The Ballots: 2019

 

Ballot No. 41 – Mitch Harris

1. Andy Pettitte
2. Roy Halladay
3. Mike Mussina
4. Scott Rolen
5. Todd Helton
6. Edgar Martinez
7. Roy Oswalt
8. Mariano Rivera
9. Manny Ramirez
10. Curt Schilling

Mitch would also vote for the following ballplayers outside of his top-10:

1. Andruw Jones
2. Vernon Wells
3. Larry Walker

Mitch would vote for both Pete Rose and Shoeless Joe Jackson.

Ballot No. 40 – Anonymous former Major League ballplayer

1. Barry Bonds
2. Roger Clemens
3. Mariano Rivera
4. Manny Ramirez
5. Sammy Sosa
6. Billy Wagner
7. Roy Halladay
8. Gary Sheffield
9. Larry Walker
10. Edgar Martinez

“I was going to say thank you for including me in your project but honestly this has been some kind of a torment to me. But I can say I really appreciate you valuing my opinion as it relates to baseball and the Hall of Fame.

First off, I don’t have the answer on PED’s.

At first, when McGwire and Sosa chased Roger Maris single season home run record, I was like most everyone else in the United States, absolutely charged up by this race. It felt like baseball was the National Pastime again. But as time went on, even though legal steroid usage was not taken out of the game until 2006, there was something that felt intrinsically wrong when four of the most home runs in a season came between 1998 and 2001. So I am thankful that MLB and players have taken steps to clean up the game in that area over recent years.

As it relates to the Hall of Fame, I believe that all people of all ages have the problem or condition of sin. If I take any other approach in life, I find myself lost. Therefore, I can’t say that men throughout earlier years were less sinful until the 70’s and wouldn’t have taken PEDs or wouldn’t have cheated or didn’t cork bats or scuff or put Vaseline on the ball or whatever else. In fact, when I read about or talk to players of those generations, I find the opposite. Players were also looking for an edge, having different consciences and justifying what they did or didn’t do on and off the field. Therefore, I have to primarily compare players of each generation with the players of that same generation first, then the history of the game.

If I say ‘NO’ to PED users because that was (what some say) a different level of cheating, I have to pull out many current HOF members or turn a blind eye because they were better at hiding it, which doesn’t make sense to me.

I also think the Hall of Fame has so much to do with how you treated the unbiased media, which is another problem for me. I like the media. There are some great writers and genuine people who care about others and the integrity of the game. I just think they are like the players and are flawed as well. To say that any person, media or not, is unbiased almost feels like an
oxymoron to me.

So here goes… Because of the backlog of players I think should be in the Hall of Fame already there is no way I can narrow it down to ten. So I will put them in the order I think they belong.”

Barry Bonds – The best hitter I ever faced, period. The most intimidating, the best hand eye, best approach and on and on… I wish he was kinder to the media, teammates and fans in general. Apparently, he missed some PR classes. If it makes you feel better to attach an asterisk, I understand.

“Roger Clemens – Along with Maddux, the best pitcher of my generation. Most who played alongside him said he was the hardest worker in MLB. Pick any statistic you want.”

“Mariano Rivera – The best closer of my generation. And if you judge according to the flesh and give extra WAR points for a being a better human being, he should be at the top of your list. Enter “Sandman” and his 652 saves into the HOF!”

“Manny Ramirez – I wish he played better defense, especially late in his career. But I can’t argue away the .312 average and 555 home runs. When you were pitching and saw his name in a line-up you cringed.”

“Sammy Sosa – As I said previously, I really believe that his home run race with Mark McGwire re-energized baseball and put many, many people in the seats. 609 home runs. Again, put an asterisk if you feel the need to punish people.”

“Billy Wagner – The best closer next to Rivera. Numbers are only a tick off and he didn’t have the honor of playing for the Yankees. I hope he gives his speech in cowboy boots. Please go look at his numbers! Have you seen them?”

“Doc Halladay – Two-time Cy Young award winner and along with Larsen, the only pitcher to throw a post season no-hitter. For a time, no one was as dominant as Doc.”

“Gary Sheffield – His bat speed scared me. Hit 509 home runs in a lot of graveyards. Played Right, Third, Short, even First and had a hose. He was also a solid teammate who put in his time.”

“Larry Walker – A very underrated and complete baseball player. Seven Gold Gloves, an MVP, three batting titles, and one of the funniest teammates I’ve ever been around. I think he has been punished for playing at Coors Field, which is sad.”

“Edgar Martinez – If I understand the HOF BBWAA rules correctly, a player is supposed to be compared to other players in the history of the game at their respective positions. The best DH in the NL and AL is now given the “Edgar Martínez Outstanding Designated Hitter Award,” so… Again, if you like to compare the hearts of men from a worldly perspective, he was inducted into the World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame in 2007.”

Ballplayer would also vote for the following ballplayers outside of his top-10:

1. Jeff Kent
2. Fred McGriff
3. Curt Schilling
4. Mike Mussina
5. Scott Rolen
6. Omar Vizquel

“Jeff Kent – It pains me to put him on this list because he could make a bishop kick in a stained glass window. Again, I’m flawed and biased too but if I’m going to be consistent with the way I compared Edgar to others position wise, I have to put him in the Hall. Hit .290 with 377 HR and over 1,500 RBI from 2nd base.”

