With Major League Baseball recently revealing the players on the 2010 Hall of Fame ballot, I though I would weigh in on who I would vote for. Let’s take a look:
The Definites
Roberto Alomar - Everyone remembers him for the spitting incident and the latter years, which certainly has left a black eye on his career. It’s unfortunate, because he was one of the best offensive second baseman of all-time. He hit .300 or better in nine out of ten seasons from 1992-2001.
He was a 10-time Gold Glove Award winner (a record for second baseman) and a 12 time All-Star. No matter what happened, he belongs to be remembered for his accomplishments.
Andre Dawson - He was the 1977 NL Rookie of the Year. He was the 1987 NL MVP. He was an eight time All-Star. He was an eight-time Gold Glove Award winner.
For a time, he was one of the most feared and dominant hitters in the game, which is really the most telling statement.
He deserves to be inducted and after falling just 44 votes shy in 2009, this could be the year he finally gets recognized for his accomplishments.
Mark McGwire - Steroids or not, he was one of the people who helped to bring the game back after the strike cancelled the 1994 World Series. He should be regarded as one of the best sluggers in the game and, in theory, what he did was not against the rules of baseball when he was playing. He should get the recognition he deserves.
One The Fence, But Not This Year
Barry Larkin - He was one of the most well rounded short stops in baseball history. He won the Gold Glove three times, though that really is not telling since he was going against the best defensive player in baseball history, Ozzie Smith.
He was a 12-time All Star, won the 1995 MVP as well as getting a World Series Title in 1990. He was a star, all around, and really has me one the fence. He was a star, but was he really a superstar?
Edgar Martinez - He is going to bring about a lot of debate, since he is the first true DH who is worth considering. Does the fact that he only played half the game, not contributing on the defensive side, make his accomplishments any less impressive?
He was a career .312 hitter and sported a .418 OBP. The OBP places him 12th all time, an incredible mark when you think about it. Still, right now, I can’t give him my vote.
Lee Smith - The election of Goose Gossage and Bruce Sutter in recent seasons should have begun to open the door for some of the other great closers in league history. Talk about the position and the specialization all you want, but he was one of the most dominant in league history.
He was the all-time leader for a while, with 478 career saves. He was a seven time All-Star and at a position that generally sees much volatility, was one of the best for a long time.
The problem is, if you vote Smith in where does the closer line fall? Does someone like John Franco get voted in? What is the real difference between the two? For that reason, I can’t vote Smith in this season.
Other Players Who Will Garner Attention, but Not Mine:
Bert Blyleven - I know he won 287 games, but too me he was more of a compiler. He only had two seasons with more than 17 wins. Yes, he had 3,701 strikeouts, but his K/9 was a measly 6.70. I don’t know, while the numbers are there it is more telling of the length of his career.
Don Mattingly - This is the Hall of Fame, not the Hall of Very Good. I know, the back injury really short-changed him, but he just didn’t do enough.
Jack Morris - He was a big game pitcher, but is that really enough? Not in my eyes it’s not. A 3.90 ERA should not make you Hall of Fame worthy.
Ryan Lester of www.lesterslegends.com had already debated him, so for more on why I don’t think he belongs, click here .
Dale Murphy - Another player that I’ve already debated, so I’m not going to rehash the argument in full here (click here to view). His six very good seasons just aren’t enough to convince me since he wasn’t the big, dominant hitter of his generation and then quickly disappeared.
Dave Parker - He had some good seasons, but if he was an elite slugger how could he have just four seasons of over 100 RBI? How could he have just three seasons of at least 30 home runs? His numbers just aren’t impressive enough for me to ever consider voting him in.
Tim Raines - Yet another player that I’ve already debated (click here to view). He’s basically another player that I see as a compiler, getting a lot of his numbers due to sticking in the majors for 23 seasons. While his 808 stolen bases are impressive, 454 of them came from 1981-1986. It’s just not enough for me.
Definitely Never:
Kevin Appier, Harold Baines, Ellis Burks, Andres Galarraga, Pat Hentgen, Mike Jackson, Eric Karros, Ray Lankford, Fred McGriff, Shane Reynolds, David Segui, Alan Trammell, Robin Ventura, Todd Zeile
What are your thoughts on the 2010 Hall of Fame ballot? Who deserves to be in? Who are you on the fence for?
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