And Your Cooperstown Class of 2013 is...

Not sure about the rest of you, but I've been waiting for this year's Hall of Fame announcement for, well, the past five years.

 

With all the news surrounding PED use and the "did he" or "didn't he" or "when did he start" or whatever...I think it's pretty fair to concede that this year's election is, probably, the biggest one we've seen in our lifetime.

 

With that said, there was still an announcement Wednesday afternoon and, suffice it to say, it was memorable.

 

So, on July 28, for only the eighth time in history, no one will be enshrined as part of the Class of 2013 along with umpire Hank O’Day, former Yankees owner Jacob Ruppert and 19^thCentury star Deacon White...all of whom were elected by the Pre-Integration Era Committee in December.

Craig Biggio and his 3000-plus hits fell just 39 votes short...collecting 68%.

Here's the break down among the top vote getters.

Craig Biggio (68.2%, first time on ballot)
Jack Morris (67.7%, 66.7% in 2012)
Jeff Bagwell (59.6%, 56.0%)
Mike Piazza (57.8%, first time on ballot)
Tim Raines (52.2%, 48.7%)
Lee Smith (47.8%, 50.6%)
Curt Schilling (38.8%, first time on ballot)
Roger Clemens (37.6%, first time on ballot)
Barry Bonds (36.2%, first time on ballot)
Edgar Martinez (35.9%, 36.5%)
Alan Trammell (33.6%, 36.8%)

Before this year's crop of first timers hit the ballot, the highest profile Hall-worthy players branded with the scarlett "S" for steroids were  Mark McGwire and Rafael Palmeiro.  Suffice it to say...they didn't gain much ground in 2013.  McGwire (19.5% in 2012) garnered 16.9% this year, while  Palmeiro (12.6% last year) earned 8.8%.

In his 15th and final year on the ballot, Dale Murphy saw some awesome support via social media and online, but fell short with just 18.6% of the vote.

A complete breakdown of the 2013 Hall of Fame selection is on the way...believe it! And for a look at the 2013 ballot (by the numbers)...click HERE!

To see how actual numbers stacked up against the much hyped 2013 Hall of Fame Ballot Collecting Gizmo...click HERE.

Cooperstown 2013: Jeff Bagwell

JEFF BAGWELL
Third Yeard on Ballot (2012 - 56.0%)

PLAYING CAREER:
Houston Astros (1991-2005)

ACHIEVEMENTS:
Career batting average of .297. Houston Astros career leader in home runs (449), RBI (1529), walks (1401), runs created (1715). Scored 100 runs or more in eight of nine seasons (1996-2004) and knocked in 100 or more runs in seven of those seasons. 1994 National League MVP when he became the first National Leaguer since Willie Mays in 1955 to finish first or second in batting average, home runs, RBI and runs scored. 1991 National League Rookie of the Year and four-time All-Star (1994, 1996, 1997 and 1999). In 1997, he became the first full-time first baseman to steal 30 bases while hitting 30 home runs.

CASE FOR/AGAINST:
Jeff Bagwell deserves to be in the Hall of Fame. Yes, I know he has only 2314 hits and 449 home runs in fifteen seasons, but, he is worthy. Jeff Bagwell is a four -time All-Star, three-time Silver Slugger Award winner, won the Most Valuable Player in 1994 and finished in the top ten five other times. He is 59th all-time in Wins Above Replacement Player (WAR), 36th all-time in WAR for Position Players and 47th all-time in Offensive WAR. His .408 On-Base Percentage is 41st all-time and his .540 career slugging percentage is 37th all-time. Those together put Bagwell in the Top 25 all-time in OPS. His offensive numbers are in the Top 100 all-time for runs scored, total bases, doubles, home runs, runs batted in, extra base hits, walks and runs created.

He was an offensive machine.

Bagwell is one of six first basemen with 200 steals since 1900. When compared to those already in the Hall of Fame, Bagwell has scored more runs than eleven that are already in. He has more doubles than thirteen, more home runs and runs batted in than ten and a better OPS than eleven already enshrined. Lastly, his career WAR is greater than thirteen players that already reside in Cooperstown. Defensively, he is tenth all-times in games played at first base and has a career fielding percentage of .993. He is second all-time in assists and in the Top 30 all-time in putouts.

