Joe Posnanski's HOF Ballot

[Cap78]

in the end, I believe many of these guys will get in, but not on the first ballot or perhaps several more after that...that may end up being their punishment, having to wait

[GiambiJuice]

Just because a player is not a deserving of enshrinement in the Hall Of Fame, doesn't mean Poz thinks he "sucks". Nice try though.

[TomBodet]

Ahhhh yes the annual Joe Poz 'Morris sucks! Murphy Rulz! Broadside. Waiting for Vizquel to get same treatment.

[henrich]

thanks Ben. I appreciate the link. Another good read. Stark I don't always agree with, but i think he does his homework.

[chicagowhitesox1173]

Jason Starks reasoning behind Sosa is a bit odd but I can see why he feels that way.

[Ben Grimm]

I was checking out that tracker spreadsheet yesterday and saw Jayson Stark on there making his live selections. Here's his article he posted along with his reasoning...

Stark's HoF Ballot

[ol' aches and pains]

Even if you take Bonds's numbers at way below face value, he can be a HOFer. His numbers are just that good.

I guess I do understand that thinking, I just disagree with it. I take the Hall Of Fame more seriously than that. If Bonds went in, his plaque would list his accomplishments, many of which are tainted. I believe the Hall will be cheapened by enshrining known juicers.
I've stated my position often enough, I hesitate to get into another one of these debates. I'm not going to be swayed, and neither are you. Nice talkin' to you, though.

[GiambiJuice]

I just can't get my head around how he can say he doesn't take Barry Bonds' numbers at face value, but he's voting to enshrine him. I don't understand that thinking.

Even if you take Bonds's numbers at way below face value, he can be a HOFer. His numbers are just that good.

[chicagowhitesox1173]

I feel he did a good job, I don't think I would have voted for Edgar Martinez though. When it comes to Sosa and Palmeiro I just don't think they would have been hofers without steroids. Mark McGwire might have been one but he's cutting it close. Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens were hofers before the roids.

[ol' aches and pains]

I just can't get my head around how he can say he doesn't take Barry Bonds' numbers at face value, but he's voting to enshrine him. I don't understand that thinking.

[redban]

So his overall ballot is:

1) Jeff Bagwell
2) Craig Biggio
3) Barry Bonds
4) Roger Clemens
5) Edgar Martinez
6) Mike Piazza
7) Tim Raines
8) Curt Schilling
9) Alan Trammell
10) Larry Walker

In my view, if you cast a vote for Bonds and Clemens, you have to cast a vote for McGwire, Sosa, and Palmerio as well.

[henrich]

loved the article. thanks for sharing the link.

[Ace Venom]

I think it's a good ballot. At least he filled out all 10 spots. But poor Kenny Lofton doesn't even get any consideration at all.

I can see why he wouldn't. This is an exceptionally oversized ballot with many worthy candidates. Lofton doesn't exactly jump out at you as a Hall of Famer. His WAR looks good, but he doesn't pass the smell test for a lot of people. Lofton will be out after his first year on the ballot.

Jayson Stark has already complained about the limitations of the 10-player limit on the ballot. This was one of those years when one could have made legitimate defenses for more than ten players. This is also going to be a reason why no one gets in this year. Even though I think someone like Jeff Bagwell is overdue, he has no chance this year and he won't for a while. Craig Biggio might have to wait a few years too. What I'm more interested in seeing is how many votes Jack Morris will have this time.

[GiambiJuice]

I think it's a good ballot. At least he filled out all 10 spots. But poor Kenny Lofton doesn't even get any consideration at all.

Lofton made his "close but not quite" list and he said if he were allowed to vote for 11 players instead of 10, he might have voted for Lofton this year. See: http://www.sportsonearth.com/article/40826138/

[Nerdlinger]

I think it's a good ballot. At least he filled out all 10 spots. But poor Kenny Lofton doesn't even get any consideration at all.