After back-to-back years of outstanding first ballot candidates, the potential Class of 2016 might bring it all back down to Earth. That is, of course, if you exclude “The Kid”.
Monday, the BBWAA released its 2016 Hall of Fame ballot and among the 15 newcomers…perennial All-Star Ken Griffey Jr. and closer extraordinaire Trevor Hoffman. While there are no guarantees (are there ever?), 2016 looks to be the third year in a row that someone could argue a unanimous selection. And while no one will ever get 100% of the vote (Randy Johnson did come kinda close)…it’s hard to believe that anyone would not vote for Junior, right?
Here’s your first ballot-eligible candidates for the Hall of Fame Class of 2016.
IN.
Ken Griffey Jr. When Griffey finally gets into the Hall of Fame, it’ll be the final step of an epic journey that started on Opening Day 1989. But what can be said about Junior that you don’t already know? 630 career home runs, 1836 RBI and 2781 hits pretty much make him a shoe-in. And if that isn’t good enough…how about ten Gold Gloves, 13 All-Star Game appearances and that 1997 American League MVP award? Yeah…thought so.
Trevor Hoffman. Hoffman is a tricky one. Yes, dude is second all-time in saves, but the Hall of Fame has been unkind to some other closers (Lee Smith, anyone?). That said, I have a feeling that Hoffman and his 601 saves will make their way to Cooperstown.
ON THE BUBBLE.
Billy Wagner. Cue the broken record…but just change the name “Hoffman” to “Wagner”. Wagner is a tricky one. Yes, dude is fifth all-time in saves, but the Hall of Fame has been unkind to some other closers (Lee Smith, anyone?). In all seriousness, Wagner sits fifth all-time in saves (with 422) and carries with him a 2.31 career ERA…half a run better than the aforementioned Hoffman.
Jim Edmonds. “Jimmy Baseball” is one of those players that if, in 2016, he got 50% or 5% I wouldn’t be surprised. His numbers, while pretty good, aren’t great. But then again…you can do plenty worse than his eight Gold Gloves and 393 home runs.
OUT (in random order).
Garret Anderson. The Angels’ franchise leader in just about every offensive category at the time of his retirement, Anderson quietly put together one of the better careers of the last 20 years. That said, there’s no way dude gets into the Hall of Fame. Simply put, while his .293 batting average, 2529 career hits and 522 doubles are the mark of a great career…there are too many others that fared much better.
THE OTHERS. Brad Ausmus, Luis Castillo, David Eckstein, Troy Glaus, Mark Grudzielanek, Mike Hampton, Jason Kendall, Mike Lowell, Mike Sweeney, and Randy Winn.
Players receiving at least five percent of the vote can stay on the ballot for ten years. There are two exceptions, however. Alan Trammell (25.1% of the vote last year) and Lee Smith (30.2) are grandfathered in and will be eligible for the previously established 15 years.
Among the other returners on the 2016 ballot…Jeff Bagwell (55.7%), Barry Bonds (36.8%), Roger Clemens (37.5%), Nomar Garciaparra (5.5%), Jeff Kent (14%), Edgar Martinez (27%), Fred McGriff (12.9%), Mark McGwire (10%), Mike Mussina (24.6%), Mike Piazza (69.9%), Tim Raines (55%), Curt Schilling (39.2%), Gary Sheffield (11.7%), Sammy Sosa (6.6%) and Larry Walker (11.8%).
Voting results will be announced January 6.
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