While some may argue that the numbers above are not enough to get Bagwell the 75% required to be elected, those with a heart would surely elect Bagwell alongside his “Killer B” teammate Craig Biggio.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Russ Blatt is the Senior Baseball Contributor for 85% Sports. He has been a contributor for 85% Sports and Inside Pulse Sports since 2007. Besides a lifetime baseball fan, he worked for five years in the front office of minor league baseball organizations giving him a unique perspective on the game. His last baseball position was the assistant general manager of an independent baseball organization in California.

And Your Cooperstown Class of 2012 is...

I think it is pretty fair to call 2012 the "calm before the storm" given the headache that the potential Hall of Fame Class of 2013 looks to cause.

You know, 2013...the ballot with Roger Clemens, Barry Bonds and Sammy Sosa.  Yikes!

That said, there was still an announcement Monday afternoon and, suffice it to say, some good, worthy players on the ballot.

And with close to 86 percent of the vote, Barry Larkin has been voted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

I guess the third time really is the charm!

So, on July 22, the longtime Cincinnati Reds shortstop will join "Golden Era" selection Ron Santo, Ford C. Frick Award winner Tim McCarver and J.G. Taylor Spink Award winner Bob Elliott in Cooperstown.

Here's the break down among the top vote getters.

Barry Larkin (86.4%, 62.1% in 2011)
Jack Morris (66.7%, 53.5%)
Jeff Bagwell (56.0%, 41.7%)
Lee Smith (50.6%, 45.3%)
Tim Raines (48.7%, 37.5%)
Alan Trammell (36.8%, 24.3%)
Edgar Martinez (36.5%, 32.9%)

Two potentially Hall-worthy players branded with the scarlett "S" for steroids failed to gain much ground.  Mark McGwire (19.8% in 2011) garnered 19.5% this year.  Rafael Palmeiro (11.0% last year) earned 12.6%.

The year's most notable first ballot player, Bernie Williams, earned 9.6% of the vote.

A complete breakdown of the 2012 Hall of Fame selection is on the way...believe it!  And for a look at the 2012 ballot (by the numbers)...click HERE!


Your 2012 Hall of Fame Class:

BARRY LARKIN
Third Year on Ballot

PLAYING CAREER:  Cincinnati Reds (1986-2004)

ACHIEVEMENTS:  Career batting average of .295, with 2340 hits, 198 home runs, 960 RBI and 379 stolen bases. 1995 National League MVP.  12 All-Star Game appearances (1988-1991, 1993-1997, 1999, 2000 and 2004), 9 Silver Slugger Awards, 3 Gold Gloves and 1990 World Series Champion.

BBA Recommends Barry Larkin and Jeff Bagwell for Hall of Fame

As a longstanding member of the Baseball Bloggers Alliance (BBA), I take great pride in having been able to participate in their Hall of Fame vote the past three years.

This year, the 347 member strong BBA is recommending Barry Larkin and Jeff Bagwell be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame alongside Chicago Cubs legend Ron Santo and broadcaster Tim McCarver this July.

Here's the official word:

In the annual polling of members of the Baseball Bloggers Alliance, former Cincinnati Reds shortstop Barry Larkin and former Houston Astros first baseman Jeff Bagwell were recommended for induction to the Baseball Hall of Fame.  This is the third year the organization has conducted this survey of the membership.

Larkin, a 12-time All-Star who fashioned an .815 OPS over 19 seasons, received the largest percentage of votes, being named on 84.25% of the 148 ballots cast.  This is the highest percentage garnered by any player in the three years of BBA voting.

Bagwell, who hit 449 HR and had a .948 OPS in his 15 seasons in Houston, was selected on 115 ballots for a 78.77% rate.  As with the official voting done by the Baseball Writers of America, a player must be named on 75% of the ballots to be recommended by the alliance.

And since everyone else on the web is throwing their own theoretical picks out there, here are mine (along with links to their Hall of Fame capsules from this site)...Jeff Bagwell, Barry Larkin, Fred McGriff, Tim Raines and Lee Smith.

I really wanted to go with more and, honestly, was surprised that I ended up with only five.  But, unlike the BBWAA...I like to stay consistent.

