BBF Mock HoF Election: 2006

[DoubleX]

Welcome to Baseball Fever's Mock HoF Election for 2006. 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 2006 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.


2006 Guide
There are 35 candidates on the 2006 BBF ballot. Here's some information regarding the candidates:

First Timers (14)
Rick Aguilera
Albert Belle
Will Clark
Gary DiSacrcina
Alex Fernandez
Gary Gaetti
Dwight Gooden
Ozzie Guillen
Orel Hershiser
Gregg Jefferies
Doug Jones
Hank Morrison
Walt Weiss
John Wetteland

Holdovers (21)

Player Year of Eligibility High BBF Support Previous Year’s BBF Support
Joe Carter 3rd 10.81% (2005) 10.81%
Andre Dawson 5th 58.33% (2004) 48.65%
Darrell Evans 12th 35.14% (1997) 27.03%
Dwight Evans 10th 24.32% (1997) 16.22%
Steve Garvey 14th 24.32% (1997) 13.51%
Bobby Grich 15th 55.88% (1998) 43.24%
Keith Hernandez 11th 47.06% (1998) 24.32%
Tommy John 12th 30.23% (1995) 18.92%
Fred Lynn 11th 18.92% (1997) 10.81%
Jack Morris 7th 25.00% (2000) 10.81%
Dale Murphy 8th 58.33% (2000/2004) 51.35%
Dave Parker 10th 40.54% (1997) 21.62%
Tony Perez 15th 48.15% (2002) 37.84%
Kirby Puckett 6th 66.67% (2002) 62.16%
Dan Quisenberry 11th 35.29% (1998) 35.14%
Jim Rice 12th 50.00% (1998) 32.43%
Ted Simmons 13th 74.07% (2002) 72.97%
Lee Smith 4th 21.21% (2003) 5.41%
Bruce Sutter 13th 44.19% (1995) 27.03%
Alan Trammell 5th 69.70% (2003) 67.57%
Lou Whitaker 6th 63.64% (2003) 54.05%

Last Year of Eligibility (2)
Bobby Grich
Tony Perez

Penultimate Year of Eligibility (1)
Steve Garvey

Actual Hall of Famers on BBF Ballot (3))
Tony Perez (BBWAA – 2000)
Kirby Puckett (BBWAA - 2001)
Bruce Sutter (BBWAA - 2006)

Players on BBF Ballot not on BBWAA Ballot (11)
Joe Carter – Dropped 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)
Lou Whitaker – Dropped by BBWAA (2001)

Players on BBWAA Ballot not on BBF Ballot (4)
Bert Blyleven – Elected by BBF (1998)
Dave Concepcion – Dropped by BBF (1999)
Goose Gossage – Elected by BBF (2000)
Don Mattingly – Dropped by BBF (2002)

Players Elected by BBF between 1979-2005 (49)

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
Wade Boggs 2005 83.78% 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)
Dennis Eckersley 2005 78.38% 2nd
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 (5): Wade Boggs, 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 (4): Dennis Eckersley, Rollie Fingers, Goose Gossage, Hoyt Wilhelm

Players Elected by BBWAA between 1979-2005 (45)

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
Wade Boggs 2005 91.90% 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
Ryne Sandberg 2005 76.20% 3rd
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
49:45

Players Elected by Year between 1979-2005 (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
2005 Wade Boggs Wade Boggs
Dennis Eckersley Ryne Sandberg

Players Elected by BBF but not BBWAA between 1979-2005 (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 1979-2005 (3)
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 (22)

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)
Dave Stieb 2 5.56% (2004)
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
2005: 37

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)
2005 (http://www.baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=65822)

[DoubleX]

Can we throw this guy a bone? He's been within one or two votes of election for the last several years and would have been elected two years ago if not for an oversight. For someone consistently so close to election, there must be at least one person on the fence that can do Simmons and all his supporters a favor.

