2013 Hall of Fame: No one elected?

[Will E Worm]

There’s a good chance no one will be elected to the Hall of Fame on Wednesday

Hey, sorry to spoil your Wednesday on a Tuesday, but it had to be done. As you might have seen, Baseball Think Factory has been collating the Hall of Fame ballots that have been made public by the BBWAA electorate and they've been using them to poll the progress of the candidates. With 21.8 percent of precincts reporting and 125 ballots counted, it's looking likely that no one will get a Cooperstown plaque this season via the writers. Why? Because the electorate as a whole is confused about what to do with alleged steroid users.

Right now, here's what the top of the 2013 field looks like, via BBTF. Remember, a player needs to be named of 75 percent of the ballots to be inducted:
• Craig Biggio, 68 percent

• Jeff Bagwell, 64.4 percent

• Jack Morris, 64 percent

• Tim Raines, 63.2 percent

• Mike Piazza, 61.6 percent

• Roger Clemens, 44.8 percent

• Barry Bonds, 44.8 percent

(Bonds and Clemens both at 44.8 percent — odd!)

Now, maybe there's another 7 percent among the outstanding ballots to get Biggio to the required 75 percent threshold, it's just doubtful. And maybe the demographic of "uncounted" voters is waiting in the weeds to give Jack Morris that push over the cliff to immortality. But probably not. So that leaves everybody out and nobody in this year, except for the trio of new members from a veterans committee. Unfortunately, none of those Hall of Famers-elect are still alive, meaning this year would be the first time since 1960 with no living inductees.

Nobody?! With all of these, well, Hall of Fame-caliber players on the ballot? Outrage!

As you might guess, such a thing has happened before.

The BBWAA has failed to elect anyone to the Hall a total of 15 times since 1940. The writers didn't elect anyone in 1941, '43, '45 and '46, primarily because the Hall was new and there were so many candidates that the ballots were clogged and nobody could get 75 percent with each voter being limited to only 10 selections per year. For example, Rogers Hornsby was elected in 1942 on his fifth try with 78.1 percent of the vote (let that sink in). And he was the only one who made it! But 44 more players behind him on the '42 ballot would someday get into Cooperstown. But none in 1943, of course. Incredible.

Another lockout of sorts happened from 1957 to 1961, and in '63, '65, '69 and 1971. Just imagine how lousy Cooperstown, N.Y. was feeling from '40-'43, and in '58 and '60 when nobody new — not from the writers, nor from a veterans committee — got elected. That really must have been great for tourism.

The most recent time the writers elected no one was in 1996, when knuckleball king Phil Niekro, slugger Tony Perez and right-hander Don Sutton all received percentages in the 60s to lead the field. Not good enough. They all got in eventually, starting with Niekro the next year. I remember '96, and though the Internet wasn't what it has become today, you could still feel the semi-outrage that the stars of the 1970s weren't getting enough love. Some were scratching their chins about Tony Oliva, who fell off the ballot after missing for the 15th time. Jim Rice and Bruce Sutter didn't seem to be making much progress. The same went for Tommy John and Jim Kaat. The likes of Dick Allen, Curt Flood, Luis Tiant, Minnie Minoso, Joe Torre, Vada Pinson and Bobby Bonds were running out of time. Dave Concepcion and Steve Garvey were never going to get enough votes. The level of support for Graig Nettles, Fred Lynn and Keith Hernandez was shockingly low. Frank White was one and done.

But all of that was not like this.

There's nothing in the charter that demands that writers elect anyone in a given year, nor should there be. Generally speaking, it's a good thing that "none" is an option. Yeah, it's a drag, not only for baseball fans but also for the businesses of Cooperstown — not the least of which is the Hall itself. But there should be some kind of exclusivity to it, and the BBWAA has done a spectacular job of maintaining it through the years. The various committees of veterans who also have elected members to the Hall, well, that's another matter sometimes.

But what's happening this season is shameful. These are some of the giants (literally and figuratively) of baseball during the past 30 years. Bonds, Clemens, Piazza — arguably the greatest players at their positions ever (maybe not Clemens, but close). Biggio, Bagwell, Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa — "surefire someday Hall of Famers" at certain points history. Raines should have been in already. And then there's the angry Morris mustache crowd. And the should-be angry Alan Trammell crowd. The DH-loving Edgar Martinez society. And the strange-os who vote out of protest for Pete Rose, who is ineligible. There are good reasons not to vote for some of these players, even many of them. But there's no good reason to keep them all out.

At least we know that Deacon White, Hank O'Day and Jacob Ruppert will have their day in the sun this summer. Now go bone up on your Deacon White stats!

