BBF Mock HoF Election: 2005

[DoubleX]

Welcome to Baseball Fever's Mock HoF Election for 2005. The goal of this project is to conduct Hall of Fame elections from 1979-2007, as if we were the BBWAA, and then compare our results to the actual BBWAA results. For the most part, we will proceed just like BBWAA does. 1979 was selected as the start year because that is when the BBWAA elections first implemented the 5% rule (though it was not always adhered to).

This post will provide three things:

1) The Format and Rules

2) A Guide for the 2005 Election


Format and Rules
- The BBF ballot will consist of the same players that were on the BBWAA ballot, except for in instances where we have elected, dropped, or sustained on the ballot different players than the BBWAA (which will likely be quite a few).

- Voters may vote for between 0-10 candidates. A "None of the Above" option is available if you believe no one is worthy and you wish to submit a blank ballot.

- Adjusting Ballots: Anyone who votes for more than 10 candidates will have all their votes discounted unless they inform me within 48 hours of submitting their vote (or the close of the election, whichever comes first) of the mistake and which players they wish to discount. In such a situation, if I am not informed of the players to be dropped, I will discount that voter's entire ballot. If a voter habitually submits a ballot with more than 10 players, they risk having their votes discounted in all present and future elections. Otherwise, there will be no adjusting ballots after submitted, even if you forgot to vote for someone you meant to vote for or clicked on the wrong player. So please think carefully about your ballot before voting and make sure you have selected everyone you intend to vote for (up to 10).

- 75% support or greater will elect a player. Players receiving less than 5% will be dropped from all future elections (even if in reality, that player was included in future BBWAA elections). Players receiving 5% or more but less than 75% will stay on the ballot for the next election, unless that player's 15-year eligibility is over.

- The election will close exactly a week after it started. The next election might not commence for another day or two.

- IMPORTANT: There is some concern about voters defrauding this process by voting with multiple screen names. First, please don't as there is really no point and it takes the fun out of this which is to see how we come out, more than it being a heated competition to get your player elected. Nevertheless, to take precaution against the possibility of a voter abusing the process, votes will be made public, so if we see unfamiliar screen names casting similar ballots, we'll see cause for concern, and if the concern proves to be founded, some form of punitive action could follow. So basically, ONE PERSON = ONE BALLOT. Anything else is really just moronic and defeats the purpose.

- Also, in the interest of making this process as genuine as possible, I strongly urge voters to not view the results before they vote, as viewing results before voting could influence a person's votes (perhaps subconsciously).

- This thread is also meant to be a discussion thread, so please feel free to stump for and/or against players, including players that will come up for election in the following year.


2004 Guide
There are 35 candidates on the 2005 BBF ballot. Here's some information regarding the candidates:

First Timers (12)
Jim Abbott
Wade Boggs
Tom Candiotti
Chili Davis
Mark Langston
Jack McDowell
Willie McGee
Jeff Montgomery
Otis Nixon
Tony Phillips
Terry Steinbach
Darryl Strawberry

Holdovers (23)
Player Year of Eligibility High BBF Support Previous Year’s BBF Support
Joe Carter 2nd 8.33% (2004) 8.33%
Andre Dawson 4th 58.33% (2004) 58.33%
Dennis Eckersley 2nd 72.22% (2004) 72.22%
Darrell Evans 11th 35.14% (1997) 19.44%
Dwight Evans 9th 24.32% (1997) 11.11%
Steve Garvey 13th 24.32% (1997) 19.44%
Bobby Grich 14th 55.88% (1998) 47.22%
Keith Hernandez 10th 47.06% (1998) 27.78%
Tommy John 11th 30.23% (1995) 11.11%
Fred Lynn 10th 18.92% (1997) 11.11%
Jack Morris 6th 25.00% (2000) 11.11%
Dale Murphy 7th 58.33% (2000/2004) 58.33%
Dave Parker 9th 40.54% (1997) 25.00%
Tony Perez 14th 48.15% (2002) 36.11%
Kirby Puckett 5th 66.67% (2002) 61.11%
Dan Quisenberry 10th 35.29% (1998) 30.56%
Jim Rice 11th 50.00% (1998) 30.56%
Ted Simmons 12th 74.07% (2002) 72.22%
Lee Smith 3rd 21.21% (2003) 8.33%
Dave Stieb 2nd 5.56% (2004) 5.56%
Bruce Sutter 12th 44.19% (1995) 30.56%
Alan Trammell 4th 69.70% (2003) 69.44%
Lou Whitaker 5th 63.64% (2003) 47.22%

