Casting a Hall of Fame ballot is fun and visiting Cooperstown is a blast, especially in winter when it’s the only game in town.
I’ve been covering baseball since 1988 for the most part. I also covered as far back as 1977, but after a few years, I gave up my baseball writer’s card for a number of years (a big mistake). After 10 years as a member of the Baseball Writers Association of America you can vote for the Hall of Fame.
Every baseball writer is assigned a number on his card. This past season my number was 189, that’s where I stand on the longevity list, but that only counts from 1988 onward. Every year you move up a bit. My 1988 number was 898. By 1998 I had moved up to No. 305. By 2002 I was No. 228. And so it goes.
My ballot has to be faxed to Jack O’Connell, Secretary-Treasurer of the Baseball Writers Association of America (BBWAA) by New Year’s Eve.
I’m telling you all this so you understand that there is experience here. I take my HOF picks seriously, you may not agree with them, but there is a thought process to the picks. Now I am going to give you a chance to have a BBWAA card of your own and make your own selections of the current class.
Here’s the ballot in alphabetical order: X marks the spots of my selections.
Brady Anderson
Harold Baines
Rod Beck
X Bert Blyleven
Dave Concepcion
X Andre Dawson
Shawn Dunston
Chuck Finley
Travis Fryman
X Rich (Goose) Gossage
X Tommy John
David Justice
Chuck Knoblauch
Don Mattingly
Mark McGwire
Jack Morris
Dale Murphy
Robb Nenn
Dave Parker
Tim Raines
X Jim Rice
Jose Rijo
Lee Smith
Todd Stottlemyre
Alan Trammell
There you have it. If I had to rate my picks in order I would go Goose Gossage, Jim Rice, Bert Blyleven, Andre Dawson and Tommy John.
The players I seriously considered but did not vote for this time around were Lee Smith, Tim Raines, Jack Morris, Dale Murphy and Don Mattingly. You can vote up to 10 players.
Here is why I voted for my Fab Five.
Goose Gossage: An easy selection. Many of his 310 saves were Long Saves. Not just an out or an inning, but more than three outs. This is Gossage’s 9th year on the ballot. He led the AL in saves three times. He received Cy Young Award votes in five seasons. He ranks sixth in games finished. He hung on a little too long, 22 seasons, but in a way, I admire him for that. It’s his time now.
Jim Rice: Another no-brainer. Anyone who played the game in Rice’ era knew that he was the most feared hitter of his time. A true power hitter, he could hit to all fields. Played 16 years with the Red Sox and was the AL MVP in 1978. An eight-time All-Star, he led the AL in total bases four times, led the league three times in home runs. In 1978 his total bases of 406 was the most in 30 years, since Stan Musial’s 429 in 1948.
Bert Blyleven: Those who refuse to vote for Blyleven should go to the plate and try to hit his curve ball. Pitched 22 seasons, led the AL in shutouts three times, won 287 games and posted a 3.31 ERA. Eight times he struck out 200-plus. In post-season was 3-0 with a 2.59 ERA and was a member of two World Championship teams. Not his fault he was on a lot of mediocre teams.
Andre Dawson: Just loved the way Hawk played the game. Did everything right and paid the price by beating up his body during his 21-year career. Rookie of the year in 1977. Won eight Gold Gloves was on eight All-Star teams. Led NL outfielders in total chances for three straight seasons (81-83). Thirteen times hit 20-plus home runs. Was there for his team.
Tommy John: The man won 288 games, pitched 26 seasons and Tommy John surgery changed the game. Ranks 24th on the all-time win list, eighth in games started. Tied AL in shutouts in 1966 and ’67 and led in 1980. Sixth on the all-time win list for lefthanders. That’s pretty good.
There you have it, now it’s your turn.
Let me know how you voted.