ORIOLES 101

Orioles101 is taking a break from our Baltimore Orioles top ten prospects list to visit  what will be the most intriguing and important elections for the baseball Hall of Fame in its history as a huge slew of "steroid era" players are on the ballot for the first time.

Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY

It is going to be interesting to see how the Baseball Writers Association of America will vote this year with so many big names and even bigger accomplishments on the ballot. We saw in 2007 that the voters are not fond of the "steroid era" players as Mark McGwire only received 23.5% of the votes, when 75% is needed to get into the Hall.

Let's take a look at some of the names and their accomplishments on this year's ballot:

• Barry Bonds – He will be one of, if not the biggest controversial candidate on the ballot as he is the all time leader in career home runs with 762 and a record seven MVP awards.
• Roger Clemens – The only person on the ballot that could compete with Bonds as most controversial, especially after the acquittal earlier this year. Clemens finished his career with 354 wins and a record seven Cy Young awards.
• Sammy Sosa – Not as controversial because if McGwire didn't get it, Sosa is not getting in. Sosa finished his career with 609 homers and is the only player in history to hit 60 or more dingers in three seperate seasons.
• Curt Schilling – Also a bit of controversy here, but in my opinion, his numbers are not Hall of Fame worthy anyway, he finished his career with 216 wins, and if not for "the bloody sock" I do not think we are even having this conversation.
• Craig Biggio – No controversy here regarding steroids (to our knowledge), and has 3,060 career hits. Biggio would be one of the two players that I consider a lock to be elected this year.
• Mike Piazza – My other lock to get in, Piazza rewrote the record books in regards to catchers as he retired with 427 homers, 396 of which came when he was behind the plate, an all time record for catchers.
• Jack Morris – My sentimental pick, as Morris is on the ballot for the 14th time, and I firmly believe he belongs in the Hall of Fame. Jack had 254 wins, including 162 in the American League in the 1980's, which was more than any other pitcher in that time frame….dominance.
• For a the entire players list on the 2013 Hall of Fame ballot, click here.

The Baseball Writers Association of America definitely has their hands full with this year's ballot and it will certainly be scrutinized no matter what. In order to be elected into the Hall of Fame, a player must be on 75% of the ballots and voters can name up to ten players on their ballot. The results will be announced on January 9th, and you do not have to ask, I will be watching. Orioles101 would love to hear your views on this year's ballot, let your voice be heard by posting a comment.

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Tags: Baltimore, Baltimore Orioles, Barry Bonds, Baseball, Hall of Fame, Mike Piazza, MLB, Roger Clemens, Sammy Sosa

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