For the 2014 Baseball Hall of Fame, we have 36 names to choose from. As is tradition, every member of the voting committee gets to list ten names. In order for someone to make it into the Hall, they must appear on 75% of the ballots.
To quote the classic comedy Caddyshack, “some people, simply do not belong”. The fact that Richie Sexson and Eric Gagne appear on this list of 36 names, is a slap directly in my face as a Brewers fan. To think that they could be found next to Roger Clemens, Greg Maddux and Frank Thomas is a slap in all of our faces as baseball fans.
Either way, my ten are listed in what I think is the appropriate order:
Craig Biggio. Only member of the 3,000 hit club, who is not a cheater (looking your way Rafael Palmeiro)
Greg Maddux. No explanation needed
Edgar Martinez. The best designated hitter in baseball is given the Edgar Martinez Award each year…duh BBWAA**!
Tom Glavine. 300 wins club, son.
Frank Thomas. 521 home runs and a career OBP of .419. Suck on that, Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa.
Mike Piazza. Arguably the best hitting catcher of all-time, easy pick.
Jack Morris. Dude has two World Series rings, 250 career wins and a 7-4 record in the postseason.
Curt Schilling. In my opinion, the best postseason pitcher of my generation, 11-2 with a 2.23 ERA…and the bloody sock that will live in baseball lore forever.
Tim Raines. I wrestled with this one, but he really was one of the best complete players of his time. As evidenced by his 23 seasons, 170 home runs, 980 RBIs and 808 stolen bases
Lee Smith. Closers do not get the respect they justly deserve. Smith gets my last spot over Jeff Bagwell because…well, because we need more flavor in the Hall.
You may not like my choices…I am cool with that. But at the very least, take a second to consider that I did not vote for one of the PED/steroid poster boys. You could argue about Piazza and maybe even “The Big Hurt”, but it is only speculation. I am one of those who believes that cheating is cheating and Bonds, Clemens, Palmiero, McGwire Sosa, and the rest of the Supreme Court hearing gang will never be worthy in my eyes.
Keep in mind, I am a Milwaukee Brewers fan. Ryan Braun will receive no special treatment from me, the dude is a cheater. This is the highest honor in baseball, liars and cheaters should be omitted.
**If you are a member of the BBWAA and you DO NOT vote for Edgar Martinez, then I move that you are no longer allowed to vote on or write about the Edgar Martinez award winner every season. The guy revolutionized the position, put him in the Hall.
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