2009 Hall of Fame Ballot

by WholeCamels on Jan 10, 2009 5:54 PM EST

Your picks? Mine in bold. Comments below.

• Harold Baines
• Jay Bell
• Bert Blyleven
• David Cone
• Andre Dawson
• Ron Gant
• Mark Grace
• Rickey Henderson
• Tommy John
• Don Mattingly
• Mark McGwire
• Jack Morris
• Dale Murphy
• Jesse Orosco
• Dave Parker
• Dan Plesac
• Tim Raines
• Jim Rice
• Lee Smith
• Alan Trammell
• Greg Vaughn
• Mo Vaughn
• Matt Williams

Bert Blyleven: I am actually LESS certain regarding his candidacy than I've been for some time. Nonetheless, I think he's in, particularly in a Hall of Fame that includes Catfish Hunter and Don Sutton.

Rickey Henderson: Doesn't even warrant discussion. Inner circle greatness.

Mark McGwire: I understand the reluctance of others to vote for him. I'm not interested in persecuting McGwire; to me, he was simply good enough to be voted in.

Tim Raines: Suffers from comparisons to Henderson, the only "leadoff hitter" of the modern era who exceeds Raines. Personal travails may be a turnoff, but his reinvention later in his career was redemptive. Great, great player. Deserves a plaque.

Alan Trammell: Again, he suffers from comparisons to the modern slugging shortstops. Great offense and defense for his position, it's a shame he and Sweet Lou can't be voted in together.

NOTABLE EXCLUSIONS:

Jim Rice: Just not enough. Fear, terror, etc. Just doesn't convince me.

David Cone: I like Cone a lot and would like if he would hang around the ballot for a few years. But realistically, not a Hall of Famer.

Andre Dawson: .323 career OBA.

Lee Smith: Is he that much worse than Bruce Sutter? Two wrongs don't make a right, I suppose.

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Comments

Don’t forget Blyleven’s greatness as a commentator. That’s got to count for something.

by taco pal on Jan 12, 2009 10:38 AM EST reply actions

If we’re talking who I think will get in, it’ll be just Henderson and Rice. Blyleven may inch a bit closer; so too might Raines.

http://www.thegoodphight.com
WHY CAN'T US?

by WholeCamels on Jan 12, 2009 12:30 PM EST reply actions

Trammell & Whitaker

If you want to see how screwed up the BBWA really is, just do a comparison of Tram and Lou’s stats. They are a perfect example.

by vendor71 on Jan 12, 2009 8:10 PM EST reply actions

Tommy John

If only for the countless careers he has saved with his amazing surgical skills…

"When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace." Jimi Hendrix

by philly420pdxhilo on Jan 13, 2009 12:46 AM EST reply actions

Henderson

I don’t understand how anyone could vote against Ricky. His vote was under 95% – those 5%+ should have their membership revoked.

by David S. Cohen on Jan 13, 2009 10:23 AM EST reply actions

sportswriters

Sportswriters act like jilted girlfriends whenever the opportunity arises. Almost to a man, Rickey’s teammates (and there were MANY of them) speak highly of him — his work ethic, his demeanor, etc. But he was brusque with reporters and a little egotistical.

http://www.thegoodphight.com
WHY CAN'T US?

by WholeCamels on Jan 13, 2009 11:14 AM EST up reply actions

The completely retarded idea that....

since no one including the Great Bambino, DiMaggio, etc. got unanimous votes, no one should. Anyone who didn’t vote for Ricky should have their credentials ripped from them. Probably the same morons who refused to vote for Schmidt and Ripken….

"When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace." Jimi Hendrix

by philly420pdxhilo on Jan 14, 2009 5:10 AM EST up reply actions

One of these days the writers are going to forget to talk to each other and all think it’s ‘their turn’ to leave one of the obvious ones off -and someone who is a mortal lock is gonna miss on the first ballot.

I would like to see the baseball blogosphere ban together to get someone deserving who is getting screwed into the hall of fame to off set the jim rice admission.

Or if someone would just kneecap and cut out the tongue of dan shaugnessey – that’d be good too

by jemagee on Jan 15, 2009 10:49 PM EST reply actions