Digesting 2019 Hall of Fame Voting

Now that we’ve all had a moment to breathe, let’s take a closer look at the 2019 Hall of Fame voting.

Mariano Rivera got in, which was obviously expected. But what was not expected was that he got in unanimously. But it makes sense. He is the greatest of all time at his position. How could you vote against him? The only argument is if someone thinks that relievers should not be in Cooperstown. But that cow is out of the barn. And now that the unanimous thing is also out of the barn, expect Derek Jeter to be the next player to get every vote next year. Stupid Yankees.

Speaking of stupid and the Yankees, Mike Mussina also got in. And by the skin of his teeth with 76%. Mussina is continuing the trend of electing very good players. The Hall of Fame is no longer for the elite, which is sad.

Speaking of being only very good, Edgar Martinez got in with 85% on his final time on the ballot. He was a fine hitter, but his career stats do not measure up to the greats. But as I said, this is no longer the Hall of Fame that it used to be.

And finally, Roy Halladay was also elected with 85% of the vote in his first year on the ballot. His tragic death assured his election, but he probably would have gotten in, anyway.

As for the also rans, Curt Schilling got 60% of the vote, up 9% over last year. He and Mussina always received roughly the same amount of votes until Schilling shot himself in the foot with his nonsense. He will get in someday.

Roger Clemens and Barry Bonds each got 59%, up a few points from last year. They each have three years left; their election, which seemed eventual a few years ago, may be in doubt.

Larry Walker made a 20% jump to 54%. Could he pull off a Martinez and get in next year on his final ballot? Maybe.

But it is over for Fred McGriff, getting nearly 40% in his last appearance on the ballot. But he will get in through Veterans Committee someday; if Harold Baines is in, McGriff should be in (not to mention Carlos Delgado, both with better numbers than Baines).

Billy Wagner continues to be overlooked with 16%. And Todd Helton saw little support in his first time, also with 16%. Andy Pettitte’s first time was also a disappointment for him with barely 10%. Fitting for a PED liar.

Speaking of PEDs, Gary Sheffield and Sammy Sosa both stayed on the ballot with 13% and 8%, respectively. I know everyone has their own criteria, but I do not understand how you can vote for Bonds and Clemens and not these two (especially Sosa). All of them are cheaters (and Sheffield may have only used inadvertently thanks to his pal Bonds) — either vote for all or none.

So there it is. Next year Jeter is the only notable first-timer with a real shot at getting in. Could that open the door for Bonds and Clemens? Stay tuned.