Perhaps this will help to convince...Among catchers that caught at least 1000 games (which eliminates guys like Joe Torre, Buck Ewing, and Gene Tenace), here's how Simmons' career numbers stack up in some offensive categories (Hall of Famers are in italics):

OPS+
1) Mike Piazza - 144
2) Mickey Cochrane - 128
3) Bill Dickey - 127
t4) Johnny Bench - 126
t4) Gabby Hartnett - 126
t6) Yogi Berra - 125
t6) Ernie Lombardi - 125
t6) Jorge Posada - 125
9) Roy Campanella - 124
10) Ted Simmons - 118
t11) Jack Clements - 117
t11) Carlton Fisk - 117
t11) Wally Schang - 117
t14) Thurman Munson - 116
t14) Walker Cooper - 116
t14) Smokey Burgess - 116
17) Gary Carter - 115
18) Tom Haller - 114
19) Darrell Porter - 113
t20) Ivan Rodriguez - 112
t20) Bill Freehan - 112
t20) Javy Lopez - 112

Hits
1) Ted Simmons - 2472
2) Ivan Rodriguez - 2459
3)Carlton Fisk - 2356
4)Yogi Berra - 2150
5) Mike Piazza - 2093
6) Gary Carter - 2092
7) Johnny Bench - 2048
8) Bill Dickey - 1969
9) Gabby Hartnett - 1912
10) Bob Boone - 1838
11) Benito Santiago - 1830
12) Jason Kendall - 1821
13) Ernie Lombardi - 1792
14) Lance Parrish - 1782
15) Deacon McGuire - 1748
16) Rick Ferrell - 1692
17) Tony Pena - 1687
18) Mickey Cochrane - 1652
19) Bill Freehan - 1591
20) Duke Farrell - 1564

Homeruns
1) Mike Piazza - 422
2) Johnny Bench - 389
3) Carlton Fisk - 376
4) Yogi Berra - 358
t5) Gary Carter - 324
t5) Lance Parrish - 324
7) Ivan Rodriguez - 286
8) Javy Lopez - 260
9) Ted Simmons - 248
10) Roy Campanella - 242
11) Gabby Hartnett - 236
12) Benito Santiago - 217
13) Jorge Posada - 212
t14 - Bill Dickey - 202
t14) Todd Hundley - 202
16) Bill Freehan - 200
17) Ernie Lombardi - 190
18) Darrell Porter - 188
19) Del Crandall - 179
20) Walker Cooper - 173

RBI
1) Yogi Berra - 1430
2) Ted Simmons - 1389
3) Johnny Bench - 1376
4) Carlton Fisk - 1330
5) Mike Piazza - 1314
6) Gary Carter - 1225
7) Bill Dickey - 1209
8) Gabby Hartnett - 1179
9) Ivan Rodriguez - 1169
10) Lance Parrish - 1070
11) Ernie Lombardi - 990
12) Benito Santiago - 920
13) Duke Farrell - 912
14) Javy Lopez - 864
15) Roy Campanella - 856
16) Deacon McGuire - 840
17) Jorge Posada - 838
18) Mickey Cochrane - 832
t19) Darrell Porter - 826
t19) Bob Boone - 826

Doubles
1) Ivan Rodriguez - 495
2) Ted Simmons - 483
3) Carlton Fisk - 421
4) Gabby Hartnett - 396
5) Johnny Bench - 381
6) Gary Carter - 371
7) Bill Dickey - 343
8) Mike Piazza - 336
9) Mickey Cochrane - 333
10) Rick Ferrell - 324
11) Benito Santiago - 323
t12) Yogi Berra - 321
t12) Jason Kendall - 321
14) Lance Parrish - 305
15) Bob Boone - 303
16) Deacon McGuire - 300
17) Tony Pena - 298
18) Jorge Posada - 294
19) Ernie Lombardi - 277
20) Terry Steinbach - 273

Batting Average
1) Mickey Cochrane - .320
2) Bill Dickey - .313
3) Mike Piazza - .309
4) Spud Davis - .308
5) Ernie Lombardi - .306
6) Ivan Rodriguez - .303
7) Jason Kendall - .298
8) Gabby Hartnett - .297
9) Manny Sanguillen - .296
10) Smokey Burgess - .295
11) Thurman Munson - .292
12) Hank Severeid - .289
13) Javy Lopez - .287
14) Jack Clements - .286
t15) Ted Simmons - .285
t15) Yogi Berra - .285
t15) Wally Schang - .285
t15) Walker Cooper - .285
19) Jimmie Wilson - .284
20) Don Slaught - .283

