RealGM

There's 37 players on the ballot this year and there's gonna be some heated discussions because of the steroid use that's present on the list.



If I had a vote, I'd put in Jeff Bagwell, Craig Biggio, Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Edgar Martinez, Dale Murphy, Tim Raines and Larry Walker.

I know Bonds, Clemens and Sosa will catch the brunt of the storm because they're the newest eligible players who have a history in roids. Obviously Bonds will headline a lot of the conversations, so seeing what happens with McGwire and Palmeiro this year will be interesting.

I'm in the camp of simply allowing people who used steroids into the HOF because it was just a part of the game in the era they played in. I know it's not a popular mindset, but guys like Bonds and Clemens deserve a place in Cooperstown.

Thoughts?

Da Schwab wrote:I'm in the camp of simply allowing people who used steroids into the HOF because it was just a part of the game in the era they played in. I know it's not a popular mindset, but guys like Bonds and Clemens deserve a place in Cooperstown.

+1

Although it was illegal, steroids weren't banned in baseball until 2004. While some guys have admitted or have different levels of guilt I say you have to let them all in no matter what. Who are the BBWA to play god and decide who they think was clean and who wasn't. Sad part is that they probably will try to do this and I have a feeling we won't see them in the Hall right away. For all we know Biggio was on HGH too. How can you prove he wasn't?

I would immediately put Bonds and Clemens in. Second tier McGwire, Sosa, Biggio, Tim Raines. After that, no one really blows me away. On the fence with guys like Bagwell and Schilling. Probably a no for Larry Walker or Edgar Martinez.

For the record I hate Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens, but it would be a travesty if they are not in HOF.

It's a damn shame that Edgar Martinez is going to become baseball's Ray Guy.

My vote would go to Bagwell, Piazza, Biggio, Martinez, and Raines. I believe Bonds and Clemens were HOFers before they used, but cheats are cheats.

If the steroid monster are getting, doesn't Palmeiro have to be part of that group? 500 home runs and 3000 hits.

one of the best HOF ballot years of all time. Not because of the players, but the storylines. Dilemmas and morals, it's gonna be fun. I bet writers are pounding their heads.

Tim Raines. Expos FTW.

DaveMeyers wrote:Tim Raines. Expos FTW.

Very undervalued IMO.

Raines, Walker, McGriff (very under-rated, IMNAAHO. If he doesn't get in, he'll be the clean player with the most HRs on the outside looking in), and Morris are the sleepers who certainly deserve more consideration. I really hope that this is Morris's year.

Personally, I think Clemens et al will be waiting until the second ballot to get in.

Bagwell's career stats are Hall of Fame worthy

449 HR, 202 SB, .948 OPS

(his .948 career OPS is good for 22nd all-time)


I know stolen bases aren't that relevant, but raise your hand if you knew Bagwell had over 200 of them?

*raises hand*

Palmeiro should be elected as well

How many players in history have 3,000 hits, 500 doubles and 500 homeruns?

There is no way Palmeiro sniffs the hall.

That's how I feel about Rafi, but it got me wondering about Barry and Roger, and their chances.

All three of them lied to juries, Rafi and Roger more so on Capital Hill. Like I said before, I would let Barry and Roger in, but for some reason I just can't do it for Rafi. That damn quote and his finger wag is just so ingrained in my memory, that I can't let him in the Hall.

Palmeiro had a Hall of Fame career

Whether or not some voters want to recognize it as such doesn't change anything

I am hopeful that Biggio & Bagwell both make it on this ballot. It would only be fitting for the Killer B's to enter Cooperstown together.

I tend to divide Hall of Famers into 2 categories

Players who were Hall of Fame talents

And players who had Hall of Fame careers


Palmeiro, Thome, McGriff, etc. would be examples of players who had Hall of Fame careers without (arguably) ever being one of the top 10 players in the league during their careers

Then there are players like Edgar Martinez, Carlos Beltran, Larry Walker, etc. who were Hall of Fame talents, but may not be elected because they failed to reach certain career milestones


My preference has always been to recognize the elite players over the ones who were really good for a very long time

No one got in.

Guess we'll have to look forward to 2014 with Maddux, Glavine, Big Hurt and Moose.