2015 Hall of Fame ballot

[mul21]

I'd rather embrace the steroids and the awesomeness they brought the game than pretend it's something that we should naively turn a blind eye to out of shame out of the implication that it should tarnish his reputation somehow.

 

I'm not turning a blind eye and don't give a [expletive] about who used what. I am greatly annoyed that the narrative is Sammy Sosa, proven steroid user, most other guys, clean all-american boy.

 

I don't think that's the narrative at all. I think most here are perfectly okay with saying Bonds, McGwire, Clemens, etc. were all deep in bed with steroids and Sosa is just another one of that group. All are being unnecessarily punished by the voters. I mean, come on, Bonds and Clemens are only getting in the 30s% votes? Dumb.

[Guest]

I'd rather embrace the steroids and the awesomeness they brought the game than pretend it's something that we should naively turn a blind eye to out of shame out of the implication that it should tarnish his reputation somehow.

 

I'm not turning a blind eye and don't give a [expletive] about who used what. I am greatly annoyed that the narrative is Sammy Sosa, proven steroid user, most other guys, clean all-american boy.

 

Honestly, I don't get that impression at all. For one, I think people would talk about McGwire the same way even if we didn't have the proof we ended up with. I see Bagwell even come into question, and he never seemed to blow up out of nowhere, from what I remember.

 

There's like a handful of the big HR hitters of that era that I feel get the pass that you're talking about. Thomas, Thome, and Griffey come to mind.

[SouthSideRyan]

I'd rather embrace the steroids and the awesomeness they brought the game than pretend it's something that we should naively turn a blind eye to out of shame out of the implication that it should tarnish his reputation somehow.

 

I'm not turning a blind eye and don't give a [expletive] about who used what. I am greatly annoyed that the narrative is Sammy Sosa, proven steroid user, most other guys, clean all-american boy.

 

Honestly, I don't get that impression at all. For one, I think people would talk about McGwire the same way even if we didn't have the proof we ended up with. I see Bagwell even come into question, and he never seemed to blow up out of nowhere, from what I remember.

 

There's like a handful of the big HR hitters of that era that I feel get the pass that you're talking about. Thomas, Thome, and Griffey come to mind.

 

Yes, and the 3 of them combined failed as many tests as Sosa did, had as many indictments as Sosa did, have the same smoking guns that Sosa did.

[Banedon]

I do my very best to avoid award debates, but I just have to see this written out.

 

Someone voted for Darin Erstad to make the Baseball Hall of Fame.

 

Two someones voted for Aaron Boone to make the Baseball Hall of Fame.

 

There is a limit on how many people a voter can choose as worthy of the Baseball Hall of Fame.

 

 

Amazing.

 

Apparently there were writers that left off guys they knew would get in, like Johnson and Pedro, so they could vote for guys at the bottom of the ballot.

 

Matt Spiegel was ranting that they need to remove the 10 vote limitation, and while I really could give two [expletive] about the HoF, it sounds like a good idea to me. The percentages will still work out.

That's what he did to get other worthy options more votes. Tranmere and Raines I think. Not Darin [expletive] Erstad.

 

Trammel and Walker was what I'd heard...didn't read the article. But yeah...

[Guest]

I'd rather embrace the steroids and the awesomeness they brought the game than pretend it's something that we should naively turn a blind eye to out of shame out of the implication that it should tarnish his reputation somehow.

 

I'm not turning a blind eye and don't give a [expletive] about who used what. I am greatly annoyed that the narrative is Sammy Sosa, proven steroid user, most other guys, clean all-american boy.

 

Honestly, I don't get that impression at all. For one, I think people would talk about McGwire the same way even if we didn't have the proof we ended up with. I see Bagwell even come into question, and he never seemed to blow up out of nowhere, from what I remember.

 

There's like a handful of the big HR hitters of that era that I feel get the pass that you're talking about. Thomas, Thome, and Griffey come to mind.

 

Yes, and the 3 of them combined failed as many tests as Sosa did, had as many indictments as Sosa did, have the same smoking guns that Sosa did.

 

I think the only difference (and the main thing that gets those guys the pass) is the (perceived?) lack of a dramatic body change. It's stupid, but those few guys are clearly the outliers.