Plate Appearances
1) Carlton Fisk - 9853
2) Ted Simmons - 9685
3) Gary Carter - 9019
4) Ivan Rodriguez - 8703
5) Johnny Bench - 8669
6) Yogi Berra - 8364
7) Bob Boone - 8148
8) Lance Parrish - 7792
9) Mike Piazza - 7609
10) Benito Santiago - 7515
11) Gabby Hartnett - 7297
12) Tony Pena - 7073
13) Rick Ferrell - 7072
14) Bill Dickey - 7060
15) Jason Kendall - 6971
16) Deacon McGuire - 6932
17) Bill Freehan - 6899
18) Jim Sundberg - 6898
19) Al Lopez - 6607
20) Brad Ausmus - 6595

Games Caught
1) Carlton Fisk - 2226
2) Bob Boone - 2225
3) Gary Carter - 2056
4) Ivan Rodriguez- 2027
5) Tony Pena - 1950
6) Jim Sundberg - 1927
7) Al Lopez - 1918
8) Benito Santiago - 1917
9) Lance Parrish - 1818
10) Rick Ferrell - 1806
11) Gabby Hartnett - 1793
12) Brad Ausmus - 1786
13) Ted Simmons - 1771
14) Johnny Bench - 1742
15) Ray Schalk - 1727
16) Bill Dickey - 1708
17) Yogi Berra - 1699
18) Rick Dempsey - 1633
t19) Mike Piazza - 1629
t19) Jim Hegan - 1629

[DoubleX]

Some others that I feel deserve some attention:

This is last year of eligibility for Bobby Grich and Tony Perez. I'm shocked that we've elected neither, and particularly shocked about the consistently low support Perez has received. Perez had very good longevity, piling up counting stats across the board that are representative of the Hall. He was a major cog in one of baseball's most famous dynasties, consistently knocking 100+ runs. His five year peak OPS+ was 145 and and 10 year peak of 134, and his value is increased by playing a number of seasons at 3B. He was selected to 7 All Star teams. In short, I think Perez has enough of a combination of counting stats, peak performance, and Fame factor to be in.

As for Grich, he is one of the 6-8 best hitting second basemen of all time when measured by OPS+. That alone is pretty impressive, but he was also a terrific fielder and could swipe some bases - he was pretty much the ideal second basemen.

Two others I'd like to mention are Kirby Puckett and Alan Trammell. I don't quite get why Puckett hasn't been elected. He could pretty much do everything you could want from a CFer - He hit for average (.318 career), he had decent power, he helped on the bases, and he was good in the field (6 Gold Gloves). He was one of the faces of baseball for over a decade as he, along with Cal Ripken Jr. and Tony Gwynn, typified the right way to play the game and how to play it with fun. He was a fixture at the All Star game, having been selected to 10 straight; he was a fixture in the MVP race, having finished in the top 7 for 7 out of 9 years (and that includes time when the Twins were both very good and very bad). He also has the postseason moments - the catch and the walkoff. He was also well on his way to surpassing 3000 hits at the time of his retirement due to his eye condition, but he was at the top of his game in his last season of play and racked up 2300+ hits in just 12 seasons. I really don't know why people here dog Puckett so much. Can people really not remember that far back to when Puckett played? He was a joy to watch and felt every bit like a Hall of Famer, IMO. He is a great example of people getting too caught up in numbers on paper and not actually watching the game - the Hall of Fame, IMO, is meant to celebrate more than just statistics (and Puckett has the statistics anyway, IMO). If you think you can tell whether someone is a Hall of Famer just by the statistics, and not actually taking in what it was like when the guy played, then I don't think you understand the purpose of the Hall of Fame, IMO.

As for Trammell, I'm not really sure how best to state his case. I suppose some might say he was like a lesser version of Cal Ripken Jr - well so what? Trammell did everything you could want from a SS, and being in the shadow of a greater player shouldn't diminish how he played.

[KCGHOST]

Grich
Quisenberry
Puckett
Trammell
Whitaker

If you like Grich, then you pretty much have to support Whitaker and his slightly higher WARP3.

