The Baseball Hall of Fame Beckons the Class of 2010

It is that time of the year again. The calendar has turned to January and early January brings with it among other things the selection of the next class to be elected into the hallowed halls of Cooperstown and the Baseball Hall of Fame. There are questions that arise to almost every candidate. No one man in the history of the hall has garnered every vote and most likely will never. This year's candidates present us with the possible Hall of Famers to middle of the row Hall of Famers to very unlikely Hall of Famers. There is no Ripkin or Ryan or Aaron on this ballot. That is good for men like Andre Dawson and Bert Blyleven, who have inched closer to the 75% needed to get elected. The Baseball Hall of Fame to me is probably the hardest of the halls of fame to get elected to. All halls of fame have lofty standards (75% or 80% of the vote among the voters; the 5 years away from the game). It just seems that baseball is most likely the most statistics driven sport. There is the 300 win club, the 500 home run club, and the 3000 hit club. Joining one of those clubs gave you all but a certain nod to the hall. Steroids has tarnished the 500 number in recent years and it is unlikely we will see more than a couple more pitchers join the 300 club anytime soon.

Do you judge candidates on their careers in terms of their individual ability or their championship rings and postseason success? Do you analyze their off the field stuff as a deterrent to not vote for them. Do you hold one or two black marks against a player versus their career as a whole.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/joe_posnanski/01/04/hall.ballot/index.html?cnn=yes

A closer look at each candidate and my vote (with how things might go):
Roberto Alomar: 1508 runs (61st all time), 2724 hits (51st all time), 504 doubles (43rd all time), 210 home runs, 1134 RBIs, .300 average, 12 years of 150 or more hits, 2 100 RBI seasons, never struck out 100 or more times in a season, hit .336 in 2001 with the Indians and above .300 9 times, and 474 Stolen Bases (40th all time). He was an All Star every year from 1993-2001. Has 10 gold gloves at 2B. ALCS MVP in 1992 and All Star Game MVP in 1998. There are currently 17 second basemen enshrined in Cooperstown. Only 5 have more hits, 8 have a higher average, 4 have more home runs, 7 have more RBIs, 6 have more runs, and 3 have more stolen bases. That sounds like he was probably one of the best to play especially at his position. If the hall is based on statistics, it would seem Alomar's hold up very well. VOTE: YES (might barely make or miss for real but yes I think)

Kevin Appier: 169-137 record with 5 15 win seasons. 34 complete games and 12 shutouts. 1994 Strikeouts. 3.74 era. 0-2 in the postseason and 1 All Star Game (1995). 2.46 lowest ERA. 1994 strikeouts. His statistics don't hold up very well against Hall of Fame pitchers. VOTE: NO (and no)

Harold Baines: (Previous best: 5.9% in 2009.) 1299 runs (117th all time), 2866 hits (39th all time) with 7 150 hit seasons, 488 doubles (t-52nd all time), 384 home runs (50th all time), 1628 RBIs (23rd all time) with 3 100 RBI seasons, 1 100 strikeout season, .289 avg with 11 .300 seasons with a high of .322. 6 time All Star. There are 24 right fielders enshrined in Cooperstown. How does Baines stack up? 17 have more runs, 9 have more hits, 6 have more home runs, 5 have more RBIs, and 21 have a higher average. Some of his numbers stack up with many in the hall and others don't. He has nearly 400 home runs, but not one 30 home run season. He is someone who is on the border. VOTE: NO (and no)

Bert Blyleven: (Previous best: 62.7% in 2009.) 242 complete games (91st all time), 60 shutouts (9th all time), 287-250 record (26th all time) with 10 15 win seasons with one 20 and one 19 win season. 3.31 era with a low of 2.52. 5-1 in postseason play. 3701 strikeouts (5th all time). There are 59 pitchers in the hall of fame. Compared to Blyleven, 19 have more wins, 8 have more losses, 11 have higher ERAs, and only 2 have more strikeouts. It to me is shocking that he is not in yet, he has won world titles and his pitching numbers speaking for themselves. He never won a Cy Young and seemed to be the top guy in a given year, but was certainly among the top pitchers. He is 13 wins shy of 300 and stands 5th on the strikeout list. That more than makes him a Hall of Famer. VOTE: YES (and I think yes, but it will be close)

