2008 HOF Ballot candidates released

[JaneDoe]

Who would you vote for, if anyone?

The 2008 ballot features 25 candidates, with 14 returnees and 11 newcomers.
• Brady Anderson
• Harold Baines
• Rod Beck
• Bert Blyleven
• Dave Concepcion
• Andre Dawson
• Shawon Dunston
• Chuck Finley
• Travis Fryman
• Rich Gossage
• Tommy John
• David Justice
• Chuck Knoblauch
• Don Mattingly
• Mark McGwire
• Jack Morris
• Dale Murphy
• Robb Nen
• Dave Parker
• Tim Raines
• Jim Rice
• Jose Rijo
• Lee Smith
• Todd Stottlemyre
• Alan Trammell
 

[JimR]

Who would you vote for, if anyone?

The 2008 ballot features 25 candidates, with 14 returnees and 11 newcomers.
• Brady Anderson
• Harold Baines
• Rod Beck
• Bert Blyleven
• Dave Concepcion
• Andre Dawson
• Shawon Dunston
• Chuck Finley
• Travis Fryman
• Rich Gossage
• Tommy John
• David Justice
• Chuck Knoblauch
• Don Mattingly
• Mark McGwire
• Jack Morris
• Dale Murphy
• Robb Nen
• Dave Parker
• Tim Raines
• Jim Rice
• Jose Rijo
• Lee Smith
• Todd Stottlemyre
• Alan Trammell
 

Bert Blyleven

[Lumpus]

Maybe the "Hawk" (Andre Dawson) too.

Some very good players on that list, but nothing that screams HOF to me.

/thinks the steroids issue will keep Big Mac out

[Limey]

Chuck Finley might be able to scratch his way in.

[Bench]

Chuck Finley might be able to scratch his way in.

Not if anybody is beating on his pitching arm with stiletto heels.

[GreatBagwellsBeard]

I still think that Tommy "Tommy John Surgery" John should get in for his contributions to sports medicine.  If they'll let in Lou Gehrig on the same pretense, it works for me.

[Fredia]

Maybe the "Hawk" (Andre Dawson) too.

Some very good players on that list, but nothing that screams HOF to me.

/thinks the steroids issue will keep Big Mac out

its kinda like he has fallen off the map. wonder if the same thing will now hapen to barry big head bonds

[Froback]

I still think that Tommy "Tommy John Surgery" John should get in for his contributions to sports medicine.  If they'll let in Lou Gehrig on the same pretense, it works for me.

Umm, you think maybe he was voted in based on merit and not his "contributions to sports medicine"?  And if you think THAT was why he was voted in, exactly how is ALS anywhere related to a sports medicine issue?

[MusicMan]

I still think that Tommy "Tommy John Surgery" John should get in for his contributions to sports medicine.  If they'll let in Lou Gehrig on the same pretense, it works for me.

Please tell me this is a bad joke.

My vote:
Blyleven
Trammell

[Bench]

Please tell me this is a bad joke.

It actually got a chuckle out of me. I guess I'm easy to please.

[Froback]

Seems like Blyleven is out vote here.

Mine:
Blyleven
Dawson (it is a shame what that field did to his knees)
Murphy (numbers don't stack up when looking at him now, but he did win 2 MVPs)
Raines (boarderline to me on him, but was feeling generous)


As an asside Lee Smith is the reason (IMO) why closers get a bad wrap.  Guy vultured a ton of saves helping to create the new "specialized" 9th inning only type closer.  It definately cheapened what the previous era closers did, and makes them look less because of it.

[Limey]

I still think that Tommy "Tommy John Surgery" John should get in for his contributions to sports medicine.  If they'll let in Lou Gehrig on the same pretense, it works for me.

Pffft!  If you go this route, where does it end?  You'll end up with the likes of German "Measles" Jimenez in the Hall.

[hostros7]

Brady Anderson?  Seriously?

[Mr. Happy]

Blyleven
John

[JackAstro]

Brady Anderson?  Seriously?

