Ripken and Gwynn move to the front of the line so the borderline guys like Rice and Blyleven have no chance this year. If I were a sportswriter, I would not vote for McGwire this year. Maybe that will force some answers from him. I do think McGwire goes in this year or next.
Harold Baines is the one worth watching. He won't go in this year but his numbers are Hall-worthy. The problem is that he was a DH most of his career and never had any "main stage" moments.
Canseco - the new standard bearer for most HRs while staying out of the Hall.
I think the Veterans Committee has made it too difficult to get in now. It was too easy for too long. Now they've made it too tough.
And too bad about O'Neal. Baseball had its chance to honor him and they choked.
DH is indeed the problem. I would have a hard time voting for an otherwise OF who spent most of his time as a part-time player. Molitor is a little different, since he did play most of his games at 3b. Don't try to sell me on Edgar Martinez--no way. The only true test case will be Frank Thomas. The Big Hurt has freakish, Ted Williams/Babe Ruth type OPS career numbers. But two things knock him way down: 1) being a DH; and 2) playing in an inflated offense era.
Canseco - the new standard bearer for most HRs while staying out of the Hall.
Canseco is the new Kingman. McGriff will be next.