The Ballots: 2021

Any MLB Alumnus who is interested in participating, please reach out to me at rmspaeder@gmail.com or simply direct message me on twitter @theaceofspaeder. I have setup a backdoor page on my website where you can seamlessly cast your ballot, and it allows you the option to do so publicly or anonymously. The goal here is to fix a broken system and ensure that MLB Alumni have a say as to who goes into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

 

Ballot No. 78 – Todd Helton

1. Barry Bonds
2. Roger Clemens
3. Jeff Kent
4. Scott Rolen
5. Curt Schilling
6. Gary Sheffield
7. Billy Wagner

 

Ballot No. 77 – Matt Miller

1. Barry Bonds
2. Roger Clemens
3. Torii Hunter
4. Andruw Jones
5. Andy Pettitte
6. Manny Ramirez
7. Gary Sheffield
8. Sammy Sosa
9. Omar Vizquel

 

Ballot No. 76 – Geoff Blum

1. Bobby Abreu
2. Barry Bonds
3. Roger Clemens
4. Todd Helton
5. Andruw Jones
6. Jeff Kent
7. Gary Sheffield
8. Billy Wagner

I loved and hated playing against Bobby Abreu, dude was a true five-tool player. I didn’t realize that he had nine 20+ SB, 20+ HR seasons, two of those were 30/30.

Jeff Kent is one of the greatest offensive second baseman ever even though he wasn’t the best defender. Oh yeah, he’s a Cal guy.

The only time I hated playing third base was when Gary Sheffield was up. Yes, he scared me with the violence of his swing. Aside from the violence, the guy could hit. Power hitter with a career .292 hitter with anger.

Barry and Roger, dominant no matter what argument you throw at me.

Todd Helton was one of the best hitters that gets no love because of the “Coors Effect.” He hit .287 career on the road which in awesome and I’m not one to discount a guy who took advantage of the environment.

Andruw Jones was incredible to watch play in person. It felt like he played 20 feet behind second base and nobody could hit it over his head. If it was in play, in the air, you were out. Made it look easy too. Rare combo of gold gloves and power.

Billy Wagner – dominant closer. First elite velocity closer for me. He needs to be in, his story is incredible.

I think what’s great about the player ballots are that we all know what the stats say; it’s the on field interaction and eye witnessing of what these did on the field that other players recognize. It’s the conversations that are being had. Competing against them exposed their greatness. Anyone with a sense for baseball can see the physical attributes that make players Hall of Fame caliber. It is the player intuition that recognizes the combination of athleticism and mentality that made players Hall of Fame worthy.

 

Ballot No. 75 – Anonymous Former St. Louis Cardinals All-Star

1. Todd Helton
2. Andy Pettitte
3. Curt Schilling
4. Gary Sheffied
5. Omar Vizquel
6. Billy Wagner

 

Ballot No. 74 – MICHAEL CAMERON

1. Barry Bonds
2. Roger Clemens
3. Todd Helton
4. Andruw Jones
5. Jeff Kent
6. Scott Rolen
7. Curt Schilling
8. Gary Sheffield
9. Omar Vizquel
10. Billy Wagner

With an unlimited number of votes, Cammy would also include:

1. Torii Hunter
2. Tim Hudson
3. Manny Ramirez

 

Ballot No. 73 – Anonymous Former Tampa Bay Devil Rays Ballplayer

1. Barry Bonds
2. Roger Clemens
3. Andruw Jones
4. Gary Sheffield

 

Ballot No. 72 – Nelson Figueroa

1. Barry Bonds
2. Roger Clemens
3. Andruw Jones
4. Scott Rolen
5. Omar Vizquel
6. Billy Wagner

 

Ballot No. 71 – Matt Walbeck

1. Barry Bonds
2. Roger Clemens
3. Todd Helton
4. Torii Hunter
5. Manny Ramirez
6. Scott Rolen
7. Curt Schilling
8. Gary Sheffield
9. Sammy Sosa
10. Omar Vizquel

 

Ballot No. 70 – Anonymous Former Chicago White Sox Ballplayer

1. Barry Bonds
2. Mark Buehrle
3. Roger Clemens
4. Todd Helton
5. Andy Pettitte
6. Manny Ramirez
7. Curt Schilling
8. Sammy Sosa
9. Billy Wagner

 

Ballot No. 69 – Anonymous Former Colorado Rockies Ballplayer

1. Barry Bonds
2. Roger Clemens
3. Todd Helton
4. Tim Hudson
5. Scott Rolen
6. Curt Schilling
7. Gary Sheffield
8. Omar Vizquel

 

Ballot No. 68 – Preston Wilson

1. Barry Bonds
2. Todd Helton
3. Jeff Kent
4. Scott Rolen
5. Gary Sheffield

 

Ballot No. 67 – Anonymous Hall of Famer

1. Todd Helton
2. Jeff Kent
3. Scott Rolen
4. Omar Vizquel

 

Ballot No. 66 – Willie Bloomquist

1. Todd Helton
2. Tim Hudson
3. Curt Schilling

 

Ballot No. 65 – Anonymous Former St. Louis Cardinals All-Star

1. Barry Bonds
2. Roger Clemens
3. Todd Helton
4. Jeff Kent
5. Andy Pettitte
6. Manny Ramirez
7. Curt Schilling
8. Gary Sheffield
9. Sammy Sosa
10. Billy Wagner

“Fred McGriff should be in the Hall of Fame.”

 

Ballot No. 64 – Anonymous Former Kansas City Royals All-Star

1. Scott Rolen
2. Omar Vizquel
3. Billy Wagner

“Dale Murphy and Pete Rose [should be in the Hall of Fame]. Those are guys who played the game clean, I would never endorse a player who I knew had done steroids because I saw it turning good players into superhuman players.”