“Fred McGriff – The Crime Dog should have been in a while ago. A steady 493 homers and over 1,500 RBI. He was a true professional and one of the best in this generation at first. Can you imagine if some the pitchers weren’t juicing?”

“Curt Schilling – Along with Smoltz and Pettite, one of the best post game pitchers of all-time. Over 3,000 strikeouts and was certainly one of the very best in this generation, which I keep thinking has to count for the Hall of Fame. If you think his wins are light or want to compare cross generationally, look up Don Drysdale who pitched with a higher mound in a friendly park.”

“Mike Mussina – I like the WAR Stat but don’t believe it truly gives the all-encompassing full value of a player. If you disagree with me, note that Mike’s WAR is higher than Nolan Ryan’s. And Mr. Ryan was pretty good. His 270 wins are 33rd all time, 2,813 strikeouts are 20th and he has seven Gold Gloves.”

“Scott Rolen – Could be higher on this list considering he was the best defender at third base I have ever seen. Eight gold gloves, ROY, Silver Slugger and a seven-time All-Star. Like Larry Walker, he could beat you in so many ways. It all comes down to what you value.”

“Omar Vizquel – The best defensive shortstop after Ozzie retired and it wasn’t even close. Watching the baseball transfer from his glove on a double play was pure magic. I know defense is not valued as highly by baseball writers as it is by pitchers but it does win games. He once turned his back to the hitter on a pop up because he didn’t like the position of the sun or just got bored using his glove to shield the glare. Brilliant, brilliant
baseball player.”

Ballplayer votes yes on both Pete Rose and Shoeless Joe Jackson.

“I would vote yes on both Rose and Shoeless Joe because of the way they stood out on the field. Again, if it makes you feel more complete as a person put an asterisk.”

“By the way, I really enjoyed John Baker’s perspective on a ‘level playing field’ and will keep looking for Josh Gibson’s WAR as well.”

Ballot No. 39 – Will Ohman

1. Barry Bonds
2. Roger Clemens
3. Mariano Rivera
4. Edgar Martinez
5. Todd Helton
6. Jeff Kent
7. Larry Walker
8. Billy Wagner
9. Manny Ramirez
10. Sammy Sosa

“The biggest item of contention is any implication of wrongdoing during the ‘Steroid Era,’ however, any f the players above pass the litmus test for redefining greatness during that era.“

“There is no significant proof, in my opinion, that other players who have been voted in previously did not take PEDs, so that cannot be the mitigating factor in election.”

Will would not vote for Pete Rose, but would vote for Shoeless Joe Jackson.

“No (on Rose), simple. No gambling on baseball. Yes (on Jackson), not so simple. No proof of any wrongdoing statistically but definitely a dark gray area by accepting gamblers’ money. I’d need a smoking gun to say no.”

Ballot No. 38 – Gregg Olson

1. Gary Sheffield
2. Mariano Rivera
3. Manny Ramirez
4. Mike Mussina
5. Edgar Martinez
6. Fred McGriff
7. Jeff Kent
8. Andy Pettitte
9. Curt Schilling
10. Billy Wagner

Gregg would also vote for the following ballplayers outside of his top-10:

1. Larry Walker
2. Todd Helton

Gregg would not vote for Pete Rose, but would vote for Shoeless Joe Jackson.

Ballot No. 37 – Chuckie Fick

1. Barry Bonds
2. Roger Clemens
3. Roy Halladay
4. Andruw Jones
5. Jeff Kent
6. Edgar Martinez
7. Fred McGriff
8. Mariano Rivera
9. Scott Rolen
10. Curt Schilling

“I voted for Kent and Jones, because they are some of the best to ever play their respective position. Walker and Helton had too much Coors Field pre-humidor.”

Fick would also vote for the following ballplayers outside of his top-10:

1. Mike Mussina

Fick would vote for Pete Rose, but not for Shoeless Joe Jackson.

Ballot No. 36 – Eric Byrnes

1. Barry Bonds
2. Roger Clemens

“I cannot admit anybody else until those two dudes are in.”

Byrnesie would elect both Pete Rose and Shoeless Joe Jackson.

Ballot No. 35 – Anonymous former Chicago Cubs ballplayer

1. Mariano Rivera
2. Fred McGriff
3. Edgar Martinez
4. Omar Vizquel
5. Jeff Kent

“The Steroid Era has really complicated the cases of Bonds and Clemens. They were well on their way to the Hall of Fame without steroids, but there still remains doubt in my minds as to what their final numbers would be – they are no doubt inflated, in my opinion.”

Ballplayer would not vote for Pete Rose, but would vote for Shoeless Joe Jackson.

“Obviously, Pete Rose’s on-field performance warrants induction, bet everyone sees the Rule No. 21 poster entering and leaving the clubhouse. As much as I like Pete and idolized him as a player – I vote no. Shoeless Joe, I think there is enough doubt in my mind as to whether he actually participated in the fix of the 1919 World Series, for that reason, I would vote to rescind the ban on him and vote yes on his induction.”

