“I’m flattered that so many baseball people think I’m a Hall of Famer. But what’s hard to believe is how one-hundred and fifty plus people have changed their minds about me since I became eligible, because I haven’t had a base hit since then.”
~ Richie Ashburn (Elected to the Hall of Fame by the Veterans Committee / Inducted 1995)
Today is the last day of voting for the 2022 Baseball Hall of Fame Ballot. Members of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America have analyzed and voted on the listed 30 players. Their selections will be announced on Tuesday, January 25, 2022, at 6 p.m. E.T. The event will be covered live by the MLB Network. The induction will take place during the Hall of Fame Weekend on Sunday, the 24th of July 2022 at 1:30p.m.
As with all elections, there are rules:
An elector will vote for no more than ten (10) eligible candidates deemed worthy of election. Write-in votes are not permitted. Any candidate receiving votes of seventy-five percent (75%) of the ballots cast shall be elected to membership in the National Baseball Hall of Fame, located in Cooperstown, N.Y. There are other rules to be followed for both electors and for the candidates; the one that is the most controversial is Rule 5: Voting shall be based upon the player’s record, playing ability, integrity, sportsmanship, character and contributions to the team(s) on which he played.
Candidates remain on the ballot for 10 years. If they receive less than 5% of the votes cast each year, they are dropped. Obviously if they receive the needed 75% they are inducted and removed from the ballot.
It is only fair to tell you up front, I am NOT in the BBWAA and therefore I do not have a vote in this process. Here is this year’s list and my humble comments on each:
Bobby Abreu - Received 8.7% last year, this is his 3rd on the ballot. Solid career, but not HoF worthy.
Barry Bonds - Absolutely not, PEDs. Received 61.8% last year, this is his 10th and final year on the ballot.
Mark Buehrle – Received 11% last year, this will be his 2nd year on the ballot. As I said last year, “He was one of the best left-handed pitchers of his era. Not over-powering, but he knew how to pitch. I’d like to see him get in at some point, he’s right there. He gets my vote. Can’t have too many stand up guys in the Hall.” I stick with that statement. One perfect game, a no-hitter, 14 200-plus inning seasons (all consecutive 2001-14), 4-Gold Gloves, 5-All-Star Teams and 2-0 in the 2005 World Series Championship over 4 games. He gets my vote again this year.
Roger Clemens - Absolutely not, PEDs. Received 61.6% last year, this is his 10th and final year on the ballot.
Carl Crawford – First year on the ballot. He has some good stats over his 15-year career. An above average player, but not Hof worthy.
Prince Fielder – First year on the ballot. A soldi 12-year career. Weak post-season batting average of .189 in 44 games. Primarily a first basemen and designated hitter. Career was cut short due to two neck surgeries in three years. What might have been, but don’t feel he’s a Hof player.
Todd Helton - Received 44.9% last year, this is his 4th year on the ballot. He was a great hitter but playing in Colorado probably hurts his chances. I go back and forth with his worthiness, but probably wouldn’t vote for him.
Ryan Howard – First year on the ballot. 13 seasons all with the Philadelphia Philles. Another solid player, but not Hof numbers.
Tim Hudson - Received 5.2% last year, barely hanging on. This is his 2nd year on the ballot. Solid career, but not HoF worthy.
Torii Hunter - Received 9.5% last year. This is his 2nd year on the ballot. Solid career, but not HoF worthy.
Andruw Jones - Received 19.4% in 2020 and went up to 33.9% last year. This will be his 5th year on the ballot. He surprised me by getting his vote percentage up, but I personally couldn’t vote for him.
Jeff Kent - Received 27.5% in 2020 and went up to 32.4% last year. This will be his 9th year on the ballot. I just don’t see him doubling his percentage to even get close to the votes needed, so he won’t make it. Another solid player, but not quite HoF.
Tim Lincecum – First year on the ballot. Pitched 10 seasons. 110-89 won-loss record had some good strike-out numbers and ERA. Just not a long career or overwhelming numbers. Don’t feel he’s Hof worthy.
Justin Morneau – First year on the ballot. Good, solid everyday player. Not a Hof player though.
Joe Nathan – First year on the ballot. Pitched for 16 seasons. Strong numbers with 377 career saves and a .653 win-loss percentage. 6.73 hits per nine innings ranks him third. Post-season ERA in 10 games a dismal 8.10 with a 0-2 record and just one save. I compare him to Billy Wagner as being a bit shy, but a very good one.
David Ortiz - First year on the ballot. Absolutely not, PEDs.
Jonathon Papelbon - First year on the ballot. Pitched 12 seasons. Career 368 saves, above average post season stats. Solid closer. Question the character area with him, as he spoke without thinking quite a bit or perhaps actually meant the questionable things he said. I’d take a pass.
Jake Peavy – First year on the ballot. Pitched 15 seasons. 152-126 won-loss, career 3.63. Topped 200-innings in 5 seasons, 200-strikeout mark in 3 seasons. Three-time All-Star, one Gold Glove. All very solid. Post-Season 1-5 with a 7.98 ERA in 38.1 innings over nine starts, not stellar. He was part of 2013 Red Sox and 2014 Giants World Championships. His post season numbers take him out of the running for me. Not quite HoF.
Andy Pettitte - Absolutely not, PEDs. Received 13.7% last year, this will be his 4th year on the ballot.