Last Year of Eligibility (0)
None

Penultimate Year of Eligibility (0)
Bobby Grich
Tony Perez

Actual Hall of Famers on BBF Ballot (5))
Wade Boggs (BBWAA – 2005)
Dennis Eckersley (BBWAA – 2004)
Tony Perez (BBWAA – 2000)
Kirby Puckett (BBWAA - 2001)
Bruce Sutter (BBWAA - 2006)

Players on BBF Ballot not on BBWAA Ballot (13)
Joe Carter – Dropped by BBWAA (2004)
Dennis Eckersley – Elected by BBWAA (2004)
Darrell Evans – Dropped by BBWAA (1995)
Dwight Evans – Dropped by BBWAA (1999)
Bobby Grich – Dropped by BBWAA (1992)
Keith Hernandez – Dropped by BBWAA (2004)
Fred Lynn – Dropped by BBWAA (1997)
Tony Perez – Elected by BBWAA (2000)
Kirby Puckett – Elected by BBWAA (2001)
Dan Quisenberry – Dropped by BBWAA (1996)
Ted Simmons – Dropped by BBWAA (1994)
Dave Stieb – Dropped by BBWAA (2004)
Lou Whitaker – Dropped by BBWAA (2001)

Players on BBWAA Ballot not on BBF Ballot (6)
Bert Blyleven – Elected by BBF (1998)
Dave Concepcion – Dropped by BBF (1999)
Goose Gossage – Elected by BBF (2000)
Don Mattingly – Dropped by BBF (2002)
Ryne Sandberg – Elected by BBF (2003)

Players Elected by BBF between 1979-2004 (47)
Player BBF Election Year BBF Election Percentage Year on Ballot
Hank Aaron 1982 100.00% 1st
Dick Allen 1985 75.00% 3rd
Luis Aparicio 1990 76.47% 12th
Richie Ashburn 1979 75.41% 12th (1st for BBF)
Johnny Bench 1989 95.12% 1st
Bert Blyleven 1998 82.35% 1st
George Brett 1999 96.97% 1st
Lou Brock 1988 76.19% 4th
Rod Carew 1991 86.05% 1st
Gary Carter 1998 82.35% 1st
Steve Carlton 1994 94.12% 1st
Orlando Cepeda 1984 79.03% 5th
Don Drysdale 1983 79.03% 9th (5th for BBF)
Rollie Fingers 1991 76.47% 4th
Carlton Fisk 1999 93.94% 1st
Bob Gibson 1981 89.83% 1st
Goose Gossage 2000 80.56% 1st
Reggie Jackson 1993 97.62% 1st
Fergie Jenkins 1989 82.93% 1st
Al Kaline 1980 90.32% 1st
Harmon Killebrew 1981 93.22% 1st
Juan Marichal 1981 79.66% 1st
Willie Mays 1979 98.36% 1st
Willie McCovey 1986 100.00% 1st
Minnie Minoso 1990 76.47% 5th
Paul Molitor 2004 83.33% 1st
Joe Morgan 1990 88.24% 1st
Eddie Murray 2003 87.88% 1st
Phil Niekro 1993 80.85% 1st
Jim Palmer 1990 80.39% 1st
Gaylord Perry 1989 80.49% 1st
Brooks Robinson 1983 88.71% 1st
Frank Robinson 1982 100.00% 1st
Nolan Ryan 1999 93.94% 1st
Ryne Sandberg 2003 87.88% 1st
Ron Santo 1980 82.26% 1st
Mike Schmidt 1995 95.35% 1st
Tom Seaver 1992 97.62% 1st
Ozzie Smith 2002 81.58% 1st
Duke Snider 1979 83.61% 10th (1st for BBF)
Willie Stargell 1988 88.10% 1st
Don Sutton 1996 78.95% 3rd
Hoyt Wilhelm 1979 77.05% 2nd (1st for BBF)
Billy Williams 1982 80.00% 1st
Dave Winfield 2002 92.59% 2nd
Carl Yastrzemski 1989 92.68% 1st
Robin Yount 1999 93.94% 1st