Ballot No. 34 – Kelly Stinnett

1. Mariano Rivera
2. Larry Walker
3. Roy Halladay
4. Curt Schilling
5. Billy Wagner
6. Todd Helton
7. Fred McGriff
8. Andruw Jones
9. Mike Mussina
10. Gary Sheffield

Stinnett would also vote for the following ballplayers outside of his top-10:

1. Omar Vizquel
2. Lance Berkman
3. Jeff Kent
4. Scott Rolen

Stinnett would vote for both Pete Rose and Shoeless Joe Jackson.

Ballot No. 33 – Anonymous former Seattle Mariners ballplayer

1. Mariano Rivera
2. Roger Clemens
3. Barry Bonds
4. Roy Halladay
5. Todd Helton
6. Jeff Kent
7. Fred McGriff
8. Larry Walker
9. Curt Schilling
10. Mike Mussina

Ballplayer would also vote for the following ballplayers outside of his top-10:

1. Omar Vizquel
2. Andy Pettitte
3. Scott Rolen
4. Gary Sheffield

Ballplayer would vote for Pete Rose, but would not vote for Shoeless Joe Jackson.

Ballot No. 32 – Anonymous former Pittsburgh Pirates ballplayer

1. Barry Bonds
2. Roger Clemens
3. Edgar Martinez
4. Mariano Rivera
5. Mike Mussina
6. Curt Schilling
7. Sammy Sosa
8. Billy Wagner
9. Larry Walker

Ballplayer would vote for Pete Rose and abstains on voting on Shoeless Joe Jackson due to lack of information available.

“Pete Rose, yes, I mean come on, he had so many hits.”

Ballot No. 31 – Erick Almonte

1. Edgar Martinez
2. Mariano Rivera
3. Barry Bonds
4. Roger Clemens
5. Roy Halladay
6. Andy Pettitte
7. Manny Ramirez
8. Curt Schilling
9. Jeff Kent
10. Omar Vizquel

Erick would vote for Pete Rose, but would not vote for Shoeless Joe Jackson.

Ballot No. 30 – C.J. Wilson

1. Roy Halladay
2. Andruw Jones
3. Edgar Martinez
4. Mike Mussina
5. Mariano Rivera
6. Scott Rolen
7. Curt Schilling
8. Omar Vizquel
9. Billy Wagner

“Mussina is the guy, for me, who gets the least respect. Always pitched in a division with the most insane offensive numbers, did not use PEDs, great control and longevity, even won Gold Glove Awards, etc. He was a hugely consistent player for a long time and threw a ton of innings, complete games, etc. when pitchers were no longer doing it – I vote him in.”

“Billy Wagner struck out 100 people multiples times as a reliever. That is insane. He struck out one-third of all batters he faced – insane. 400 saves as a lefty closer. Dominant pitcher, terrible ballparks to pitch in, retired after a stellar season, good career length, and could have pitched for better teams, resulting in even flashier saves numbers. He also was a guy you could count on for more than just a two or three out save.”

“Scott Rolen is a borderline guy that gets in because of consistent Gold Glove defense. Batting, statistically, he is very similar to Jeff Kent (who played a big bat at a very small bat position), but J.K. was never the defender that Scott was. Scott was his generation’s version of Brooks Robinson (tank defensively and dangerous, but not MVP-type, with the bat) and for many years going up against Adrian Beltre – so it’s not like he did not have competition. Great all around player.”

“Omar Vizquel was the ultimate defensive wizard and contributed to a lot of postseason teams.”

C.J. had a three-way tie for his tenth vote:

1. Larry Walker
2. Todd Helton
3. Jeff Kent

“Larry Walker is the case of a guy being a perfect storm – beneficiary of a hugely offensive stadium, in a hugely offensive era, before testing, before QuesTec strike zones, before humidifiers. Hard to say if he played in St. Louis for nine years what his stats would look like. Difficult case, he is right on the border. Similarly, Todd Helton, just with a higher peak, at a position that had generally compiled more offense.”

C.J. did not comment on Shoeless Joe Jackson or Pete Rose.

Uniquely, C.J. also included a list of 21 players whom he felt were the best on the ballot, though he did not necessarily vote for them.

1. Barry Bonds
2. Roger Clemens
3. Sammy Sosa
4. Curt Schilling
5. Mariano Rivera
6. Scott Rolen
7. Roy Halladay
8. Andruw Jones
9. Edgar Martinez
10. Andy Pettitte
11. Manny Ramirez
12. Mike Mussina
13. Omar Vizquel
14. Billy Wagner
15. Gary Sheffield
16. Todd Helton
17. Larry Walker
18. Lance Berkman
19. Jeff Kent
20. Fred McGriff
21. Roy Oswalt

Ballot No. 29 – Mike Trombley

1. Barry Bonds
2. Roger Clemens
3. Todd Helton
4. Edgar Martinez
5. Fred McGriff
6. Mike Mussina
7. Manny Ramirez
8. Mariano Rivera
9. Sammy Sosa
10. Omar Vizquel

Mike would also vote for the following ballplayers outside of his top-10:

1. Roy Halladay
2. Billy Wagner
3. Larry Walker

Mike would vote for both Pete Rose and Shoeless Joe Jackson.