 

Ballot No. 63 – Anonymous Former Chicago Cubs Ballplayer

1. Bobby Abreu
2. Barry Bonds
3. Roger Clemens
4. Todd Helton
5. Andruw Jones
6. Scott Rolen
7. Curt Schilling
8. Gary Sheffield
9. Sammy Sosa
10. Billy Wagner

With an unlimited number of votes, ballplayer would also include:

1. Omar Vizquel
2. Jeff Kent
3. Andy Pettitte

 

Ballot No. 62 – Frank Catalanotto

1. Barry Bonds
2. Roger Clemens
3. Jeff Kent
4. Manny Ramirez
5. Gary Sheffield
6. Sammy Sosa

 

Ballot No. 61 – Anonymous Former Tampa Bay Devil Rays Ballplayer

1. Barry Bonds
2. Roger Clemens
3. Tim Hudson
4. Torii Hunter
5. Manny Ramirez
6. Curt Schilling
7. Gary Sheffield
8. Sammy Sosa
9. Omar Vizquel

 

Ballot No. 60 – Ben Grieve

1. Todd Helton
2. Tim Hudson
3. Torii Hunter
4. Jeff Kent
5. Andy Pettitte
6. Aramis Ramirez
7. Scott Rolen
8. Curt Schilling
9. Omar Vizquel
10. Billy Wagner

 

Ballot No. 59 – Anonymous Former Chicago White Sox All-Star

1. Barry Bonds
2. Roger Clemens
3. Todd Helton
4. Andruw Jones
5. Jeff Kent
6. Manny Ramirez
7. Curt Schilling
8. Gary Sheffield
9. Omar Vizquel
10. Billy Wagner

With an unlimited number of votes, ballplayer would also include:

1. Torii Hunter
2. Scott Rolen

 

Ballot No. 58 – Mark Knudson

1. Barry Bonds
2. Roger Clemens
3. Todd Helton
4. Andruw Jones
5. Curt Schilling
6. Gary Sheffield

Read Mark’s column about why he chose his six selection where he also advocates for Pete Rose as a Hall of Famer at Knudson’s Korner: There’s plenty of room in Cooperstown for more deserving players 

 

Ballot No. 57 – Eric O’Flaherty

1. Barry Bonds
2. Roger Clemens
3. Todd Helton
4. Tim Hudson
5. Andruw Jones
6. Jeff Kent
7. Scott Rolen
8. Curt Schilling
9. Gary Sheffield
10. Billy Wagner

Bonds/Clemens – I go back and forth, but I usually wind up feeling like the steroid guys should get in because I took a greenie once and felt like I could build a spaceship three minutes later… I pitched that day, and I had an easy inning and would have gone 12 more innings if they let me. Baseball is a mental game and confidence/clarity on the field is extremely important. I personally would have chosen greenies over steroids because no matter what workouts I did or how strong I got, I threw 90-92 mph and got ground balls… but when my confidence was down, I got my tits lit. These two guys were going to be Hall of Famers regardless, and I can’t tell who is already in that wouldn’t be without the benefit of amphetamines which I think most people underestimate. They should have to come clean about it all if they want a ceremony.

Andruw Jones – if Willie Mays says you are the best center fielder that he has ever seen and you hit 434 home runs…. you go to the Hall of Fame.

Billy Wagner – no hitter wanted to face him, ever. What is the hold up?

Todd Helton – Every time we went to Colorado, I felt like my back was going to blow out. Denver is hard on the body. Helton played there, traveling in and out of that thin air and never being in the same time zone for 17 years. He raked every year and Coors field isn’t the only hitters park in baseball.

Gary Sheffield – he’s got the numbers but there are some steroid suspicions… he came clean about making a mistake, he deserves credit for that. There’s not a drug on earth that can give you that bat speed. Would have been a Hall or Famer either way, in my opinion.

Jeff Kent – a lot of people are saying he should be a Hall of Famer so I voted for him on my imaginary ballot.

Tim Hudson – I don’t know if Huddy gets in, but he is closer then most people would think.

Scott Rolen – if he was as good as they say defensively, I feel like he’s got enough offense and longevity to get in.

Curt Schilling – he was really good at baseball.

 

Ballot No. 56 – Jacque Jones

1. Bobby Abreu
2. Barry Bonds
3. Roger Clemens
4. Michael Cuddyer
5. LaTroy Hawkins
6. Torii Hunter
7. Manny Ramirez
8. Curt Schilling
9. Gary Sheffield
10. Billy Wagner

 

Ballot No. 55 – Aaron Sele

1. Barry Bonds
2. Roger Clemens
3. Todd Helton
4. Jeff Kent
5. Manny Ramirez
6. Gary Sheffield
7. Sammy Sosa
8. Omar Vizquel
9. Billy Wagner

Barry Bonds – really!? Still not in… wow!

Roger Clemens – see above! All he ever wanted to do was win, and he did that a lot. One of the hardest workers, physically and at his pitching craft, that I had as a teammate.

Jeff Kent – redefined the offensive profile for second basemen and played the game like it should be played. Solid teammate in my book.

Billy Wagner – one of the top teammates I had. He cared more about the team winning and everyone else’s success in the bullpen than his own success. Dominate.

Todd Helton – all he ever did was hit, no matter what ballpark it was.

Manny Ramirez- I played against Manny in the minors from High-A through a lot of years in the majors. It was no secret what I was trying to do or what he was trying to do, it all came down to execution. During a game in Texas, we had a several hour rain delay and then they shot off the fireworks as the field was getting prepped due to a city curfew. After all that, we picked up in the middle of an AB with my advantage of a 1-2 count. On the first pitch, Manny hit a curveball for a home run. As he was running the bases, he looked over at me and I mouthed “really?!” and he just shrugged his shoulders with his palms up and laughed. Not the first and not the last… Homerun or laugh!!

Omar Vizquel – very few ever picked the ball up better at a premier position for longer.

Gary Sheffield – one of the most feared bats in the major leagues throughout his career.

Sammy Sosa – over 600 home runs.

