Bonds, Clemens likely to get boost from Hall vote changes

The man who didn’t vote for Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Mike Piazza, Jeff Bagwell, Curt Schilling, Tim Raines, or Mike Mussia later notes that “the Hall is for the elite, not the exceptional”. Comparing those relative apples (rather than the oranges of Johnny Bench’s era or Yogi Berra’s era and so on), Piazza deserves a place in the Hall whether or not he was crooked.

Friends and family members will mostly curse the writers who didn’t pick their favorite players from their childhoods. That’s a good thing, I suppose, since the out-of-options and enigmatic prospect will have a no-stress season on his plate in which he’ll have one last time to impress. That’s right, the former Tigers’ shortstop won’t make it to Cooperstown, N.Y. He is an absolute shoo-in for the Hall of Fame. No Jack Morris. Now, officially, no Tram. Precisely the same level of production – offensively, and overall – as Tony Gwynn, who sailed in on the first ballot. One voter submitted a ballot voting for only Ken Griffey Jr., who is a unanimous selection thus far. There should be two. Griffey is in his first year of eligibility and he will be enshrined this year with close to 100% of the vote. Relievers typically don’t get enough love from Hall voters, but Hoffman deserves to be recognized.

For sure, this columnist is in the minority.

“I think the Hall of Fame is a museum for people who want to enjoy and see highlights of their favorite players”. Names like Gary Sheffield, Billy Wagner, Sammy Sosa, Jim Edmonds, Fred McGriff, Larry Walker and Nomar Garciaparra are just a handful.

My way of voting is simple: If there’s a debate, based on your numbers, about you being in the Hall of Fame, you AREN’T a Hall of Famer.

Piazza ranks first all-time among catchers in home runs (427), slugging percentage (.545), and OPS (.922). You can make an argument that “closer” has become a position because of the save rule and the evolution of the game to the point that managers manage to the rule and not to game situations, and you have a point. Like Edgar, the Hall of Very good. But that’s where some voters have taken it. But he dominated during the Steroid Era, which should count for something, and his ERA was a run lower than league average 11 times.

Check the record book.

He hired Branch Rickey, worked with him to create the modern farm system and won six World Series titles during his ownership/presidency. Clemens won seven Cy Youngs. Walker hit. 366 with 49 homers, 409 total bases, 208 hits, 33 steals and a 1.172 OPS. On August 12, 2009, against his former team, the Chicago White Sox, he hit a walk-off RBI single in the bottom of the 14th inning to win the game, 1-0, for the Mariners.Griffey returned to the Mariners for the 2010 campaign with a similar contract to that of 2009, but struggled offensively over the first two months while posting a mere. Yes, he was a slugger long before he bulked up. Much like Bagwell, there have been some who haven’t voted for him because of him being a power hitter in the steroid era. It’s not our job. Three voters sent in blank ballots to protest not being allowed to vote for or against the banned hit king.

Though both were better players, Bonds and Clemens possess only one-third of the Griffey qualification troika – the stats. – Talk about a layup, a shoo-in.

Unfortunately, the year of the trade in 2000 would be the only year both Griffey and Larkin would play at least 100 games in the same season in the five years the two were teammates with the Reds. Easily, one of the greatest players we saw in our generation. The electorate (10 years required) changed each year with some becoming eligible while others passed away, however, this is drastic change. Led NL twice, had 30-plus in 14 of 15 seasons. And we’re not just talking about hints and rumors, but years-long investigations, published reports, testimonies, a felony conviction (for Bonds) that has since been overturned, and a federal grand jury indictment and perjury trial (for Clemens) in which he was found not guilty. And he also never tested positive. The personification of style, class and grace, the legendary St. Louis Cardinal had merely 3,630 career hits. Another example of disrespect for closers. Clearly these morons wouldn’t vote for Jesus to get into heaven, at least not on the first ballot.

If Piazza does gain induction this year, it may very well open the door to other “guilt by association” candidates, particularly Jeff Bagwell.