Ballot No. 28 – Felipe Alou

1. Barry Bonds
2. Roger Clemens
3. Roy Halladay
4. Jeff Kent
5. Edgar Martinez
6. Fred McGriff
7. Manny Ramirez
8. Mariano Rivera
9. Curt Schilling
10. Omar Vizquel

Ballot made possible by Peter Kerasotis, no comment provided on Pete Rose or Shoeless Joe Jackson at this time, I will reach out for further comment.

Ballot No. 27 – Mike Cameron

1. Mariano Rivera
2. Barry Bonds
3. Edgar Martinez
4. Fred McGriff
5. Roy Halladay
6. Curt Schilling
7. Mike Mussina
8. Scott Rolen
9. Gary Sheffield
10. Andruw Jones

Cameron would also vote for the following ballplayers outside of his top-10:

1. Roger Clemens
2. Larry Walker
3. Todd Helton
4. Lance Berkman

Cameron is undecided on Pete Rose and thinks Shoeless Joe Jackson should already be in the Hall of Fame.

Ballot No. 26 – Matt Walbeck

1. Barry Bonds
2. Roger Clemens
3. Mariano Rivera
4. Mike Mussina
5. Fred McGriff
6. Larry Walker
7. Edgar Martinez
8. Curt Schilling
9. Omar Vizquel
10. Todd Helton

“I want to keep my vote at ten, otherwise I might not stop. Scott Rolen was my teammate in 2001, for a bit – I still use his glove – I will vote for him next year.”

Matt would not vote for Pete Rose nor Shoeless Joe Jackson.

Ballot No. 25 – Larry Walker

1. Roy Halladay
2. Jeff Kent
3. Scott Rolen
4. Mariano Rivera
5. Edgar Martinez
6. Billy Wagner
7. Fred McGriff
8. Todd Helton
9. Mike Mussina
10. Curt Schilling

Larry leans no on both Pete Rose and Shoeless Joe Jackson, for now…

“I’d need to put more thought into both Rose and Jackson going in, but my initial gut feeling says ‘no’ on both. I don’t know enough about the Jackson situation to make an accurate decision, and I know what Rose did was wrong, but at some point, it has to have been long enough. Nobody will ever beat his hit record…”

Ballot No. 24 – Bob File

1. Barry Bonds
2. Roger Clemens
3. Mariano Rivera
4. Manny Ramirez
5. Fred McGriff
6. Edgar Martinez
7. Mike Mussina
8. Gary Sheffield
9. Roy Halladay
10. Omar Vizquel.

Bob would not vote for Pete Rose nor Shoeless Joe Jackson.

Ballot No. 23 – Carlton Fisk

1. Jeff Kent
2. Edgar Martinez
3. Mariano Rivera
4. Omar Vizquel
5. Billy Wagner

We can note that Pudge was particularly emphatic about his vote for Mariano Rivera.

This ballot was extremely interesting and thanks to my good friend, Pudge’s son, Casey – whom you can follow on twitter for great baseball and health and wellness tweets at @FiskPT – there are several other players that Pudge commented on.

Pudge believes that the following players had Hall of Fame careers, but would still vote no:

1. Barry Bonds
2. Rogers Clemens
3. Manny Ramirez
4. Gary Sheffield
5. Sammy Sosa

Pudge would consider voting for the following players upon further research, you know, something he might do if he had a say as to who got into his Hall of Fame:

1. Roy Halladay
2. Todd Helton
3. Andruw Jones
4. Fred McGriff
5. Mike Mussina
6. Andy Pettitte
7. Larry Walker

Pudge would not vote for Pete Rose, but would vote for Shoeless Joe Jackson.

Ballot No. 22 – Josh Fogg

1. Mariano Rivera
2. Roger Clemens
3. Barry Bonds
4. Edgar Martinez
5. Sammy Sosa
6. Larry Walker
7. Curt Schilling
8. Manny Ramirez
9. Mike Mussina
10. Todd Helton

Josh would also vote for the following ballplayers outside of his top-10:

1. Roy Halladay
2. Andruw Jones

Josh would vote for both Pete Rose and Shoeless Joe Jackson.

Ballot No. 21 – Eric O’Flaherty

1. Barry Bonds
2. Roger Clemens
3. Curt Schilling
4. Roy Halladay
5. Billy Wagner
6. Edgar Martinez
7. Mariano Rivera
8. Mike Mussina
9. Larry Walker
10. Fred McGriff

“Bonds and Clemens were both Hall of Fame worthy before testing began in 2005 and, in my opinion, would have been Hall of Famers with or without steroids. There was no testing before 2005 and, for the most part, the league looked the other way while guys were obviously juicing and using stimulants. There is no real or fair way to tell what was put in any player’s body before 2005, or even to know how much it helped them on the field. Greenies are pure magic. I don’t know about steroids, but I can’t discriminate one PED vs another. PEDs are a part of the games history. I also can’t claim a moral high ground because I’m pretty sure I would have done whatever it takes to stay in the game during any era in which I played. Having said that, I don’t think Bonds or Clemens should get an induction ceremony and I think that their plaques should mention steroid use. If you exclude anyone that ever used any type of PED … you would have a long, long eviction list for the Hall of Fame. Let the convicted PED players into the Hall of Fame, for the fans and for the sport, but instead strip from them joy and the ability to celebrate the honor that clean players with great character get to enjoy upon induction. This could be called ‘a silent induction.'”

