Last year, 27 voters selected Bonds but not Bagwell; they're ripe for some education. If you want to tweet them, go here. We've made it really easy. And, always, follow us (see the sig) if you want to join the revolution.
Steroid user? Nix. We think you did steroids despite having 0 evidence? Nix. Bud Selig? Come on down! What a joke.
Baseball writers vote to make ALL Hall of Fame ballots public beginning with the 2018 class. No more anonymity. The full list of voters and their choices will be released seven days after the official announcement of which candidates are selected, beginning in January 2018. This does not take effect for the class to be announced next month. Voters, one last time, can optionally reveal their ballots.
For those that do go to Cooperstown, you can show up early, plant your chairs, and comeback to them easily if you want to sit close. Your view won't be great due to reserved seating, but you can hear fine and see ok. There will be HOFamers in town before and after giving autographs pretty cheap at the bat stores. There will be plenty of Astros fans as I think they made up about 40-60% last year for Biggio. Even late after the ceremony I met and got auto's from Luis Tiant and Bert Campenaris. But honestly, you can show up right before the ceremony and you will likely get the exact same view you would have gotten if you show up early. So save yourself a lot of sitting around. You can park in a lot, but they are really small, so I'd just pick a country street and park there. It will feel like nobody is there. And a lot like a small country town even with 60k coming. It's not a far walk from the museum to the ceremony, but it is a 10-15 minute walk. At the ceremony they will have food and souvenirs so don't worry, but it is like a giant open field of grass cut out of the woods, so I'd say bring your own snacks and frozen drinks. It will be hot. So bring shade and sunglasses and sunscreen. Don't underestimate sunscreen. You should go just to do it once and support Bagwell.
This reminds me of the last "Bull" episode on Tuesday night. Someone puts it out there that Bagwell is involved with steroids. Once it's been said, it never goes away and just continues to spread. Eventually, everyone has heard the rumor and Bagwell is tainted regardless...even though it isn't true. Once somebody says something and it is passed on, then it doesn't matter what the truth is. The gossip is out there forever. All the denials in the world won't make it go away. If that is getting in the way of him making it to the HOF, then it is completely unjust and pathetic.
If last year was any indication, it looks like he typically finishes 5% below the public vote. So that would put him at 83% and in he goes. Raines and Hoffman also going in. Think they are less exciting than Bagwell, so I would think Bagwell is the headliner. Impressive that 6 Astros are on the ballot out of 20 players. looks like Schilling has the most secret haters. But Bagwell and Raines are not far behind.
WOW!!! Very impressive and it's pathetic he wasn't voted in on the first ballot. #8 is incorrect. He had 449 hrs. Thanks for passing this along!!!
As much as I dislike Curt Schilling as a person, it is a crying shame to me that HOF voters are clearly treating him badly because of his being a right wing nut job. That is the only thing that can explain losing 7 votes from last year. Really hoping Mussina can build some momentum. Hate seeing him lose 3 voters. All 3 are voting for Trevor Hoffman, which is flat out ridiculous.
Yeah, I didn't even think there was actually a debate about Schillings worthiness. Ace level performer for a decade, and some preposterous post season numbers over a very large sample (19 starts, 2.23 ERA) Guy does seem like a tool, but this is another example of the voters going with their own agenda over merit.
There's a jagoff that only voted for 2 players (Hoffman and Vlad). That should be grounds for removal. No reasoning behind it in the article either.
Obviously favors batting average and saves above all else. I love Vlad and he's a HOFer for me (via the dreaded eye test), but his case is questionable (based on WAR, which greatly de-valued him as a defender). Hoffman is just a joke. HOF relievers are a mistake (except for Rivera)
People like that prove year after year that several writers absolutely do not deserve a vote. I'm not sure what can be done, but they need to reform the process and find a way to eliminate people like this, or those who turn in blank ballots.