Edited January 6, 2015 by David

[Sammy Sofa]

The thing that annoys me the most is how many self-loathing Cubs fans gleefully dismiss Sosa and want the organization to have nothing to do with himand basically want to act like he never existed. [expletive] Bonds and McGwire have been welcomed back by their teams, but the Cubs and their fans have this asinine, self-flagellating sense of "pride" in keeping one of the few genuinely great players the organization has ever had as far away as possible.

[Guest]

The thing that annoys me the most is how many self-loathing Cubs fans gleefully dismiss Sosa and want the organization to have nothing to do with himand basically want to act like he never existed. [expletive] Bonds and McGwire have been welcomed back by their teams, but the Cubs and their fans have this asinine, self-flagellating sense of "pride" in keeping one of the few genuinely great players the organization has ever had as far away as possible.

 

BUT HE LEFT A FEW INNINGS EARLY AT THE END OF A FRUSTRATING SEASON WITH A TERRIBLY DISAPPOINTING ENDING

 

 

BANISH HIM FOREVER

[Guest]

The thing that annoys me the most is how many self-loathing Cubs fans gleefully dismiss Sosa and want the organization to have nothing to do with himand basically want to act like he never existed. [expletive] Bonds and McGwire have been welcomed back by their teams, but the Cubs and their fans have this asinine, self-flagellating sense of "pride" in keeping one of the few genuinely great players the organization has ever had as far away as possible.

Agree 100%. he made so much money for them and played hard when he was out there. He was the face of the franchise and its a shame how they are treating him.

[SouthSideRyan]

I'd rather embrace the steroids and the awesomeness they brought the game than pretend it's something that we should naively turn a blind eye to out of shame out of the implication that it should tarnish his reputation somehow.

 

I'm not turning a blind eye and don't give a [expletive] about who used what. I am greatly annoyed that the narrative is Sammy Sosa, proven steroid user, most other guys, clean all-american boy.

 

Honestly, I don't get that impression at all. For one, I think people would talk about McGwire the same way even if we didn't have the proof we ended up with. I see Bagwell even come into question, and he never seemed to blow up out of nowhere, from what I remember.

 

There's like a handful of the big HR hitters of that era that I feel get the pass that you're talking about. Thomas, Thome, and Griffey come to mind.

 

Yes, and the 3 of them combined failed as many tests as Sosa did, had as many indictments as Sosa did, have the same smoking guns that Sosa did.

 

I think the only difference (and the main thing that gets those guys the pass) is the (perceived?) lack of a dramatic body change. It's stupid, but those few guys are clearly the outliers.

 

Thomas was an SEC football player and Griffey was constantly injured late in his career(Which is clear sign of steroid use. That or staying healthy for too late into your career)

 

Oh and in addition to those guys everyone who didn't [expletive] tons of home runs or was a pitcher not named Clemens.(This will probably include admitted user Andy Pettitte.)

[Guest]

I do my very best to avoid award debates, but I just have to see this written out.

 

Someone voted for Darin Erstad to make the Baseball Hall of Fame.

 

Two someones voted for Aaron Boone to make the Baseball Hall of Fame.

 

There is a limit on how many people a voter can choose as worthy of the Baseball Hall of Fame.

 

 

Amazing.

 

Love looking at the random guy who got one or two votes. Jacque Jones and Armando Benitez received 1 vote last year. JT Snow got 2.

[George Hayduke]

Not to belabor the point....but sweet baby Jebus, TWO people voted for Aaron Boone to be a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame. Aaron Boone had a season of 3 fWAR exactly zero times in his career, and 2 fWAR only 3 times. There are literally thousands of players more deserving than him. Are the voters just trolling MLB?

[Banedon]

Seen on reddit....Randy Johnson's photography logo is a dead bird....hahaha...

 

[Cubswin11]

[expletive] the HOF and the BBWA

[bukie]

I do my very best to avoid award debates, but I just have to see this written out.

 

Someone voted for Darin Erstad to make the Baseball Hall of Fame.

 

Two someones voted for Aaron Boone to make the Baseball Hall of Fame.

 

There is a limit on how many people a voter can choose as worthy of the Baseball Hall of Fame.

 

 

Amazing.

