Well the verdict was in, and for the first time since 1996, no one was voting into the Baseball Hall of Fame. That means none of the alleged baseball cheats – particularly first-timers Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, and Sammy Sosa – were inducted.
Before I give my two cents on those guys being left out, let me break it down the Baseball Hall of Fame voting for you all.
Players are currently inducted into the Hall of Fame through election by either the Baseball Writers Association of America (or BBWAA), or the Veterans Committee, each of which considers and votes for candidates from a separate era of baseball (the latter being for old-timers). Five years after retirement, any player with 10 years of major league experience is eligible to be elected by BBWAA members. Any player named on 75% or more of all ballots cast is elected. A player who is named on fewer than 5% of ballots is dropped from future elections.
All of those voters got a little full of themselves as while casting their votes.
Before I say why, let me offer the following disclaimer: I am not a fan of Barry Bonds nor Roger Clemens. If you read any of my previous rants on Bonds and Clemens, you will see just how much I am disgusted with their haughtiness and narcissism.
Now having said all of that, I strongly disagree with the baseball writers taking such a silly stand. First of all, neither Bonds nor Clemens failed ANY drug tests. Bonds was done in with circumstantial crap from the BALCO trials. Clemens was back-stabbed by his sleazy former trainer Brian McNamee – though Clemens could have been smarter and stayed the hell away from Congress.
Bonds is perhaps the greatest player of all time. He is a seven-time MVP – again, a SEVEN-TIME MVP. He was the first 400-400 (400 home runs, 400 stolen bases) player before the steroid allegations. Oh, and here’s more:
- 14× All-Star (1990, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2007)
- 8× Gold Glove Award winner (1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1998)
- 12× Silver Slugger Award winner (1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004)
As I consider Bonds one of the greatest hitters of all time, I think that Clemens was the greatest pitcher of my generation. He is one of a few pitchers to win more than 300 games (a record of 354–184). He amassed 4,672 strikeouts and has a career ERA of 3.12. Wanna see more of Clemens’ accomplishments?
- 11× All-Star (1986, 1988, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1997, 1998, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005)
- 2× World Series champion (1999, 2000)
- 7× Cy Young Award winner (1986, 1987, 1991, 1997, 1998, 2001, 2004)
- 1986 AL MVP
Look, I understand that the baseball writers want to send a message by not letting any alleged cheats into the Hall of Fame. However, Bonds and Clemens are just that: ALLEGED, as in NOT PROVEN.
Bonds and Clemens were Hall of Fame caliber players before the steroid allegations. Whether they both did it or not, they deserved to be judged on their numbers alone – not on any steroid allegation.
As for Sosa, just leave his ass out and no one will give a damn.
“As for Sosa, just leave his ass out and no one will give a damn.”
-Agreed – and I think Clemons and Bonds will get in – but I also think Pete Rose should get in – but that’s a different story.
Perfectly put!
MLB’s stance seems to be this. We didn’t test you. We allowed you to save baseball by knocking the ’94 strike out of fans’ minds. We happily took in all the revenue you generated with record setting attendance and TV ratings. We will keep your names in the official record books, with no asterisks or other explanation. But if and when you get caught, we’ll talk about you like you’re a dirty dog.
Since there was no testing and no way to prove who took what, it’s only fair to let them all in. If you just ban those who man up and confess, (McGwire, Giambi) then you are rewarding the ones who keep the lie going (Bonds, Clemens).
More controversy is created by keeping them out. Look at Lawrence Taylor. He was let in, some people griped for a while, then it was over.