 

Ballot No. 54 – Wayne Franklin

1. Barry Bonds
2. Roger Clemens
3. Todd Helton
4. Tim Hudson
5. Andruw Jones
6. Jeff Kent
7. Andy Pettitte
8. Manny Ramirez
9. Gary Sheffield
10. Billy Wagner

“Don Mattingly and Pete Rose should be in the Hall of Fame.

 

Ballot No. 53 – Anonymous Former New York Yankees All-Star

1. Barry Bonds
2. Roger Clemens
3. Andruw Jones
4. Manny Ramirez
5. Scott Rolen
6. Curt Schilling
7. Gary Sheffield
8. Sammy Sosa
9. Omar Vizquel
10. Billy Wagner

With an unlimited number of votes, ballplayer would also include:

1. Bobby Abreu
2. Jeff Kent
3. Andy Pettitte
4. Todd Helton

“Much tougher than I thought.”

 

Ballot No. 52 – Kyle McClellan

1. Todd Helton
2. Torii Hunter
3. Andruw Jones
4. Jeff Kent
5. Scott Rolen
6. Curt Schilling
7. Omar Vizquel
8. Billy Wagner

 

Ballot No. 51 – Keith Lockhart

1. Barry Bonds
2. Roger Clemens
3. Todd Helton
4. Andruw Jones
5. Manny Ramirez
6. Curt Schilling
7. Gary Sheffield
8. Sammy Sosa
9. Omar Vizquel
10. Billy Wagner

With an unlimited number of votes, Keith would also include:

1. Andy Pettite
2. Jeff Kent

 

Ballot No. 50 – Steve Holm

1. Todd Helton
2. Scott Rolen
3. Omar Vizquel
4. Billy Wagner

Rule V of the baseball HOF qualifications states: “Voting shall be based upon the players record, playing ability, integrity, sportsmanship, character and contributions to the team(s) on which the player played.”

Integrity of the game has been of the utmost importance dating all the way back to Kenesaw Landis decision regarding the Chicago White Sox scandal. It is safe to assume that players who used PEDs were not only able to enhance their skills but also lengthen their careers. Admittance to the Hall of Fame is not just earned by gaudy numbers, but also by lengthy careers. That brings us back to Rule V and the word “Integrity,” did the player play with integrity? Artificially enhancing your skills or the length of your career does not constitute playing with integrity. Unfortunately, the voter is left on their own to decipher whether said player used PEDs. Nevertheless, it is my opinion that any player who was linked to PEDs should not be allowed into perhaps the most exclusive fraternity in the world, what we know as the Baseball Hall of Fame.

As a final thought, I always felt that guys like Don Mattingly, who were on Hall of Fame trajectories until an injury, would be cheated if you vote for a PED user who was able to extend his career. The older players get, the harder it is to recover and do the things at same speed the following day. If you vote in PED guys, you are telling the Don Mattinglys of the world that they should have done it.

 

Ballot No. 49 – Kevin Frandsen

1. Bobby Abreu
2. Barry Bonds
3. Roger Clemens
4. Todd Helton
5. Andruw Jones
6. Jeff Kent
7. Scott Rolen
8. Curt Schilling
9. Omar Vizquel
10. Billy Wagner

With an unlimited number of votes, Franny would also include:

1. Torii Hunter

Barry Bonds: going with a prominent friend on MLB Network who has said this on TV, it should be Barry until he is in. No player during “TV era” has ever had more eyes locked in on him and his at-bats wondering what they were going to see. People who dislike him never turned an eye to one of his ABs, they were always wowed. Back of the baseball card is impressive, but in today’s age of analytics looking at those numbers, they are jaw dropping. Take your personal vendettas away from a man who simply wowed every single fan, opponent, coaching staff, he played against. In a time where it seems doing the right thing needs an ovation. This is a time where the ovation just needs to be a simple Vote.

For those who think he was a piece of s*** because someone they know who knows somebody that knows somebody who said he treated them like crap… so he must have been a bad guy.

Let me tell you a long story in short form. In 2007, I was in the big leagues with the Giants, playing all over the place, with Ray Durham having a great year, Pedro Feliz at third playing fantastic, the great Omar at short, and no room for me. I was struggling with the lack of consistent ABs, I HAD NOT EARNED, but the Giants stuck with me and the struggle was real.

Mid-August after Barry hit 756 (I had four different batting stances in four at-bats), we fly to Pittsburgh for a doubleheader on Monday before continuing on to Atlanta. Again, the struggle was real, in Game 1, I was playing shortstop and trying to keep my head above water at the plate, down to .210 batting average, Barry yelled at me to get into the cage in Pitt before the second game. Mind you, we only had just 30 minutes between games. He kicked everyone out of the cage and took the bucket of balls standing 20 feet away from me firing the ball AT me. Every ball hitting me because, in my stance, I couldn’t get my foot down. “Get YOUR foot down!!” Over and over I heard until about welt number nine, I got my foot down and started getting out of the way! “Cool you’re ready,” he said. He goes back to the L-Screen and starts throwing me BP. Then suddenly, I start squaring everything up consistently, he dropped the bucket and said “pick them up, you’re ready.”

Hitting second, I had about two minutes to grab a snack and get to the on deck circle. He was not playing, so really we wouldn’t see him until we needed him to pinch-hit. As I walk to the plate, with the thought of getting my foot down, I catch out of the corner of my eye Barry on the top step. Living with each pitch I see until I ground out and he goes back in the clubhouse. Second AB, he’s on the top step watching, lineout. he goes in. Third time up, same thing, he is on the top step I get a single he claps, gives me a fist pump and walks back in. My confidence is growing just with his reaction.

We go to Atlanta, and I don’t play in the first two games. Chuck James is pitching Game 3, Barry wasn’t playing, so all I hear is “FRANNY, to the cage let’s effing go!” He makes everyone stop and he starts throwing me BP for 30 mins and dialing me in. I lineout to right-center field with the best bolt I hit all year – Frenchy ran it down. I come in pissed, wanting that to fall but all I hear from him is “ohhhhh, you got this kid!” Next AB, bomb off the foul pole and the grin ear-to-ear with B.

