Hall of Fame announced today @ 2 eastern...

[RBi]

Hey gang, I am heading to work, I wanted to remind everyone that today at 2pm eastern time MLB will be announcing the Hall of Fame's class of 2006.

[Honus Wagner Rules]

Here's hoping Gossage gets in.

[wilkerson_rulz-06]

Dawson deserves it most!:o

[Captain Cold Nose]

Sutter has far and above the best shot. But would it be such a travesty if the Negro League players elected next month have the stage all to themselves?

[Baseball Guru]

Sutter is the only player elected this year....

[RuthMayBond]

Strangely, I thought there were TWO relievers on the ballot who deserved it more

[Captain Cold Nose]

Strangely, I thought there were TWO relievers on the ballot who deserved it more

Wait a couple years. Gossage will get elected in 2008. Rice, probably, as well.

The voting:

http://www.baseballhalloffame.org/news/2006/060110b.htm

[KingNothing13]

Next year will be interesting. Mark McGwire, Cal Ripken JR and Tony Gwynn from what I read on espn.com are all on it for the first time.

[Captain Cold Nose]

Next year will be interesting. Mark McGwire, Cal Ripken JR and Tony Gwynn from what I read on espn.com are all on it for the first time.

Ripken and Gwynn are in easy. Both will exceed 90 percent, with Ripken probably over 95%.
McGwire will be interesting. His non-testimony in front of congress very well may have hurt him.

[Slightly Sarcastic]

The fact that Lee Smith wasnt even close is an absolute joke.

How the all time saves leader can be left off when Eck and and now Sutter are both in?

[trosmok]

Curiouser than most years

Sutter has far and above the best shot. But would it be such a travesty if the Negro League players elected next month have the stage all to themselves?

Right you were, CCN, but I was also pulling for Andre Dawson and Bly. I wonder if next year will be their year, same with Rice and Gossage. I've heard arguments both ways, and just no compelling reasons for or against for most of the borderline guys. Congrats to Mr. Splitfinger Sutter, and who might be joining him from the Negro Leagues? I didn't know it was their turn again.

[Captain Cold Nose]

Right you were, CCN, but I was also pulling for Andre Dawson and Bly. I wonder if next year will be their year, same with Rice and Gossage. I've heard arguments both ways, and just no compelling reasons for or against for most of the borderline guys. Congrats to Mr. Splitfinger Sutter, and who might be joining him from the Negro Leagues? I didn't know it was their turn again.

http://www.baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=36460

[trosmok]

Three right out of the gate

Thanks, Cap'n, I'll be curious to see if Ol' Buck O'Neil finally gets his due. For years the Hall depended on his selection to determine the Negro League inductees, and his modesty prevented him from nominating himself. Effa Manley might cause somewhat of a stir, but as a pioneer and innovator she was beyond compare. No other woman before or since has owned or managed a professional men's ballclub, and she was highly successful both in terms of wins as well as at the box office. The fellow I've been campaigning for since my youth may have a decent shot: James Raleigh "Biz" Mackey. Without him, the catcher position might never have seen the likes of Campanella, Bench, Berra, Munson, Santiago, Posada, Varitek, I-Rod, and any of dozens more that should thank him for modernizing the most thankless position in baseball.

I wonder if the BBWAA have decided they will only induct a maximum of one releiver/closer per year, much as they have done with SS/2B for decades.

[KingNothing13]

Ripken and Gwynn are in easy. Both will exceed 90 percent, with Ripken probably over 95%.
McGwire will be interesting. His non-testimony in front of congress very well may have hurt him.

yeah, I agree. I meant interesting with McGwire. Ripken and Gwynn should be shoo-ins.

[KCGHOST]

Sutter has far and above the best shot. But would it be such a travesty if the Negro League players elected next month have the stage all to themselves?

Could be, if the only Negro Leagues elected are deceased. Only two of the candidates are still living.