Controversial Hall of Fame ballots sent out tomorrrow

[Austin]

I'd say Biggio is a second ballot at best. Maybe him and bags go in next year. I'd give Morris the nod this year.

Biggio is likeable and has 3,000 hits. He's the anti-Bonds, Clemens, Sosa... so he has a great shot this year, even if it's just because many writers want to make a statement against the steroid users.

As for Morris, I don't think he and his 3.90 era deserve to be in the Hall of Fame, even if he was great in the postseason.
No one since the 1950s, except Dennis Eckersley's 3.50 era, because he was a mediocre starter, who is in the Hall of Fame has an era anywhere near Morris' crummy 3.90 era.

 

[A_Pharis]

This Year:
Mike Piazza (my only "fringe" pick. Guy was a fan favorite and was hard to beat at his position. He did have the PED shadow on him, though)
Craig Biggio (the guy happily did everything that was asked of him. He has the stats, and he has the love.)
Jack Morris (I think he'll finally get the bump. His support has been on the rise, and I think it's been a steady climb thanks to everyone thinking "he will probably be better for it next year")
Jeff Bagwell (I think Bags is what MAY happen to Piazza thanks to PED talk. I do think he belongs in as there's been no evidence he used PEDs. Was a huge fan favorite and may draw the vote thanks to the Biggio/Bagwell option)


Eventuals:

Kenny Lofton
Tim Raines (6th, 48.7%)
Edgar Martinez (4th, 36.5%)
Curt Schilling

 

[1st4040]

I definately think Piazza and Biggio will be in this year.


I hope Schilling doesn't ever get in...


guys who will be picking up steam as these classes weaken.. Raines, McGriff, and Martinez

 

[Mario1975]

I really think it's unfair to keep guys out because of steroids and also hypocritical. I mean players were using amphetamines in the 60s up through 05'. In the 70s most club houses kept two coffee pots, one regular and one laced with amphetamines. Rose and Aaron confessed to using it and Mays and Stargell were linked to it. Aaron even admitted he used it when he was going through a bad slump in 68' to overcome his slump. Other players also were using cocaine such as Boyd and Raines. It's also interesting to note home run totals dropped more after amphetamines were banned in 05 then when steriods were banned. Also, unlike amphetamines, coke, etc where the effects of the drugs are immediate and require no work, steriods are not immediate and still require the person to put in a lot of work and effort to see any benefit. Now I'm not saying what they did was right but to me it's no worse then what players who are in the hall were doing back then. Only difference is there was no where near the media coverage back then as there is now.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Sports Cards by Freedom Card Board.com

 

[Ryan The Orange]

Ozzie Smith says no.

Tony La Russa says yes.

 

[shayscards79]

I believe Bonds should be in for just the pre-1998 stuff he accomplished.

I agree... a six time MVP for good reason.

Also, I think you vote in Clemens for the same reason.

 

[Austin]

I agree... a six time MVP for good reason.
Also, I think you vote in Clemens for the same reason.

Bonds and Clemens will get in eventually. I just think it will be at least five years from now.
Players are on the ballot for 15 years if they get at least 5% of the vote, so voters have plenty of time to protest by not voting for them.

 

[mlbsalltimegreats]

Craig Biggio, Curt Schilling, Mike Piazza

 

[MaineMule]

Schilling will not make it this year but will be elected in the coming years. Has the #s and post-season heroics/success. He may be a polarizing figure but his career is hall-worthy in totality.

Biggio is only one elected this year. 3,000 hits, for better-or-worse, makes him a lock.

 

[matfanofold]

This Year:
Mike Piazza (my only "fringe" pick. Guy was a fan favorite and was hard to beat at his position. He did have the PED shadow on him, though)
Craig Biggio (the guy happily did everything that was asked of him. He has the stats, and he has the love.)
Jack Morris (I think he'll finally get the bump. His support has been on the rise, and I think it's been a steady climb thanks to everyone thinking "he will probably be better for it next year")
Jeff Bagwell (I think Bags is what MAY happen to Piazza thanks to PED talk. I do think he belongs in as there's been no evidence he used PEDs. Was a huge fan favorite and may draw the vote thanks to the Biggio/Bagwell option)


Eventuals:

Kenny Lofton
Tim Raines (6th, 48.7%)
Edgar Martinez (4th, 36.5%)
Curt Schilling

This is exactly my opinion as well.

 

[uniquebaseballcards]

I agree... a six time MVP for good reason.

Also, I think you vote in Clemens for the same reason.

Except for the fact that these guys fail miserably in half of the HOF voting criteria: character, integrity and sportsmanship.

Stats alone do not a HOFer make - just ask Mr. Rose.

 

[Brewer Andy]

Someone enlighten me on Kenny Lofton so I don't have to get back off my phone. I remember hating whenever he came to town and being solid all around but HOF?

 

[Austin]

I think Biggio was an excellent player, but not among the all-time great second basemen. He falls into the "compiler" category.
He only had more than 180 hits twice and hit .300 only 4 seasons out of 20.
What he did excel at was hitting doubles and scoring runs.
But I never really considered him one of the game's true superstars.

 

[homerun28aa]

My opinion...Piazza and Biggio get in...eventually Schilling, Bonds and perhaps Clemens get in

 

[Austin]

Someone enlighten me on Kenny Lofton so I don't have to get back off my phone. I remember hating whenever he came to town and being solid all around but HOF?

I don't think Lofton is a Hall of Famer, but he was a big star for much of the '90s.
.299 lifetime avg.
Nearly 2,500 hits.
1,500 runs.
622 stolen bases, 12 all-time in the modern era.
5 straight years leading the AL in stolen bases.
6 straight All-Star games.
4 straight Gold Gloves

 

[kerryfan5]

It would be a crime if Mcgriff gets in. He was a really good, but not great player.

 

[Brewer Andy]

I don't think Lofton is a Hall of Famer, but he was a big star for much of the '90s.
.299 lifetime avg.
Nearly 2,500 hits.
1,500 runs.
622 stolen bases, 12 all-time in the modern era.
5 straight years leading the AL in stolen bases.
6 straight All-Star games.
4 straight Gold Gloves

So my memory is about right. Solid but....yeah

 

[Ryan The Orange]

It would be a crime if Mcgriff gets in. He was a really good, but not great player.

He is the crime dog, you know.

 

[uniquebaseballcards]

I don't think Lofton is a Hall of Famer, but he was a big star for much of the '90s.
.299 lifetime avg.
Nearly 2,500 hits.
1,500 runs.
622 stolen bases, 12 all-time in the modern era.
5 straight years leading the AL in stolen bases.
6 straight All-Star games.
4 straight Gold Gloves

Just on stats:

Black Ink	Batting - 15 (154), Average HOFer ≈ 27
Gray Ink	Batting - 62 (412), Average HOFer ≈ 144
Hall of Fame Monitor	Batting - 91 (188), Likely HOFer ≈ 100
Hall of Fame Standards	Batting - 42 (136), Average HOFer ≈ 50
JAWS	Center Field (8th), 64.9 career WAR/42.0 7yr-peak WAR/53.5 JAWS Average HOF CF (out of 18) = 67.1 career WAR/42.5 7yr-peak WAR/54.8 JAWS

 

[Bob Loblaw]

Bonds and McGwire and Clemens in together. How sweet.