A.J. Pierzynski – First year on the ballot. Catcher for 19 seasons, 1,936 games. Two-time All-Star, over .300 in four seasons, led the league in fielding percentage three times. Member of the 2005 White Sox World Championship team. Post season stats, 32 games, .292 avg. 18 RBIs. Solid player, great baseball sense, had an uncanny ability to get under the oppositions skin. Loved him with the White Sox, hated him with the Twins. But he was a “gamer”. He’s another one that is right there. I’d vote for him. Don’t think he’ll go in right away, but he’s got my vote.
Manny Ramírez - Absolutely not, PEDs. Received 28.2% last year and the year before. This is his 6th year on the ballot.
Alex Rodriguez - First year on the ballot. Absolutely not, PEDs.
Scott Rolen - Received 35.3% in 2020 and gained more support as he posted 52.9% last year. This is his 5th on the ballot. He may eventually make it if this trend continues, but again, not quite a HoF player in my book.
Jimmy Rollins – First year on the ballot. Played 17 seasons with solid career numbers and a Roberto Clemente Award winner. A shortstop with a solid glove, is the only player that play over half their career at SS with at least 500 doubles, 200 home runs and 400 stolen bases. Jimmy gets my vote.
Curt Schilling - Received 71.1% last year, this will be his 10th and last on 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 year’s 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.
Gary Sheffield - Received 40.6% last year, which was up from the previous year. This is his 8th on the ballot. Another who had a long career, with solid numbers, but in my mind falls short.
Sammy Sosa - Absolutely not, PEDs. Received 17% last year, this is his 10th and final year on the ballot. Note: Sosa was a baseball player, not the “Warrior” he claimed to be. Just a self-centered, athlete who felt rules didn’t apply to him.
Mark Teixeira – First year on the ballot. Played 14 seasons. 409 home runs are shy of the “magical” 500 mark, not a high average hitter at .268. Amazing glove at first base fielding percentage of .9966, fourth best all-time. Post season stats are weak and only one World Series Champions with the 2009 Yankees. I’d put in that very good status, but not the HoF.
Omar Vizquel - Received 52.6% 2020, 49.1% last year. I believe his percentage dropped due to the domestic abuse allegations made by his wife in December of 2020 which MLB is investigating This past August a civil action which alleges sexual harassment of a Birmingham Barons, Class AA team’s bat boy with a disability was filed in a federal district court in Alabama. Between these two cases, I would imagine his votes will again drop. This is his 5th year on the ballot. I said last year, “Omar would get my vote. Smooth fielder, an ambassador of the game. Not quite Ozzie Smith, but he was fun to watch.” This year I wouldn’t vote for him due to “integrity” and “character” doubts. Further investigation and actions need to transpire before assessment and judgements will be made for the legal issues, he should not be voted in this year.
Billy Wagner - Received 46.4% last year up from last year, this is his 7th year on the ballot. Numbers aren’t quite there in my opinion, but he was a good one.
I know I will take criticism for excluding some of these players for their PEDs usage. ‘It doesn’t help you hit the ball”, “there wasn’t a rule concerning it when some of the usage occurred”, “there are probably players in the HoF that used and never got caught”, “what about other generations that relied on amphetamines?” and “they were HoF players prior to their PED usage”. I’ve heard all these excuses and so many more, but that’s my line in the sand, they used, no Hall. I stick with “integrity and character” as attributes that need to be present, my feeling is that their kind of cheating shows their lack in those categories. Also, Bud Selig never should have been elected as I have always felt he knew of the usage and turned a blind eye. Another time, another post perhaps.
So, I only voted for three. I included some stats this year, but again having seen all these players I gave my honest evaluation. Of course, I’d enjoy hearing from you and who would get your votes.
I’d also like to take this opportunity to congratulate the six new members who are already part of the 2022 Class. The two Negro League legends that were elected via the Hall of Fame’s Early Era Committee, Buck O’Neil (Long Over-Due) and Bud Fowler. And the four that were elected by the Golden Days Era Committee, Gil Hodges, Jim Katt, Minnie Minoso (I had the opportunity on several occasions to speak with him and see how he interacted with kids, a true gentleman and ambassador of the game) and one of my childhood idols, Tony Olivia. Each of these six men are well deserving of this honour. Unfortunately, another of my favourites, Dick Allen missed by one vote: a travesty. More on Dick Allen in a later post.
One special mention, Sandy Koufax, the “Left-Arm of god” celebrated his 86th birthday yesterday, the 30th of December. Sandy was a first ballot Hall of Fame inductee in 1972.
An aside; if you haven’t, get yourself out to Cooperstown and visit the Hall. Allow at least two days. It is a magical place where history comes alive.
Have a safe, healthy, and prosperous New Year. Thanks for all your support!
~ Coach Mike
Please feel free to share this post and site with your family, friends and 50 complete strangers if you like.
Stats alone for 2nd baseman, Kent should get in. He blows Sandburg away almost across the board and they have almost the same amount of PA’s. I also think Kaat was a real stretch, he only averaged about 11 W’s per year, he just played forever. If he’s in, I’m putting Lolich in too, because I’d give Mickey the ball for Game 7 everytime before I’d ever consider giving it to Kaat. Just my opinion 😎
Amazing 🤩. I can’t believe all the players that use PED’s🤭. This information is public knowledge 🤷🏻♀️ I’m stunned 😳 The column is terrific and so informative ‼️