“I completely disagree with the logic that Edgar shouldn’t get in because he was a DH. There are plenty of ‘designated pitchers’ in the Hall of Fame. Coming from a career relief pitcher, if ANY reliever gets into the hallowed hall, then the best DH of all-time gets in too. (Sorry Big Papi , I’m biased – I may have faced you, but I grew up watching Edgar Martinez).”

Eric would also vote for the following ballplayers outside of his top-10:

1. Todd Helton
2. Scott Rolen
3. Andruw Jones

Eric would vote for Pete Rose and Shoeless Joe Jackson.

“Pete Rose is the all-time hits leader, he belongs in Hall of Fame, period. He should not get a ceremony and his plaque should tell the story of both his career accomplishments as well as his shameful gambling exploits. Shoeless Joe was obviously on pace for Hall of Fame career, but was involved in one of the most infamous scandals in baseball history. I feel like the Hall of Fame should tell the history of the game positive and negative, so in my opinion, he is in whether he was involved or not.”

Ballot No. 20 – Ryan Spilborghs

1. Fred McGriff
2. Mike Mussina
3. Larry Walker
4. Todd Helton
5. Edgar Martinez
6. Roy Halladay
7. Mariano Rivera
8. Curt Schilling
9. Scott Rolen
10. Omar Vizquel

“I’m on the fence for Kent. Bonds and Clemens were two of my favorite players as a kid  – they are they are the best of the era. They probably should be in the Hall of Fame, they cheated, but I think others already in the Hall of Fame took something and made it; plenty of guys have cheated, I flip-flop on those guys all the time, but I just can’t vote for steroid users.”

Spilly would not vote for Pete Rose and abstains from voting on Shoeless Joe Jackson.

“Joe Jackson is interesting to me because, by all accounts I’ve researched and read, he was innocent. Even grand jury testimonials don’t have him ever admitting to any sort of fix. I don’t think Joe Jackson violates Rule 21 (The Official Professional Baseball Rules Book, Rule 21(d)(1)(2)(3), P. 100), Pete Rose does violate Rule 21. But I’m also biased due to Rose’s off-field transgressions. From all the information I can find, Joe Jackson was strong armed to uphold a rule.”

Ballot No. 19 – Brad Ziegler

1. Roy Halladay
2. Todd Helton
3. Edgar Martinez
4. Fed McGriff
5. Mike Mussina
6. Mariano Rivera
7. Curt Schilling
8. Omar Vizquel
9. Billy Wagner
10. Larry Walker

Ziegler would not vote for Pete Rose, but would vote for Shoeless Joe Jackson.

Ballot No. 18 – John Baker

1. Barry Bonds
2. Roger Clemens
3. Roy Halladay
4. Mike Mussina
5. Edgar Martinez
6. Scott Rolen
7. Larry Walker
8. Mariano Rivera
9. Curt Schilling
10. Jeff Kent

“Many people seem to think that PED use, or allegations of PED use, should disqualify players from Hall of Fame eligibility. I disagree completely with that logic. Bonds and Clemens are two of the most valuable players ever, both are in the top-10 of Baseball Reference’s WAR rankings. To assume that they were the only ones ambitious enough to search for every competitive advantage is ridiculous. How many steroid infused fastballs did Bonds hit into the water or seats? How many artificially muscled sluggers did Roger Clemens strike out? As an aside, see comments by Tom House or Bob Gibson to get an actual understanding of the older generation’s views on PEDs.”

“My point here is that before steroid testing, the playing field was as level as it has ever been. ‘Level playing fields,’ what do you mean? The Hall of Fame has many players that, due to the overwhelmingly racist nature of the early twentieth century, never even competed against black, Latino, or Asian players. I just checked the WAR list again and Josh Gibson was nowhere to be found. How level was the playing field before Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier?”

“When we don’t take into account the most recent understandings of performance (sabermetrics, analytics, etc.), we are put in the unenviable position of relying on our perceptions and ultimately our emotions. Think about the difference in perception between specialists like Edgar Martinez and Mariano Rivera. Because of Mo, I associate the Metallica classic, ‘Enter Sandman’ with the inevitable end of a high stakes baseball game.  Despite a higher WAR, more actual time on the field, and remarkable numbers against Mariano, I’ve never heard Edgar Martinez spoken about in the same language. Even when I think about Edgar and Rivera, and despite knowing the numbers, my emotions try to tell me Rivera was a more valuable player! I wonder how many others asked to vote have taken note of their own personal biases and recognized that the dissonance they experience probably comes from their misunderstanding of what actually happened, as brought to light by modern statistical analysis.”

