The Today's Game Ballot

In what seems to be an annual scene, they've once again changed the Veterans Committee rules for the Baseball Hall of Fame.  I don't know why they keep changing the format, but we'll see how long this one lasts.  The main purpose of this restructuring, it seems, was to split the more-recent candidates into two separate eras.  Instead of three different eras, there are now four, and they're voting on players, managers and executives from 1970 on with much more frequency.

It looks like they're trying to make it a little easier for the "modern" guys to get in via the Veterans Committee.  But that still doesn't mean it's going to be easy.  They still need 75 percent of the vote for election, and I'm not sure any of the 10 candidates will meet that threshold.  We'll see if I'm wrong when the results of the Today's Game Era ballot, which considers those whose contributions came from 1988 onward, are announced.

There are 10 candidates--five players, three executives and two managers.  No offense to the other four players, but there's only one in that group--Mark McGwire--that I would consider a Hall of Famer.  Davey Johnson and Lou Piniella are, at best, fringe candidates as well.  Which means the candidates with the most Hall of Fame-worthy credentials are the three executives (seeing as this is the only chance executives and managers get at election, that's only right).

The guy I'd most love to see get in is John Schuerholz.  He was the architect of those outstanding Braves teams of the 1990s that made 14 consecutive playoff appearances and won the 1995 World Series.  Ten years earlier, he built the Royals into World Series champions.  That's just the icing on the cake.  Because what he did in Atlanta was enough.  Manager Bobby Cox and the three starting pitchers already have plaques hanging in Cooperstown, and Chipper Jones will have his added when he becomes eligible next year.  Schuerholz drafted Glavine and Jones, traded for Smoltz, signed Maddux and hired Cox.  He deserves to have a plaque hanging alongside theirs.

George Steinbrenner almost got in the last time he was up, and he'll either get in or be close again this time.  Yankee-haters love to point out the negative aspects of George Steinbrenner's ownership and are quick to bring up the fact that the 1990s dynasty was really built when he wasn't allowed to be hands-on during his suspension.  But everything George Steinbrenner did was because he expected to win.  Anything short of a World Series title, especially with the franchise most associated with winning, was unacceptable.  And win the Yankees did.  Seven titles, 11 pennants and a .565 winning percentage during his 37 years of ownership.

Then there's Bud Selig.  His time as commissioner was occasionally somewhat rocky, and there were some definite black marks against him (the All-Star Game tie, the Steroid Era).  But he also presided over an unprecedented period of growth for the game.  When he took over, there were 26 teams, four of which made the playoffs.  When he left, there were 30 teams fighting for 10 playoff berths.  There's also interleague play and a World Baseball Classic.  Other commissioners that have done a lot less are in the Hall of Fame.

Looking at the two managers, I'd say Lou Piniella's resume is slightly better than Davey Johnson's.  But I don't think either one should get in.  Piniella is best known for his time with the Mariners (who he led to a Major League-record 116 wins in 2001), but he actually managed five different teams for 23 seasons starting in 1986.  This came after an 18-year playing career that ended in 1984.  That's basically 45 years of uninterrupted involvement in Major League Baseball for the three-time Manager of the Year who won the World Series with the 1990 Reds.

Now for the players.  No offense to Harold Baines, Albert Belle, Will Clark and Orel Hershiser, but they're not Hall of Famers.  Mark McGwire, on the other hand, would've been voted in by the writers if not for his (since admitted) steroid ties.  It's because of this that I highly doubt McGwire will ever be elected to the Hall of Fame.  That doesn't change my hypothetical "vote," which he's always had and he always will.  I acknowledge that I'm in the minority here, and I'm completely fine with that.

If the 16-member committee is limited to four votes, which is how the Veterans Committee ballot has been structured for the last couple elections.  So, sticking with that criteria, my votes would go to Schuerholz, Steinbrenner, Selig and McGwire.  I do think we'll see at least one person elected.  The most likely choice seems to be John Schuerholz.  At least, I hope it is.  Because he's the most deserving guy in this 10-candidate group.