Time to put Hall of Fame vote on shelf, overhaul system
Chipper Jones will be in Hall of Fame one day. But how does Fred McGriff get only 118 votes while Craig Biggio gets 388? (AJC photo)
Junk it. Fix it. At the very least, put all of this on a shelf for a while and let it breathe.
Maybe the whole system needs to be blown up. Maybe the voting populace needs to be redefined, or at least shrunk to a more workable size (enough to fit into small boardroom).
Maybe the powers of baseball and the Hall of Fame can issue some sort of declaration like, “This is what qualifies as cheating. That is what doesn’t.”
Or, “Frankly, we don’t care who did what.”
But right now the system stinks. It’s broken. When Craig Biggio gets more than three times as many votes as Fred McGriff, it’s totally broken. Something needs to change or everything needs to change. The only certainty is that whatever needs to be fixed won’t be done before 2014 ballots being mailed out.
So take a year off from elections. Maybe two years. Let it breathe — not like a fine wine, more like an old meat locker that needs disinfecting.
The only people who really would be upset about such a move would be those who are becoming eligible and obviously deserve to be honored, including Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine 2014 and John Smoltz in 2015.
They can wait. They’ll have their day. This is more important.
The results of this year’s Baseball Hall of Fame election were unveiled Wednesday. Nobody got in. The only winner was the U.S. postal service. Junk mail has had more impact than the 569 ballots that were mailed in.
Nobody can agree on Barry Bonds, who received 36.2 percent of the vote in his first year of eligibility, less than half the amount needed (75 percent). Nobody can agree on Roger Clemens, Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa or anybody else associated with performance-enhancing drugs to varying degrees.
Nobody, inexplicably, can agree on guys like McGriff, Jack Morris or Tim Raines, all of whom were checked on my ballot, but not enough.
The thumbs down given to Barry Bonds, Rogers Clemens and other suspected steroids users was one thing the voters did right.
Too few (18.6 percent) again checked the box next to Dale Murphy, despite the consecutive MVP awards and the fact he was fueled on nothing stronger than milk and Froot Loops.
Murphy was typically classy Wednesday. He thanked family members, fans and some media members for support. He was grateful for this year’s voting “bump.” But even he cracked, “Maybe I should’ve retired after 1988 — I would’ve had a better chance. But I played through some injuries. I could’ve gone to the American League as a DH, but I wasn’t thinking about the Hall of Fame, I was thinking about winning.”
If the Veteran’s Committee ever votes Murphy in, he should get his own wing.
The top vote-getter this year was Craig Biggio. Craig … Biggio.
How many times did anybody watch Craig Biggio play and think, “Now there goes one of the all-time greats”? How is he named on 388 ballots and McGriff on 118?
We need more time to let the PED issue play out. We need clarity on the voting process and the criteria. It’s clear that 569 voters were on 569 different pages.
If the Cooperstown gatekeepers seek to take the vote away from the baseball writers association, I’m completely OK with that. The media’s job should be to provide coverage and perspective on news, not be the news. It’s why most major newspapers, including The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, no longer allow writers to vote in college football polls or season awards. The Hall of Fame has been an exception because it’s a post-career honor. Besides, what’s Dale Murphy going to buy my vote with — a cheeseburger and fries?
Between suspected steroids-users Bonds, Clemens, Sosa, McGwire and (to a lesser degree) Jeff Bagwell, Hall voters rejected winners of eight MVP awards, seven Cy Youngs and eight home run champions. Bonds (1), Sosa (8), McGwire (10) and Rafael Palmeiro (12) rank among career home run leaders.
Michael Weiner, the players union’s executive director, reacted as you would expect a shill would: “To ignore the historic accomplishments of Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens is hard to justify. To penalize players exonerated in legal proceedings … is simply unfair.”
Not really. If they cheated the game, all bets are off. That’s my opinion. Obviously some disagree. We need a uniform set of criteria. We need better than what have. And there should be no rush to get to the next vote.
By Jeff Schultz
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329 comments Add your comment
canman
January 9th, 2013
7:03 pm
Biggio was awesome. His all out play was like Pete Rose. He absolutely should be in the hall.He will get in later. Looks the system works to me.
RD
January 9th, 2013
7:06 pm
Uh, it’s called ‘The Hall of Fame’. Not the hall of pretty good, the hall of above average or the hall of satisfactory. There are already too many people in the hall who don’t belong there.
Mark
January 9th, 2013
7:09 pm
Why should the system change when it has worked well forever. I certainly hope it isn’t changed to accomodate players that cheated to put up their numbers. And yes, even the ones that were good enough before they cheated(Bonds and Clemons). Bonds cheated foe sure and anyone with half a brain can figure out that the steroids delivered to the Clemons household wasn’t used only by the wife!!