Players Elected by BBF by Position
Catcher (3): Johnny Bench, Gary Carter, Carlton Fisk
First Base (5): Dick Allen, Orlando Cepeda, Harmon Killebrew, Willie McCovey, Eddie Murray
Second Base (3): Rod Carew, Joe Morgan, Ryne Sandberg
Shortstop (3): Luis Aparicio, Ozzie Smith, Robin Yount
Third Base (4): George Brett, Brooks Robinson, Ron Santo, Mike Schmidt
Left Field (5): Lou Brock, Minnie Minoso, Willie Stargell, Billy Williams, Carl Yastrzemski
Center Field (3): Richie Ashburn, Willie Mays, Duke Snider
Right Field (5): Hank Aaron, Reggie Jackson, Al Kaline, Frank Robinson, Dave Winfield
Designated Hitter (1): Paul Molitor

Starting Pitcher (12): Bert Blyleven, Steve Carlton, Don Drysdale, Bob Gibson, Fergie Jenkins, Juan Marichal, Phil Niekro, Jim Palmer, Gaylord Perry, Nolan Ryan, Tom Seaver, Don Sutton
Relief Pitcher (3): Rollie Fingers, Goose Gossage, Hoyt Wilhelm

Players Elected by BBWAA between 1979-2004 (43)
Player BBWAA Election Year BBWAA Election Percentage Year on Ballot
Hank Aaron 1982 97.83% 1st
Luis Aparicio 1984 84.62% 6th
Johnny Bench 1989 96.42% 1st
George Brett 1999 98.19% 1st
Lou Brock 1985 79.75% 1st
Rod Carew 1991 90.52% 1st
Steve Carlton 1994 95.61% 1st
Gary Carter 2003 78.00% 6th
Don Drysdale 1984 78.41% 10th
Rollie Fingers 1992 81.16% 2nd
Dennis Eckersley 2004 83.20% 1st
Carlton Fisk 2000 79.56% 1st
Bob Gibson 1981 84.04% 1st
Catfish Hunter 1987 76.27% 3rd
Reggie Jackson 1993 93.62% 1st
Fergie Jenkins 1991 75.40% 3rd
Al Kaline 1980 88.31% 1st
Harmon Killebrew 1984 83.13% 4th
Juan Marichal 1983 83.69% 3rd
Willie Mays 1979 94.68% 1st
Willie McCovey 1986 81.41% 1st
Paul Molitor 2004 85.20% 1st
Joe Morgan 1990 81.76% 1st
Eddie Murray 2003 85.30% 1st
Phil Niekro 1997 80.34% 5th
Jim Palmer 1990 92.57% 1st
Tony Perez 2000 77.15% 1st
Gaylord Perry 1991 77.20% 3rd
Kirby Puckett 2001 82.10% 1st
Brooks Robinson 1983 91.98% 1st
Frank Robinson 1982 89.10% 1st
Nolan Ryan 1999 98.79% 1st
Mike Schmidt 1995 96.52% 1st
Tom Seaver 1992 98.84% 1st
Ozzie Smith 2002 91.70% 1st
Duke Snider 1980 86.49% 11th
Willie Stargell 1988 82.44% 1st
Don Sutton 1998 81.61% 5th
Hoyt Wilhelm 1985 83.80% 8th
Billy Williams 1987 85.71% 6th
Dave Winfield 2001 84.50% 1st
Carl Yastrzemski 1989 94.63% 1st
Robin Yount 1999 77.46% 1st