Ellis Burks: 2107 hits with 5 150 seasons including 1 200 hit season, 402 doubles, 1253 runs, 352 home runs with 4 30+ and 1 40 season. 1206 RBIs with 1 100 RBI season. .291 avg and 6 .300 with high of .344. 2 time All Star and 1 gold glove in 1990 for OF. 3 100 strikeout seasons. These aren't great numbers nor bad numbers. But he was a product of Coors Field as he struggled when not playing there. He just doesn't seem to fit the mold of a potential hall member. VOTE: NO (and no)

Andre Dawson: (Previous best: 67% in 2009). 1373 runs. 2774 hits (45th all time) with 10 150 hit seasons. 503 doubles (t-45th all time). 438 home runs (36th all time) with 3 30 including 1 40 home run season. 1591 RBIs (34th all time) with 4 100 RBI seasons. 3 100 strikeout seasons. .279 avg with 5 .300 with a high of .310. 8 gold gloves. 1977 rookie of the year and 1987 NL MVP. Stacked up against other right fielders in the Hall, only 10 have more hits (including Baines), 6 have more home runs, 5 have more RBIs, and all but one have a higher batting average. If you look at Dawson next to many Hall of Famers, he seems to be worthy of the nod. He might get a little too much credit at times, but his numbers aren't tainted and he played hard all the time. VOTE: YES (and yes, I think this is the year he gets in)

Andres Galarraga: 1195 runs, 2333 hits with 6 150 hit seasons, 444 doubles, 2 30 and 3 40 home run seasons with 47 as a high and 399 for career. 1425 RBIs with 5 100 RBI seasons. 10 100 strikeout season and 2003 for the career. .288 avg and 10 .300 seasons with .370 as a high. 4 time All Star and 2 time gold glove at 1B. Had a nice career and the 399 home runs and 444 doubles aren't no small feat. But like Burks, he had the leisure of playing in the friendly Colorado air. His numbers were improved playing there. Doesn't scream Hall of Famer. VOTE: NO (and no)

Pat Hentgen: 131-112 record. 4 15 win seasons with one 20 and one 19. 34 complete games and 10 shut outs. 4.32 era with low of 2.46. 1-2 in postseason. 1996 Cy Young. 1290 strikeouts. Had a couple good years, but numbers aren't Hall worthy. VOTE: NO (and no)

Mike Jackson: 62-67 record with 142 saves. 3.42 era with low of 1.49. 1-2 with 4 saves in postseason. 1006 strikeouts. Just an average pitcher. VOTE: NO (and no)

Eric Karros: 797 runs, 1724 hits with 5 150 hit seasons. 324 doubles. 284 home runs with 5 30 home run seasons. 1027 RBIs with 5 100 RBI seasons. 7 100 strikeout seasons. .268 with one .300 avg (.304) and .300 avg in postseason. 1992 rookie of the year. Not too bad of career, but not anything close to the level of being a Hall of Famer. VOTE: NO (and no)

Ray Lankford: 968 runs, 1561 hits with 3 150 hit seasons. 356 doubles. 238 home runs with two 30 home run seasons. 874 RBIs with 100 RBI season. 12 100 strikeout seasons. .272 avg with one .300 avg (.306). Solid stats, but thats about it. VOTE: NO (and no)

Barry Larkin: 1329 runs, 2340 hits with 7 150 hit seasons. 441 doubles. 198 home runs with 1 30 season. 960 RBIs with 0 100 RBI season. 0 100 strikeout seasons. .295 avg with 9 .300 avg with .342 as a high. .338 avg in postseason. 3 gold gloves at SS. 1995 NL MVP. His numbers aren't as high as a lot of Hall of Famers, but baseball recalls you to play defense too. Larkin was very good at that. He is often underrated for his defensive play and has over 2,300 hits and 440 doubles. He batted well in the postseason and never had a 100 strikeout season. VOTE: NO (and probably no, but I think he will eventually get in)