John
January 9th, 2013
7:09 pm
Most athletes are poor role models. Americans obsession with athletes is sickening and says something about our society
Mark
January 9th, 2013
7:11 pm
RD
Very true. HOFers should be mentioned when people start naming their all-time lineups. Biggio – No. Good player but not HOFer.
Kane337
January 9th, 2013
7:12 pm
Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine better be first ballot Hall of Famer’s next year or some baseball writers heads are gonna roll.
Here is the potential ballot for next year….
http://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/hof_2014.shtml
Jinxo1964
January 9th, 2013
7:12 pm
It’s the Hall of Fame, not the Hall of Very Good. If nobody gets in this year, so be it. I think it shows that the system is working exactly as it should.
Hillbilly D
January 9th, 2013
7:15 pm
5. Voting: Voting shall be based upon the player’s record, playing ability, integrity, sportsmanship, character, and contributions to the team(s) on which the player played.
http://baseballhall.org/hall-famers/rules-election/bbwaa
Bone
January 9th, 2013
7:15 pm
If Biggio should go, Murphy should have been a long time ago.
The larger problem is how these PED players cheated and how they cheated the fans of the game. Oh yea, they hit the homers and struck out many, but they took millions from the fans to become fake HOF’s. Companies have rules that if someone takes from other suppliers, or bribe someone for a sale, not only are they fired, but possible in jail. Apparently these ballplayers, where facts are considered false just because they said so, don’t live up to the same standards.
Hillbilly D
January 9th, 2013
7:17 pm
6. Automatic Elections: No automatic elections based on performances such as a batting average of .400 or more for one (1) year, pitching a perfect game or similar outstanding achievement shall be permitted.
Mark
January 9th, 2013
7:18 pm
Next years class should put in 2 only = Maddux coast in and Glavine gets in.
Mark
January 9th, 2013
7:19 pm
Loved Murph but he isn’t a HOFer.
72 Dawg
January 9th, 2013
7:19 pm
There are some stronger words then SLEAZE for BONDS, SOSA, and CLEMENS, but that will suffice for now. The day either is voted in they should close the doors of the hall for good.
tom
January 9th, 2013
7:22 pm
BORING!
"Chef" Tim Dix
January 9th, 2013
7:23 pm
Forget PED’s and this years vote for one second and consider this: Some “BB Writer”
will not vote for Greg Maddox simply to insure it will not be a unanimous vote.
That’s being more than a gatekeeper in my book.
Matt the Brave
January 9th, 2013
7:24 pm
From now on, the only HOF that I’ll pay attention to is the one at Turner Field. Dale’s already in that one anyway.
gsmith
January 9th, 2013
7:28 pm
good points jeff , but the problem is the hall of fame is not the hall of good for a long time??? never did i once think while i was watching chipper jones did i feel i was watching a hall of famer… he was a very solid player for a long time but i never though of him as one of the all time greats
Mr. Dithers
January 9th, 2013
7:29 pm
Comparing Biggio to Murphy is nuts. Biggio is one of 28 players in the history of major league baseball to garner 3000 hits. One of only 28. Murphy had a few good years, but not enough to warrant entry. Biggio belongs, Murphy doesn’t.
I am not sure what the point of this article is. Are you saying that only the election of Murphy, Morris and McGriff would salvage the reputation of the hall? Or that the suspected ‘roid users should have gotten more votes? Seems to me that the rejection of Big Head Bonds and ‘Roidin’ Roger is proof the system is working. The 3 M’s are not worthy, in my humble opinion, and the ‘roiders will have to wait for things to shake out. The fact they have to wait a few years is part of the price they have to pay. No need to junk the hall.
Mike
January 9th, 2013
7:30 pm
I have absolutely no problem with them skipping the steroid users. Yes it happened. Yes it was exciting at the time, but that fact is even worse. Not only did it cheat the game, it cheated every fan who actually go excited about the accomplishment. If they wont admit Pete Rose (deservedly so), then they shouldnt admit the steroid users who built entire careers on essential a false premise.
Mr. Thomas Anthony Jones, SR
January 9th, 2013
7:33 pm
Denying Bonds, Sosa, and Clemens entrance to Major League Baseball’s Hall of fame in Cooperstown was the most stupid thing I have ever heard. We a racist white trash in the Hall of Fame (Ty Cobb of the Detroit Tigers) and womanizers, but now that we have players who I actually paid money for my familty to see because like Mr.Bonds and Mr. Sosa. the dumbassed writers screw tthing up. If Bonds, Sosa, and Clemens can not be in the Hall of Fame then take Ty Cobb, the white racist out and all of the womanizers. America is full stupid lying Hypocrites.
jeffrey d
January 9th, 2013
7:34 pm
“To ignore the historic accomplishments of Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens is hard to justify”
Didn’t Bonds withdraw from the MLBPA because he was too big for them?
jarvis
January 9th, 2013
7:36 pm
Does being a racist or womanizer help you play baseball? I’m confused by your argument.