Exactly what I was wondering. Someone please explain what the hell he is doing on this list, using criteria other than the one year when he curiously hit 50 home runs, using nothing more than his dashing good looks and a regimen of multivitamins and clean livin'.

[pravata]

Exactly what I was wondering. Someone please explain what the hell he is doing on this list, using criteria other than the one year when he curiously hit 50 home runs, using nothing more than his dashing good looks and a regimen of multivitamins and clean livin'.

I think he had the mumps one time.

[Duman]

Dawson
Murphy
McGuire
Blyleven

[MusicMan]

Exactly what I was wondering. Someone please explain what the hell he is doing on this list, using criteria other than the one year when he curiously hit 50 home runs, using nothing more than his dashing good looks and a regimen of multivitamins and clean livin'.

Anyone with 10 years' service time goes on the ballot.

[Lumpus]

I'm at work so this is a quick and dirty summary of the batters careers.  Can someone do the same for the pitchers?

• Brady Anderson - All-Star in 1992, 96-97 (The most unlikely 50 HR hitter in Baseball history)
• Harold Baines - All-Star in 1985-87, 89, 91, 99 (Baines has driven in more runs as a designated hitter than anyone in American League history but drug problems)
• Dave Concepcion - All-Star in 1973, 75-82; Gold Glove in 1974-77, 79, MVP 1982
• Andre Dawson - All-Star in 1981-83, 87-91; Most Valuable Player Award in 1987;
Gold Glove in 1980-85, 87-88
• Shawon Dunston - All-Star in 1988, 90
• Travis Fryman - All-Star in 1992-94, 96, 2000; Gold Glove 2000
• David Justice - Rookie of the Year Award in 1990; All-Star in 1993-94, 97
• Chuck Knoblauch - Rookie of the Year 1991; All-Star in 1992, 94, 96-97; Gold Glove in 1997
• Don Mattingly - Led League in BA 1984; Led League in RBI 1985; All-Star in 1984-89; Most Valuable Player Award in 1985; Gold Glove in 1985-89, 1991-94
• Mark McGwire - All-Star in 1987-92, 1995-99; A.L. Rookie of the Year in 1987; Gold Glove in 1990
• Dale Murphy - All-Star in 1980, 82-87; Led League in HR 1984-85; Led League in RBI 1978, 80, 82-83; Most Valuable Player Award in 1982, 83; Gold Glove in 1982-86
• Dave Parker - All-Star in 1977, 79-81, 85-86, 90; Most Valuable Player Award in 1978; Gold Glove in 1977-79
• Tim Raines –  4 SB titles; All-Star in 1981-87 (Quality leadoff man with 800 stolen bases, 1,500 runs, and a .294 lifetime average)
• Jim Rice - Led League in HR 77, 78, 83; Led League in RBI 78, 83; All-Star in 1977-80, 83-86; Most Valuable Player Award in 1978
 • Alan Trammell - All-Star in 1980, 84-85, 87-88; Gold Glove in 1980-81, 83-84

Sure HOF:  Dawson
Iffy: Murphy & Raines
Long Shot: Baines, Concepcion, Rice & Trammell
Veteran's Committee: McGwire

[Bench]

Exactly what I was wondering. Someone please explain what the hell he is doing on this list, using criteria other than the one year when he curiously hit 50 home runs, using nothing more than his dashing good looks and a regimen of multivitamins and clean livin'.

It's simply playing long enough to qualify. They're not nominated and then seconded.

[Jose Cruz III]

Who would you vote for, if anyone?

The 2008 ballot features 25 candidates, with 14 returnees and 11 newcomers.
• Brady Anderson
• Harold Baines
• Rod Beck
• Bert Blyleven
• Dave Concepcion
• Andre Dawson
• Shawon Dunston
• Chuck Finley
• Travis Fryman
• Rich Gossage
• Tommy John
• David Justice
• Chuck Knoblauch
• Don Mattingly
• Mark McGwire
• Jack Morris
• Dale Murphy
• Robb Nen
• Dave Parker
• Tim Raines
• Jim Rice
• Jose Rijo
• Lee Smith
• Todd Stottlemyre
• Alan Trammell
 

Blyleven (Can't believe he is not already in)
Gossage
McGwire

[HudsonHawk]

Please tell me this is a bad joke.