Edgar Martinez: 1219 runs, 2247 hits with 8 150 hit seasons, 514 doubles (38th all time), 309 home runs with one 30 home run season. 1261 RBIs with 6 100 RBI seasons. 1 100 strikeout year (his last). .312 avg (only 75 have a better career average) with 11 .300 years with a high of .372. Martinez begins will be a long line of DH discussions for the Hall of Fame. But despite not playing defense often and missing at bats when the Mariners played a National League team, he still produced very good numbers. His average is one of the better averages of all time and he has over 500 doubles. He was a consistent hitter and that improves his chances. VOTE: NO (no, but might garner momentum over a few years)

Don Mattingly: (Previous best: 28.2% in 2001.) 1007 runs. 2153 hits with 6 150 hit seasons and 3 200 hit seasons with a high of 238. 442 doubles. 222 home runs with 3 30 home run season. 1099 RBIs with 5 100 RBI seasons. .307 avg with 7 .300 seasons with a high of .352. .417 avg in only postseason. 9 gold gloves at 1B and 1 AL MVP in 1985. He was one of the best known players with the richest team in baseball (in terms of money and success). A very good hitter, but some of his numbers leave a little to be desired. VOTE: NO (and no)

Fred McGriff: 1349 runs. 2490 hits (90th all time) and 10 150 hit seasons. 441 doubles. 493 home runs (tied for 25th all time) with 10 30 home run seasons. 1550 RBIs (40th all time) with 8 100 RBI seasons. 13 100 strikeout seasons. .284 avg with 6 .300 avg years with a high of .318 twice. .303 avg in postseason play with 10 home runs and 37 RBIs. 1994 All Star Game MVP. There are currently 18 first basemen in the halls of Cooperstown. Of them; 7 have more runs, 7 have more hits, 4 have more home runs and he is tied with Lou Gehrig at 7 short of 500, 8 have more RBIs, and all but 3 have higher career average. McGriff has never been linked to steroids, but did hit most of those home runs during the era. He also never was one of the big names despite his career numbers. I think he deserves a fair crack, but it might be a bit tough. VOTE: YES (and no)

Mark McGuire: (Previous best: 26.8% in 2008). 1167 runs. 1626 hits with 2 150 hit seasons. 252 doubles. 583 home runs with 12 30+ seasons including 70 in 1998 and 65 in 1999. 2 50 and 1 40. 1414 RBIs with 7 100 RBI seasons. 10 100 strikeout seasons. .263 avg with 3 .300 seasons with a high of .333. 1987 AL rookie of the year and gold glove at 1B in 1990. 1999- named to all century team at 1B. His numbers aren't exactly the greatest, but his home run total ranks 9th. He was one of the biggest names over the period that steroids was rampant. McGuire has been the example as more and more players will join him on the ballot. If we go by numbers, he stacks up enough to qualify. VOTE: YES (and no, but could inch closer)

Jack Morris: (Previous best: 44% in 2009). 254-186. 175 complete games and 28 shut outs. 3.90 era with a low of 3.05. 7-4 in postseason. 1991 World Series MVP. 2496 strikeouts. He has more wins than roughly half of the pitchers in the Hall of Fame. His feat of 175 complete games is extremely impressive as barely any pitchers in the modern era have been able to achieve this feat. VOTE: NO (and no, but should garner more support because he seems close to deserving)

Dale Murphy: (Previous best: 23.2% in 2000). 1197 runs. 2111 hits with 7 150 hit seasons. 350 doubles. 398 home runs with 6 30 home run seasons with a high of 44. 1266 RBIs with 5 100 RBI seasons. 11 100 strikeout seasons. .265 avg with 3 .300 seasons with a high of .316. 5 Gold Gloves at OF and 2 NL MVPs (1982 and 1983). Had a pretty stellar career and was a fan favorite. Not sure if his statistics stack up despite the more than 2,000 hits and near 400 home runs. VOTE: NO (and no)