Article


2013 Official Hall of Fame Ballot Link

Jack Morris
Jeff Bagwell
Lee Smith
Tim Raines
Alan Trammell
Edgar Martínez
Fred McGriff
Larry Walker
Mark McGwire
Don Mattingly
Dale Murphy
Rafael Palmeiro
Bernie Williams
Sandy Alomar, Jr.
Craig Biggio
Barry Bonds
Jeff Cirillo
Royce Clayton
Roger Clemens
Jeff Conine
Steve Finley
Julio Franco
Shawn Green
Roberto Hernández
Ryan Klesko
Kenny Lofton
José Mesa
Mike Piazza
Reggie Sanders
Curt Schilling
Aaron Sele
Sammy Sosa
Mike Stanton
Todd Walker
David Wells
Rondell White
Woody Williams

Dale Murphy will be on the ballot for the 15th and final time.





Dale Murphy should be elected.

Don Mattinlgy isn't getting many votes...Mike Piazza, Tim Raines...?

This years balloting is a joke. Too many need to go in and the voters are being stubborn.

 

[Will E Worm]

Re: 2012 Hall of Fame: No one elected?

This is the thread I wanted deleted.

 

[Sam Fisher]

Re: 2012 Hall of Fame: No one elected?

NEW YORK (AP) -- Steroid-tainted stars Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens and Sammy Sosa were denied entry to baseball's Hall of Fame, with voters failing to elect any candidates for only the second time in four
decades.

lol...... freakin cheaters!

 

[Will E Worm]

Re: 2012 Hall of Fame: No one elected?

This thread is going to be deleted.

 

[D-rock]

Re: 2012 Hall of Fame: No one elected?

NEW YORK (AP) -- Steroid-tainted stars Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens and Sammy Sosa were denied entry to baseball's Hall of Fame, with voters failing to elect any candidates for only the second time in four
decades.

lol...... freakin cheaters!

To be fair to Bond and Sosa (although I don't consider Sosa Hall of Fame worthy) there was never anything to indicate they did PEDs after it became against the rules, so it can't be considered cheating. Both Bonds' and Clemens' performances even before people though they were taking the stuff is Hall of Fame worthy on it's own.

As far as character issues go, there are people that are a lot worse in the MLB Hall of Fame on that front, so in my opinion unless somebody does something that's to the level of rape or murder they shouldn't be disallowed entry based off of that.

 

[bodie54]

Dale Murphy should be elected.

Sturdy, reliable, consistent, very good numbers, a fan favorite: but still a slim cut below being a HOFer

I don't think Piazza deserves to be in the hall.

 

[Will E Worm]

Sturdy, reliable, consistent, very good numbers, a fan favorite: but still a slim cut below being a HOFer

I don't think Piazza deserves to be in the hall.

Terrible :tongue:

Dale Murphy and Mike Piazza into the Hall!


They are too political now. A new non-bias and non-political Hall of Fame needs to be built.


Where? Cincinnati.

Why? Professional Baseball started in Cincinnati.
The Cincinnati Red Stockings of 1869 were baseball's first fully professional team.

Link

 

[StanScratch]

