Apparently the baseball world waits with bated breath as we see who gets in for the Class of 2016… as well as which idiot refused to have Ken Griffey, Jr. go in as possibly the first unanimous selection in HoF voting history.
Yet, with the new streamline process that removes legacy voters who haven’t written about or even mentioned baseball within the last ten years, there is a slightly better chance that it could happen. On top of that, there’s a better chance than that in which players like Mike Piazza and Jeff Bagwell; guys who have been suspected of PED usage over the years, can possibly make it in this time, as well as guys like Barry and Roger and Gary Sheffield getting much closer, if not in.
Time changes a lot of things, perhaps, but it did nothing for Pete Rose, who was denied re-entry into MLB, with the HoF following suit. One can argue that the Hall is not an MLB property and should not be beholden to the whims or decrees of the league, and you’re certainly welcome to do so here.
As far as this writer is concerned, the HoF is an incomplete record and repository of baseball lore and references and in the age of the Internet there is plenty of room for improvement, but that’s not my call and therefore not of much interest to me. It’s not about me though (words to live by if you are a voter), it’s Hall of Fame Vote Day, so let’s hop on our pins and needles and wait for the dust to settle, shall we?
(Note: perennial Banter favorite Tim Raines also stands a good chance of getting the vote this year. Will update when final vote is announced.)
Happy hall of Fame Day. Anyone not voting for Junior needs to turn in his BBWAA membership.
This could be Rock Raines' year as well; he and Bagwell are on the verge, totaling so far above above 76% (out of 194 ballots). They need to have a bunch of guys go in together; last year with Pedro was pure ratchedness. Voting in Raines would go a long way in making up for that.
Piazza & Junior! Who are the three knuckleheads who didn't vote for Junior?
Hope Moose gets in someday, Andy too.
Great news for Junior and Piazza! Total joke though that Bonds, Clemens, Bagwell, Raines, Schilling, Mussina, Sosa and McGwire are not in.
Joke is the right idea because that's what the Hall is in many ways.
Always like that Piazz--on the field anyway!
In the words of the late Jimmy Cannon, nobody asked me but I think the HOF should be for only the greatest players of which there are very few. Any hint of augmentation should disqualify someone permanently. Ken Griffey gets in but Piazza no way. He was a poor defensive player.
[5] With all due respect, I couldn't disagree more.
I think of the HoF as a baseball museum. The official members plaques are probably the least interesting exhibits.
However, I know that the idea of the HoF--and for many of the players being voted in--is supposedly the supreme validation of performance.
Does Rose need validation? No. Do Bonds, Sosa, Mac or Clemmons? I doubt those guys are losing sleep over it. As a fan it's silly they are not in, but I just don't give a Fudgsicle.
In other fields, it's not so important. For instance, the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame induction process is all over the board, but the museum is a blast. It's worth a trip to, gasp, Cleveland.
I gave up on advertising awards in my late 30s after I had collected a few. I know what I am and what I've done. I love my job, but I also do it for the money. The validation is getting called on and getting paid.
BTW, only a certain group of writers are allowed to vote, correct? BBWAA members?
Do the retired players ever get to vote on anything? I suppose that would be tricky...they would have to be excluded from voting for themselves.
[7] So you're booting Willie Mays from this personal "righteous" HoF, right?
Willie Mays was the best player I have ever seen. In my lifetime, at least, he has no peer.