Yet that's exactly where we stand, as the Winter Meetings get underway in their traditional way with the announcement of the Veterans' Committee vote. And this year it's the "Today's Game" Era, which is the group whose contributions to the game took place most recently. There are 10 candidates in the running to join Mariano and whoever else in Cooperstown come July.
This ballot is remarkably similar to the last time they voted on "Today's Game" Era candidates two years ago. Seven of the 10 names are the same, and both John Schuerholtz and Bud Selig were elected last time, so they obviously couldn't be on it again. The only person who was dropped altogether was Mark McGwire, with Lee Smith joining now that his time on the BBWAA ballot has expired (although, I think Smith should probably be with the players from the 80s instead). Blue Jays World Series hero Joe Carter and former Indians/Phillies Manager Charlie Manuel are the other new additions.
Of the 10 candidates, there's one whose election would be incredibly appropriate considering who'll be the headliner of the BBWAA class. George Steinbrenner has been on the ballot a few times and hasn't gotten close to the 75 percent needed for induction. I have no idea whether or not he'll finally be elected this year. But there's no question he deserves to. In fact, if I had a vote, he'd be at the top my ballot.
Steinbrenner was a larger-than-life personality, and that somewhat overshadowed his influence as an owner. Yes, he's a reason why a lot of people hate the Yankees. A lot of critics think the Yankees won simply because Steinbrenner was able to "buy" the best players. That's not entirely true. Although, his early embrace of free agency did lead to back-to-back World Series titles in 1977-78. Then there was the late 90s dynasty and one last championship for The Boss in 2009. In his 38 years as owner, you can count the losing seasons on one hand. That alone isn't easy. Being a contender for the World Series year after year is a monumental challenge. It's not as easy as the Yankees make it look. Plus, Seinfield.
A guy who played and managed for Steinbrenner was actually the leading vote-getter from 2016 among those returning to the ballot. Believe it or not, Lou Piniella is 16th on the all-time managerial wins list, and his team finished first or second 11 times in 21 years. He won the World Series with the 1990 Reds and guided the 2001 Mariners to a Major League-record 116 regular-season victories. Should he be elected, Piniella would join Joe Torre as a very good, if not Hall of Fame-worthy, player for a long time who was voted in as a manager.
My third "vote" goes to Lee Smith. When he was on the regular ballot, Smith never really garnered that much support. And I was among that group. He was the all-time saves leader for a long time, but I never viewed him as "elite." The perception of closers has changed, though. Trevor Hoffman got in last year, and Mariano will be near-unanimous this year. It should be easier for Smith now, too. The Era committees are a smaller pool of candidates and a smaller pool of voters, so all he needs is one champion to plead his case.
The precedent for that has already been set. Look at Alan Trammell last year. His highest vote total from the writers was barely over a third. But last year, his first on the Era Committee ballot, he's elected. And Ted Simmons, who was once dropped from the writers' ballot for not reaching the required five percent, just missed joining him by one vote. So, in other words, things bode well for Lee Smith.
Finally, I'd vote for Orel Hershiser. His 1988 season was one of legend, but his career was much more than that. He won 204 regular season games and had more than 2,000 strikeouts. Hershiser was also a ridiculous postseason competitor, which is something that should never be discounted. He pitched his best on the biggest stage. In fact, he was ALCS MVP with the 1995 Indians, making him the first player in history to win LCS MVP honors in both leagues. Overall, Hershiser was 8-3 in 22 career postseason games.
Harold Baines is looked at in a similar vein as Lee Smith. As closers have gotten more respect, so have DHs. And being a DH gave him a 22-year career. He may have to wait until after Edgar and Big Papi, the two best DHs in history, to get in, though. If he gets in at all. I've always viewed Harold Baines the same way I view Fred McGriff and Rafael Palmeiro. Very good for a long time, but not elite. And the Hall of Fame is reserved for elite.
Albert Belle being on the Hall of Fame ballot is really just an indication of how old I've become. He was great when he was healthy, but his career simply wasn't long enough. The fact that he's on the ballot shows the respect this committee has for his career, though.
Joe Carter is one of the all-time great Toronto Blue Jays, and his 1993 World Series clincher is one of the most legendary home runs in history. ("Touch 'em all Joe, you'll never hit a bigger home run in your life.") One legendary home run got Bill Mazeroski into the Hall of Fame, but it's probably not enough for Joe Carter to get in.
Will Clark, Davey Johnson and Charlie Manuel round out the ballot. Clark is a bit of a surprise. He's another one who falls into the very good, not great category. Johnson and Manuel each won a World Series as a manager, and Johnson was actually a key member of those powerhouse Orioles teams of the late 60s/early 70s during his playing days.
These Veterans Committee votes are always so much harder to forecast than the writers' ballot. Judging by the vote totals from two years ago, I'd say Piniella has the best chance of being elected. But I'd love to see Steinbrenner voted in this year alongside Rivera. He'd get my vote. Along with Piniella, Smith and Hershiser.
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