“If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.” ~ Unknown
Today a select committee comprised of members of the Baseball Hall of Fame, veteran media members and baseball executives will vote on the “Contemporary Era” ballot in San Diego as part of the Winter Meetings. The results will be announced on the MLB Network later today at 7pm Central Time.
The eight players being considered primarily played from 1980 to the present. These players are Albert Belle, Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Don Mattingly, Fred McGriff, Dale Murphy, Rafael Palmeiro, and Curt Schilling. Each of these players are still alive. Standard says they needed to play in at least 10 major league seasons, been retired at least 15 seasons and are not on MLB’s ineligible list.
The 16-member voting committee Hall of Fame members are Chipper Jones, Greg Maddux, Jack Morris, Ryne Sandberg, Lee Smith, Frank Thomas, and Alan Trammel; veteran media members and historians Steve Hirdt, LaVelle Neal and Susan Slusser; and major league executives Paul Beeston, Theo Epstein, Arte Moreno, Kim Ng, Dave St. Peter, and Ken Williams. Hall of Fame Chairman of the Board Forbes Clark is a non-voting Chairman on the committee. Each voting member can select up to three on the ballot. Candidates need to receive 75% of the vote to earn election.
Well, nobody asked me, but three of these players shouldn’t be on the list, or at least not on it right now. In my opinion Bonds, Clemens, and Schilling all of whom came off the active Hall of Fame Ballot last year after their 10-year limit without being elected. Seems like they are trying to be “rammed” through. It’s unfair to the other five players for sure as it could take consideration and votes from them. I feel there should be another “waiting period” to be eligible for this consideration. This committee is supposedly in existence to consider over-looked players. These three just came off the ballot last year, perhaps letting them sit for a while would be justified.
Well, here’s my thoughts on the eight:
Albert Belle fell off the HoF ballot after only 3.5% of the vote in 2007. He retired early due to a hip issue. Belle, while a power hitter finished with only 381 home runs, so short of that magic “500” that will normally get a player enshrined. He was caught with a corked bat, had a “rocky” relationship with the media and fans (he once chased some teens in his car on Halloween). His numbers are comparable to some older HoF members, but I don’t see him being elected. Nor would I cast a vote for him if I had the opportunity.
Barry Bonds came off the HoF ballot last year while getting 66% of the vote in his last year. As stated, I don’t feel he should be considered this soon. I’d never vote for him as he was a PEDer. I’m hoping the HoF members who played clean consider his actions.
Roger Clemens came off the HoF ballot last year while getting 65.2% of the vote in his last year. Another PEDer. Another hard pass.
Don Mattingly came off the ballot in 2015 which was his last year. He received only 9.1% of the vote that year. In his first year on the ballot, he received his highest percentage with 28.2%. His career was cut short due to his back injury. For six seasons, 1984-89 he was an amazing player. He averaged 27 home run and 114 RBIs and having a .327 / .372 / .530 batting line. He won nine Gold Glove Awards and the AL MVP in 1985. He played in 1,785 games. There are first basemen in the Hall with similar numbers and Kirby Puckett who retired early due to glaucoma played in 1,783 games with comparable numbers. He’s definitely in the “Hall of Very Good”. I have mixed emotions, but if pressed, I’d put in him.
Fred McGriff came off the ballot in 2019 which was his last year. He received 39.8% that year. McGriff played 19 years as a first basemen. He had 493 home runs, having 10 seasons with 30. He had 100-plus RBIs eight times, finishing with 1,550. He was 5-time all-star, won a World Series with Atlanta in 1995. Fred was 10 hits short of 2,500, batted .284 and an .888 OPS. No steroid speculation while playing in that era. I’d lean towards voting him in.
Dale Murphy came off the ballot in 2013 which was his final year. He received 18.9% that year. Murphy had an 18-year career. 398 home runs, 1,266 RBIs and a career batting average of .265. He won the NL MVP Award twice (Back-to-back 1982 & 83), he was an all-star seven times, he won five Gold Gloves. He had a reputation as being a clean player and a great guy. This committee should look at a player like this and the numbers which seem to fall short just to be fair. I personally don’t feel he’s Hall worthy.
Rafael Palmeiro, fell off the ballot in 2014 after getting only 4.4% of the vote. While he has stated he takes “full responsibility” for his actions, he was a PEDer, again, hard pass from me.
Curt Schilling came off the ballot as last year was his final. He received 58.6%. As I wrote last year in my HoF 2022 Ballot assessment:
“Received 71.1% last year, this will be his 10th and last of the ballot. Should he be there? Well, Post-Season numbers probably, Regular Season numbers in my opinion aren’t there, competitor absolutely, total idiot, yep. Let someone else vote for him. He actually said after last years vote he’d like to be removed from the ballot, but the rules say he had to stay. That statement confirmed his “status” with me. I’d rather not see him elected and I hope the voters agree.”
My opinion hasn’t changed, and I hope the committee keeps him out.
Now I know people say that Bonds, Clemens and Palmeiro had the numbers to be enshrined before their PED use, but as I have stated before, Rule 5: Voting shall be based upon the player’s record, playing ability, integrity, sportsmanship, character, and contributions to the team(s) on which they played. Integrity and character, they seem to fall short.
Thanks for reading. Anything to add?
~ Coach Mike
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I never thought Mattingly got the love he deserved because he had the misfortune of playing on some pretty mediocre Yankee teams. The guy was a doubles machine and never even struck out 50 times in a season. The recurring back issues kept him off the field, but he's one of those guys I'd want on my team. I'm lukewarm on McGriff, good hitter in a good lineup but not dominating in my view. If Mattingly gets in though. I really think you'd need to give a serious look at Mark Grace and Will Clark whose offensive and defensive numbers are really close (and in many cases better) across the board. I actually think Grace had the most hits in MLB during the 90's and would have won more Gold Gloves if he hadn't had to compete against Will Clark who was the standard at first base in the NL.