I just don't see the Tony Perez thing. His RCAA is a respectable 263, but that ranks only 23rd amongst 1B's for the period of 1960-2000. Some of the 1B's above him are Clark, Hernandez, Powell, Olerud, Vaughn, Mattingly, and Grace. There really isn't much of a reason to pick him over them other than his good fortune in teammates for the first 13 years of his career.

[Freakshow]

His RCAA is a respectable 263, but that ranks only 23rd amongst 1B's for the period of 1960-2000. Some of the 1B's above him are Clark, Hernandez, Powell, Olerud, Vaughn, Mattingly, and Grace.
Could you please provide this list.

[DoubleX]

Tacosaregood went over the 10 vote limit and per his request, I have removed a vote for Aguilera, Garvey, Gooden, and Murphy.

[MadHatter]

Am I the only person who doesn't know who Hank Morrison is?

[Freakshow]

Am I the only person who doesn't know who Hank Morrison is?
Hank Morrison (http://www.baseball-reference.com/m/morriha01.shtml)

[DoubleX]

Am I the only person who doesn't know who Hank Morrison is?

That one struck me as odd as well. I based my ballot on that listed at the Baseball Hall of Fame website. (http://www.baseballhalloffame.org/hofers/voting_year.jsp?year=2006) According to the website, Hank Morrison received 5 votes in 2006, but I have no clue who he is either. The only Hank Morrison Baseball-reference.com (http://www.baseball-reference.com/m/morriha01.shtml) pitched 57 innings in 1887 for the Indianapolis Hoosiers, so something is definitely wrong. I'm going to try to figure out who this is really supposed to be and then edit the poll. Sorry everybody that I didn't investigate this more diligently earlier.

EDIT: Problem solved - it's supposed to be Hal Morris. I've edited the poll to reflect that. Now that next mystery is - why did Morris receive 5 votes in the election?

[Senor Octobre]

I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say that Ted Simmons doesn't get elected AGAIN...

[MadHatter]

EDIT: Problem solved - it's supposed to be Hal Morris. I've edited the poll to reflect that. Now that next mystery is - why did Morris receive 5 votes in the election?

Hank Morrison, Hal Morris. Same thing.

Seriously though, I like Hal Morris. Not enough to vote him into the Hall.....

[DoubleX]

This is in danger of falling off the front page, so here's a bump.

[1905 Giants]

mmm, tough call, but I'll give it my best.

[1905 Giants]

John
Sutter
Perez
Garvey

[538280]

I just don't see the Tony Perez thing. His RCAA is a respectable 263, but that ranks only 23rd amongst 1B's for the period of 1960-2000. Some of the 1B's above him are Clark, Hernandez, Powell, Olerud, Vaughn, Mattingly, and Grace. There really isn't much of a reason to pick him over them other than his good fortune in teammates for the first 13 years of his career.

Two things: #1 it's not fair to treat Perez as exclusively a 1B. He played 30% of his defensive games at third base. As a 3Bman I'm sure he'd stack up much better as a hitter, plus extra defensive contributions he brings from that position. He's more of a 1B than a 3B, but he did play a lot of 3B and had some of his best years like 1969 and 1970 there. Also, I think looking at value above average with a player like Perez really isn't fair. Perez had great longevity as a still useful, but not much better than average. He gets the same credit for that as players like Mattingly who just retired instead. I really don't think that's approrpriate. Value over replacement would be a much better gauge.

[Erik Bedard]

DX, maybe your stumping for Puckett worked. He's currently over 75%, and ahead of Simmons. Nearly every publication I've ever read from the early 1990's indicates that Puckett and Ripken were generally thought of as the two best players in the game, and the faces of baseball, much the way Derek Jeter is now, only largely without the dissenters who said that they didn't deserve it. I really can't believe that some would say that Puckett isn't a HoFer.

