2016 HOF class

rtimmer

Well the ballots are cast and the announcement comes out next week Jan 6th I believe. Here's my bold prediction these two below will be announced.




Clearly both had first ballot numbers. I think the reason they actually get in this year was Mike Piazza getting so close last year and likely in this year. I think a lot of writers were against letting in the tainted players when Bonds and Clemens were on their early ballots, but I think this year a lot of writers will decide that if Piazza is let in then Bonds and Clemens certainly should be there too. We will see shortly anyway.

graygator

Early publicly released voting would suggest otherwise. HOF Ballot Tracker. Though it does look like Bagwell and Raines are going to be very close or get in this year, and that Bonds and Clemens are making gains. Griffey (obviously) and Piazza look like locks at this point. I'm pulling for all of them.

VictorLaszlo

Griffey and Piazza are locks. Piazza was a first ballot guy if not for random sanctimony by the usual suspects. Bagwell will be close.

lahmejoon

My prediction would be that their vote percentage goes up, but only mid to high 40's.

DanBessette

Originally posted by: lahmejoon

My prediction would be that their vote percentage goes up, but only mid to high 40's.

Mine too. And I don't think they should get in.



My prediction is only Piazza and Griffey get in, but Raines and Bagwell get close.



Edited to add: It's a shame a beautiful Puckett rack was marred by Clemens

vols1

Neither will get in as long as they are denial.

craig44

I still don't get the roger Clemens thing. He was accused by one unsavory person with no physical evidence, but the public is convinced he juiced. I don't get it.

DanBessette

He was washed up in his last couple of years in Boston, then suddenly he's Better than ever in his mid and late 30s, and even better than that at 43 and 44 years old

craig44

Actually his rate stats and strikeout numbers were very good during his last few years in Boston. Back then though, win loss records were looked at as very important and Clemens run support was not great in the mid 90's and his w/l records reflected that.

lightningboy

He was washed up in his last couple of years in Boston, then suddenly he's Better than ever in his mid and late 30s, and even better than that at 43 and 44 years old


You could say the same thing about Nolan Ryan. Dont hear too much about him juicing

49ersGuy

In my opinion Nolan got very lucky. He was gone from the game before the spotlight could be cast on him. He was almost guaranteed a juicer and more than likely was influential to those who juiced after. The guys career arc definitely points to it. 1986-87 is most likely when he started using steroid full-time.

DanBessette

Originally posted by: craig44

Actually his rate stats and strikeout numbers were very good during his last few years in Boston. Back then though, win loss records were looked at as very important and Clemens run support was not great in the mid 90's and his w/l records reflected that.

I'm just going off memory, but wasn't his ERA pretty bad those last 2 seasons in Boston?

Tomi

Originally posted by: craig44
I still don't get the roger Clemens thing. He was accused by one unsavory person with no physical evidence, but the public is convinced he juiced. I don't get it.

In this day and age I would most likely agree with the p.e.d. supplier than the athlete who denies it. If I remember correctly Clemens' trainer (drug dealer) had a syringe with Clemens' blood still on it that was tested and came back positive but the courts would not allow it as evidence. The greatest pitchers that ever pitched before him all faded at the age that he started to get better. These p.e.d. suppliers don't really have anything to gain by pointing their fingers at the athletes they supply. We all remember how everyone bashed Canseco in the beginning but was vindicated later. Not a single lawsuit was filed against him.

BLUEJAYWAY

There is a bit of irony in the fact that Piazza makes the HOF before Clemens. What with the beaning (scarey sight) of Piazza by Clemens, and the Clemens broken bat tossing at Piazza. Some might call it Karma.

craig44

Warren spahn, nolan ryan and Randy Johnson would disagree, so there is precedent for older pitchers being effective. There was an alleged syringe that was stored inside an old beer can for what that was worth. Never tested as far as I know. And canseco said he believed Clemens was clean in the first book. Don't really have a horse in the race, just don't understand how one person's allegations can kill a hall of fame election.

sportscardstop

Originally posted by: craig44
I still don't get the roger Clemens thing. He was accused by one unsavory person with no physical evidence, but the public is convinced he juiced. I don't get it.

The thing that put me over the top on Clemens was Andy Pettitte. He said that Clemens told him he used HGH back in 1999-2000. Pettitte was one of Clemens best friends I believe. Why would he lie under oath about it? It makes no sense. Clemens says Pettitte "misremembered".

craig44

Actually, Pettitte said he misremembered

saucywombat

I'd be excited to see Tim Raines in.he was my first baseball hero growing up because he stole so many bases and the expo uniforms looked cool.



The first card I ever purchased as a single was his Topps RC in 88 or so at the Market in Charleston (at the time there were no card stores)



I think I paid $7.50

RookieWax

Originally posted by: saucywombat
I'd be excited to see Tim Raines in.he was my first baseball hero growing up because he stole so many bases and the expo uniforms looked cool.

The first card I ever purchased as a single was his Topps RC in 88 or so at the Market in Charleston (at the time there were no card stores)

I think I paid $7.50

I totally agree on this. I bought an Expos jersey and cap back in the 1980s.
And I have always liked the look and color combo of the 1981 Topps Traded Raines. It is one of the more eye-appealing cards from that era.

garnettstyle

Put Raines in the hall already.