Fast-forward to Monday in Miami facing D-Train, Barry wasn’t playing and again he kicked everybody out of the cage to throw me BP. Confidence is extremely high now because BARRY BONDS is throwing me BP, working with me. First AB, I smoked a homer to left, just over the big wall at Joe Robbie, singled my second time up, and I was rolling. We get back home and Barry came to me over at my locker and said “no more from me, you got this.”

I went on to hit .370 over the last month and a half, and I got all the way to .271 on the last day of the season… before striking out in my last AB to drop to .269. Barry NEVER had to do it, but he did. I may be a lone story you hear of it, but he looked out for the young guys. Especially for those who grew up in the Bay Area with whom he had that connection.

If you twisted my arm and made me get to the 9-10 guys after here they are. I would also extend it further and say HALL OF FAME and HALL OF FAME TEAMMATE. Torii Hunter is a first ballot teammate and to me an Hall of Fame player. Never been around a superstar with so much talent, charisma, leadership, and desire than Torii. I was teammates with him and Bobby towards the backend of their careers, and the way they busted their asses down the line – my God, I wish we saw the game played with that respect, busting it down the line like we used to. I love the emotion of the bat-flip, but isn’t seeing a guy hit a one hopper to the pitcher getting down the line turning what would otherwise be a sure out into a close play, missed? To me, it is.

 

Ballot No. 48 – Chris Gimenez

1. Barry Bonds
2. Roger Clemens
3. Todd Helton
4. Tim Hudson
5. Torii Hunter
6. Andruw Jones
7. Manny Ramirez
8. Curt Schilling
9. Gary Sheffield
10. Billy Wagner

With an unlimited number of votes, Chris would also include:

1. Jeff Kent
2. Scott Rolen
3. Andy Pettitte

“I was having a hard time with Scott Rolen here! One of the best to do it, no doubt, as well as Jeff Kent! I would put Kent and Rolen at 11 and 12, then Andy Pettitte at 13. I think all 13 should be in but we only have 10 spots!”

 

Ballot No. 47 – Anonymous Former Philadelphia Phillies Ballplayer

1. Barry Bonds
2. Roger Clemens
3. Todd Helton
4. Manny Ramirez
5. Curt Schilling
6. Gary Sheffield
7. Omar Vizquel
8. Billy Wagner

 

Ballot No. 46 – John Baker

1. Barry Bonds
2. Roger Clemens
3. Todd Helton
4. Andruw Jones
5. Jeff Kent
6. Manny Ramirez
7. Scott Rolen
8. Gary Sheffield
9. Sammy Sosa
10. Billy Wagner

With an unlimited number of votes, Bake would also include:

1. Curt Schilling

The toughest part of the ten only ballot was choosing between Billy Wagner and Curt Schilling. Because of firsthand experience: Wagner is No. 10 and Curt Schilling No. 11.

For some color: I was once asked to pinch hit against Billy Wagner. It was 2008, I was a rookie, and I found the request strange. Left-handed hitters usually do not pinch hit for right-handed hitters against dominant, left-handed relievers. Perhaps it was the look in my eye, or a feeling that Freddi Gonzalez had (he clearly did not have a data-driven reason for introducing me to Mr. Wagner) but I am glad he did. On my way up to the plate Mike Jacobs gave me sage advice – “If you think you are going to get hit by the pitch, you have to swing!” I had never heard a statement like that, and never would again, so I laughed. Wagner painted two 98 MPH golf balls down and away, I would have swung if I could, but the arm angle, delivery, and velocity were unlike anything I had ever seen. The third pitch was headed behind me, so I bailed out in fear of getting hit, the pitch took a sharp turn as the slider broke back (and broke my back) on the way through the strike zone. Three pitches, no swings, and yer’ out. I should have listened to Mike, Freddi should have consulted the data, Matt Treanor stood a better chance at making contact. Wagner and Schilling are Hall of Fame caliber pitchers in my book.

NOTE – If you would like to exclude Schilling for his opinions, remember that we live in America and we are all allowed to have dumb opinions, for more evidence of mine, continue reading…

On Bonds, Clemens, and Sosa: did these guys take steroids? Probably. Yes. Definitely? Do I care? No, I do not, I have thought about it a lot. I DON’T GIVE A SHIT! Along with Big Mac, Sammy Sosa brought fans back to the ballpark. I’ll never forget Sammy taking the field with the American Flag, his sprint to right field at Wrigley and the energy he infused into the game when we needed it most. A reading of Joan Ryan’s fabulous book Intangibles offers more insight into what it was really like to be a teammate of Barry and what life was really like for the best hitter in the history of baseball. These guys were the best of the steroid era, men that hit home runs off of juiced pitchers and (in Clemens case) dominated juiced hitters. Before MLB began testing for steroids, the playing field was more level than it is now. To assume that only the players on this list were using is insane. From what I have heard (allegedly), pre-2003 joint drug agreement was like the wild west of PEDs. How do you think people played for like 20 years, chocolate milk? Further, to assume that players in the 70s weren’t using is also insanity. You really think Jose Canseco invented steroid-use in baseball?

Manny is the tougher sell because of his era. He tested positive and served a suspension for steroids post 2003 JDA. I rationalize that his use was due to his undying ambition to be the best. After his MLB career he played in AAA Iowa for the Cubs and was so impactful on that team that the Cubs brought him on as a coach in 2016. One problem, he never showed up! He flew to Japan, joined an independent Japanese team, and kept playing, not for money, not for fame, but for love of the game. He is probably somewhere hitting in a cage, hoping for more at-bats so he can launch a hanging slider into left-field, release the bat with his left-hand, and stand there in his signature pose, right hand on helmet, perfectly balanced as the baseball clears the fence. I never used steroids, but I refuse to stand in judgment of someone that did. In the pandemic era it is time for baseball to do something big, offer forgiveness to the men that put butts in the seats, revenue in the bank, and cash in complicit owner’s pockets. Remember when the Red Sox broke their curse? Does the fact that some players on that team probably/allegedly used steroids matter to Red Sox fans in the long run? I loved watching Manny hit, dive to cut off balls in the outfield, and wear his headphones during games. He made the game more appealing to everyone. Whether you were booing or cheering, Manny elevated your emotional involvement, he impacted every game he played. I accept that my support of Manny is paradoxical to my rationale for the other PED-implicated people on this list.

