The 2013 HOF Ballot

[HurricaneKid]

The BBWA need to be stripped of their vote. They were once capable guardians of the hall. That time has long since past.

Barry Bonds went 16 straight years with a WAR above Miguel Cabrera's MVP/Triple Crown season (except the strike season when he was on pace to go >8, and the one year he was hurt). There are plenty of arguments to be made that he was the best baseball player in the history of the game and he doesn't get half the votes necessary to gain entry. GTFO.

[trwi7]

Why wasn't the BBWAA doing anything to stop rampant steroid use that was taking place in locker rooms while writers were there? And now all of a sudden they won't vote for the guys that they watched used steroids?

[DJhitek]

Honestly, if they feel so strongly about dishonesty and cheating they should have the decency to not fill a ballot at all.

I've read a ton of articles talking about the value of the sport and why we should assume and respect that maybe everyone in that era used.

I've been steadfast in my opinion, unless someone has been tested and you know for absolute certainty, than those players performances should be valued the same as any other era. And even then folks, Clemens won 7 Cy Young awards and Bonds was one of the greatest players we have ever seen. Those two guys deserve to be hall of famers. If you can't separate your personal belief of an individual, (see Jim Rice and how we was vilified in the media circles) than you shouldn't be allowed to vote. Just my two cents.

[UN-Owen]

The BBWA need to be stripped of their vote. They were once capable guardians of the hall. That time has long since past.

I think those already enshrined in the Hall of Fame should decide which players are inducted

[UN-Owen]

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.

His Hall of Fame credentials were decided on the diamond, not in Congress

What if it turns out that Frank Thomas beat his wife? Does that keep him out of the Hall?

What if Griffey cheated on his taxes? Does that make him less worthy of being inducted?

[d boy gentleman]

First time posting on this board, but I find it laughable that no one got in this year. Either you're a Hall of Famer or you're not one at all; none of this "first ballot" foolishness . A player's numbers are their numbers; they will be the same numbers that they will have to look at again next year when their names appear on the ballot.

I hate the holier than thou attitude that these writers have. They talk about they don't want "cheaters" in the Hall, but guys like Sosa and McGwire both put butts in seats during their chase for the home run record after fans were disgusted after the baseball strike in '95 and bought fans back to the game. Nobody complained about steroids back then and nobody should now. I just hate the personal vendettas that these writers have and I think the process needs to be changed.

[craig01]

I think time will soften the stance held against the assumed abusers.

I still have mixed emotions about to whom I thought cheated and whether or not those players should be eligible, but who am I to decide when or if someone gets in?

[Quake Griffin]

the baseball writers are a joke.

i appreciate the juicers....the same way they want me to appreciate Ruth for his numbers when negroes didn't play.

juicers saved baseball when the sport was this close to dying *pinches fingers*....I was 9 going on 10 years old when Sammy n Mack were going deep like that...nobody remembers Griffey falling off the track?

how come everybody talks about AT&T being a pitchers park...how the ball won't carry there but neglect to mention Barry was tearing the cover off of the ball there?

they saved baseball...and Selig knew they did and allowed them....let the guys in.

Barry and Roger are no brainers.
Ppl like Sammy n Mark...a little less convincing of a story....but they should lift stupid ceiling that roids are putting on these players.

[HurricaneKid]

how come everybody talks about AT&T being a pitchers park...how the ball won't carry there but neglect to mention Barry was tearing the cover off of the ball there?

The right field power alley is 424 feet and 15+ feet high. AND its right on the water (balls don't carry is high moisture).

If he would have played at a hitters ballpark he may have had >100 more HRs.