HOF Balloting Has become a Sham

January 9, 2007 – 11:35 pm

The voting for the Baseball Hall of Fame has become a sham in my opinion. It isn’t the proper candidates that get voted in, it is the guys who have had successful careers, but didn’t annoy the media along the way. The good citizens like Ozzie Smith and Tony Gwynn, are first ballot Hall of Famers, while players like Albert Belle, Mark McGwire and Jim Rice are outcasts, and not invited to the “Hall of Fame party,” How could a player like Albert Belle not even garner enough support (5%) to stay on the ballot? It’s a crock.

Let’s take a look at the run Albert Belle had from 1993-1999. His average season over this span is as follows: 572 AB, .308 BA, 176 H, 106 R, 41 2b, 2 3b, 41 HR, 127 RBI, 10 SB. Not too shabby to say the least. Compare that to any 7-year run of a HOFer. Also factor in the lost HR and RBI from missing 1/3 of the ‘94 season due to a labor dispute.

This is just one example. How only 19 guys could vote for Belle in a pool of over 500 writers is beyond me. Look at his average season (projected to a full 162 games), over the likes of his career: .295 BA, .369 OBP, .564 SLG, 41 2b, 2 3b, 40 HR, 130 RBI, 103 R, 72 BB

Look at some other players who made it to the HOF, or are being considered:

Ralph Kiner: .279 BA, .398 OBP, .548 SLG, 24 2b, 4 3b, 41 HR, 112 RBI, 107 R, 111 BB

Harmon Killebrew: .256/.376/.509, 19, 2, 38, 105, 85, 104

Kirby Puckett: .318/.360/.477, 38, 5, 19, 99, 97, 41

Jim Rice: .298/.352/.502, 29, 6, 30, 113, 97, 52

Andre Dawson:.279/.323/.482, 31, 6, 27, 98, 85, 36

Babe Ruth: .342/.474/.690, 33, 9, 46, 143, 141, 133

Now, we’re not even trying to say that Belle is anywhere near on the same level as Babe Ruth. However, how can you honestly tell me that the likes of Harold Baines, Dave Concepcion, Steve Garvey, Tommy John, and Dave Parker all deserve to be on the ballot, but Belle does not? If I was a voter, I’d be embarrassed.

Guys like Goose Gossage, Jack Morris, Dale Murphy and Bert Blyleven (and ummm..Peter Rose anyone?) should be in already. Enough already. Just make amends next year, and redeem yourself. I for one, am tired of dealing with the politics of it. Put the players in there that deserve it, regardless of whether or not they were the best of citizens. Otherwise, make the movement and take Ty Cobb out of the Hall of Fame. Enough already.