Time for another hall-of-fame vote

[baracus68]

Nice response to the HOF vote so far. I hope people continue send in their "ballots."

I was wondering about a guy that isn't getting any chatter at all, here or elsewhere--Albert Belle. He wasn't around for that long, and he was by most accounts a pretty miserable personality in the clubhouse, but his numbers are phenomenal.

But that said, I ain't voting for him. There are too many other guys in line in front of him right now, especially with the addition of Ripken and Gwynn.

Anyway, here's my ballot:

Cal Ripken
Tony Gwynn
Jim Rice
Goose Gossage
Alan Trammel
Bert Blyleven

[Outta Leftfield]

For me it's:

Ripken
Gwynn
Blyleven
Gossage
Trammell
Rice
Dawson
McGwire

Didn't look at anyone else's before voting. I put McGwire down because I figured not everyone would. I don't think he should go in on the first round, but he should (and will) get in eventually.

[baracus68]

Anybody else feel like chiming in? I did a preliminary count and it's looking like a very interesting vote, the two no-brainers at the top of the list but a handful of other guys--all BTT80's figures--also within striking distance.

[Moodywoody]

1. Cal Ripken
2. Tony Gwynn
3. Jim Rice

Ripken and Gwynn are automatic first ballot picks for the Hall of Fame.


Cal was one of the greatest SS of all time, and Gwynn one of the greatest average hitters of all time. Can't go wrong with these two.


Rice is a borderline line pick. I think he was one of the best leftfielders of his generation, but not one of the greatest, let alone of baseball history. I would have like to have seen him put up more years of quality and bigger overall numbers. If I only had one or two picks, I would not include him. However, it would not be an upset if he made the hall.


McGuire and others of his ilk disqualified themselves for their use of steroids. Any numbers they put up are suspect, and you have to wonder if they would have put up anything close to those numbers if they hadn't used the juice, especially in regard to power numbers.

[dinsdale]

Let's narrow it down first to:

Harold Baines - 6 times all-star, 1684 RBI's
Albert Belle - 5 time all-star, 9 straight 100 RBI seasons
Bert Blyleven - 2 time all-star, 287 wins
Jose Canseco - 6 time all-star, 462 HR, 1407 RBI
Dave Concepcion - 9 time all-star, 5 time gold glove
Andre Dawson - 2774 hits, 438 hr, 8 time all-star, 8 gold glove
Steve Garvey - 10 time all-star, 4 gold gloves, 1308 RBI
Rich "Goose" Gossage - 310 saves, 9 time all-star
Tony Gwynn - 3141 hits, 8 batting titles, 5 gold glove, 14 time all-star
Orel Hershiser - 204 - 150, 3 time all-star, 1 Cy Young
Tommy John - 288 wins, 4 all-star teams
Don Mattingly - 9 gold glove, 6 time all-star, MVP
Mark McGwire - 12 time all-star, 1 gold glove, 583 HR
Jack Morris - 254-186, 5 time all-star
Dale Murphy - 7 time all-star, 2 time MVP, 398 HR's
Dave Parker - 7 time all-star, MVP, 1490 rbi's,
Jim Rice - 8 time all-star, MVP, 1451 rbi's
Cal Ripken Jr. - 19 time all-star
Bret Saberhagen - 3 time all-star, 2 time Cy Young, 167-117
Lee Smith - 478 saves, 7 time all-star
Alan Trammell - 6 time all-star, 4 time gold glove

I toss out Canseco and McGwire on general principles. Next look at All-Star appearances. Only 2 All-Star games for Bert Blyleven? Doesn't sound like a HOF to me. OUT. Same with Tommy John. Same with Saberhagen. Same with Hershiser. Now it's obvious Cal Ripken and Tony Gwynn are IN so let's take them down and reorder

Who would I want in my outfield? Pretty close competition! I pick Jim Rice, Dale Murphy, Andre Dawson, and Albert Belle.

Dale Murphy - dominant but career had a bad fall-off
Dave Parker - wasted middle years
Jim Rice - numbers just don't look as good against todays
Andre Dawson - don't forget the "D"
Harold Baines - not enough production for a DH
Albert Belle - not friendly but Joey could HIT

I select Donny Baseball and Steve Garvey
Alan Trammell - close, but no cigar
Dave Concepcion - weak SS competition in the 70's
Steve Garvey - not bad for playing in LA
Don Mattingly - short career problem

Not a big save fan but the "Goose" is in
Lee Smith - played for a lot of bad teams
Rich "Goose" Gossage - created the position of closer
Jack Morris - not much on the ERA side

My ballot:
Cal Ripken, Jr.
Tony Gwynn
Rich Gossage
Jim Rice
Dale Murphy
Andre Dawson
Albert Belle
Don Mattingly
Steve Garvey