centerfielder for some time. However, his peak years were good, but not great, and both the beginning and the end of his career weren't exactly pretty. So, no.
Don Mattingley (1B) - No. Mattingley's career can essentially be told in two parts. From 1982-1989, Mattingley was often the lone bright spot of some truly wretched Yankees squads, which George Steinbrenner micromanaged into the ground before his temporary banishment from baseball allowed then general manager Gene Michael to rebuild the franchise in time for their mid to late 90's dominance. If any grade school kid was asked who his favorite player was in the 80's, more often than not it would be Mattingley. However, after '89, Mattingley's back would betray him, and the result was that Donnie Baseball would be robbed of much of his power and durability for the remainder of his career, which ended in '95, after his one and only appearance in the post-season. Mattingley isn't a Hall of Famer, but his lingering on the ballot is as much a testament to his continued popularity as it is a dreaming of what could have been.
Julio Franco (INF) - No. A solid contributor for a long time, and he certainly had one of the longest careers ever to be enjoyed. But the only way Franco will be enshrined in the Hall of Fame is as a medical exhibit.
Reggie Sanders (OF) - No. Sanders was an average player, hit for some power, got on base at times, but never did anything exceptionally well. He was far from a star, but he had some very good years where he was an asset for some squads, in particular the 2001 Diamondbacks team that won the championship in such dramatic fashion.
Jeff Cirillo (3B) - LOLZ, No. Cirillo had a couple of good years, but overall was an average third baseman. They shouldn't have even listed him, but I suspect he'll get one or two pity votes.
Larry Walker (OF) - No. Walker is a borderline guy, but his late career injury woes are combined with a discounting of his numbers due to the fact he played much of his career in Colorado. I figure him to get more consideration in a few years.
Ryan Klesko (INF) - No. Klesko was a useful enough player in his time, and had some burn as a guy who could hit for some power and fake a number of positions on the field. However, he was nothing special and played for a bit too long than he should have, although the fact major league teams were willing to throw money at him longer after his usefulness ended shouldn't be held against him.
Woody Williams (RHP) - Awww, Hell No! Woody Williams had a long career, that's for certain, and was useful for a period of time from 1997 to 2004 as a guy who could eat up innings in the back end of your starting rotation. But let's be honest: he wasn't a dominant pitcher, and much of his success was the result of pitching not only in the National League, but also behind some great outfield defense and spacious ballparks. The amount of homers he gave up each year alone would were enough to make a case for an All Star spot if they were somehow collected into a single humanoid construct. So yeah, I'd have to vote a big no on him.
Rondell White (OF/DH) - No. His brightest years were with the Expos, a team that no longer exists, before he spend much of the aught's watching his career decay into a crawling, pitiful mess, much like the zombie that Rick Grimes first meets in The Walking Dead.
Aaron Sele (RHP) - Ha Ha! Nope! Sele's continued employment in baseball was due to two factors: A) he could pitch a ton of innings and B) he could pitch marginally well enough to avoid throwing up on himself. The highlight of his career was probably winning a World Series in 2002 with the Angels. The bad news is that he was hurt, and thus never got to pitch for them.
Sandy Alomar Jr. (C) - No. Sandy was an excellent defensive catcher who mostly was a backup, although he did at times have some periods as the full time starter. Great guy to have on a team, and is generally on the short list of guys who will become a future manager. But, no.
Royce Clayton (SS) - No. A very good defensive shortstop, but not really much of a hitter or anything more than a average regular or stopgap option. Clayton did play for a good long time, but he's probably know more for his appearance in the film Moneyball than for his playing career.
Jeff Conine (OF/1B) - One of the first real players to be identified with the Florida Marlins, (indeed, his nickname was Mr. Marlin) Conine wasn't anything really special. He hit for a high average and had some pop, but wasn't anything special.
Mike Stanton (LHP) - Nope. Stanton was probably best known as serving as a part of the set up corp to Mariano Rivera during the Yankee dynasty, but he enjoyed a good, long career in his time. Set up men don't make the Hall of Fame, however, but Stanton can take solace in the fact that he has some nice championship jewelry (although 1999 is gaudy as hell), and the fact that he does have a steady gig on MLB Network Radio.
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