Mr. Dithers
January 9th, 2013
7:36 pm
This article and some of the comments highlights one of the things I’ve never liked about Braves’ fans: the narrow minded focus on the Braves as the focus of the baseball world. Murphy and McGriff wouldn’t be on anyone’s radar if they hadn’t played here. They were good, not great players, but their influence is exaggerated because they were the focus of all the attention here in Atlanta that didn’t go to pitchers. Every team has their Murphys and McGriffs, and none of them belong in the hall. Look at the bigger picture.
snellville tom
January 9th, 2013
7:39 pm
Since inception, the Hall of Fame has included character as a criteria for induction. Modern-era players who choose to circumvent natural talents through the use of PED’s knew what they were doing. Modern BBWA writers may want to overlook the decisions these players made; if so, please feel free to abstain from voting. And maybe, just maybe, a popular player simply didn’t have a great career over a sustained period to warrant election.
And why the hell aren’t Jim Kaat and Tommy John not in the HoF? Check their records, and career lengths.
Mr. Dithers
January 9th, 2013
7:39 pm
Biggio is one of 28 players in the history of major league baseball to garner 3000 hits. One of 28. That’s how he gets 388 votes and McGriff gets 118. That simple.
Dave
January 9th, 2013
7:39 pm
I think the writers got it right. None of the candidates should have gotten in. Most on merit, a few on the steroids issue. I’m from Atlanta, loved the Murph, but he’s just not HOF material. Close, but close doesn’t get you over the hump. Not even if you are a nice guy.
Hillbilly D
January 9th, 2013
7:40 pm
Braves’ fans: the narrow minded focus on the Braves as the focus of the baseball world.
As opposed to Yankee fans or Red Sox fans? Not hardly.
OldTimer
January 9th, 2013
7:40 pm
The Hall got it 100 % right. They will next year too, when they vote in Maddux and Glavine.
Tony Lima
January 9th, 2013
7:45 pm
I’ve long believed that letting journalists of any stripe have control over who gets in to a hall of fame is ridiculous. Here’s an idea: how about we let the players in the HOF vote on who gets in? If you want special categories for coaches, announcers, pitchers, and ambidextrous shortstops, that’s OK with me. But get the writers out of this — they know about as little as the average fan. Less than well-informed fans.
As for Biggio, his main contribution to the game was a rule restricting the armor that can be worn on a batter’s leading arm. You may recall that he regularly leaned into pitches which then glanced off his plastic shields. That this guy is even on the ballot is a travesty.
hit a single
January 9th, 2013
7:47 pm
Those that say Murphy should not be in the Hall of Fame doesn’t know crap about the game. Yea, now I wished he had of left the Braves team and gone after the big bucks. No he was loyal to a franchise because that is the way he was. Character should mean something. He played on teams that he had no one hitting behind him. He was consistently pitched around. His best numbers were when Horner hit behind him and the other time he had no one. A good baseball man would recognize this. I have no desire to go to the Hall. You have guys in there that were caught with dope. Hell yea character should mean something. It kept Rose out so it ought to help put the Murph in along with his play. And oh yea Biggio should be in also.
Jeff Schultz
January 9th, 2013
7:48 pm
Najeh Davenpoop — I agree that not having African American players in baseball pre-1947 helped whites. But I think Babe Ruth would’ve been great regardless. Just saying.
Jeff Schultz
January 9th, 2013
7:53 pm
Tap out — “Change the name to “Hall of Those Who Didn’t Get Caught”
So instead of HOFers, that would make them … HOTWDGCers?
Hillbilly D
January 9th, 2013
7:53 pm
Jeff @ 7:48
Good point. You have to judge players in the era they played in. That’s why it’s hard to compare across the eras. Cobb, Honus Wagner, etc. played mainly in the dead ball era, other guys played in the era of artificial turf, etc. That’s why I’d go with people who were dominant in the times and under the rules, they played under.
Take Aaron and Ruth as an example, if Ruth played in Aaron’s time, he would’ve hit a lot of HRs. If Aaron played in Ruth’s time, he would’ve hit a lot of HRs. They both played when they played, though, and Aaron wound up with the higher number.
Jeff Schultz
January 9th, 2013
7:53 pm
RD — “Uh, it’s called ‘The Hall of Fame’. Not the hall of pretty good ..”
Obviously that’s where opinion comes in.
