It's been a while since I've filled out my baseball Hall of Fame ballot (which I do not have but consider every year.) Even during these pandemic times, the world moves on and yet another year is upon us. Those elected this coming year will join a rather banner crop of elected Hall of Famers from 2020 which includes Derek Jeter, Larry Walker, Ted Simmons and Marvin Miller. Whomever joins them will all be inducted formally in Cooperstown in July of 2021 (assuming we've turned the tide of COVID by then.) This past year offered some many great names from which to choose. This year? Not so much. Before we begin, here is the list of players eligible for 2021 induction.
To remind those unfamiliar with the process, a player must have been retired for 5 years and the voter may only choose up to 10 from the list. Not every able baseball writer (those that actually get to vote) selects 10 players, but for the past many years there was a backlog on the ballot. For the first time in a long time, I do not see that issue this time around. I think I have a solid ballot, but it was actually quite difficult to choose the full compliment. I am a larger hall guy rather than a small hall guy. There are men that probably don't belong there but that water is under the bridge at this late date. So I always try to pick a full 10. There is no lack of talent in the Major Leagues and if we are supposed to honor the best of the best (which a Hall of Fame suggests, though that may be another discussion) then there should be little issue giving out this honor.
So, let us see the choices...
- Barry Bonds
- Roger Clemens
These two are beyond argument as among the greatest players to ever play the game. When one speaks of a small hall, 1st ballot, inner circle MLB player these two are indisputable. They are, of course, saddled by PED claims (none of which has ever been proved, by the way.) I need not get into discussion of PEDs other than to say that it is beyond hypocrisy that the Commissioner of MLB when this era occurred is already in the Hall of Fame. Say what you will about Bud Selig, but these 2 did more for the game than Selig did in his entire career as either owner or Commish. Barry Bonds is the greatest player of his era (hands down) and my favorite hitter of that time, regardless of his steroid use. Before it is suggested he began using PEDs, he already had a HoF case. It is absurd that he is outside looking in. And for Clemens, despite the fact that he may be the Anti-Christ, he ranks among the top 10 pitchers of all time by the numbers (though my beloved Greg Maddux has 1 more win. Hah!) There is no good reason that they have not already been elected other than sanctimonious baseball writers that wish to punish them for crimes that these very same writers looked beyond at the time because the numbers they produced were good copy. 'Nuff said. I'm not going to win that argument because I don't have a vote. Yet these 2 are easy.
The next tier gets a bit tough. Yet these are my picks:
- Curt Schilling
- Gary Sheffield
- Andy Pettitte
All three could be considered borderline candidates. However, each has plenty of evidence behind their case to be included in this august body. And also perhaps personal/integrity issues that may have stalled their various campaigns. When Schilling played, there was very little issue with his ability on the field. He went to the playoffs with 3 different teams (Pirates, Diamondbacks and Red Sox) and got a World Series ring from 2 of those. The bloody sock from 2004 is likely already in the Hall. Why not the man that wore it? Because people don't like his politics? That's outside the game. Sheffield, I think, is also dogged by PED claims (again unfounded by fact) and so he continues to wait. Yet I recall very well that he was known as one of the quickest bats in the game while he played and though he was perhaps known as surly, when he played for the Braves (my team, sure) there was no issue there. Over 500 home runs and 1600 RBI (which used to be traditional metrics for the Hall) should have ushered him in. Also waiting. Finally, Pettitte has his own PED issues. He's admitted his usage, but once more I don't really care. I do not love the Yankees (readers may already know this) but there is no mistake of what this man accomplished. He was directly involved in the late 90's run of that team and with 256 career wins, clearly shows his standing as we see numbers today. There are better writers than myself (and indeed number crunchers) but I believe he belongs in the Hall.
Now we move to the third tier. All 4 are definitely borderline cases but, I think, deserve the nod:
- Andruw Jones
- Jeff Kent
- Manny Ramirez
- Billy Wagner
When these 4 men played, no one would dispute that they were among the best of the game. Jones is considered by many the finest center fielder in the history of the sport. Kent is considered (and the numbers support it) one of the best 2nd basemen to play in the game. Wagner was a lights out closer that has numbers nearly similar to Trevor Hoffman (already in the Hall) and Ramirez...well, he's never getting in by the writers. His numbers are beyond dispute. He falls in the same territory as the PED suspects above and unlike them, he actually tested positive and has been disciplined for it (on more than one occasion.) I am open to argument why he should be different, but I'm looking at the player and not the man. Indeed his case is more difficult than Bonds, Clemens, etc. but the numbers do not lie. Before or after the juice, this man was feared. He also had his issues. Again, he is not likely to ever get enough support for the Hall, but I think he belongs.
So now we are at 9 and I need to make my 10th pick. While I said that this class was less than previous classes, that does not mean that the last pick is not difficult. I'm looking at 3 pitchers and 3 hitters as I wish to fill out the ballot. The pitchers are Mark Buehrle, AJ Burnett and Tim Hudson. All three were excellent pitchers (and I'm a bit biased as I watched a lot more starts by Hudson) but I don't consider any of them a Hall member. The hitters are Todd Helton, Scott Rolen and Omar Vizquel. All three were amazing athletes and excelled at their positions (1st, 3rd and SS respectively.) Helton and Rolen have the offensive stats to consider and Vizquel is a bit of a bridge between Ozzie Smith (HoF) and Andrelton Simmons as the finest defensive SS in the game. It really is a push. Vizquel got over 50% of the vote last year on his 4th year on the ballot. Rolen was at 35% in his 4th. Helton was at 29% in his 3rd. All 3 pitchers are going through their 1st time. (Note - a player needs 75% for those unaware.)
If I am pressed (as I am) to pick which should be chosen, I'd probably go with Rolen as his sabermetric numbers are slightly better than Helton (who played his career at Coors Field half the time.) That said, I think to go with Helton personally. Vizquel was excellent with the glove, but does not move the meter on me and none of the three pitchers gets above that level. So with my last pick I go with...
- Todd Helton
Difficult for me to do given that Mr. Helton was a Tennessee Volunteer, but there we are. I'd not really have issue if any of these men got into the Hall. But these are my 10 picks (should I have a ballot, which I do not.) If I have to guess which will actually be elected, I suspect Schilling alone. He, Bonds and Clemens all received over 60% of the vote last year. Schilling got over 70%. All three are on the 9th year on the ballot and these days, you only get 10 (used to be 15.) Bonds and Clemens have pretty much stalled over the years. There are simply too many that will not vote for them and these two can't move the numbers. But Schilling has moved up, despite his post career persona.
So these are my suggestions, should the writers wish to consider them (which they never have.) This year is a time to maybe right some wrongs, but I doubt that will happen. Next year sees a bit of a bumper crop - Alex Rodriguez, David Ortiz and Jimmy Rollins (among others.) Of those left on the ballot this year that I would not vote for, let me allow a shout out to Torri Hunter and Barry Zito. Both great players but they just don't get there. So, there is my 2021 vote. That is all.
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