Take a gander at the complete press release from the BBA and check out how all 27 players fared in the vote by clicking HERE.

Breaking Down the 2012 Hall of Fame Ballot

On Wednesday, the Baseball Writers Association of America announced the upcoming 2012 Hall of Fame ballot.  Included are 27 candidates (down from last year's 33)...13 newcomers and, like last year, 14 holdovers.

Unlike last year, when Roberto Alomar and Bert Blyleven got the obvious call, there are no shoe-ins whatsoever.

Leading the pack of returners is 1995 National League MVP, Barry Larkin...who is on his third ballot.  A year ago, the longtime Cincinnati Reds shortstop finished third overall with 62.1% of the vote.

Other holdovers include Jack Morris (53.5%), Lee Smith (45.3%), Jeff Bagwell (41.7%), Tim  Raines (37.5%), Edgar Martinez (32.9%), Alan Trammell (24.3%), Larry Walker (20.3%), Fred McGriff (17.9%), Don Mattingly (13.6%) and Dale Murphy (12.6%).

Three others, Mark McGwire (19.8%), Rafael Palmeiro (11.0%) and Juan Gonzalez (5.2%) are obviously adorned with the steroid scarlett letter and have about as much of a shot of making it in as you or me.

There are no notable newcomers on the ballot, which makes this a boring, boring ballot.

Leading the pack, however is possibly the most accomplished of the first ballot guys...New York Yankees fan favorite Bernie Williams.

Good friend of The Hall "Bald Vinny" might have Williams on his Yankees Mt. Rushmore, but it isn't likely that the Hall of Fame will welcome him. Sure, his .297 career batting average (including eight straight seasons of .300 or more), 2336 hits and 22 post season home runs are things of recent Yankee lore…but they are nothing but a blip on the radar of what gets mentioned alongside the names of those in Cooperstown

Other notable first ballot guys...Javy Lopez, Ruben Sierra and Vinny Castilla.

It's been a long time, but back in the day, I think we all might have been tempted to make the argument that Lopez was on his way to something. Then, well, the train left the tracks and I'm not really sure what happened to the guy. He ended his career with a respectable .287 batting average and 260 home runs.

20 years ago, Sierra was, along with Hall of Very Good frenemy Jose Canseco, Mark McGwire and Pete Incaviglia, THE future of baseball and you would have been hard pressed to find anyone to agree with you. Now, after 306 home runs and 1322 RBI…he’s an interesting footnote to an era that has long since passed.

Was Castilla a very good hitting third baseman or another one of those who was helped by the much ballyhooed Coors Effect? Both?!? Any way you slice it, his 320 home runs and near perfect hair doesn’t get him through the doors of Cooperstown without paying first.

Rounding out the ballot...Jeromy Burnitz, former two-sport star Brian Jordan, Bill Mueller, Terry Mulholland, Phil Nevin, Brad Radke, 1993 American League Rookie of the Year Tim Salmon, Tony Womack and Eric Young.

Voting results will be announced Monday, January 9.

Cooperstown 2011: Jeff Bagwell

JEFF BAGWELL
First Year on Ballot

PLAYING CAREER:  Houston Astros (1991-2005)

ACHIEVEMENTS:  Career batting average of .297.  Houston Astros career leader in home runs (449), RBI (1,529), walks (1,401), runs created (1,715).  Scored 100 runs or more in eight of nine seasons (1996-2004) and knocked in 100 or more runs in seven of those seasons.  1994 National League MVP when he became the first National Leaguer since Willie Mays in 1955 to finish first or second in batting average, home runs, RBI and runs scored.  1991 National League Rookie of the Year and four-time All-Star (1994, 1996, 1997 and 1999).  In 1997, he became the first full-time first baseman to steal 30 bases while hitting 30 home runs. 

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ON TWITTER:

@wavemike: As much as I'd like Jeff Bagwell be a first-ballot hall-of-famer, I'd really love to see he and Biggio go in together.

@longo10: Jeff Bagwell on the Hall of Fame ballot!!! Greatest Astro ever.