My vote:
Blyleven
Trammell

I'll have what he's having.

[HudsonHawk]

Pffft!  If you go this route, where does it end?  You'll end up with the likes of German "Measles" Jimenez in the Hall.

I'm still wondering what Tommy John's "contributrions" to sports medicine are. 

[JackAstro]

Anyone with 10 years' service time goes on the ballot.

That makes me feel a lot better. Because if one person (not named Brady Anderson) thought he was a viable candidate, we need to blow it all up and start over.

[geezerdonk]

I'm still wondering what Tommy John's "contributrions" to sports medicine are. 

guinea pig

[Arky Vaughan]

I'm still wondering what Tommy John's "contributrions" to sports medicine are.

Or whether there is much humor in what amounts to a joke about Lou Gehrig's central nervous system degenerating when he was in his late 30s.

[HudsonHawk]

That makes me feel a lot better. Because if one person (not named Brady Anderson) thought he was a viable candidate, we need to blow it all up and start over.

I he fails to receive a certain percentage (I think it's 5%) of the vote, his name will be removed from future ballots.  So there is sort of a nominating process, indirectly.  All players with 10 years get on the ballot, but only those deemed worthy of more consideration continue past the first year.

[MusicMan]

Or whether there is much humor in what amounts to a joke about Lou Gehrig's central nervous system degenerating when he was in his late 30s.

No one's wondering about that.  It's a clear "no".

[MusicMan]

I he fails to receive a certain percentage (I think it's 5%) of the vote, his name will be removed from future ballots.  So there is sort of a nominating process, indirectly.  All players with 10 years get on the ballot, but only those deemed worthy of more consideration continue past the first year.

Indeed.  Among others, Orel Hershiser and Albert Belle fell short of the 5% mark last year.

[hillbillyken]

Do they have to induct some one every year?
A HOF'er should be a no brainer, some people are and some people are not.
If a discussion is needed, not a HOF'er.
Players like last year Jr. and Gwynn easy, no discussion needed!
With that said Blyleven is a cry'n shame, he should be in!

[Andyzipp]

Do they have to induct some one every year?
A HOF'er should be a no brainer, some people are and some people are not.
If a discussion is needed, not a HOF'er.
Players like last year Jr. and Gwynn easy, no discussion needed!
With that said Blyleven is a cry'n shame, he should be in!

No discussion needed is a pretty nebulous criteria.  At least one person thought that Nolan Ryan shouldn't have gotten in.  There will be a lot of discussion when Biggio, Bagwell are eligible.  Does that make them less than worthy, or perhaps, maybe there might be some discussion...

[hillbillyken]

Maybe "no discussion" is a bad term to use, but marginal HOF'ers make the hall marginal.

[Lurch]

Maybe "no discussion" is a bad term to use, but marginal HOF'ers make the hall marginal.

Dibbs on the bumber sticker rights

[JimR]

Maybe "no discussion" is a bad term to use, but marginal HOF'ers make the hall marginal.

who decides who is marginal? therein lies the problem.

[MusicMan]

who decides who is marginal? theirin lies the problem.

If they would just let me decide, it would be a lot easier.

[Mr. Happy]

If they would just let me decide, it would be a lot easier.

LMAO. I'd vote for you, MM.

[HudsonHawk]

Maybe "no discussion" is a bad term to use, but marginal HOF'ers make the hall marginal.

There will always be "marginal" HOFers.  Marginal is simply relative to who's in already. 

[Bench]

Do they have to induct some one every year?

See HOF, Class of '96.

[Bench]

There will always be "marginal" HOFers.  Marginal is simply relative to who's in already. 

I think some folks here live in a world with no margins.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Bert Blyleven

[pravata]

See HOF, Class of '96.

Am I misreading?  There looks like 4 inductees in 96, including Bunning.  Link It's their biggest annual event.