So do what is right: Induct Bonds and Clemens, bring Sammy back to Wrigley (and into Cooperstown), and have a willingness to sit with the idea that context and nuance are important for growth and understanding. This is not black and white, 1980 was not 2000, and 2000 is not 2020. For one final sentence sure to ruffle feathers: Barry Bonds, not Ted Williams, is the greatest hitter that ever lived. Remember that when Ted Williams began his career, Barry Bonds would not have even been allowed on the field. Context matters.

Stay Safe, Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas, and Happy (Insert your Winter Holiday here) to everyone.

With love of the game,

John Baker

 

Ballot No. 45 – Adam Kennedy

1. Barry Bonds
2. Roger Clemens
3. Todd Helton
4. Tim Hudson
5. Andruw Jones
6. Jeff Kent
7. Manny Ramirez
8. Gary Sheffield
9. Omar Vizquel
10. Billy Wagner

 

Ballot No. 44 – Larry Walker

1. Bobby Abreu
2. Barry Bonds
3. Roger Clemens
4. Todd Helton
5. Andruw Jones
6. Jeff Kent
7. Scott Rolen
8. Curt Schilling
9. Gary Sheffield
10. Billy Wagner

 

Ballot No. 43 – Anonymous Former Cincinnati Reds All-Star, aka “Fish”

1. Barry Bonds
2. Roger Clemens
3. Andruw Jones
4. Jeff Kent
5. Manny Ramirez
6. Scott Rolen
7. Gary Sheffield
8. Sammy Sosa
9. Omar Vizquel

 

Ballot No. 42 – Anonymous Former Texas Rangers Ballplayer

1. Bobby Abreu
2. Mark Buehrle
3. Todd Helton
4. Torii Hunter
5. Andruw Jones
6. Andy Pettitte
7. Scott Rolen
8. Gary Sheffield
9. Omar Vizquel
10. Billy Wagner

 

Ballot No. 41 – Gregg Zaun

1. Barry Bonds
2. Roger Clemens
3. Manny Ramirez
4. Gary Sheffield
5. Sammy Sosa
6. Omar Vizquel

 

Ballot No. 40 – Anonymous Former Baltimore Orioles All-Star

1. Todd Helton
2. Andruw Jones
3. Omar Vizquel
4. Billy Wagner

 

Ballot No. 39 – Anonymous Former Los Angeles Dodgers Ballplayer

1. Barry Bonds
2. Roger Clemens
3. Todd Helton
4. Andruw Jones
5. Jeff Kent
6. Omar Vizquel
7. Billy Wagner

 

Ballot No. 38 – Jeff Frye

1. Todd Helton
2. Andruw Jones
3. Scott Rolen
4. Curt Schilling
5. Omar Vizquel
6. Billy Wagner

“She gone!”

 

Ballot No. 37 – Rajai Davis

1. Barry Bonds
2. Roger Clemens
3. Todd Helton
4. Torii Hunter
5. Andy Pettitte
6. Manny Ramirez
7. Gary Sheffield
8. Sammy Sosa
9. Omar Vizquel
10. Billy Wagner

 

Ballot No. 36 – Ben Davis

1. Bobby Abreu
2. Barry Bonds
3. Roger Clemens
4. Todd Helton
5. Manny Ramirez
6. Curt Schilling
7. Gary Sheffield
8. Sammy Sosa
9. Omar Vizquel

“The players I voted for were the best of their profession and above everyone else for over a decade, many of them for longer. Having played in the middle of the steroid era, I know a lot of these players have tested positive for PEDs, but that doesn’t change my opinion. Take Sammy Sosa for example… what he and Mark McGwire did for the game itself is Hall of Fame worthy in my mind. Who knows if we’d even have baseball if it weren’t for their home run chasing battles over the years. Take Barry Bonds for another example… in my opinion, he is the best baseball to have ever played. His numbers speak volumes and back that fact up. Roger Clemens has seven Cy Young awards to go along with 354 wins. Omar Vizquel was a magician at shortstop and maybe the best ever. Manny Ramirez just may be the best righthanded hitter of all-time. I don’t care what you put in your body, you still have to get bat to ball or ball to catcher’s mitt. I used to be against this theory of PEDs, but I have since flip-flopped.”

 

Ballot No. 35 – Anonymous Former Philadelphia Phillies Ballplayer

1. Bobby Abreu
2. Barry Bonds
3. Roger Clemens
4. Todd Helton
5. Jeff Kent
6. Manny Ramirez
7. Curt Schilling
8. Sammy Sosa
9. Omar Vizquel

 

Ballot No. 34 – Anonymous Former Miami Marlins Ballplayer

1. Barry Bonds
2. Mark Buehrle
3. Roger Clemens
4. Jeff Kent
5. Scott Rolen
6. Gary Sheffield
7. Sammy Sosa
8. Billy Wagner

“First off, this is much harder then it looks. When I asked why I selected the likes of Bonds and Clemens and not Manny, the answer is simple – Ramirez was suspended for PED use, while the other are “suspected.” I do not believe that anyone who was suspended for PED use should be in. Also, on Clemens and Bonds, a sports writer I respect very much voted for both of them on his last ballot before he passed. So if he felt they were worthy, so do I.”