@Rob_Aiello: I think jeff bagwell is a first-ballot hall of famer. One of the games top 1st basemen for years

HOVG THOUGHTS:  Here’s the deal with me and Bagwell…I always admired Bagwell, but was never a huge Bagwell guy until after he hung up his spikes. I respect the heck out of the man for leaving the game after only 15 seasons instead of trying to (physically able to or not) pad his stats. He could have left Houston a number of times. But he chose not to. His .948 OPS is 21st all-time and the only Hall eligible player that is higher on that list and NOT enshrined is Mark McGwire. Dude was the National League Rookie of the Year in 1991 and followed it up three seasons later with the National League MVP award. A career .297 hitter, Bagwell also appeared in four All-Star Games and was twice (yes, TWICE) a 30-30 man. And...he had a bitchin' goatee.

Jeff Bagwell Out as Astros Hitting Coach

Yesterday, the best Astros blog in the country posted the following about former Houston slugger Jeff Bagwell leaving his post as the team's hitting coach:

I guess we need a new hitting coach since Jeff Bagwell won't be returning as hitting coach in 2011.  This is incredibly disappointing, and with (general manager) Ed Wade and (manager) Brad Mills meeting to immediately put together a list of candidates, at least we'll now have something to talk about until the Hall of Fame vote is released in January.

Now...since I've gone on record as being decidedly PRO-Bagwell when it comes to the 2011 Hall of Fame class...it's time to re-iterate my case for him.

Here’s the deal with me and Bagwell…I always admired, but was never a huge Bagwell guy until after he hung up his spikes.  I mean, I respect the Hell out of the man for leaving the game after only 15 seasons. And while injuries and what not might have precluded him to doing so, it is possible that he could have hung around the American League as a DH to pad some numbers to his already bloated 449 home run and 1529 RBI totals.

But he chose not to.

He could have left Houston a number of times.

But he chose not to.

His .948 OPS is 23rd all-time and the only Hall eligible player that is higher on that list and not enshrined is Mark McGwire. Bagwell was the National League Rookie of the Year in 1991 and followed it up three seasons later with the National League MVP award. A career .297 hitter, Bagwell also appeared in four All-Star Games and was twice (yes, twice) a 30-30 man.

And...he had a bitchin' goatee.

You can read Jeff Bagwell and Astros general manager Ed Wade had to say about the Houston legend's decision to move on over at Astros County.

The Hall of Fame Class of 2011

This weekend, the Hall of Fame opens its doors to some new members...Andre Dawson, Whitey Herzog and Doug Harvey.

Of course, its the inclusion of Dawson (and omission of Bert Blyleven and Roberto Alomar) that has everyone buzzing.

After nine years on the ballot, "The Hawk" got his mandatory 75% (77.9% to be exact) last January...and Sunday, he'll be up on the podium addressing his supporters.

One has to wonder what next year will bring. Now, I’ve been saying this for a few years and I’ll say it again…the BBWAA are poised to have their hands full.

Not only will two very popular holdovers (Blyleven received 74.2% and Alomar came in at 73.7%) be on the ballot, but also in the mix will be one guy who was found guilty of taking performance enhancing drugs and another that just about everyone and their mother thinks did.

Add to that combo a few of “good guys”, a prick or two and you’ve got the recipe for a great vote.

Buckle up.

IN.

John Franco.
Why not start with one of the “good guys”? Here’s the rub with Franco, while I believe he is most certainly Hall-worthy…I can’t put him in until Lee Smith gets his number punched. Franco compiled a huge number of saves over his 21 year career. His 424 saves rank him fourth all-time behind Trevor Hoffman, Mariano Rivera and, you guessed it…Smith. He is third in games finished behind, again, Hoffman and Smith. Franco was a four time All-Star and twice brought home the Rolaids Relief Man Award. A quiet closer, he compiled a 90-87 record (decent considering his role…Hoffman’s career mark is 61-72) and a 2.89 ERA.

