Mike Piazza

[Strawman]

Might as well start this now: I don't think Piazza is getting into the Hall this year, wearing a Met cap or any other cap.

Too many voters will link him to steroids, even if that link never formally existed in any way.

Thoughts?

[PVNICK]

He's a tick above Bagwell, but the voting on Bagwell would be a good indicator. There is some webbsite tallying votes made public and Biggio is tops @ 72% = noone gets in.

[pheasant]

I believe Biggio, Bagwell, and Piazza should EASILY get in.

[Captain Cold Nose]

I hope the whispers, and that's all they are, are ignored enough for him to get elected next week. If he gets punished for suspicion, it won't be long. 2014 for sure if not this year.

[Ben Grimm]

He'd be first ballot for me, but that doesn't help him since I don't have a vote.

But at least one old-think writer is leaving the BBWAA this year. Probably a good thing too since the only player he's selecting this year is Jack Morris. I'm all for getting some of the riff raff out of the room when it comes to some of these voters.

[chicagowhitesox1173]

I would have voted Piazza too. If I did vote then Bonds and Clemens would be getting votes to though. I can't keep some off especialy when I don't know who was clean.

[Ben Grimm]

Bagwell
Biggio
Bonds
Clemens
Lofton
Murphy
Piazza
Raines
Trammell
Walker

That would be my ballot.

[Strawman]

Bagwell
Biggio
Bonds
Clemens
Lofton
Murphy
Piazza
Raines
Trammell
Walker

That would be my ballot.

From your list, only Piazza and Biggio get my vote - and I'd vote for Lee Smith as well. Morris - I'm borderline. No admitted/proven juicers.

[chicagowhitesox1173]

I'd rather vote for a guy who at least came clean and admitted to using than some guy who is hiding behind a lie.

[Strawman]

I'd rather vote for a guy who at least came clean and admitted to using than some guy who is hiding behind a lie.

Who came clean on that list?

[chicagowhitesox1173]

Who came clean on that list?

I just don't think Piazza, Bagwell and even Biggio played clean their entire carers and I have some respect for players who came clean. I'm not saying these guys used but i'm guessing at least 2 of em did use at one point. But since they didn't get caught I suppose they deserve the benifit of the doubt.

[Paulypal]

If someone has the on field credentials to get in...then he gets in. Period - in my opinion.

Personally I couldnt give a rats buttocks who took steroids. I really dont care. I know I am in the minority here but its my opinion. First of all thousands of players took them and we only hear about the same handful. Ridiculous.

Secondly - players have been taking performance enhancing drugs for 50 years with no reprecussions. Explanation? Sure. It is very well documented that players in the 50's right through today have taken amphetamines, and it gets very little recognition. Some players that have taken amphets? Okay - Mays, Aaron, Mantle---to name a few.

Now of course someone is going to say "but amphetamines can not be compared to steroids". "They dont make you stronger,,,etc etc etc". Very true Amphetamines do not give you the same enhancement that roids do, but they do "enhance....dont they?

I heard that idiot Jim Bouton say amphets are not "performance enhancers"...they are "performance enablers". Really Jim? I guess we are all just stupid now, and Jim Bouton is a genius. Then morons like Ed Randall sit their butt on the radio and agree with ignorance.

Allow me to go further..... Does an amphetamine make you more awake, and alert than you NATURALLY would be? So being that they make you do something that your body can not do on its own NATURALLY - doesnt that make them an ENHANCER?

Arent Amphetamines ILLEGAL?

So lets review. Amphetamines have the capability of ENHANCING your performance (or why take them?) and they are ILLEGAL. Hmmmmm....sound familiar? I know they are not what steroids are...I am fully aware of that, but they are enhancers no matter how we slice it.

So now I am going to hang Barry Bonds and revel in the greatness of Willie Mays? My opinion...not happening. Their on field performance are both outstanding and thats what I am judging.

Either that or lets empty the HOF and start over putting all the great players of the 50's and 60's on trial.

My opinon - If I am voting....they all get in. McGwire, Sosa, Bonds, Palmeiro, Piazza, Clemens (who I hate with a great intensity), etc etc etc.

[Shea Knight]

I think Biggio and Piazza will both definitely get in.

[chicagowhitesox1173]

It sounds like Biggio is the frontrunner last I heard.

[Shea Knight]

If Biggio doesn't get in I'll be SHOCKED...

In a year full of juicers, he's a skinny guy and not a hulk, hit for average as well as decent power for a 2B, played good defense, stole bases, 3,000 hits...

NO WAY does Craig Biggio not make it in this year.

I have to think Piazza gets in...all they have on him are rumors, and not "loud" rumors as is the case with some others on the list, or proven users, just whispers, a lot of them coming from untrustworthy sources and slanderous slimeballs...plus, as I've said time and again--

Piazza declined and declined at a rate fitting his age...and that'll probably hemp.
Bods hitting 73 HRs when he was 35+? No way that's allowable.
But Piazza declined the way most superstars do, no "video game," "unbelievable,"too good to be true" numbers in there...

Add to that the fact he has the record for most HRs by a catcher and played in BOTH media hotbeds, LA and NY, and had good relations with the press--

I have to think Piazza can get 75% of the vote.
Those who vote for Bonds and Clemens and the like will surely vote for him...
And I think there's enough amongst those who keep juicers out who will vote him in.

Biggio, Piazza...maybe one other, either an 80s star finally breaks through with voters picking them over juicers (see: Jack Morris) or maybe Curt Schilling will get in on the strength of his postseason performances...I'd vote for him.