[Bench]

Am I misreading?  There looks like 4 inductees in 96, including Bunning.  Link It's their biggest annual event.

They were all veterans committee inductions that year. None of the "75% and more" crowd got in, and that's what I think hillbillieken was referring to.

[pravata]

They were all veterans committee inductions that year. None of the "75% and more" crowd got in, and that's what I think hillbillieken was referring to.

I wasn't misreading, I was uninformed.  Thanks.

[HudsonHawk]

I think some folks here live in a world with no margins.

Yep, everything is right down the center.

[Ron Brand]

Gossage.  Blyleven.  Raines.  Maybe Trammell.

And definitely a vote for Rod Beck, just for opening up the trailer and the cooler in the parking lot after the AAA games. 

[geezerdonk]

Pffft!  If you go this route, where does it end?  You'll end up with the likes of German "Measles" Jimenez in the Hall.

Funny, he doesn't look teutonic.

[BUWebguy]

I he fails to receive a certain percentage (I think it's 5%) of the vote, his name will be removed from future ballots.  So there is sort of a nominating process, indirectly.  All players with 10 years get on the ballot, but only those deemed worthy of more consideration continue past the first year.

I think there is some screening process:

BBWAA Screening Committee — A Screening Committee consisting of baseball writers will be appointed by the BBWAA. This Screening Committee shall consist of six members, with two members to be elected at each Annual Meeting for a three-year term. The duty of the Screening Committee shall be to prepare a ballot listing in alphabetical order eligible candidates who (1) received a vote on a minimum of five percent (5%) of the ballots cast in the preceding election or (2) are eligible for the first time and are nominated by any two of the six members of the BBWAA Screening Committee.

http://web.baseballhalloffame.org/hofers/bbwaa.jsp

[Froback]

I think there is some screening process:
http://web.baseballhalloffame.org/hofers/bbwaa.jsp

While technically that might be true, I think it is often just a rubber stamp based on 10-years played.  I love JD, but even he made the ballot (and even got 1 vote).

So many guys who have ZERO chance make the ballot each year, so you have to figure the requirements are either really low, or something simple like 10 years experience.  I think this committee is to ensure that someone like a Koufax would not be left out if they actually had a yrs exp min.

[Astroholic]

While technically that might be true, I think it is often just a rubber stamp based on 10-years played.  I love JD, but even he made the ballot (and even got 1 vote).

From Lopez.

[HudsonHawk]

While technically that might be true, I think it is often just a rubber stamp based on 10-years played.  I love JD, but even he made the ballot (and even got 1 vote).

I think the screening committee is a recent process.   Due in no small part to idiots like Lopez who voted for JD just to entertain himself.

[pravata]

I think the screening committee is a recent process.   Due in no small part to idiots like Lopez who voted for JD just to entertain himself.

Self amuse.  The usual.

[Limey]

I think the screening committee is a recent process.   Due in no small part to idiots like Lopez who voted for JD just to entertain himself.

They should screen the voters, not the players.

[Arky Vaughan]

They should screen the voters, not the players.

Their idea of screening is to make sure the voters are 10-year dues-paying members of the BBWAA. Which at least excludes the deadbeats.

[BUWebguy]

Their idea of screening is to make sure the voters are 10-year dues-paying members of the BBWAA. Which at least excludes the deadbeats.

Sucks for these guys:

According to Hall rules, any player who met the requirement of playing 10 major league seasons also had to be nominated by two members of a six-member Screening Committee of BBWAA writers, a courtesy [Shawon] Dunston was apparently afforded while Andy Benes, Delino DeShields, Mike Morgan, Greg Swindell, John Valentin, Randy Velarde, and Mark Wohlers were not.

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=6989

[jasonact]

Blyleven, Gossage, McGuire

[VirtualBob]

Sucks for these guys:
http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=6989

Please tell me that was sarcasm ... Are you seriously suggesting that any of those guys should get even a single vote?

edited to remove nonsensical auto-smileys

[BUWebguy]

Yep, sarcasm.