BBA Recommends Jeff Bagwell for Hall of Fame

As a longstanding member of the Baseball Bloggers Alliance (BBA), I take great pride in having been able to participate in their Hall of Fame vote the past four years.

This year, BBA is recommending Jeff Bagwell (and only Jeff Bagwell) be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame this July.  He received 76% of the vote.  A year ago…he finished around 78%.

Here’s the official word:

Every season, the BBA polls it’s membership to cast a ballot for the players eligible for Hall Of Fame induction. Following the same rules as the official vote cast by the Baseball Writers Association, a player must receive votes on at least 75% of the ballots in order to be recommended for inclusion in the hallowed halls of Cooperstown.

Typically, the blogger’s alliance has been very similar to the official votes cast for awards and hall induction. In one of the few moments of disagreement, the BBA voted last year to induct Barry Larkin and Jeff Bagwell. Barry Larkin would be voted in by the official body, leaving Jeff Bagwell to return to the ballot again this year after a 56% showing last year.

The Bloggers Alliance opinion has not changed and the lone person to be selected on the BBA ballot this season is Jeff Bagwell.

Some other notables receiving votes…Craig Biggo (69%), Mike Piazza (69%), Barry Bonds (62%), Tim Raines (62%) and Roger Clemens (56%).

And since everyone else on the web is throwing their own theoretical picks out there, here are mine…Jeff Bagwell, Craig Biggio, Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Kenny Lofton, Fred McGriff, Dale Murphy, Mike Piazza, Tim Raines and Lee Smith.

Unlike a lot of the BBWAA writers…I feel I’ve stayed pretty consistent with my picks. Meaning, no Jack Morris. That said, I can probably be swayed to vote for Curt Schilling and, perhaps, Sammy Sosa down the road. The only real addition to my ballot? Dale Murphy. Given this is Murph’s final year on the ballot…I had to go with the two-time MVP.

Take a gander at the complete press release from the BBA and check out how all 34 players fared in the vote by clicking HERE.