HOF Ballot Announced: Liars, Cheaters, and Scumbags Included

[Madvora]

"Sosa, who finished with 609 home runs, was among those who tested positive in MLB's 2003 anonymous survey"

This is the first I'm hearing of a Sosa positive test. What is this all about?

http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/504102...orts-baseball/

[russ99]

Originally Posted by salty99

So Biggio is getting in twice?

I mean Bagwell.

[doublem23]

Originally Posted by Madvora

"Sosa, who finished with 609 home runs, was among those who tested positive in MLB's 2003 anonymous survey"

This is the first I'm hearing of a Sosa positive test. What is this all about?

http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/504102...orts-baseball/

In 2003, the MLBA agreed to allow players to be anonymously tested to determine the amount of steroid abuse in baseball. About 105 players tested positive, but the results were supposed to be sealed and remain anonymous forever, but it was leaked during some other BALCO-related investigations (I think). Only a handful of the players who tested positive for that survey have been revealed, but it includes guys like Sosa, A-Rod, Manny Ramirez, and David Ortiz.

[WhiteSox5187]

Originally Posted by doublem23

In 2003, the MLBA agreed to allow players to be anonymously tested to determine the amount of steroid abuse in baseball. About 105 players tested positive, but the results were supposed to be sealed and remain anonymous forever, but it was leaked during some other BALCO-related investigations (I think). Only a handful of the players who tested positive for that survey have been revealed, but it includes guys like Sosa, A-Rod, Manny Ramirez, and David Ortiz.

I think that was the test where if a certain percentage of players tested positive MLB would institute steroid testing and if a player declined to be tested it would lead to a positive result, that year the White Sox declined to be tested because they WANTED testing. I think that that ring was led by Frank Thomas and Paul Konerko, of course the Player's Union later talked them out of it.

[kittle42]

Best comment I have seen thus far on the juicers not getting in:

"Who cares? The integrity of the Hall was forever compromised when they enshrined Ron Santo."

[RKMeibalane]

Originally Posted by comiskey2000

No doubt Frank was a classic DH, but he gets very little credit for playing 971 games at first base.

And was a better first baseman than most people realize. Yes, he did botch routine plays on occasion, but I remember him also making plays around the bag that I've never seen duplicated by anyone. Ironically, his playing first base was never a big deal until after 1998, when he started DH'ing full-time. The situation was compounded in 2003 following idiotic comments by Jerry Manuel, after Thomas expressed interest in playing 1B more often.



"I can't imagine any reason short of an emergency for playing Frank at first base."

[kittle42]

Originally Posted by RKMeibalane

but I remember him also making plays around the bag that I've never seen duplicated by anyone.

That's because every other 1B in history could actually get off the bag.

[CoopaLoop]

Hopefully Maddux and Glavine bury Morris forever next season. I am tired about hearing how that guy is a hall of famer.

[RKMeibalane]

Originally Posted by kittle42

That's because every other 1B in history could actually get off the bag.

Touche.

[A. Cavatica]

Originally Posted by russ99

I'm thinking it's going to be Maddux and Biggio next year, and then Glavine, Thomas and Biggio the year after.

What about the year after that? Do you think Biggio has a chance to make it three in a row?

[PKalltheway]

Originally Posted by CoopaLoop

Hopefully Maddux and Glavine bury Morris forever next season. I am tired about hearing how that guy is a hall of famer.

Yeah, it seems like the longer he hangs around on the ballot, the more people feel sorry for him and give him a pity vote. Shoot, you've had 14 years to think about it, plus the five years after his retirement when he became eligible. If you're at 19 years and still haven't made up your mind about him, then maybe, just maybe, he doesn't belong. Mercy...

[RKMeibalane]

Originally Posted by PKalltheway

Yeah, it seems like the longer he hangs around on the ballot, the more people feel sorry for him and give him a pity vote. Shoot, you've had 14 years to think about it, plus the five years after his retirement when he became eligible. If you're at 19 years and still haven't made up your mind about him, then maybe, just maybe, he doesn't belong. Mercy...

You've outlined my "litmus test" for determining whether a player belongs in the HOF. If you have to think about it, he doesn't belong there.

[chicagowhitesox1]

Originally Posted by RKMeibalane

You've outlined my "litmus test" for determining whether a player belongs in the HOF. If you have to think about it, he doesn't belong there.

I believe in this too and i'm a small hof kinda guy but Bert Blyleven is a rare exception to this. He was better than Nolan Ryan, Don Sutton, Catfish Hunter, Fergie Jenkins and Phil Niekro. Those are just guys from his era who are in the hall. Jenkins and Niekro are pretty close to him though.

[Zakath]

Originally Posted by A. Cavatica

What about the year after that? Do you think Biggio has a chance to make it three in a row?

Maybe he gets in the first time as a catcher, the second time at 2B, and third in the outfield.

Shame the guy didn't get in. 20 years with the same team, 3,060 hits, lifetime .281 hitter, 4 Gold Gloves, 5 Silver Sluggers, 7 All-Star teams.

An interesting stat for him: First player in MLB history to play an entire 162-game schedule and never hit into a double play (did it in 1997).

[TheVulture]

Originally Posted by RKMeibalane

And was a better first baseman than most people realize. Yes, he did botch routine plays on occasion, but I remember him also making plays around the bag that I've never seen duplicated by anyone. Ironically, his playing first base was never a big deal until after 1998, when he started DH'ing full-time. The situation was compounded in 2003 following idiotic comments by Jerry Manuel, after Thomas expressed interest in playing 1B more often.

If I remember correctly, the main problem with Frank in the field was he seemed to catch a case of Knoblauchitis, couldn't go to second without throwing the ball into left field.