BBF/BBWAA Election Ratio
47:43

Players Elected by Year between 1979-2002 (BBF and BBWAA)
Year BBF (44) BBWAA (39)
1979 Richie Ashburn Willie Mays
Duke Snider
Hoyt Wilhelm
Willie Mays
1980 Al Kaline Al Kaline
Ron Santo Duke Snider
1981 Bob Gibson Bob Gibson
Harmon Killebrew
Juan Marichal
1982 Hank Aaron Hank Aaron
Frank Robinson Frank Robinson
Billy Williams
1983 Don Drysdale Juan Marichal
Brooks Robinson Brooks Robinson
1984 Orlando Cepeda Luis Aparicio
Don Drysdale
Harmon Killebrew
1985 Dick Allen Lou Brock
Hoyt Wilhelm
1986 Willie McCovey Willie McCovey
1987 None Caftish Hunter
Billy Williams
1988 Lou Brock Willie Stargell
Willie Stargell
1989 Johnny Bench Johnny Bench
Fergie Jenkins Carl Yastrzemski
Gaylord Perry
Carl Yastrzemski
1990 Luis Aparicio Joe Morgan
Minnie Minoso Jim Palmer
Joe Morgan
Jim Palmer
1991 Rod Carew Rod Carew
Fergie Jenkins
Gaylord Perry
1992 Tom Seaver Rollie Fingers
Tom Seaver
1993 Reggie Jackson Reggie Jackson
Phil Niekro
1994 Steve Carlton Steve Carlton
Rollie Fingers
1995 Mike Schmidt Mike Schmidt
1996 Don Sutton None
1997 None Phil Niekro
1998 Bert Blyeven Don Sutton
Gary Carter
1999 George Brett George Brett
Carlton Fisk Nolan Ryan
Nolan Ryan Robin Yount
Robin Yount
2000 Goose Gossage Carlton Fisk
Tony Perez
2001 None Kirby Puckett
Dave Winfield
2002 Ozzie Smith Ozzie Smith
Dave Winfield
2003 Eddie Murray Eddie Murray
Ryne Sandberg Gary Carter
2004 Paul Molitor Dennis Eckersley
Paul Molitor

Players Elected by BBF but not BBWAA between 1979-2004 (8)
Dick Allen (1985)
Richie Ashburn (1979)
Bert Blyleven (1998)
Orlando Cepeda (1984)
Goose Gossage (2000)
Minnie Minoso (1990)
Ryne Sandberg (2003)
Ron Santo (1980)

Players Elected by BBWAA but not BBF between 1979-2004 (4)
Dennis Eckersley (2004)
Catfish Hunter (1987)
Tony Perez (2000)
Kirby Puckett (2001)

Players Dropped by BBF After 15 Years on Ballot (22)
Player Year Dropped High BBF Support
Sal Bando 2001 19.57% (1987)
Bobby Bonds 2001 28.26% (1987)
Ken Boyer 1989 33.33% (1986)
Jim Bunning 1991 69.57% (1987)
Norm Cash 1994 20.95% (1994)
Curt Flood 1991 16.28% (1991)
Nellie Fox 1985 67.31% (1985)
Bill Freehan 1996 50.00 (1996)
Gil Hodges 1983 27.42% (1980/1983)
Frank Howard 1993 30.95% (1993)
Catfish Hunter 1999 39.53% (1991)
Jim Kaat 2003 34.88% (1995)
Ted Kluszewski 1981 9.68% (1980)
Bill Mazeroski 1992 50.00% (1992)
Don Newcombe 1980 12.90% (1980)
Tony Oliva 1996 36.96% (1987)
Red Schoendienst 1983 25.81% (1983)
Enos Slaughter 1979 45.90% (1979)
Reggie Smith 2002 27.91% (1991)
Luis Tiant 2002 40.48% (1988)
Joe Torre 1997 62.16% (1997)
Jimmy Wynn 1997 34.62% (1985)

Players Heldover by BBF but Dropped Before Eligibility Ended (21)
Player (Year Dropped) Years on Ballot High BBF Support
Vida Blue (1993) 2 11.90% (1992)
Dave Concepcion (1999) 6 17.65% (1994)
Rick Dempsey (1999) 2 5.88% (1998)
George Foster (2003) 12 14.29% (1992)
Ron Guidry (2000) 7 18.92% (1997)
Willie Horton (1988) 3 6.52% (1987)
Elston Howard (1981) 8 (3 for BBF) 11.29% (1980)
Don Larsen (1980) 7 (2 for BBF) 6.56% (1979)
Sparky Lyle (1989) 2 7.14% (1988)
Roger Maris (1982) 9 (4 for BBF) 16.13% (1979)
Don Mattingly (2002) 2 13.51% (2001)
Thurman Munson (1989) 9 17.39% (1987)
Graig Nettles (2002) 9 27.78% (2000)
Al Oliver (1993) 3 11.63% (1991)
Amos Otis (1991) 2 5.88% (1990)
Lance Parrish (2002) 2 8.11% (2001)
Vada Pinson (1983) 3 13.56% (1981)
Boog Powell (1992) 10 17.74% (1984)
Rusty Staub (1992) 2 6.98% (1991)
Gene Tenace (1992) 4 7.32% (1989)
Maury Wills (1990) 12 (11 for BBF) 16.13% (1984)