Jeff Bagwell.
Here’s the deal with me and Bagwell…I always ADMIRED Bagwell, but was never a huge Bagwell guy until AFTER he hung up his spikes. I respect the Hell out of the man for leaving the game after only 15 seasons. He could have very well hung around to pad some numbers to his already bloated 449 home run and 1529 RBI totals. But he chose not to. He could have left Houston a number of times. But he chose not to. His .948 OPS is 23rd all-time and the only Hall eligible player that is higher on that list and NOT enshrined is Mark McGwire. Bagwell was the National League Rookie of the Year in 1991 and followed it up three seasons later with the National League MVP award. A career .297 hitter, Bagwell also appeared in four All-Star Games and was twice (yes, TWICE) a 30-30 man. And...he had a bitchin' goatee.

OUT (in random order).

Kevin Brown.
Brown’s 211-144 record isn’t as impressive as the .594 winning percentage it carries with it. Of course, that is only the tip of the iceberg for the hot and cold hurler. A 3.28 career ERA, 2397 Ks and 13 seasons with ten or more victories makes Brown a hard choice to NOT put on the bubble. One ring, six All-Star Games and seven Gold Gloves…sorry Brown. If David Cone can’t sniff the halls of Cooperstown…you can’t either.

John Olerud.
The College Baseball Hall of Famer and two-time World Champion isn’t going to get much love from Cooperstown. While his .295 career average and 2239 hits is impressive…he was WAY overshadowed by other great first basemen throughout his career. Here’s a fun fact…Olerud is one of only TWO players to hit for the cycle in both leagues. Can you name the other?

Tino Martinez.
Another overshadowed first baseman (and probably rightfully so), Martinez is only mentioned here because there are some out there (I’m looking your way Yankees fans) that think guys like Tino, Bernie Williams and Paul O’Neill deserve a spot up on the wall. But here’s the thing…none of them hold a candle to Don Mattingly, and last year, “Donnie Baseball” couldn’t muster more than 11.9%.

BJ Surhoff, Marquis Grissom, Bret Boone, Al Leiter, 1987 National League Rookie of the Year Benito Santiago, Carlos Baerga, 1994 National League Rookie of the Year Raul Mondesi, Bobby Higginson, Wilson Alvarez, Rey Sanchez, Charles Johnson, Jose Offerman, Ugueth “currently serving a 14-year prison sentence” Urbina, Ismael Valdez, Dan Wilson, Paul Quantrill, Cal Eldred, Kirk Rueter and Steve Reed.

ON THE BUBBLE.

Larry Walker.
Good friend of The HOVG, David Allan is going to KILL me for putting Walker “on the bubble” and Bagwell in the Hall of Fame, so here’s the deal…read what he had to say about Walker back in January and make up your own mind.

Juan Gonzalez.
Possibly the hardest player to characterize on this list is Gonzalez. I’m a fan, through and through. I always bought into the “Juan Gone” hype, the two MVP awards and the monster long balls. His 1996-1999 stretch is, arguably, one of the best of the 90s and in any other era…he’s in. But was the dude clean? Are his numbers going to go the way of McGwire and be pushed to the side in favor of steroid allegations considering some of his teammates?

Which brings me to…

Rafael Palmeiro.
Beautiful mustache or no...it’s hard to look at Palmeiro’s numbers and not get pissed off. 3020 hits, 569 home runs, 1835 RBI…all spectacular, albeit wasted, numbers. His 5388 total bases ranks him tenth all-time and the afore mentioned hits and home runs total makes him one of only FOUR players to have 3000 hits and 500 dongs. That being said, there isn’t a snowball’s chance that a guy who pointed his finger to Congress and proclaimed “I have never used steroids, period” gets in a mere six years after being found guilty of doing the opposite.

All this week, come back for a re-hash of 2012, 2013 and 2014. Also on the horizon...an all new breakdown of the 2015 ballot.

The Hall of Fame Class of 2011

I’ve been saying this for a few years and I’ll say it again…the BBWAA will have their hands full when it comes to the 2011 election.

In the mix will be one guy who was found guilty of taking performance enhancing drugs and another that just about everyone and their mother thinks did. Add to that combo a few of “good guys”, a prick or two and you’ve got the recipe for a great vote.

Buckle up.

IN.