“In the vein of science, let’s get anecdotal with a personal, biased, anecdote. Here is a Larry Walker story: In 2004, I was playing for the Midland Rockhounds (The A’s AA Texas League Affiliate). We were in Oklahoma playing against the Tulsa Drillers. Two Rockies, Larry Walker and Preston Wilson, were there on a rehab assignment. Larry Walker came up to the plate for his at-bat in the bottom of the first inning, looked at me (I was catching) and said, ‘Well, let’s see how this goes, I haven’t even swung a bat yet today.’ Interesting, I thought, as I signaled for a fastball. I picked the low, first pitch out of the dirt. Mr. Walker stood totally still, like a statue, and let the pitch pass low. He had no intent of swinging, as he didn’t even take a stride. He was clearly tracking the first pitch. To everyone’s surprise, AJ, the umpire, called the pitch a strike! I almost did a double-take! What a terrible call. Without missing a beat, Mr. Walker looked back at the umpire and asked a question worthy of a Hall of Fame selection, ‘On the swing?’ He hit an opposite field homer on the next pitch, like only a Hall of Fame caliber player could, on his first full swing of the day. But that isn’t the reason he is on my list, he is on my list because the numbers say he should be on my list. To quote the one of a kind Jason Marquis, in the most New York accent possible, ‘Check tha numbaz.'”

John would also consider voting for the following ballplayers outside of his top-10:

1. Todd Helton
2. Andruw Jones
3. Manny Ramirez
4. Gary Sheffield
5. Billy Wagner
6. Fred McGriff

“This ten vote thing is dumb, stop attempting to limit the recognition of greatness.”

John abstains from voting on Pete Rose and Shoeless Joe Jackson.

“I have no idea what really happened with the Black Sox and Shoeless Joe so I can’t muster an opinion. When it comes to Charlie Hustle, when I read that he still bets on games, I don’t know what to think. My gut says I am on a no vote on the most prolific hitter in history. But, even though that is my feeling, I am going to abstain from a vote.”

Ballot No. 17 – Dallas Braden

1. Barry Bonds
2. Roger Clemens
3. Roy Halladay
4. Edgar Martinez
5. Todd Helton
6. Mike Mussina
7. Manny Ramirez
8. Mariano Rivera
9. Curt Schilling
10. Scott Rolen

Dallas would also vote for the following ballplayers outside of his top-10:

1. Fred McGriff
2. Larry Walker
3. Billy Wagner

Dallas would vote for both Pete Rose and Shoeless Joe Jackson.

“Give me Charlie Hustle too. It’s a museum to honor the game’s greatest players. Sometimes those people aren’t ‘babysitter material.’ Go ahead and tell THAT story too. There are a few individuals with ‘alleged’ attached to their name for one reason or another who are already nice and comfy in The Hall. Never saw the kid play, but if Charlie Hustle gets the nod, Joe and his shoeless ass go too.”

Ballot No. 16 – Anonymous former Major League ballplayer

1. Barry Bonds
2. Roger Clemens
3. Roy Halladay
4. Todd Helton
5. Andy Pettitte
6. Mariano Rivera
7. Sammy Sosa
8. Gary Sheffield
9. Fred McGriff

“You can’t erase what happened, MLB knew what was going on during this time and a lot of guys were doing something. These guys, clean or not, were the elite.”

Ballplayer would vote for both Pete Rose and Shoeless Joe Jackson.

“Pete Rose and Joe Jackson should be in the Hall of Fame – it’s the Hall of Fame not the Hall of Nice Guys.”

Ballot No. 15 – Jacque Jones

1. Barry Bonds
2. Roger Clemens
3. Roy Halladay
4. Jeff Kent
5. Edgar Martinez
6. Fred McGriff
7. Manny Ramierz
8. Mariano Rivera
9. Curt Schilling
10. Gary Sheffield

Jacque would also vote for the following ballplayers outside of his top-10:

1. Sammy Sosa

Jacque would vote for both Pete Rose and Shoeless Joe Jackson.

Ballot No. 14 – Jason Hirsh

1. Barry Bonds
2. Roger Clemens
3. Todd Helton
4. Andruw Jones
5. Edgar Martinez
6. Fred McGriff
7. Mariano Rivera
8. Curt Schilling
9. Billy Wagner
10. Larry Walker

“I think there are some no-brainers on this list and some guys I would vote for because their time on the ballot is nearing its end and they deserve to be there.”

Hirsh would also vote for the following ballplayers outside of his top-10:

1. Roy Halladay
2. Jeff Kent
3. Mike Mussina
4. Scott Rolen

“It’s a strange feeling for me having grown up admiring most of these men, watching them play through their hay-days and even getting to face some on the field, albeit in the twilight of their careers, and now try and help decide the best of the best. I hoped one day, my name would have been among these giants but, like many, my career was not so glorious. Every name on this list deserves admiration for a career worthy of this honor, and I am grateful for being allowed to voice my opinion.”

Hirsh votes yes on Rose and abstains on Shoeless Joe Jackson as it is indeterminable just how guilty or not guilty he was.

“I’ve always viewed the Hall of Fame as the greatest players to ever play the game, revered for their performances on the field. I understand the ‘character clause’ which BWAA will invoke as will other players. Although the audacity of what Pete did rightfully deserved criticism and consequences, he is still the hit king of baseball and deserves to be in the hall based solely on his on-field performance.”

