2012 Hall of Fame class - who would YOU vote for?

[keyzick]

I'd vote for these 5, in this order:

1. Tim Raines, OF
2. Jeff Bagwell, 1B
3. Bernie Williams, OF *
4. Don Mattingly, 1B
5. Fred McGriff, 1B


I understand the comment about players of old taking speed, etc. But since this poll is about who I would vote for of those eligible today, I would choose NOT to vote for the juicers. That said, Bagwell's iffy from that standpoint...many seem to think he did, but still haven't seen anything definitive. If there is something, and I missed it, then I would exclude him.

I think Bernie Williams and Fred McGriff have been two of the most underrated players of their time (and that's with Bernie playing in NY).

I loved Mattingly (and I'm a die-hard Red Sox fan), but I ranked him a little lower based on the shortened timespan of his productive career.

[durantjerry]

As a Red Sox fan maybe this will help:
Bernie Williams is to the HOF as Dwight Evans is to the HOF.

[Detroit-Tigers]

Barry Larkin, SS
Don Mattingly, 1B
Fred McGriff, 1B
Mark McGwire, 1B
Jack Morris, RHP
Tim Raines, OF
Alan Trammell, SS

[RICHARDMILTER]

How can Alan Trammell and Barry Larkin not be Hall of Famers? It is absolutely ridiculous.

[Roscodog]

[quote:8e5eb87031="rmilter"]How can Alan Trammell and Barry Larkin not be Hall of Famers? It is absolutely ridiculous.[/quote:8e5eb87031]

Couldn't agree more.

[The Turtle]

I'll add Larkin to my list. Missed him initially.

Trammell? Not so much. Hall of Good. We'll see if his managerial experience can get him in when added all together.

Plus, I wish we could kick out 20-30 members of the Hall of Fame already, maybe more.

[kurtz2001]

Larkin, Mattingly, Martinez, Morris, and LEE SMITH. Smith should have been in years ago. He was a dominant closer/reliever. Anyone who's seen him pitch must wonder why he hasn't gotten in.

[MrHacktastic]

I think Tim Raines is the second best leadoff hitter of all-time. He should definitely be in the hall of fame.

[fredpaii]

Hey, you gotta expect a few revisions on such a matter of import!

In addition to soft-hearted McGwire, Trammel, and Larkin I want to include Dale Murphy.

Back in the day when the NL West stood for NL all over the U.S., I always feared seeing that man step to the plate with runners on. He was sure death to my rather ineffectual Padres pitchers back then. He also had a very good arm. He could even run a little.

I'll also add Raines and Mattingly. They were just too damn good. Loved to have seen what Mattingly could have achieved with a healthy back though. Great guy who really didn't seem to deserve his fate.

I may as well add Bagwell too. Sort of like Mattingly I wonder what he could have done if he hadn't repeatedly suffered broken wrist injuries.