It's that time of the year once again. We'll find out the results of the Baseball Hall of Fame vote tomorrow and, unlike last year, we know the writers are at least going to elect someone this year. The "will it be unanimous?" question has also been answered. We know that Greg Maddux won't be the first unanimous selection, thanks to that guy who only voted for Jack Morris. We also know that, at the very least, Maddux will be on the podium with the three managers in July, ensuring a memorable induction weekend to make up for last year. Now the question becomes "Who joins them?"
As a result of last year's shutout, we've got a loaded, overcrowded ballot chock-full of worthwhile candidates (and that's not going to change anytime soon). Combining that with the 10-vote limit, that's why I'm worried Maddux will be the only guy elected. I'm also worried that some guys who deserve another look (like Jeff Kent or Moises Alou) won't get the required 5 percent needed to stay on the ballot.
I, obviously, don't have an actual vote of my own. But if I did, I'd be a 10-vote guy. Especially with this ridiculously loaded field. Counting newcomers and guys who I've put on my hypothetical ballot in the past, there are 18 players I would've voted for. Since the limit's 10, that meant I had to leave off these eight, all of whom I believe have Hall of Fame credentials, and all of whom I wouldn't begrudge the actual voters voting for: Curt Schilling, Mike Mussina, Sammy Sosa, Larry Walker, Jeff Kent, Don Mattingly, Tim Raines, Edgar Martinez.
Now on to my actual fake ballot, where I rank the players in order:
1. Greg Maddux, Pitcher (1986-92 Cubs, 1993-2003 Braves, 2004-06 Cubs, 2006 Dodgers, 2007-08 Padres, 2008 Dodgers)-If there's ever been a more no-brainer selection, I don't know who it is. Where do we start? How about my favorite stat, the 17 consecutive years with 15 wins? Or how about the 18 Gold Gloves? Four straight Cy Youngs? Need I go on? He has 355 career wins, which is eighth all-time and more than any right-handed pitcher since Walter Johnson. And he did it all with class. Anyone who ever saw this guy pitch knows he belongs in Cooperstown. It's with obvious comfort that we know Greg Maddux is going to cruise into the Hall of Fame on the first ballot.
2. Frank Thomas, First Baseman (1990-2005 White Sox, 2006 Athletics, 2007-08 Blue Jays, 2008 Athletics)-It's a shame that injuries derailed Frank Thomas's career in the end, and that he earned his only World Series ring when he wasn't even able to participate. But in his prime, the Big Hurt was one of the most fearsome hitters in all of baseball. Back-to-back MVPs in 1993-94, four Silver Slugger Awards and 521 home runs, all of which were hit without any sort of "enhancement," something he took great pride in and made sure everyone else was aware of. There's no question that Frank Thomas was clean in an era when a lot of guys were dirty. It'll be a shame if he's kept out simply because he was a big, power hitter playing when he played.
3. Barry Bonds, Outfielder (1986-92 Pirates, 1993-2007 Giants)-Barry Bonds isn't going to be elected to the Hall of Fame this year or any time soon. He knows this. I know this. And everyone knows the reason why. But my opinion on Barry Bonds and whether or not he deserves a place in the Hall of Fame hasn't changed. He was the best, most dominant player of the 1990s and 2000s. He's the all-time leader in home runs. He won seven MVP awards. Sure he was an arrogant prick that most people hated and he most likely did some stuff that he'll never be forgiven for. Some voters will hold that against him forever and never vote for him as a result. Which is a shame. Because what's the point of having a Hall of Fame if one of the greatest players ever to play the game can only get in if he buys a ticket?
4. Roger Clemens, Pitcher (1984-96 Red Sox, 1997-98 Blue Jays, 1999-2003 Yankees, 2004-06 Astros, 2007 Yankees)-It's ironic that the two greatest right-handed starting pitchers of their generation are both on the ballot this year. Because one is going to get elected overwhelmingly and the other has absolutely no shot. Which makes no sense. Because Clemens might've been the better pitcher. I know why he's not going to get in, but my argument with Clemens is the same as my argument with Bonds. Seven Cy Youngs, one MVP, 4,672 strikeouts (third-most in history), 354 wins. There are only two other pitchers in the Live-Ball Era with 350 career wins. One is Warren Spahn. The other is Greg Maddux. Anyone who saw Roger Clemens pitch knew they were watching one of the all-time greats. The Hall of Fame is where all-time greats belong.
