The MLB has released the ballots for the 2014 Hall of Fame. Baseball Writers have until Dec. 31 to make their selections. This years ballot is loaded with former All Stars, Cy Youngers, MVPs, Rookie of the Years, Wold Series winners and steroid users. Yup, that's right steroid users. Last year gave us a sample of the "steroid era" of players when Barry Bonds and Mark McGwire both received under 20% of the vote. With saying that I hope that does not underline some of the great players of the 90's and 00's. We seen what it could be like last year, when there was zero players picked to be in the Hall of Fame. Craig Biggio was the closest at 68% followed by Jack Morris at 67% and Jeff Bagwell at 59%. Hopefully that changes and we wont see that for awhile.
In order to be elected into the Hall of Fame players must be named on 75% of the ballot. Players can be on the ballot up to 15 times if they with out being elected. If a player reaches their 15 year limit they are taken off the ballot. If the voting percentage of the player drops below 5% at anytime during their 15 years they are removed from the ballot. With saying that here are my selections for the 2014 Hall of Fame.
In order to be elected into the Hall of Fame players must be named on 75% of the ballot. Players can be on the ballot up to 15 times if they with out being elected. If a player reaches their 15 year limit they are taken off the ballot. If the voting percentage of the player drops below 5% at anytime during their 15 years they are removed from the ballot. With saying that here are my selections for the 2014 Hall of Fame.
Frank Thomas
Frank Thomas was a first baseman/designated hitter for the Chicago White Sox, Oakland Athletics, and the Toronto Blue Jays. Thomas was drafted out of Auburn University by the White Sox in the 1989 draft and later went on to make his MLB debut in 1990. Thomas played 16 season in Chicago where he won 2 AL MVPs in 93 & 94 and was a 5x All Star. Thomas also went on to have a career .301 Batting average along with 521 home runs, 1704 RBI's. and a 156 OPS. Thomas is tied for 19th with Willie Mays for career OPS, and tied 18th on home runs in a career.
Craig Biggio
Craig Biggio was drafted by the Houston Astros in 1987 out of Seaton Hall University. Biggio went on to play 20 seasons with the Astros as well as having 3000 career hits. Biggio was on the ballot last year and had the highest percentage out of all the players on the ballot. He still fail 7% short of making the Hall of Fame. I think he will get that extra 7% to help push him over the edge and get the nod in to Cooperstown.
Tom Glavine
Tom Glavine was a pitcher for the Atlanta Braves and New York Mets. Glavine was drafted in 1984 out of Billerica High School in Massachusetts. Glavine went on to be a part of one of the greatest pitching rotations in baseball history. Glavine went on to win 305 games in his career along with 2607 strikeouts. Glavine also, had a ERA of 3.54 in his 22 seasons. Though Glavine didn't have the greatest numbers as a pitcher due to he was mostly a ground ball pitcher and worked the corners.
Greg Maddux
Greg Maddux was a pitcher for the Chicago Cubs, Atlanta Braves, San Diego Padres and, Los Angeles Dodgers, Maddux's was drafted in the 2nd round in 1984 by the Chicago Cubs. Maddux drafted out of Valley HS in Las Vegas, NV. Maddux went on to have one of the best pitching careers in MLB history. In 23 season Maddux had 17 season of atleast 15 wins. He also won 13 consecutive Gold Gloves and 17 total. Maddux also was a 7x All Star, He also won 4 consecutive Cy Young Awards. Also, in his career Maddux won 355 games, .316 ERA, 3371 strikeouts and, 109 complete games.
Once the ballots are in on Dec 31st the Hall of Fame will release its 2014 inductees live on the MLB Network Wednesday, Jan 8th, 2014 at 2:00pm
The ballot also consist of *Moises Alou, Jeff Bagwell, *Armando Benitez, Barry Bonds, *Sean Casey, Roger Clemens, *Ray Durham, *Eric Gagne, *Luis Gonzalez, *Jacque Jones, *Todd Jones, *Jeff Kent, *Paul Lo Duca, Edgar Martinez, Don Mattingly, Fred McGriff, Mark McGwire, **Jack Morris, *Mike Mussina, *Hideo Nomo, Rafael Palmeiro, Mike Piazza, Tim Raines, *Kenny Rogers, Curt Schilling, *Richie Sexson, Lee Smith, *J.T. Snow, Sammy Sosa, *Mike Timlin. Alan Trammell, Larry Walker
Below is the video that the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown released today.
Also, go join in on our forums and tell us who you think will make it to Cooperstown in 2014
Go to our Forums page or Click Here
Key:
* - First year on Ballot
** - Last Year on Ballot
The ballot also consist of *Moises Alou, Jeff Bagwell, *Armando Benitez, Barry Bonds, *Sean Casey, Roger Clemens, *Ray Durham, *Eric Gagne, *Luis Gonzalez, *Jacque Jones, *Todd Jones, *Jeff Kent, *Paul Lo Duca, Edgar Martinez, Don Mattingly, Fred McGriff, Mark McGwire, **Jack Morris, *Mike Mussina, *Hideo Nomo, Rafael Palmeiro, Mike Piazza, Tim Raines, *Kenny Rogers, Curt Schilling, *Richie Sexson, Lee Smith, *J.T. Snow, Sammy Sosa, *Mike Timlin. Alan Trammell, Larry Walker
Below is the video that the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown released today.
Also, go join in on our forums and tell us who you think will make it to Cooperstown in 2014
Go to our Forums page or Click Here
Key:
* - First year on Ballot
** - Last Year on Ballot