Number of Ballots Submitted in Past BBF Elections
1979: 61
1980: 62
1981: 59
1982: 55
1983: 62
1984: 62
1985: 52
1986: 51
1987: 46
1988: 42
1989: 41
1990: 51
1991: 43
1992: 42
1993: 42
1994: 34
1995: 42
1996: 38
1997: 37
1998: 34
1999: 33
2000: 36
2001: 37
2002: 27
2003: 33
2004: 36

Links to Past BBF Elections
1979 (http://www.baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=56114&highlight=Mock+Election)
1980 (http://www.baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=56470&highlight=Mock+Election)
1981 (http://www.baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=56809&highlight=Mock+Election)
1982 (http://www.baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=57089&highlight=Mock+Election)
1983 (http://www.baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=57376)
1984 (http://www.baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=57694)
1985 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=58020)
1986 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=58308)
1987 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=58590)
1988 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=58882)
1989 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=59147)
1990 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=59516)
1991 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=59900)
1992 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=60287)
1993 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=60589)
1994 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=60982)
1995 (http://www.baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=61296)
1996 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=61617)
1997 (http://www.baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=62106)
1998 (http://www.baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=62481)
1999 (http://www.baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=63012)
2000 (http://www.baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=63473)
2001 (http://www.baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=64011)
2002 (http://www.baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?p=952844#post952844)
2003 (http://www.baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=64872)
2004 (http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=65361)

[DoubleX]

A few notes as this election begins:

- PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, review your ballot carefully before submitting. Mistakes do happen, but the rules are the rules and are unforgiving when it comes to mistakes. Just last election, mistakes were the difference between both Dennis Eckersley and Ted Simmons being elected. I'm pretty confident that Eckersley will get elected at some point, but time is running out on Simmons and he's been toting the line for the last few years.

- This election is headlined by Wade Boggs.

- There are just two years left for Bobby Grich and Tony Perez. I'm amazed how stagnated support has been for both.

[MadHatter]

My fingers are crossed that Dale Murphy gets in this year!

[KCGHOST]

Boggs
Eckersley
Puckett
Quisenberry
Trammell
Whitaker

[Senor Octobre]

Boggs
Eckersley
Grich
Hernandez
Murphy
Puckett
Quisenberry
Simmons
Trammell
Whitaker

[2Chance]

Dawson
Evans & Evans
Grich
Murphy
Parker
Simba
Sutter
Trammell & Whitaker

Coupla notes:
Oops. Missed Boggs. Don't think it's going to hurt him any.

I would have liked to vote for Perez.

I thought it was odd that Jack Morris has twice the support that Dave Steib had (4 votes to 2), considering every time somebody brings up Morris' candidacy somebody else automatically says, "but Steib was actually better."

[John Shoemaker]

My fingers are crossed that Dale Murphy gets in this year!

I'll cross my fingers too.

[Erik Bedard]

Wade Boggs
Dennis Eckersley
Bobby Grich
Dale Murphy
Tony Perez
Kirby Puckett
Dan Quisenberry
Ted Simmons
Alan Trammell
Lou Whitaker

[THE OX]

Man, this is a fine group of candidates. I voted for 10 and could have gone for another two!

[DoubleX]

I think it's interesting that Eckersley isn't getting more support. What's the case against him?

[Brad Harris]

Just today completed a re-evaluation of Eckersley in contrast to contemporary starters and relievers. Though I found Eck Hall-worthy, he's not made my top ten since debuting. That will change next election should he still be on the ballot.

[BoofBonser26]

What exactly is up with Puckett? Does BBF really regard him as a "mistake"?

[jalbright]

What exactly is up with Puckett? Does BBF really regard him as a "mistake"?

Calm down. He's over 65% as I write, in a very competitive field of candidates. I will eventually vote for him, but I felt more impressed by a number of candidates, and some others needed the support at the end of their eligibility.

