Posted on 01/09/2013 11:12:23 AM PST by massmike
Baseball writers didn't elect Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens into the Hall of Fame on Wednesday, making an apparent statement on their suspected use of performance-enhancing drugs.
In fact, they failed to elect anyone, something that has only happened twice in the Hall's history.
Since 1965, the only years the writers didn't elect a candidate were when Yogi Berra topped the 1971 vote by appearing on 67 percent of the ballots cast and when Phil Niekro headed the 1996 ballot at 68 percent. Both were chosen the following years when they achieved the 75 percent necessary for election.
Also on the ballot for the first time were Sammy Sosa and Mike Piazza, power hitters whose statistics have been questioned because of the Steroids Era, and Craig Biggio, 20th on the career list with 3,060 hits — all for the Houston Astros. Curt Schilling, 11-2 with a 2.23 ERA in postseason play, was another ballot rookie.
Several holdovers from last year also were on the 37-player ballot, including Jack Morris (67 percent), Jeff Bagwell (56 percent), Lee Smith (51 percent) and Tim Raines (49 percent).
In advance of Wednesday's announcement, The Baseball Think Factory website compiled votes by writers who made their opinions public and with 159 ballots had everyone falling short of admission. Biggio was at 69 percent, followed by Morris (63), Bagwell (61), Raines (61), Piazza (60), Bonds (43) and Clemens (43).
(Excerpt) Read more at nbcsports.msnbc.com ...
One of the few loyal players that stayed with one team his whole career, moving from position to position, whatever was asked of him.
no one was selected, which ought to be the rule, rather than the exception.
flooding the hall of fame with, not to put too fine a point on it, very good, yet not truly great players simply cheapens the HoF.
Fully agree. Biggio won’t be kept out the HOF long.
He was a good pitcher, but 254 wins shouldn't get him in, AFAIC.
Biggio, maybe. 3000 hits ought to get him in. That, and he was a class act.
Don't get me started on Clemmons, Bonds, Sosa, et al.
Biggio deserves the HOF. I guess he didn’t play for the right team.
From an ESPN article this week by Tim Kurkjian:
Biggio had 3,060 hits, 21st most ever, more than Rod Carew. Biggo had more hits in the live-ball era (since 1920) than any player whose primary position was second base. Biggio had the fifth-most doubles, more than Hank Aaron. He had the 31st most extra-base hits, more than Willie McCovey, Willie Stargell, Al Kaline and Mickey Mantle. He scored the 14th-most runs, more than Ted Williams and Carl Yastrzemski. And Biggio’s 146 runs scored in 1997 are tied for the second most in a season in the expansion era (since 1961). He played in more winning games than George Brett. The list of players in history with 250 home runs and 400 stolen bases are Bonds, Bobby Bonds, Rickey Henderson, Joe Morgan and Biggio. That’s it. That’s the list. He is one of four infielders ever to have a 20-homer, 50-steal season.
Biggio’s career WAR of 62.1 is comparable to Alomar (62.9) and Sandberg (64.9), but Biggio accumulated it while playing three premium defensive positions: catcher, second base and center field. He and Tom Daly (1895; he threw under-handed on long throws from second base to first) are the only players to play a full season at second base and a full season behind the plate. Biggio is the only player to also have played a full season in center field; he is the only player in history to record 1,000 at-bats as a catcher, a second baseman and a center fielder. He won four consecutive Gold Gloves at second base. When he arrived in the major leagues as a catcher in 1988 at age 22, Nolan Ryan said he loved throwing to him because he knew he could bounce a two-strike curveball knowing that the maniacal little guy with a size 7 hat behind the plate would hurl his body in front of the ball.
and now the writers have had their ‘that’ll show em’ moment. We’ll see how long it takes for someone from the ‘rood era to be elected
It gets even harder next year. Greg Maddux will likely get in, and there are other first-time names next year who will draw a goodly number of votes.
Morris looks lose enough to make it next time or soon after.
The HOF won’t include the all-time hit king or the all-time homerun champion?
I am just as disgusted as anyone else with the direction of the country, but it doesn't mean I am going cry and moan 24/7.
“He was a good pitcher, but 254 wins shouldn’t get him in, AFAIC.”
I am not disputing your rationale but as of today there are 21 pitchers with less wins then Morris in the HOF.
Hall is worthless until Charlie Hustle is included.
If Biggo is good enough, so is Tim Raines. Nobody steals bases anymore. Shocking, but it takes someone getting on base, then the ability to do it. If Ron Santo can get in so can Tim.
<< Don’t get me started on Clemmons, Bonds, Sosa, et al. >>
I (kind of) feel the same way as you do. However...
Hank Aaron recently admitted to doing amphetimines when he was a player; Willy Mays did them, too.
Babe Ruth played when “negro” players weren’t allowed to play; Gaylord Perry threw a spitball, (an “illegal” pitch.)
I’m personally VERY happy that Bonds and Clemens were denied, because they not only OBVIOUSLY did steroids, but they are arrogant bastards, as well. But, if Aaron, Mays, et al made their way in doing illegal things, how does one justify keeping Bonds and Clemens out?
I can’t answer that. I’m just asking.
Morris should be in based on Game 7 of the 1991 World Series alone.
Biggio....will make it next year.
Biggio also may have been the most community minded player of his era too. Remember the little sun that he wore on his hat until the Commish made him take it off?
But then don't get me started on that slimey bastard slug Bud Selig. I hope that SOB burns in hell.
Biggio will make it eventually.
Of that bunch, Schilling and Biggio seem to be the best choices.
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