That said, my ballot has a couple changes:

Albert Belle
Will Clark
Bobby Grich
Dale Murphy
Tony Perez
Kirby Puckett
Ted Simmons
Alan Trammell
Lou Whitaker

[MadHatter]

Andre Dawson
Dwight Evans
Steve Garvey
Fred Lynn
Jack Morris
Dale Murphy
Jim Rice
Ted Simmons

[PVNICK]

1-Andre Dawson
2-Bobby Grich
3-Keith Hernandez
4-Jack Morris
5-Dave Parker
6-Ted Simmons
7-Bruce Sutter
8-Alan Trammell
9-Lou Whitaker

[2Chance]

Albert Belle
Will Clark
Andre Dawson
Bobby Grich
Dale Murphy
Dave Parker
Kirby Puckett
Ted Simmons
Alan Trammell
Lou Whitaker

[THE OX]

I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say that Ted Simmons doesn't get elected AGAIN...

Yeah, and if he doesn't it's an inexcusable DAMN SHAME! This guy holds or ranks very highly in a boatload of records for catchers.....

[DoubleX]

Simmons was over the line last night, but it's not looking good right now. Puckett too has just fallen under the line and now we're in danger of not electing anyone for the fourth time. In comparison, the BBWAA has failed to elect a player just once.

[Captain Cold Nose]

Simmons was over the line last night, but it's not looking good right now. Puckett too has just fallen under the line and now we're in danger of not electing anyone for the fourth time. In comparison, the BBWAA has failed to elect a player just once.

This always happens at the end of election cycles here. It seems like some are intent to sabotage these sort of polls. This one is not the only one this sort of thing happens, either.

[Erik Bedard]

On a more positive note, we reached our highest voter turnout since 1995.

Also, how long will these continue? I'd think that 2010 or 2011 would be the last reasonable one.

[DoubleX]

On a more positive note, we reached our highest voter turnout since 1995.

Also, how long will these continue? I'd think that 2010 or 2011 would be the last reasonable one.

It is nice to get the turnout back up, so I guess it's a fair trade off. Hopefully Puckett will maintain where he's at and we'll get at least on person in. Simmons would have to be named on the next two ballots to get in.

I've been thinking about that as well. If we go past 2007, I'll have to assume the role of committee that puts the ballot together in terms of newcomers given that the Hall's list of future eligible players usually misses some players that end up appearing on the ballot. Going through 2011 seems reasonable - that would take us through players that last played in 2005. 2012 is probably too much of a stretch because you never know if a player will come back after a year, especially if they were sidelined with an injury or something.

[DoubleX]

At least we got someone in - Kirby Puckett. It was looking shaky there for a while. We also soared in voter turnout, reaching our highest mark since 1995.

It's too bad we couldn't get Grich or Perez in, IMO. Perez is now just the second player that the BBWAA has elected but we have not (the other being Catfish Hunter).

There are also just two years left for Ted Simmons. I would be a complete disappointment, if after hovering so close for so many years, several times just a vote away, if he does not get elected at all.

[Captain Cold Nose]

At least we got someone in - Kirby Puckett. It was looking shaky there for a while. We also soared in voter turnout, reaching our highest mark since 1995.

It's too bad we couldn't get Grich or Perez in, IMO. Perez is now just the second player that the BBWAA has elected but we have not (the other being Catfish Hunter).

There are also just two years left for Ted Simmons. I would be a complete disappointment, if after hovering so close for so many years, several times just a vote away, if he does not get elected at all.

We still have a lot of good candidates for 2007 without Puckett, Grich or Perez. Unfortunately for the holdovers, here come Ripken, Gwynn and McGwire, so those falling short of the the ten-player limit won't get help moving up.

I suppose I can drop a player or two, myself, to make room for closer candidates. I could very easily vote for more than ten.

[KCGHOST]

Could you please provide this list.

Mybad. He actually ranks 22nd.

1 Mark McGwire 667
2 Willie McCovey 575
3 Jeff Bagwell 561
4 Dick Allen 511
5 Harmon Killebrew 499
6 Pete Rose 492
7 Rod Carew 491
8 Eddie Murray 490
9 Will Clark 473
10 Rafael Palmeiro 453
11 Fred McGriff 435
12 Norm Cash 419
13 Keith Hernandez 363
14 Boog Powell 336
15 Jim Thome 321
T16 John Olerud 318
T16 Pedro Guerrero 318
18 Mo Vaughn 300
19 Orlando Cepeda 299
20 Don Mattingly 293
21 Mark Grace 274
22 Tony Perez 263
23 Kent Hrbek 262
24 Bob Watson 255
25 Cecil Cooper 226