JSS
January 9th, 2013
7:53 pm
Dang, Davenpoop and Hillbilly D hitting homers (posts wise) like they are on the Clear! That is excellent stuff! Anytime the name of the great Joe Falls crosses an AJC Blog, it is just gold!
Look, 8 teams minus the Latin players and African-American players was tainted… Ruth would have hit homers regardless, still the game cheated itself… 1948-1961 shows that, when those players crossed over to MLB, it was seismic…
Jeff Schultz
January 9th, 2013
7:56 pm
Mark — Frank Thomas should be first ballot next year too.
JSS
January 9th, 2013
7:58 pm
@ Jarvis…
They don’t consider those attributes character flaws…
Jeff Schultz
January 9th, 2013
7:59 pm
Mr. Dithers — Biggio accumulated some great numbers over his long career (particularly hits, doubles). But he was never remotely close to best player in baseball, nor do I ever recall people thinking him as “great.” Murphy won 2 MVPs. I’m open to Biggio as HOFer but I think he’s on line. His numbers are more because of longevity.
Hillbilly D
January 9th, 2013
7:59 pm
JSS
I used to read Joe Falls in the Sporting News. He was always one of my favorite baseball writers.
Jeff Schultz
January 9th, 2013
8:00 pm
Hillbilly D — Well said.
Paddy O
January 9th, 2013
8:01 pm
this is an indication of how stupidly knee jerk the writers for the AJC are.
Jeff Schultz
January 9th, 2013
8:03 pm
Hillbilly D — “JSS
I used to read Joe Falls in the Sporting News. He was always one of my favorite baseball writers.”
Those were great days to devour The Sporting News.
Jeff Schultz
January 9th, 2013
8:05 pm
Paddy O. — “this is an indication of how stupidly knee jerk the writers for the AJC are.”
<<< Why, thank you. Always nice to hear such insightful analysis. … By the way, table 6 needs water.
George
January 9th, 2013
8:05 pm
What a crock!!! Stop the hall voting because juicers didn’t get in? The majority of voters got it absolutely correct. Bonds, Clemens, Sosa, and McGwire don’t belong in the Hall of Fame…neither does Pete Rose. They knew they were cheating, but did it anyway. Sad part about it, Bonds and Clemens could have made it without the juice. As for Rose, I’ve been in baseball clubhouses on and off for more than 65 years, and there are many signs warning against gambling. To make matters worse, Rose lied his a** off when confronted with hard evidence of his betting on baseball. I say keep anyone out who is reasonably suspected of breaking the rules. I think there is ample evidence to prove the guilt of the ones previously mentioned.
Hillbilly D
January 9th, 2013
8:05 pm
Those were great days to devour The Sporting News.
They really were. I bet I haven’t looked at one in 25 years or more.
Vinnny3
January 9th, 2013
8:06 pm
What needs to be overhauled is letting people like Jeff Schultz elect members of the baseball HOF and call themselves part of the BBWAA. Schultz writes like 2 baseball related articles a month. Biggio’s the man. McGriff was great but he wasn’t a C, 2B, CF. Maybe that helps explain some disparity.
Paddy O
January 9th, 2013
8:08 pm
I agree on McGriff. but Tim Raines, when combined with the known drug use, is too borderline – 2600 hits is not that terrific (I would NOT have voted Larkin in either); Dale Murphy had a career 261 average and less than 2200 hits – Dwight Evans AND Dave Parker are FAR more worthy; I think McGriff with the RBI’s & HR’s is worthy- but hit total is low/borderline. Jack Morris was a gamer, but he pitched mediocerly too frequently; his ERA is 3.90 – that is below average for even this period of time. however, Biggio has 3000 hits and is #6 in doubles. Because he played in HOuston he should be ignored? This is equal to a toddlers temper tantrum.
Paddy O
January 9th, 2013
8:11 pm
ah; now you are making me think you are a liberal with that marginalization ethos. this was a dumb article – if I was publisher of the Red & Black I’d reject it. The guys who have certified HOF numbers are under the sterroid cloud. I remember Bonds from 92-93 – I thought his dad was a better player. I’m a Sox fan, so I support Clemens, but his longevity does make you wonder. Palmeiro was a certified user. Sosa we KNOW cheated – caught with a corked bat – same with McGwire. You cheat you might make some $$, but that cheating should not prompt honors. selah.
JSS
January 9th, 2013
8:12 pm
Kaat and John are penalized for their length of career… It is like Sutton, and the Reggie Jackson mentality about such pitchers exist…
Paddy O
January 9th, 2013
8:13 pm
2 strikes on the liberal at bat – don’t go all Jay Bookman on me. Your examples should not prompt this bleeding heart emotional response. BTW, the more voters the more honest an election you get. You like the Olympics when 1 or 2 bribed judges can tilt the medal count?