“The stories have been told and movies have been made about Shoeless Joe.  Unfortunately, I don’t know enough about his career to make an educated decision about his eligibility. I will have to study up on his legacy and career and get back with an appropriate answer.”

Ballot No. 13 – Curt Schilling

“I did not vote, nor would I ever, for anyone who cheated.”

1. Roy Halladay
2. Todd Helton
3. Edgar Martinez
4. Fred McGriff
5. Mike Mussina
6. Mariano Rivera
7. Scott Rolen
8. Omar Vizquel
9. Larry Walker

“Roy Halladay was the epitome of a Hall of Fame pitcher and person. I would argue Todd Helton was one of the best first basemen – offensively and defensively – in the last 50 years (he also hit like 1.199 off me). Edgar Martinez is the second best designated hitter of all-time and should already be in the Hall of Fame. Fred McGriff spent at least a decade as one of the most impactful sluggers in the game – that is what the Hall is about (Dale Murphy should be in for the exact same reason – plus character). What Mike Mussina did where he did it makes him a lock. Scott Rolen is the best defensive third basemen of all-time and fwas a middle of the order bat. He showed up, played the game hard and played it right – he was better than most players on the field every day. Omar Vizquel is top-five defensive shortstop of all-time and was not an offensive liability. The Hall does not recognize defense in a meaningful way and if Mazeroski gets in on his glove than Omar HAS to be in. Larry Walker was a five-tool Hall of Fame talent BEFORE he went to Colorado. He could beat you so many ways from day one until the day he retired.”

Schill also listed the following players as fringe candidates:

1. Andruw Jones
2. Jeff Kent
3. Billy Wagner
4. Lance Berkman

“Andruw Jones was the best defensive centerfielder I have ever seen. Jeff Kent is a horribly underrated second basemen. Billy Wagner is one of the premier closers for his entire career. Lance Berkman – maybe I am biased, but the numbers are better than people think. Career .293/.406/.537 as a switch hitter who crushed from both sides. By comparison, .298/.421/.557, those are Mickey Mantle’s numbers. Berkman was .317/.417/.532 in the postseason, Mantle was .257/.374/.535. Six top-10 MVP finishes and per James’s numbers he is on the cusp in many ways. He was also a very underrated baserunner and defender in my opinion.”

Schilling votes no on Pete Rose and yes on Shoeless Joe Jackson.

“No on Pete Rose, I know Pete, love him to death. I also believe that he bet for AND against his team both as a player and a manger.”

Ballot No. 12 – Gary Bennett

1. Barry Bonds
2. Roger Clemens
3. Todd Helton
4. Edgar Martinez
5. Mike Mussina
6. Mariano Rivera
7. Scott Rolen
8. Curt Schilling
9. Gary Sheffield
10. Larry Walker

Bennett would also vote for the following ballplayers outside of his top-10:

1. Billy Wagner
2. Sammy Sosa
3. Roy Halladay

Bennett isn’t totally decided on Pete Rose or Shoeless Joe Jackson, but leans no on both.

“It’s tough to say yes on Rose, everyone who has player professionally knows that there is no gray area if one chooses to place a bet with their own team involved. That being said, Rose was one of my favorite ballplayers as a kid – he is still one of my favorite baseball players ever.”

“Shoeless Joe’s World Series numbers sure do not make it look like he was in on the fix – that being said, I don’t know enough of the 1919 details to vote yes.”

Ballot No. 11 – Anonymous former Philadelphia Phillies ballplayer

1. Barry Bonds
2. Roger Clemens
3. Roy Halladay
4. Edgar Martinez
5. Fred McGriff
6. Mariano Rivera
7. Curt Schilling
8. Billy Wagner
9. Michael Young
10. Todd Helton

“I do not know enough on Walker to make a decision right now – I’d consider doing the research and voting for him, though, if my say meant anything.”

Ballplayer votes yes on Pete Rose and does not particularly care about whether Shoeless Joe Jackson gets inducted.

Ballot No. 10 – Anonymous former Los Angeles Dodgers ballplayer

1. Todd Helton
2. Andruw Jones
3. Jeff Kent
4. Edgar Martinez
5. Mariano Rivera
6. Omar Vizquel
7. Larry Walker

“I played with Jeff Kent. He is the most underrated, hard nosed player, hated…and I mean hated to lose.”

Ballplayer would vote for both Pete Rose and Shoeless Joe Jackson.

Ballot No. 9 – Bucky Jacobsen

1. Barry Bonds
2. Roger Clemens
3. Mariano Rivera
4. Edgar Martinez
5. Manny Ramirez
6. Roy Halladay
7. Fred McGriff
8. Curt Schilling
9. Larry Walker
10. Jeff Kent

“As much as I dislike the skewed numbers by those who used PEDs, specifically because I was trying to compete with my natural (and very limited) abilities, I still consider the fact that players were taking them both on the bump and in the box – so it’s not as big of an advantage as many think. There is no real distinct advantage to a pitcher or a hitter who is using – just a disadvantage to those of us who are playing clean.”

Buck votes yes on Rose and abstains on Shoeless Joe Jackson as it is indeterminable just how guilty or not guilty he was.