 

Ballot No. 33 – Anonymous Former Baltimore Orioles Ballplayer

1. Barry Bonds
2. Andruw Jones
3. Scott Rolen
4. Gary Sheffield
5. Sammy Sosa
6. Billy Wagner

 

Ballot No. 32 – J.J. Putz

1. Barry Bonds
2. Roger Clemens
3. Todd Helton
4. Andruw Jones
5. Scott Rolen
6. Curt Schilling
7. Gary Sheffield
8. Sammy Sosa
9. Omar Vizquel
10. Billy Wagner

 

Ballot No. 31 – Anonymous Former Philadelphia Phillies All-Star

1. Barry Bonds
2. Roger Clemens
3. Andruw Jones
4. Manny Ramirez
5. Scott Rolen
6. Curt Schilling
7. Gary Sheffield
8. Sammy Sosa
9. Omar Vizquel
10. Billy Wagner

“Wish I could vote for more than ten, because I believe a couple more deserve it. It’s also unfortunate more Hall of Fame voters do not value defense as much as offense since both immensely impact the game – see Betts 2020 Playoff highlights.”

With an unlimited number of votes, ballplayer would also include:

1. Todd Helton

 

Ballot No. 30 – Elliot Johnson

1. Barry Bonds
2. Roger Clemens
3. Andruw Jones
4. Andy Pettitte
5. Manny Ramirez
6. Curt Schilling
7. Gary Sheffield
8. Sammy Sosa
9. Omar Vizquel
10. Billy Wagner

With an unlimited number of votes, EJ would also include:

1. Todd Helton
2. Tim Hudson
3. Torii Hunter
4. Jeff Kent
5. Scott Rolen

“Leaving Torii off [my Top-10] hurt the most – nine-time Gold Glove Award winner is deserving to me. But because I didn’t have room for Rolen, who was an eight-time Gold Glove Award winner and won a World Series, Torii had to come off for Rocket, whose career numbers speak for themselves.”

“Barry Bonds was the best player who ever played to me. I don’t think anyone put together better seasons than he did against really good pitching velos.”

“Sammy Sosa helped bring the game back from the strike and had a huge impact on making the game fun again. In.”

“Vizquel is one of the best defensive shortstops of all-time and is deserving. He was magic out there on some really good teams that wouldn’t have been as successful without him and 11 Gold Gloves is incredible. In.”

“Billy Wags was such a dominant closer for such a long time and a seven time all-star, I feel he’s deserving. His numbers are compatible to Lee Smith so the precedent is set. In”

“Sheffield was a threat every pitch. In.”

“Schilling an arrogant prick to a lot people, but this isn’t a popularity contest – it’s a merit contest otherwise let’s get Munenori Kawasaki on the ballot. Schilling’s numbers speak for themselves and is more than deserving especially the way he pitched in Arizona and Boston.”

“Pettite, five World series rings and the ability to pitch at a consistently high level is worthy to me.”

“Manny is one of the greatest hitters of all time. In.”

“Andruw Jones was one of the best centerfielders we’ve ever seen and his 10 Gold Gloves get him in for me.”

“There’s a case to be made for Helton, Kent, and Hudson as well, but the guys I chose left the largest impression on me that when they were on the field, they were going to make the largest difference on the outcome of the game more often. The game is better for their contributions between the lines. Was an honor to play with/against these amazing players.”

 

Ballot No. 29 – Matt Holliday

1. Todd Helton
2. Torii Hunter
3. Andruw Jones
4. Jeff Kent
5. Scott Rolen
6. Curt Schilling
7. Billy Wagner

 

Ballot No. 28 – Carlton Fisk

1. Mark Buehrle
2. Torii Hunter
3. Andy Pettitte
4. Aramis Ramirez
5. Curt Schilling
6. Omar Vizquel
7. Billy Wagner

“Easy yes on both Omar Vizquel and Billy Wagner.”

 

Ballot No. 27 – Will Ohman

1. Barry Bonds
2. Roger Clemens
3. Todd Helton
4. Manny Ramirez
5. Gary Sheffield
6. Sammy Sosa
7. Omar Vizquel
8. Billy Wagner
9. Scott Rolen

“Five of the players have a shared, looming shadow, but their numbers alone are Hall-worthy. Some were punished by MLB, some weren’t. The standards for the Hall of Fame include a character clause, but revisionist history allows for certain types of rule-bending/breaking. The only rule that is posted in BOLD TYPE on every Minor League and Major League Clubhouse wall is Rule 21, re: gambling (sorry, Pete).”

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

“All five of these players would’ve been great with or without PEDs. I see the argument both ways, but I always come back to the fact that the writers themselves put the Steroid Era moniker out there in print. These guys helped DEFINE the era.”

6. Billy Wagner – Dominant. 400 saves, 1,200 Ks over 900 IP, 6 H/9IP.

7. Omar Vizquel – All-time fielding percentage at shortstop across 24 seasons, 11 Gold Gloves.

8. Todd Helton – The face of the Rockies franchise. 5x Silver Slugger. Lifetime .316 batting average.

9. I messed up, and I forgot to include Scott Rolen on my original ballot. I have him No. 9. The guy raked and was a Hoover at third. Never given the credit he deserved – completely underappreciated.

10. Write-In: “Shoeless” Joe Jackson – Still no absolute confirmation that he cheated or even attended a meeting for the fix. Put it to bed.

11. Write-In: Jesse Orozco – All-time record for games pitched (1,252): pure longevity and the blueprint for the modern reliever. Lefty.

“These are my opinions – just like baseball writers’ votes – and as such, they are above contestation. If you disagree, I’m happy to have the conversation politely, but know that I am still right – it’s in the Geneva Convention. If you feel slighted, please grow up – this is supposed to be fun.”

 

Ballot No. 26 – Anonymous Former San Diego Padres Ballplayer

1. Omar Vizquel

“Omar Vizquel is my lone guy this year.”

 

Ballot No. 25 – Anonymous Former Chicago Cubs All-Star

1. Barry Bonds
2. Roger Clemens
3. Todd Helton
4. Jeff Kent
5. Omar Vizquel

“I voted for Clemens and Bonds because I felt they were players that were Hall of Fame worthy prior to using steroids. May not be fair but that’s how I feel.”