[Westlake]

Calm down. He's over 65% as I write, in a very competitive field of candidates. I will eventually vote for him, but I felt more impressed by a number of candidates, and some others needed the support at the end of their eligibility.

? It's not like he typed "WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE?!?! PUCKETT IS A HOFer you JERKS!"

Puckett has made my ballot everytime, and will continue to until he is elected or dropped. I hope Simmons makes it this year, he's been incredibly close as of late and is right on the edge again this year.

[1905 Giants]

Cool, I get to vote on something this sweet.

Boggs
Sutter
Eckersley
John
Perez

[BoofBonser26]

Calm down. He's over 65% as I write, in a very competitive field of candidates. I will eventually vote for him, but I felt more impressed by a number of candidates, and some others needed the support at the end of their eligibility.
Well, although I understand that some people have ballots larger than 10 players, 65% equals 0% as far as the HoF is concerned (although not in support, I know). I would also be surprised that 10% of voters have ballots longer than 10 players, have Puckett ranked lower than 10, and have chosen to drop Puckett until more deserving candidates are elected. I'm also surprised that his support has been so consistently below 70%. Although I know he is not a consensus choice, he does seem to be a no-doubter, albeit lower tier.

As DoubleX originally theorized when the project began, since we at BBF discuss players and rank them to no end, it would hold that players should draw almost exacly the same support from year to year. (like Ted Simmons being locked at just under 75%).

That just makes me nervous for Puckett, that's all. He's already in year 5.

[Brad Harris]

Cool, I get to vote on something this sweet.

Boggs
Sutter
Eckersley
John
Perez

WTH? You're only a peak voter if the guy is a reliever or what?

[1905 Giants]

WTH? You're only a peak voter if the guy is a reliever or what?

For this one, you bet.

[DoubleX]

Will this be the third time that Simmons comes up a vote short? Have we not made at least one convert to Simmons?

[BoofBonser26]

Will this be the third time that Simmons comes up a vote short? Have we not made at least one convert to Simmons?
I am close to voting Simmons, but find it exceedingly difficult to pull the trigger.

How was his defense?

[538280]

I am close to voting Simmons, but find it exceedingly difficult to pull the trigger.

How was his defense?

Often not regarded very well, as late in his career with the Brewers he lost his ability to throw well. But early in his career he didn't throw all that badly. he had three years in his career when he allowed 35, 25, and 18% less baserunners to steal, per inning, than average. Over his career he was 3% below average in opposition SBs, meaning he was basically average. But from one of the best offensive catchers of all time, being average defensively shouldn't keep him out of the HOF. He was essentially the same player offensively as Carter and Fisk, and only a little below Bench and Berra. Defense means a lot, and even more than normal from catcher, but when you're still competent defensively (average) and one of the best all time offensively in a long career, that should still make an easy HOFer, IMO.

[BoofBonser26]

Thanks, 538280, for that excellent response.

Okay, guys. (DoubleX, I'm looking at you). You've done it. I'm voting for Simmons next time.

[DoubleX]

Boggs and Eckersley have made. Simmons has come up just short again for the umpteenth time - can't someone throw this guy a bone?

Another guy I think we need more chatter for is Alan Trammell. He's been doing well and some strong arguments could push him over the top.

I'll try to get the next election up sometime this week.

[Captain Cold Nose]

Boggs and Eckersley have made. Simmons has come up just short again for the umpteenth time - can't someone throw this guy a bone?

Another guy I think we need more chatter for is Alan Trammell. He's been doing well and some strong arguments could push him over the top.

I'll try to get the next election up sometime this week.

Without a slam dunk first-year candidate (not that there seems to be such a thing with this group) Simmons should have a good shot this year. I hope.

[MadHatter]

What exactly is up with Puckett? Does BBF really regard him as a "mistake"?

Puckett may get a vote from me eventually - right now, though - there were just other candidates that I felt stronger about.

[DoubleX]

Without a slam dunk first-year candidate (not that there seems to be such a thing with this group) Simmons should have a good shot this year. I hope.

I'm not sure about that - we've already had three years when we've elected no one, the most recent being 2001.

[2Chance]

Maybe I missed something. What happened to the support for Bobby Grich? Are there really any reasons NOT to vote for him?