5. Tom Glavine, Pitcher (1987-2002 Braves, 2003-07 Mets, 2008 Braves)-One of the stats that I saw among the many Hall of Fame articles I read today is that two starting pitchers who were teammates have never been elected to the Hall of Fame together. We have a chance for that to change this year (we've actually got two shots at it, since John Smoltz becomes eligible next year). And it would be incredibly fitting for Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine and Bobby Cox to all enter Cooperstown together. I bet there's already a lot of people from Atlanta booking hotel rooms in Central New York for July. Even though Maddux was the better pitcher, there's not much that separates him from Glavine. Glavine won 305 games and two Cy Youngs. And who can forget Game 6 of the 1995 World Series? I'm OK with Glavine having to wait a year, but he'd better be joining one of his rotation-mates in Cooperstown. If not Maddux this year, Smoltz next year.
6. Jack Morris, Pitcher (1977-90 Tigers, 1991 Twins, 1992-93 Blue Jays, 1994 Indians)-It's his final time on the ballot, so the annual Jack Morris debate will end one way or another this year. The fact that he's even still on the ballot is completely absurd! He won more games than any pitcher during the 1980s, started 14 consecutive Opening Days (for three different teams), and was the ace of three different championship teams. I'm tired of hearing about Jack Morris' ERA or that he wasn't "dominant." If he wasn't "dominant," why did his managers keep handing him the ball on Opening Day year-after-year? Or why did they always let him finish what he started? These writers think they know something those managers didn't, but I think it's actually the other way around. Hopefully the final time's the charm for a guy who deserved a plaque a long time ago.
7. Craig Biggio, Second Baseman (1988-2007 Astros)-He came the closest last year and will probably come close again this year. Why some people think Craig Biggio isn't a Hall of Famer boggles my mind. Was it the disgusting pile of pine tar on the top of his helmet they didn't like? Is it guilt by association because of who they suspect might've done something? Because if you ask me, Craig Biggio's a no-brainer. He spent his entire career with the Astros (which should get him bonus points in the era of free agency), is the franchise's all-time leader in virtually every offensive category, and finished with 3,060 total hits. He also played Gold Glove-quality defense at three different premium positions (second base, catcher, center field). That's a Hall of Famer in my book.
8. Jeff Bagwell, First Baseman (1991-2005 Astros)-If Maddux and Glavine go in together this year, I hope Biggio and Bagwell go in together at some point, too. There are some people who are absolutely convinced Jeff Bagwell had to have done something, despite having no evidence, simply because he had trees for arms. Bagwell's career was cut short by injuries, which is probably what kept him from the 500-home run mark. And if you want to talk awards, I think Jayson Stark put it best. As Stark said, Bagwell won virtually everything he possibly could short of a Grammy. His vote total went up last year from his first year on the ballot, so maybe the voters are starting to come around. He won't get in this year, but hopefully he will eventually.
9. Mike Piazza, Catcher (1992-98 Dodgers, 1999 Marlins, 1999-2005 Mets, 2006 Padres, 2007 Athletics)-Another guy unfairly being victimized by unfounded steroid suspicions is Mike Piazza. As much as I couldn't stand him when he was playing (and still can't), I can objectively look at Mike Piazza's career and say "Yes, He's a Hall of Famer." He's the greatest-hitting catcher in history, finishing with 427 home runs and a career batting average of .308. Throw in 12 All-Star appearances, 10 Silver Slugger Awards and the 1993 NL Rookie of the Year. How much fun would it be if, at some hypothetical point in the future, Roger Clemens and Mike Piazza went into the Hall of Fame together? Although, I do think Piazza will eventually get in. It won't be this year, though.
10. Mark McGwire, First Baseman (1986-97 Athletics, 1997-2001 Cardinals)-This was the toughest call of them all, which is why McGwire's in the 10-spot. But if I'm being consistent, I have to view McGwire the same way I view Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens. The only difference is that McGwire has admitted to his steroid use, which he understands and accepts is the reason the writers will never vote him into the Hall of Fame. (Quick sidebar, how hypocritical is the double-standard that McGwire can't come anywhere close to election, but Tony La Russa, his manager in both Oakland and St. Louis who had to have known what was going on, gets in unanimously?) Anyway, no hitter was as feared as McGwire in his prime, and the 1998 home run chase brought baseball back. And he didn't just hit 583 home runs. He hit one every 10.61 at-bats, a ratio better than even Babe Ruth's. Sure all he did was hit home runs. But he hit a lot of them. At a historic rate. If not for his PED use, he'd be in the Hall of Fame already.
So, that's how I would vote. I've seen predictions that range from just Maddux to as many as four players getting in. I don't think it'll be that many. With a ballot this loaded, the votes will be spread out, which could result in Maddux going in alone. I wouldn't bet on that, though. My gut says three. Thomas and Glavine get in, too, with Biggio and Morris once again coming agonizingly close. Have fun in Cooperstown, Braves fans.
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