The 2013 Election

[DoubleX]

Looking ahead, 2013 is shaping up to be one of the most interesting Hall of Fame elections ever. Look at some of the names that are lining up to be on the ballot:

Barry Bonds
Roger Clemens
Mike Piazza
Craig Biggio
Sammy Sosa
Curt Schilling?
Kenny Lofton?
David Wells
Julio Franco
Steve Finley
Reggie Sanders
Shawn Green
Jose Mesa
Roberto Hernandez
Ryan Klesko
Jeff Cirillo
Royce Clayton
Mike Lieberthal

Obviously some of the guys at the end of this list will likely just be fodder, but otherwise, there should be a lot of debate surrounding this election. Right now, with their reputations thus far remaining unscathed, I think Piazza and Biggio could be the only two to go in right away. If Schilling is eligible, I think he could come close, but he'll probably take a few years to get in (he might also have to wait as guys like Maddux, Johnson, Glavine, and Martinez, become eligible). I think Franco (notable because of his age), Wells (a media darling and almost cult like figure when in NY), and Lofton (pretty good and notable player for a long time), will stick around. Everyone else will probably fall to the wayside. The ones to watch, of course, will be Bonds, Clemens, and Sosa. A lot can happen in five years, but right now, I don't expect any to get in right away.

[jjpm74]

You can also add Jeff Kent to that list. I heard last night that he is retiring at the end of the season which will also put him on that ballot. To me, he's a first ballot HOFer but we'll see how the BBWAA treats his case as it did take Sandberg a few tries to get in.

EDIT: Also, Schilling is on the DL. He's not retired.

[DoubleX]

You can also add Jeff Kent to that list. I heard last night that he is retiring at the end of the season which will also put him on that ballot. To me, he's a first ballot HOFer but we'll see how the BBWAA treats his case as it did take Sandberg a few tries to get in.

EDIT: Also, Schilling is on the DL. He's not retired.

Kent has played this year, so he'll be on the next ballot, at the earliest. By 2013 election, I actually mean the election that will be conducted late 2012 with votes announced January 2013.

Also, Schilling is on the DL, but if he never appears again, which could happen (but I'll bet on him pitching again), he'll be on the above ballot.

[jjpm74]

Thanks for clarifying.

I wouldn't be surprised if Bonds ends up on a last place team somewhere around the all star break. I also don't think Lofton is finished, though his chances aren't as good as Bonds of playing in the ML somewhere.

[AstrosFan]

Clemens and Bonds have a lot of evidence against them in the steroids department, and are widely disliked. They were Hall of Famer caliber players before their juicing days began, but that probably won't matter to voters. I could see them not making it first try. Sammy Sosa has no hard evidence against him, just circumstantial stuff. But there is enough of it that people tend to assume he was a juicer, which will probably keep him from being a first ballot inductee. Even if Schilling was finished, I am not totally sure he would get in first ballot. I believe he deserves it, but I'm not sure the BBWAA agrees with me. I think the only two locks I can see are Biggio and Piazza.

[KCGHOST]

I guess it is not too soon to get the Royce Clayton bandwagon rolling.

[Chadwick]

1. Barry Bonds
2. Roger Clemens
3. Mike Piazza
4. Craig Biggio
5. Sammy Sosa
6. Curt Schilling

I suppose it's wishful thinking to believe there's four or fewer Hall-worthy players who'll be carried over from the 2012 ballot.

[John Shoemaker]

You can also add Jeff Kent to that list. I heard last night that he is retiring at the end of the season which will also put him on that ballot. To me, he's a first ballot HOFer but we'll see how the BBWAA treats his case as it did take Sandberg a few tries to get in.

EDIT: Also, Schilling is on the DL. He's not retired.

Where did you hear that Jeff Kent is retiring at the end of the year? I agree he's a first ballot HOFer.

[bob]

Bonds and Clemens have the non juice numbers to get inducted first time, but i dont think they will. Its likely that they will be shunned by many voters the first year, then get in the second year with a big score.
Piazza and Biggio will be in first year, and Sosa deserves to be, but despite not much more real evidence other than "He hit a ton of HR's at the same time as McGwire and Bonds" i think he'll get the same treatment as bonds.

[jjpm74]

Where did you hear that Jeff Kent is retiring at the end of the year? I agree he's a first ballot HOFer.

Keith Hernandez stated that Jeff Kent had recently announced that he will be retiring at the end of this year this past week when his team was playing the Mets. Hernandez seemed to think he was a lock for the HOF.

[hairmetalfreek]

Piazza and Biggio are the only ones that would get my vote.
And that's only if nothing ugly turns up.

[Chadwick]

I'm wondering if there's ever been a freshmen class (1936-present) with 6 or more worthy players before?

[GordonGecko]

IMO Piazza is the only first ballot sure thing on that list. Bonds has 0.00% chance, Clemens 0.01%

[KCGHOST]

As of now I am sure Piazza will cruise in. After that, hmmm. The BBWAA may make this their opportunity get back at Bonds for his failure to worship at their altar. The BBWAA has always liked Clemens, but you get the feeling they have enough roid-rage of their own to even keep him out. We will have to see how that plays out. After that I could see some other getting in after a few years.

I mean seriously, if you were a writer and you wanted to punish Bonds and Clemens would you have the stones to let lesser players in?? Let's hope not.

The sad thing here is that if this takes place the baseball HoF will be missing its all-time hits leader, its all-time HR leader, and one of its five best pitchers.

[GordonGecko]

As of now I am sure Piazza will cruise in. After that, hmmm. The BBWAA may make this their opportunity get back at Bonds for his failure to worship at their altar. The BBWAA has always liked Clemens, but you get the feeling they have enough roid-rage of their own to even keep him out. We will have to see how that plays out. After that I could see some other getting in after a few years.

I mean seriously, if you were a writer and you wanted to punish Bonds and Clemens would you have the stones to let lesser players in?? Let's hope not.

The sad thing here is that if this takes place the baseball HoF will be missing its all-time hits leader, its all-time HR leader, and one of its five best pitchers.

It's sadder that those players cheated their way to the top at the end of their careers. But about the lesser players, don't forget the 2nd, 3rd, 4th... ballot stars eligible from 2012, 2011, 2010... will also be up against Bonds and Clemens.