HALL OF FAME TIME AGAIN FOR BASEBALL

The Baseball Writer's Association of America (BBWAA) is releasing today (Monday) the names to be considered for election into the prestigious Baseball Hall of Fame.  Some of the names are old ones, ones that probably have little chance of ever making it.  And then there are the ones that should make it...and others whose fate will hang with a jury for a long time, I'm afraid.  Remember, every year now, the discussion will no doubt focus on PED (Performance Enhancing Drugs) and whether that player was an abuser or not.

Results of the balloting is expected in early January of 2013 for selection into the Hall on July 28th in Cooperstown, New York

One of the greatest thief's of all-time.....Tim Raines

The players back for another run this year are Jack Morris, Jeff Bagwell, Lee Smith, Tim Raines, Alan Trammel, Edgar Martinez, Fred McGriff, Larry Walker, Mark McGwire, Don Mattingly, Dale Murphy, Rafael Palmeiro and Bernie Williams.  Of those, Morris received 66% of the votes needed last year, Bagwell  got 56%, Smith had 51% and Raines grabbed 49%.  75% is needed for selection.

Will this be the year for Morris, the former ace who won 254 games in his big league career?  He's making his 14th run at the honor and he'll probably get in.  Bagwell is another that deserves a shot, although, despite hitting 449 home runs in his career...there has been some question about potential steroid use.  The most deserving might be reliever Lee Smith, who once held the record for most life-time saves until Trevor Hoffman of the San Diego Padres bested his mark in 2006.  Smith ranks second on the all-time list with 478 saves.

At Bruce Sutter's Hall of Fame induction in 2006, Smith talked with reporters about his chances for election.  Like many others, he commented that he was puzzled that he had not yet been selected.  "This confuses the hell out of me.  But I've always been baffled by it", he said.  Hopefully, 2013 will be different for the 7-time All-Star and former Chicago Cub.

And now for the  new names to the ballot for 2013.  Let's begin with the players with the most name identification.  Craig Biggio, Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Kenny Lofton, Mike Piazza, Curt Schilling and Sammy Sosa.  Several of these players could have been first-time selections, but again, PED's are in play.  Despite being baseball's all-time home run leader, Bonds, will have a difficult time of convincing the writers of his drug innocence.   Same goes for Clemens, Sosa and Piazza.  And that's a shame.  They were all big contributors to the Game during their times.  

The other first timers are:
Antonio Alfonseca, Sandy Alomar, Jr., Tony Batista, Mark Bellhorn, Hector Carrasco, Alberto Castillo, Jeff Cirillo, Royce Clayton, Jeff Conine, Rheal Cormier, Juan Encarnacion, Robert Fick, Steve Finley, Julio Franco, Shawn Green, Roberto Hernandez, Ryan Klesko, Steve Kline, Ricky Ledee, Mike Lieberthal, John Mabry, Tom Martin, Doug Mirabelli, Mike Myers, Jose Mesa, Orlando Palmeiro, Neifi Perez, Desi Relaford, Reggie Sanders, Aaron Sele, Mke Stanton, Kelly Stinnett, John Thomson, Jose Valentin, Todd Walker, John Wasdin, David Wells, Rich White, Rondell White, Bob Wickman, Woody Williams, Preston Wilson, Jay Witasick and Jaret Wright.


So, who gets in 2013.  I think Jack Morris and Jeff Bagwell.  Smith most likely will have to wait for the Veterans vote...and the big loser, is in my estimation, Tim Raines.  Raines is the fourth all-time base stealer behind, Rickey Henderson,  Lou Brock and Ty Cobb.  He was also estimated to be the 40th greatest non-pitcher in major league history by Bill James.  And he only played 23 seasons. The guy could flat out ball
 
Thanks for reading.

John