John Franco.
Why not start with one of the “good guys”? Here’s the rub with Franco, while I believe he is most certainly Hall-worthy…I can’t put him in until Lee Smith gets his number punched. Franco compiled a huge number of saves over his 21 year career. His 424 saves rank him fourth all-time behind Trevor Hoffman, Mariano Rivera and, you guessed it…Smith. He is third in games finished behind, again, Hoffman and Smith. Franco was a four time All-Star and twice brought home the Rolaids Relief Man Award. A quiet closer, he compiled a 90-87 record (decent considering his role…Hoffman’s career mark is 57-67) and a 2.89 ERA.

Jeff Bagwell.
Here’s the deal with me and Bagwell…I always ADMIRED Bagwell, but was never a huge Bagwell guy until AFTER he hung up his spikes. I respect the Hell out of the man for leaving the game after only 15 seasons. He could have very well hung around to pad some numbers to his already bloated 449 home run and 1529 RBI totals. But he chose not to. He could have left Houston a number of times. But he chose not to. His .948 OPS is 23rd all-time and the only Hall eligible player that is higher on that list and NOT enshrined is Mark McGwire. Bagwell was the National League Rookie of the Year in 1991 and followed it up three seasons later with the National League MVP award. A career .297 hitter, Bagwell also appeared in four All-Star Games and was twice (yes, TWICE) a 30-30 man. And...he had a bitchin' goatee.

OUT (in random order).

Kevin Brown.
Brown’s 211-144 record isn’t as impressive as the .594 winning percentage it carries with it. Of course, that is only the tip of the iceberg for the hot and cold hurler. A 3.28 career ERA, 2397 Ks and 13 seasons with ten or more victories makes Brown a hard choice to NOT put on the bubble. One ring, six All-Star Games and seven Gold Gloves…sorry Brown. If David Cone can’t sniff the halls of Cooperstown…you can’t either.

John Olerud.
The College Baseball Hall of Famer and two-time World Champion isn’t going to get much love from Cooperstown. While his .295 career average and 2239 hits is impressive…he was WAY overshadowed by other great first basemen throughout his career. Here’s a fun fact…Olerud is one of only TWO players to hit for the cycle in both leagues. Can you name the other?

Tino Martinez.
Another overshadowed first baseman (and probably rightfully so), Martinez is only mentioned here because there are some out there (I’m looking your way Yankees fans) that think guys like Tino, Bernie Williams and Paul O’Neill deserve a spot up on the wall. But here’s the thing…none of them hold a candle to Don Mattingly, and last year, “Donnie Baseball” couldn’t muster more than 11.9%.

BJ Surhoff, Marquis Grissom, Bret Boone, Al Leiter, 1987 National League Rookie of the Year Benito Santiago, Carlos Baerga, 1994 National League Rookie of the Year Raul Mondesi, Bobby Higginson, Wilson Alvarez, Rey Sanchez, Charles Johnson, Jose Offerman, Ugueth “currently serving a 14-year prison sentence” Urbina, Ismael Valdez, Dan Wilson, Paul Quantrill, Cal Eldred, Kirk Rueter and Steve Reed.

ON THE BUBBLE.

Larry Walker.
Good friend of The HOVG, David Allan is going to KILL me for putting Walker “on the bubble” and Bagwell in the Hall of Fame, so here’s the deal…read what he had to say about Walker back in January and make up your own mind.

Juan Gonzalez.
Possibly the hardest player to characterize on this list is Gonzalez. I’m a fan, through and through. I always bought into the “Juan Gone” hype, the two MVP awards and the monster long balls. His 1996-1999 stretch is, arguably, one of the best of the 90s and in any other era…he’s in. But was the dude clean? Are his numbers going to go the way of McGwire and be pushed to the side in favor of steroid allegations considering some of his teammates?

Which brings me to…

Rafael Palmeiro.
Beautiful mustache or no...it’s hard to look at Palmeiro’s numbers and not get pissed off. 3020 hits, 569 home runs, 1835 RBI…all spectacular, albeit wasted, numbers. His 5388 total bases ranks him tenth all-time and the afore mentioned hits and home runs total makes him one of only FOUR players to have 3000 hits and 500 dongs. That being said, there isn’t a snowball’s chance that a guy who pointed his finger to Congress and proclaimed “I have never used steroids, period” gets in a mere six years after being found guilty of doing the opposite.

Yesterday, I looked at the 2010 ballot and in the next couple of days…2012, 2013 and 2014 will be chronicled.