So we're all a bit sick of reading about steroids. OK, I get that. But allow me to indulge one more time and I swear this time, it will be a fun debate.
Which of the so-called "Steroid Era" players should make the Hall of Fame?
There are players that got caught, and then there are players that we strongly suspect used steroids, yet don't have the proof.
The question is, without the smoking gun, so to speak, who do you let into the HOF from this era and who do you keep out?
It would be easy to say that any player who got caught should forever remain on the outside looking in. But what about guys like Barry Bonds who, despite being scum to many of us, was a HOF-type player even before he blew up like a blow fish?
And what about players we may suspect, but haven't got caught? Aren't we damning them based on circumstantial evidence? If so, do we even give a rats' behind?
One way to look at all this is to make the claim that, since so many of the players from this generation used performance enhancers, let's keep the whole lot of them out.
Of course, then guys like Greg Maddux would be unfairly punished for the sins of others. Assuming Maddux was clean (sorry, I had to write that even though I do not have even an inkling that Mad Dog cheated), is it fair to leave him out? Of course not..
Now, there are those of you who point out that cheating of some sort has always been a part of the pastime, so players shouldn't get rejected based on steroids. Fair enough. But I think the majority of fans want to see the obvious cheaters stay as far away from the Hall as possible.
Here's one mans' list. Feel free to agree, disagree or add your own names.
Rafael Palmeiro: Failed a drug test, so he won't make it. The image of him confidently wagging his finger at Congress will be forever etched in many writers minds. And his story that Miguel Tejada shot him with what he believed to be vitamin E is hilarious, as well.
Roger Clemens: There is a lot of circumstantial evidence, but I don't believe there is any direct proof. Of course, the case against the Rocket is pretty darn strong. Even his wife has used PEDs. He won't make it.
Mark McGwire: Though there is no admission of guilt or direct evidence, his "we're not here to talk about the past" speech in front of Congress and his subsequent hiding makes him look very guilty. So far, the proof is in the voting.
Sammy Sosa: He did get caught corking the bat, so that's a strike against him that writers can use in the absence of any proof he did steroids. Of course, one look at his exploding body will tell you that he was guilty. He curiously forgot how to speak English at the congressional hearings. Borderline.
Barry Bonds: There are still Bonds supporters out there, believe it or not. Many feel there has been a witch hunt against him. But are there enough voters who feel he is innocent to let him in the hall?
Look, he admitted using steroids when he told a grand jury that he took the Cream and The Clear, thinking that it was flax seed oil, and arthritic balm. Right, and I'm the Easter Bunny.
One thing that may be in his favor is the fact that many understand that Bonds was probably a HOF'er before he cheated. What a shame because he didn't need steroids to be great, he only needed them to top Aaron's record. I say he someday makes it, but is forced to wait a long time as punishment.
Alex Rodriguez: A-Rod admitted using steroids, and while he may not have told the entire truth, that should be enough to keep him out, despite stats that would normally have put him in as a near-unanimous first ballot.
Frank Thomas: He should make the HOF. Yes, he was huge, but he was always huge. The perception among most is that he was clean, mainly due to his own comments on the subject. But we don't know for sure. Otherwise, his numbers seem good enough to warrant induction on his second or third try, if not first ballot.
Manny Ramirez: In time, we may hear something from Manny that is believable, but as of now, who is buying the story that he was prescribed something by a doctor and took it not thinking it was a banned substance? It doesn't matter anyway, because it is a banned substance. It will be difficult for the otherwise first-ballot HOF'er to make it now.
Jason Giambi: Does Giambi even have the numbers to support entry into the Hall? I say yes. His career OBP is .407 and his next homer will be No. 400. He has a career OPS of .938. And while some may give him some points of supposed honesty, Giambi is a known cheater, so he will not make it.
Ken Griffey, Jr.: Junior has a clean reputation (so far). He has certainly been injured a lot in his career, yet has produced massive numbers that will easily command first-ballot entry to the Hall. That is, assuming he doesn't get caught with his hand in the steroid jar.
Greg Maddux: Now that Clemens has been exposed as a fraud, Maddux is the best pitcher of this generation and should be a damn near unanimous selection.
Randy Johnson: So far, so good. No rap sheet. He gets in easily, also.
Tom Glavine: Ditto.
John Smoltz: What he has done as both as a starter and closer will be good enough for sure.
Albert Pujols: No smoking gun, but plenty of circumstantial stuff. If he makes it through his career without being stained, he will obviously make it. He's the best hitter of this generation and it's downright scary what his career numbers may look like when he's done.
Ah, but watch this one closely. Reports are he's maybe three years older than his listed age, and once trained with a known steroid distributor.
Ichiro Suzuki: No doubt. In Japan and in America.
Todd Helton: He will be an interesting case despite terrific stats. First off, he has played his entire career in Coors. He also was once implicated by an announcer, though nothing was ever proven., Still, it seems unlikely a case against him will hold up since he has a career line of .329/.428/.573/1.001.
Vlad Guerrero: He certainly has great numbers, though his lack of defense and a possible early decline could hurt his chances. Still, it's hard to see how a player with 400+ homers and a career average way above .300 could be kept out.
Derek Jeter: His rings and the fact that he is worshipped in New York alone will be enough for him to gain first ballot entry to the Hall.
Nomar Garciaparra: No. Once thought to be a shoo-in, he has some circumstantial stuff, and a lot of injuries despite a career average above .300 with power.
Chipper Jones: Most certainly. We're still debating Ron Santo and here's a guy that dwarfs Santo's numbers. First ballot.
Ivan Rodriguez: Now here's an interesting case. He's probably a lock as a first ballot entry, but there is some circumstantial stuff floating around about him, and there is still a chance he gets implicated at some point.
But his defense behind the plate and his offensive numbers will make him a shoo-in.
Mike Piazza: Despite some rumors floating around about Piazza, and some bad defense, his numbers will easily propel him into the Hall.
Gary Sheffield: While he has 500+ homers, and a career batting average near .300, he used steroids and it will be difficult for him to overcome that.
Jim Thome: Clean reputation and while 500 homers doesn't mean as much as it used to, if we buy that he was clean, it's still pretty damn impressive. He gets in.
Carlos Delgado: Similar to Thome so if Thome gets in, it's very likely that Delgado makes it someday too.
Mariano Rivera: No question.
Trevor Hoffman: Never one of my favs, but yeah, he has the numbers and gets in easily.
Pedro Martinez: I think so, though he could use a couple more solid years. That may not happen however. 214-99, 2.91 ERA, 3117 K's. That should do it.
Mike Mussina: You know what, I say he eventually makes it. Not on the first or even the second try perhaps, but eventually.
Curt Schilling: His career numbers aren't really that different from Pedro, so a case could be made for Schilling. 3,116 Ks, only 711 BBs, 3.46 ERA not bad, only 216 wins, though, will be tough to overcome. Wins are not a valid judge of a pitcher's value, but many of the old guard still think so. Very questionable.
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