“Pete Rose should be in, he messed up, but he wasn’t trying to harm the game and I don’t think that he did.”

Ballot No. 8 – Geoff Blum

1. Barry Bonds
2. Rogers Clemens
3. Edgar Martinez
4. Fred McGriff
5. Mike Mussina
6. Manny Ramirez
7. Mariano Rivera
8. Curt Schilling
9. Gary Sheffield
10. Larry Walker

“Gary Sheffield scared the shit out of me when I was at third.”

Blummer is undecided on Pete Rose, but would vote for Shoeless Joe Jackson.

Ballot No. 7 – Anonymous former New York Mets ballplayer

1. Roy Halladay
2. Todd Helton
3. Jeff Kent
4. Mike Mussina
5. Manny Ramirez
6. Mariano Rivera
7. Gary Sheffield
8. Curt Schilling
9. Omar Vizquel
10. Billy Wagner

Ballplayer votes yes on Pete Rose and no on Shoeless Joe Jackson.

Ballot No. 6 – Anonymous former Milwaukee Brewers ballplayer

1. Barry Bonds
2. Roger Clemens
3. Edgar Martinez
4. Fred McGriff
5. Mike Mussina
6. Mariano Rivera
7. Sammy Sosa
8. Curt Schilling
9. Jeff Kent
10. Roy Halladay

Ballplayer would also vote for the following ballplayers outside of his top-10:

1. Larry Walker
2. Gary Sheffield

Ballplayer votes no on Pete Rose and abstains from picking on Shoeless Joe Jackson as it is indeterminable just how guilty or not guilty he was.

“I want to believe Pete Rose bet only on himself, but until that is proven, I say no.”

Ballot No. 5 – Danny Graves

1. Mariano Rivera
2. Fred McGriff
3. Mike Mussina
4. Andy Pettitte
5. Barry Bonds
6. Roger Clemens
7. Sammy Sosa
8. Manny Ramirez
9. Gary Sheffield
10. Omar Vizquel

Gravy would also vote for the following ballplayers outside of his top-10:

1. Roy Halladay
2. Edgar Martinez
3. Curt Schilling
4. Todd Helton
5. Andruw Jones
6. Jeff Kent
7. Billy Wagner
8. Larry Walker

Gravy does not think he can offer a fair assessment on Rose, given that he is a former Red, and does not believe Shoeless Joe Jackson’s numbers warrant induction.

Ballot No. 4 – Anonymous former Anaheim Angels ballplayer

1. Roger Clemens
2. Barry Bonds
3. Mariano Rivera
4. Edgar Martinez
5. Larry Walker
6. Sammy Sosa
7. Manny Ramirez
8. Curt Schilling
9. Billy Wagner
10. Mike Mussina

Ballplayer would also vote for the following ballplayers outside of his top-10:

1. Gary Sheffield
2. Andy Pettitte
3. Fred McGriff
4. Roy Halladay
5. Todd Helton

“Ted Simmons should already be in the Hall of Fame, too.”

Ballplayer votes yes for both Pete Rose and Shoeless Joe Jackson.

Ballot No. 3 – Kevin Frandsen

1. Barry Bonds
2. Roger Clemens
3. Roy Halladay
4. Jeff Kent
5. Mike Mussina
6. Manny Ramirez
7. Mariano Rivera
8. Curt Schilling
9. Fred McGriff
10. Larry Walker

Franny would also vote for the following ballplayers outside of his top-10:

1. Omar Vizquel
2. Edgar Martinez
3. Sammy Sosa
4. Gary Sheffield

“Larry Walker had insane numbers playing at Coors, but Coors NEVER inflated a ballplayer’s instincts. Everyone that played with or against him will say he was one of the best instinctual ballplayers around. Mussina – just look at his numbers, those are Hall of Fame worthy.”

Franny votes no on Pete Rose and abstains from picking on Shoeless Joe Jackson as it is indeterminable just how guilty or not guilty he was.

Ballot No. 2 – Anonymous former Atlanta Braves ballplayer

1. Barry Bonds
2. Roger Clemens
3. Mariano Rivera
4. Manny Ramirez
5. Fred McGriff
6. Jeff Kent
7. Sammy Sosa
8. Edgar Martinez
9. Gary Sheffield
10. Larry Walker

“My vote is based on ballplayers in their era that dominated their position for a period of time that I consider relevant.”

Ballplayer votes no on Pete Rose – though Rose is one of his all-time favorite ballplayers, he said he cannot vote for him as he broke the cardinal rule – and is undecided on Shoeless Joe Jackson based on evidence available.

Ballot No. 1 – Kevin Youkilis

1. Barry Bonds
2. Roger Clemens
3. Mariano Rivera
4. Manny Ramirez
5. Sammy Sosa
6. Edgar Martinez
7. Fred McGriff
8. Roy Halladay
9. Curt Schilling
10. Larry Walker

Youk would also vote for the following ballplayers outside of his top-10:

1. Jeff Kent
2. Billy Wagner
3. Gary Sheffield
4. Mike Mussina
5. Andy Pettitte

Youk did not comment on Pete Rose or Shoeless Joe Jackson.