 

Ballot No. 24 – Josh Fogg

1. Barry Bonds
2. Mark Buehrle
3. Roger Clemens
4. Todd Helton
5. Andruw Jones
6. Andy Pettitte
7. Curt Schilling
8. Gary Sheffield
9. Sammy Sosa
10. Billy Wagner

With an unlimited number of votes, Josh would also include:

1. Tim Hudson
2. LaTroy Hawkins

“Tim Hudson and LaTroy Hawkins are two others I would vote for. Their longevity and impact on the game is something that is overlooked by people that only want to see numbers.”

 

Ballot No. 23 – Anonymous Former Chicago White Sox Ballplayer

1. Barry Bonds
2. Roger Clemens
3. Todd Helton
4. Torii Hunter
5. Andruw Jones
6. Jeff Kent
7. Andy Pettitte
8. Manny Ramirez
9. Gary Sheffield
10. Omar Vizquel

 

Ballot No. 22 – Bob File

1. Barry Bonds
2. Roger Clemens
3. Todd Helton
4. Manny Ramirez
5. Curt Schilling
6. Sammy Sosa
7. Omar Vizquel

 

Ballot No. 21 – Anonymous Former Minnesota Twins Ballplayer

1. Barry Bonds
2. Roger Clemens
3. Todd Helton
4. Torii Hunter
5. Manny Ramirez
6. Omar Vizquel

“Hall of Fame voting has turned into an annual PED argument. Is it really a Hall of Fame without the all-time home run leader (Bonds) and the pitcher with the most Cy Young Awards (Clemens)? Also, the guy with the most hits (Rose) for that matter. My problem is that certain guys have been under the microscope more than others. If they want to question players about PEDs (or anything) then look at everybody using the same process.”

 

Ballot No. 20 – Anonymous Former Arizona Diamondbacks Ballplayer

1. Barry Bonds
2. Roger Clemens
3. Tim Hudson
4. Andruw Jones
5. Andy Pettitte
6. Manny Ramirez
7. Scott Rolen
8. Curt Schilling
9. Sammy Sosa

 

Ballot No. 19 – Curt Schilling

1. Bobby Abreu
2. Todd Helton
3. Andruw Jones
4. Jeff Kent
5. Scott Rolen
6. Omar Vizquel
7. Billy Wagner

Bobby Abreu – unsure just how underappreciated his career was? Well, there are 267 players in the Hall of Fame. There were 18,917 players who had worn an MLB uniform as of 2017, and 1.4% of them have a plaque (again, as of 2017).

Amongst the 267 members here are Bobby’s career ranks:
.291 Avg (115th)
.395 OBP (t-41st)
.475 Slg (t-67th) With Roberto Clemente and Dave Winfield
.870 OPS (52nd) Ahead of Yaz, Boggs, Brett, Gwynn
1,453 Runs (61st) Ahead of Carew, Clemente, Dimaggio, Gwynn, Sandberg, Banks, Vlad and more
2,470 Hits (80th) Ahead of Mantle, Sandberg, Cepeda, Larkin, Puckett, Schmidt
574 2B (16th) Ahead of Eddie Murray, Chipper, Jeter, Gwynn, Ted Williams, Rickey Henderson, Al Kaline
288 HR (54th) Ahead of Sandberg, Brooks Robinson, Joe Morgan, Jeter, Yount, Larkin, Gwynn
1,363 RBI (58th) Ahead of Brooks, Piazza, Molitor, Clemente, Biggio, Gwynn
400 SB (29th) Ahead of Larkin, Mays Carew, Jeter, Gwynn

He is a Hall of Famer.

Jeff Kent
Statistics and rank among second basemen (all-time/Hall of Famers)
.290 Avg (46th/9th)
.356 OBP (t-76th/15th)
.500 Slg (5th/2nd)
.855 OPS (7th/4th)
2461 Hits (13th/11th)
560 2B (5th/4th)
377 HR (1st/1st)
1,518 RBI (3rd/3rd)
Four top 10 MVPs with a win

How are those not Hall of Fame numbers?

Scott Rolen/Omar Vizquel

I was going to do numbers again and their numbers are good to very good compared to other Hall of Famers at their positions, but these two were in the top-five all-time defensively at their positions. I think, and heard from Hall of Famers that both were, in their opinions “the best ever.” If defense matters, which it does way beyond what Hall of Fame voters consider, then they are both locks.

Todd Helton
Rank among first basemen (all-time/Hall of Famers)
Hits 13th/7th
2B 3rd/1st
HR 26th/11th
RBI 23rd/13th
Slg 14th/8th
OBP 7th/5th
OPS 8th/7th

This dude could hit. And on a personal note I am pretty sure I never got him out and pretty sure he never hit a single off me. I hated facing him. (Quick trivia, last batter I faced in my career. I walked him…). Just like you can’t control who you play on the schedule, you can’t control WHERE you play when you get drafted. He performed to a Hall of Fame level across an incredible career. He also gets far less recognition as a defender than he should.

Andruw Jones
Ranks for center fielders all-time
Runs 35th
Hits 50th
2B 30th
HR 6th (5th all-time amongst HOF)
RBI 14th

He scored more runs than Kirby Puckett and hit more home runs than Joe Dimaggio. Now we add the fact that he was one of the two or three best center fielders of all-time (certainly the best of my era, with Griffey right there) and, again, if defense does matter, he is a Hall of Fame player.

Billy Wagner
6th all-time in saves
4th all-time in ERA
3rd all-time in ERA+
1st all-time in WHIP amongst post 1900 pitchers (97 IP short of 1,000)
1st all-time in K/9 (97 IP short of 1,000)

So he struck out a crap ton of people, saved a ton of games, and didn’t allow baserunners better than anyone alive post-1900. That’s Hall of Famer.

 

Ballot No. 18 – Kevin Youkilis

1. Barry Bonds
2. Roger Clemens
3. Todd Helton
4. Andruw Jones
5. Jeff Kent
6. Andy Pettitte
7. Manny Ramirez
8. Curt Schilling
9. Gary Sheffield
10. Sammy Sosa

With an unlimited number of votes, Youk would also include:

1. Scott Rolen

“Scott Rolen will always be the fringe player that I believe should be in the Hall of Fame. Idolized his play at third base!”