Dave Parker: (Previous best: 24.5% in 1998). 1272 runs. 2712 hits (55th all time) with 11 150 seasons including 1 200 season (215). 526 doubles (32nd all time). 339 home runs with 3 30+ home runs. 1493 RBIs with 4 RBI seasons. 5 100 strikeout seasons. .290 avg with 7 .300 with a high of .338. 3 gold gloves. 1978 NL MVP and 1979 All Star Game MVP. His hits and doubles totals rank him in elite company and has seemed to be ignored in voting each year. He was a key player on his Pirates teams and has been overshadowed by other players including some teammates. VOTE: YES (and no)

Tim Raines: (Previous best: 24.3% in 2008). 1571 runs. 2605 hits with 8 150 hit seasons. 430 doubles. 170 home runs. 980 RBIs. .294 with 9 .300 seasons with a high of .334. 1987 All Star Game MVP. He has good hits and doubles totals, but nothing too much. He has the chance to get a few more votes. VOTE: NO (and no)

Shane Reynolds: 114-96. 20 complete games and 7 shut outs. 4.09 era with a low of 3.05. 1-3 in postseason. 1403 strikeouts. Nothing too spectacular with Reynolds. VOTE: NO (and no)

David Sequi: 683 runs. 1412 hits with 2 150 hit seasons. 284 doubles. 139 home runs. 684 RBIs with 1 100 RBI season. .291 avg with 11 .300 seasons with a high of .339. Average player. VOTE: NO (and no)

Lee Smith: (Previous best: 45% in 2006). 71-92 and 478 saves. 3.03 era with a low of 1.66. 1251 strikeouts. 3 time reliever of the year. The Hall has not been kind to closers especially the best one...until the last couple years. Yes, he is not viewed as a dominant pitcher, but you have to be pretty damn good to get close to 500 saves. He is third behind possibly the two best closers ever. He held his record for several years and that deserves consideration as more and more closers will become Hall worthy. VOTE: YES (and no)

Alan Trammel: (Previous best: 18.2% in 2008). 1231 runs. 2365 hits with 7 150 hit seasons with a high of 205. 412 doubles. 185 home runs. 1003 RBIs with 1 100 RBI season. .285 with 7 .300 seasons with high of .343. .333 avg in two postseason appearances. 4 gold gloves at SS and 1984 World Series MVP. He was a solid player who played good defense. He is on the cusp of maybe garnering more support, but not sure how much. VOTE: NO (and no)

Robin Ventura: 1006 runs. 1885 hits with 5 150 hit seasons. 338 doubles. 294 home runs with two 30 home run seasons. 1182 RBIs with 3 100 RBI seasons. 4 100 strikeout seasons. .267 avg with 1 .300 season (.301). 6 gold gloves. A very good defensive third basemen, but not too much more that stands out. VOTE: NO (and no)

Todd Zeile: 986 runs. 2004 hits with 6 150 hit seasons. 397 doubles. 253 home runs with 1 30 home run season. 1110 RBI with 1 100 RBI season. 3 100 strikeout seasons. .265 avg. Had a good career, but nothing Hall worthy. VOTE: NO (and no)

So after looking at each candidate, my ballot would resemble voting for: Roberto Alomar, Bert Blyleven, Andre Dawson, Fred McGriff, Mark McGuire, Dave Parker, and Lee Smith. I can guaranteed that these seven won't get in, let alone more than three candidates at most. Steroids will keep McGuire out. Lack of a spark or dominance in voters minds will keep Parker, McGriff, and Smith out. Roberto Alomar is very deserving of being a first ballot Hall of Famer and Andre Dawson was just short last year and should finally get the call. Bert Blyleven has been getting closer each year and will either just make it or just miss it. All and all, I predict that two of these three will make up the elected members of the Class of 2010. Hopefully voters open their minds and give the worthy candidates full consideration because years when no one or just one get in seem to be lackluster and give the Hall an elitist feel. I want the best players in as much as the next guy, but there is at least a few Hall of Famers on this list and a couple more should join the elite this year.