 

Love looking at the random guy who got one or two votes. Jacque Jones and Armando Benitez received 1 vote last year. JT Snow got 2.

I mind it less in years where there aren't 20 deserving candidates. I mean, if there are 2 guys that are HOF worthy on the ballot? Sure, give a shout out to your favorite player or that guy who hit that big HR that one time. But when only 10 players are allowed votes on a ballot and 20 are HOF worthy, you're screwing up the process.

[JennieGarthAlgar]

Thomas was an SEC football player and Griffey was constantly injured late in his career (Which is clear sign of steroid use. That or staying healthy for too late into your career)

Oh and in addition to those guys everyone who didn't [expletive] tons of home runs or was a pitcher not named Clemens.(This will probably include admitted user Andy Pettitte.)

 

So if someone gets hurt late in their career, they are probably on steroids. Oh, and also if they don't get hurt, too. Got it.

[SouthSideRyan]

Thomas was an SEC football player and Griffey was constantly injured late in his career (Which is clear sign of steroid use. That or staying healthy for too late into your career)

Oh and in addition to those guys everyone who didn't [expletive] tons of home runs or was a pitcher not named Clemens.(This will probably include admitted user Andy Pettitte.)

 

So if someone gets hurt late in their career, they are probably on steroids. Oh, and also if they don't get hurt, too. Got it.

 

Only if you didn't like the guy. You just passed Sports Journalism 101

[Guest]

Not to belabor the point....but sweet baby Jebus, TWO people voted for Aaron Boone to be a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame. Aaron Boone had a season of 3 fWAR exactly zero times in his career, and 2 fWAR only 3 times. There are literally thousands of players more deserving than him. Are the voters just trolling MLB?

 

Mike Trout had more fWAR in each of his first 2 seasons than Boone did in his entire career.

[imb]

HE HIT A BIG HOME RUN ONCE

[bukie]

Well played, Erstad.

 

Darin Erstad

‏@Dstad17

“@KenTremendous: Darin Erstad got a Hall of Fame vote. To be fair, he was one of the greatest punters in MLB history.” Punters r people too.

[champaignchris]

I can't wait til they vote someone in who they find out later was taking PEDs. Maybe then they will realize how silly trying blackball everyone they suspect.

 

For what it's worth, Jose Canseco says that they've already voted a user in. I realize that Canseco is a publicity whore. But he's also one of the very few people who've consistently told the truth about steroids in baseball.

 

No sports "journalist" has followed up on Canseco's claim, but a fairly brief review of the rosters Canseco played with and who on those teams has been voted into the Hall lends a lot of speculation towards Ricky Henderson.

[Sammy Sofa]

"A user?" Please. There's plenty beyond that; this [expletive] was around in various forms for decades.

[OleMissCub]

HE HIT A BIG HOME RUN ONCE

 

Jeff Blauser probably did too at some point.

[Rob]

There were interesting cases for Carlos Delgado and Brian Giles (not that I thought either should get in). It's a shame we are wasting our time debating sure fire hall of famers and whether they're connected to a PED "controversy" that only writers give two shits about, instead of actually debating the cases of marginal guys.

 

Guys like Kevin Brown, Kenny Lofton, Bernie Williams, and David Wells have all come under the 5% threshold in their first (or second, in Williams' case) shot on the ballot. I'd much rather be reading articles about their candidacy than whether some schmuck thinks Bagwell juiced, or how they wont vote for Bonds and Clemens just yet, since they haven't suffered enough.

 

Complete crap.

[champaignchris]

Guys like Kevin Brown, Kenny Lofton, Bernie Williams, and David Wells have all come under the 5% threshold in their first (or second, in Williams' case) shot on the ballot.

 

Kevin Brown was the weird one for me. He's Curt Schilling minus the bloody sock.

[OleMissCub]

Guys like Kevin Brown, Kenny Lofton, Bernie Williams, and David Wells have all come under the 5% threshold in their first (or second, in Williams' case) shot on the ballot.

 

Kevin Brown was the weird one for me. He's Curt Schilling minus the bloody sock.

 

Brown had a 5 year stretch (96-00) where he won 82 games with a 164 ERA+, 2.51 ERA, and 1.051 WHIP. Pretty sure that is better than any stretch Schilling had.