 

Ballot No. 17 – Jason Hirsh

1. Barry Bonds
2. Roger Clemens
3. Todd Helton
4. Andruw Jones
5. Jeff Kent
6. Andy Pettitte
7. Manny Ramirez
8. Scott Rolen
9. Curt Schilling
10. Billy Wagner

“This year’s ballot is a lot less controversial than previous years, and it should be fairly easy to make ten selections. That being said, I can see this year’s ballot being one where very few sports writers actually use all ten votes. The ten selections I made reflect the most dominant players of their era, and guys I feel should be included with the most dominant players ever. I think the absolutes like Bonds, Clemens, Schilling will get a majority of votes, while guys like Rolen and Wagner absolutely deserve to be there, but some voters may think there is too much ‘mediocrity’ or ‘controversy’ surrounding the other selections.”

“I said it last year and I’ll say it again, the Hall should represent the best players not the best people.”

 

Ballot No. 16 – Anonymous Former Colorado Rockies Ballplayer

1. Barry Bonds
2. Roger Clemens
3. Todd Helton
4. Andy Pettitte
5. Manny Ramirez
6. Curt Schilling
7. Gary Sheffield
8. Sammy Sosa
9. Omar Vizquel
10. Billy Wagner

 

Ballot No. 15 – Shane Loux

1. Barry Bonds
2. Roger Clemens
3. Todd Helton
4. Torii Hunter
5. Andy Pettitte
6. Manny Ramirez
7. Sammy Sosa

 

Ballot No. 14 – Anonymous Former Houston Astros Ballplayer

1. Barry Bonds
2. Roger Clemens
3. Todd Helton
4. Andruw Jones
5. Andy Pettitte
6. Scott Rolen
7. Gary Sheffield
8. Sammy Sosa
9. Omar Vizquel
10. Billy Wagner

 

Ballot No. 13 – Anonymous Hall of Famer

“I wouldn’t vote for anybody on the current list of eligibility.”

 

Ballot No. 12 – Seth McClung

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

“I feel that players who ‘cheated’ with PEDs should still be allowed into the Hall of Fame. Though I feel that the controversy should be included in their induction. I feel the same about Pete Rose.”

McClung also feels that the following players who are not currently Hall of Fame eligible should be in the Hall of Fame:

1. Fred McGriff
2. Tommy John
3. Mark McGwire
4. Rafael Palmeiro
5. Pete Rose

 

Ballot No. 11 – Anonymous Former Cincinnati Reds All-Star

1. Barry Bonds
2. Roger Clemens
3. Todd Helton
4. Jeff Kent
5. Manny Ramirez
6. Scott Rolen
7. Curt Schilling
8. Gary Sheffield
9. Omar Vizquel
10. Billy Wagner

 

Ballot No. 10 – Gary Bennett

1. Barry Bonds
2. Roger Clemens
3. Todd Helton
4. Andruw Jones
5. Jeff Kent
6. Scott Rolen
7. Curt Schilling
8. Gary Sheffield
9. Billy Wagner
10. Sammy Sosa

With an unlimited number of votes, Gary would also include:

1. Manny Ramirez

 

Ballot No. 9 – Bucky Jacobsen

1. Barry Bonds
2. Roger Clemens
3. Todd Helton
4. Andruw Jones
5. Manny Ramirez
6. Scott Rolen
7. Curt Schilling
8. Gary Sheffield
9. Sammy Sosa
10. Billy Wagner

 

Ballot No. 8 – Anonymous Former Chicago White Sox All-Star

1. Barry Bonds
2. Roger Clemens
3. Andruw Jones
4. Jeff Kent
5. Manny Ramirez
6. Scott Rolen
7. Gary Sheffield
8. Sammy Sosa
9. Omar Vizquel

 

Ballot No. 7 – Mark Little

1. Barry Bonds
2. Roger Clemens
3. Todd Helton
4. Andruw Jones
5. Jeff Kent
6. Manny Ramirez
7. Scott Rolen
8. Curt Schilling
9. Gary Sheffield
10. Sammy Sosa

 

Ballot No. 6 – Cody Asche

1. Bobby Abreu
2. Barry Bonds
3. Roger Clemens
4. Todd Helton
5. Andruw Jones
6. Manny Ramirez
7. Scott Rolen
8. Curt Schilling
9. Gary Sheffield
10. Sammy Sosa

“A.J. Burnett was a Hall of Fame teammate.”

“If you get to 500 homers, you should be in, no question.”

 

Ballot No. 5 – Anonymous Former Chicago White Sox All-Star

1. Barry Bonds
2. Roger Clemens
3. Andruw Jones
4. Manny Ramirez
5. Scott Rolen
6. Gary Sheffield

 

Ballot No. 4 – Anonymous Former Philadelphia Phillies Ballplayer

1. Barry Bonds
2. Roger Clemens
3. Todd Helton
4. Andruw Jones
5. Jeff Kent
6. Manny Ramirez
7. Curt Schilling
8. Gary Sheffield
9. Sammy Sosa
10. Billy Wagner

 

Ballot No. 3 – Anonymous Former Anaheim Angels Ballplayer

1. Bobby Abreu
2. Barry Bonds
3. Roger Clemens
4. Todd Helton
5. Andruw Jones
6. Manny Ramirez
7. Curt Schilling
8. Gary Sheffield
9. Sammy Sosa
10. Billy Wagner

 

Ballot No. 2 – Anonymous Former Montreal Expos Ballplayer

1. Barry Bonds
2. Roger Clemens
3. Omar Vizquel
4. Billy Wagner

 

Ballot No. 1 – Anonymous Former Pittsburgh Pirates Ballplayer

1. Barry Bonds
2. Roger Clemens
3. Todd Helton
4. Curt Schilling
5. Sammy Sosa
6. Billy Wagner