It is a shame Jack Morris will not be elected to the Hall by the writers.
I know, he still has one more year. That one more year will have the likes of Greg Maddox, Tom Glavine and Frank Thomas on the ballot. In my opinion, Maddox is a sure first year vote in, Thomas is a very solid maybe, and Glavine will make it eventually. Biggio picked up enough votes this year that next year, he could likely make it next.
Unfortunately, I don't think Morris will make it, which is unfair. Even unfairer is Lee Smith will not make it in next year - I am not sure how many more times he will be on the ballot, but I doubt he will make it in with the writers. So, both will have to wait for the veterans committee...and I think both WILL eventually make it.
Jack Morris was one of the most dominate pitchers of the 1980s, if not THE for the entire extent of the decade (that would rule out Doc Gooden, who joined the league halfway into the decade). Granted, he does not have the greatest of all time numbers - however, they do line up kind of closely with those of Bob Gibson (who is in the hall) and Luis Tiant (who I think should be in the Hall). Oh, and he finished his career technically as a Cincinnati Red, though he never played for them. I think he will make it after being kicked around a few years by the veteran's committee - along with Tiant.
Lee Smith is a no-doubter for me. Third in all-time saves. For a while, he held the record for all-time saves. And for a while, there were few you wanted on the mound to close the game other than Lee Smith (Eckersley would give him a run...and Eck IS in the Hall). His popularity with the numbers with the writers are surprisingly stagnant, year by year. Oh...and the second to the last team he played with? The Reds. I think he has a few more years with the writers, but I have a gut feeling he will not make it with them. However, he is virtually a lock with the veteran's committee.
It is kind of surprising how little success Fred McGriff has had with the writers...but he is an almost borderline guy. He was one of the better power hitters in the just-before-steroids era. If there were no strike at the end of 1994, he easily gets 500 homers in an era when it means something. And, were he to make it, that would mean the Padres and Bluejays would have traded future Hall-of-Famers in 1992, a rarity (only one I can think of off the top of my head is Frisch for Hornsby). McGriff has only been on the ballot for four years...I think after a few years, he popularity will grow and he makes it. Eventually.
Another surprise for me is Alan Trammell. He actually had pretty good offensive numbers for a shortstop of that era - but his glove is where the love should be shown. He is lifetime 34th of defensive WAR - that is for ALL defensive players. That should count for something. A guy who I think got the shaft the writers, Davey Concepcion, is a couple of steps behind at 41st. Despite past elections of Bill Mazeroski, Ozzie Smith and Luis Aparicio, I still think defensive wizards get the shaft by the Hall. His time is about up with the writers. I think he makes it in after a couple of looks by the veteran's committee.
Tim Raines is very close for me. His career numbers are pretty all right - but he is still one of the most dominant base stealers of all time. In addition, early in his career, he was one of the top fielders of his day. There is a possibility that playing on astroturf hurt his career later, along with the fielding partner Andre Dawson. However, we do not elect people according to potential, or Eric Davis and Bo Jackson would be sure things (imagine their careers had not astroturf/football injuries curtailed their careers?). I don't think he makes it.
Unfortunately, Dale Murphy is another potential who never did completely pan out. For four years (maybe six, if you count a sort of rough 1986 season), Murphy was without a doubt the best player in baseball. Unfortunately, his peak and slide are rather drastic, in almost all counts (average, power). His career numbers are close to those of a Ron Santo - who is a Hall of Famer, but that is also because he had a great glove. I don't think he makes it.
If Craig Biggio does not make it next year, he will the year after. Too good of an offensive player, and he was a damned good fielder at THREE key positions (catcher, center, second). I hated seeing the guy come up against the Reds.
Jeff Bagwell is on the edge. Yes, he has great offensive numbers...but he played first. Lots of first basemen have great offensive numbers. Hell, Bagwell's are nowhere near the top 10 in offensive numbers all time for first basemen. I think he makes it eventually...barely, thanks to the writers.
One guy who will make it for sure, eventually, will be Mike Piazza. It will not be next year. Might not be for the next couple - but it will be within the next five. He is one of the best offensive catchers of all time (as a Johnny Bench fan, I hate to say that). Granted, he was not a very good defensive catcher...but he was pretty damned good with the stick.
I think an eventual surprise will be Curt Schilling - I think he will make it. Eventually. When he was on, he was one of the toughest pitchers around. Granted, on paper it looks like he had some rough years...but he had some of those with some pretty bad teams, and injuries slowed him down. But he is 26th all time for pitchers in WAR. He was one of those guys who was quietly a very good pitcher, until thrown into the spotlight as part of the Schilling/Johnson tandem. Hell, the both of them could very well get elected in the same year, but I've a feeling Schilling will have to wait a while like Blyleven.
Roger Clemens...Barry Bonds? I have a feeling if they make it, neither will live to see it. Much like Pete Rose. I think they will be punished for their misdeeds while alive, rewarded after their deaths. Both of those guys were great players - both would have made it to the hall without PED. But, but got greedy. I think the writers will deny them...and I think the veterans committees will do the same. It does not help that both are dicks.
I would absolutely love to see Edgar Martinez make it. But, he will not. He has a couple of things going for him. One, is that he was a DH. Sure, we have elected guys for being purely great hitters...but the closest we have come to elected a true DH to the Hall is Reggie Jackson (I think...correct me if I am wrong). Two, his numbers are not totally sexy enough for a guy who was only a hitter. Sure, he has a great average, but his homer power is nothing to attract voters. Yes, he was great at doubles...but that will not push him over the edge. Almost every other player in the Hall with his WAR numbers are guys who were also great defensive players...the only one who was not was Willie Stargell - a man also voted in because of his spirit.
Larry Walker? Don Mattingly? Nope. Nope. Very good players, but will never make it.
Sammy Sosa? Mark McGwire? Rafael Palmeiro? No way in hell. Not by the writers, not by the veterans. Three guys with good - but very tainted - numbers. Oh, and three guys who have lied about taking the stuff. Like Bonds and Clemens.

 

[Red001]

i was not surprised that no one was elected. the funny thing to me was within days a new in season testing program was announced specifically for HGH and Testosterone.
we have 2 of the Braves aces up next year and Maddux is likely a yes with Glavine a strong maybe in 2015 Randy Johnson is a very likely yes

red001

 

[pool_hustler]

Mike Piazza into the Hall!

Below average defensive catcher. Lacked leadership qualities. Never won a ring.

As an L.A. resident it was frustrating observing the lack of passion he and contemporary Eric Karros played with during their Dodger years; years when the Dodgers consistently underachieved in relation to the team's talent. Oh sure they were very "professional" - they hung up good, consistent numbers every year - but they lacked the kind of fire and intensity that could have pushed those teams further ala Kirk Gibson, for instance.

I was actually kind of glad the Dodgers sent him packing when he mouthed off about his contract at the beginning of his last season here. The team was emotionally flat-lining - it wasn't going anywhere with him. Granted it didn't go far without him either, mainly because 1) Bobby Bonilla was a total stiff in that trade and 2) Gary Sheffield, for all his talent, was also a disruptive clubhouse influence. But imo it was worth trying to shake up the complacency that had long infected the team by making the trade.

 

[mp69]

Stupid that no one got in