BBF Mock HoF Election: 2007

[DoubleX]

Welcome to Baseball Fever's Mock HoF Election for 2007. 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 2007 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.


2007 Guide
There are 38 candidates on the 2007 BBF ballot. Here's some information regarding the candidates:

First Timers (17)
Harold Baines
Dante Bichette
Bobby Bonilla
Scott Brosius
Jay Buhner
Ken Caminiti
Jose Canseco
Eric Davis
Tony Fernandez
Tony Gwynn
Wally Joyner
Mark McGwire
Paul O’Neill
Cal Ripken, Jr.
Bret Saberhagen
Devon White
Bobby Witt

Holdovers (21)
Player Year of Eligibility High BBF Support Previous Year’s BBF Support
Albert Belle 2nd 40.48% (2006) 40.48%
Joe Carter 4th 10.81% (2005) 7.14%
Will Clark 2nd 28.57% (2006) 28.57%
Andre Dawson 6th 58.33% (2004) 47.62%
Darrell Evans 13th 35.14% (1997) 23.81%
Dwight Evans 11th 24.32% (1997) 14.29%
Steve Garvey 15th 24.32% (1997) 19.05%
Keith Hernandez 12th 47.06% (1998) 30.95%
Orel Hershiser 2nd 9.52% (2006) 9.52%
Tommy John 13th 30.23% (1995) 14.29%
Fred Lynn 12th 18.92% (1997) 11.90%
Jack Morris 8th 25.00% (2000) 9.52%
Dale Murphy 9th 58.33% (2000/2004) 50.00%
Dave Parker 11th 40.54% (1997) 26.19%
Dan Quisenberry 12th 35.29% (1998) 26.19%
Jim Rice 13th 50.00% (1998) 28.57%
Ted Simmons 14th 74.07% (2002) 71.43%
Lee Smith 5th 21.21% (2003) 11.90%
Bruce Sutter 14th 44.19% (1995) 30.95%
Alan Trammell 6th 69.70% (2003) 64.29%
Lou Whitaker 7th 63.64% (2003) 59.52%

Last Year of Eligibility (1)
Steve Garvey

Penultimate Year of Eligibility (2)
Ted Simmons
Bruce Sutter

Actual Hall of Famers on BBF Ballot (3))
Tony Gwynn (BBWAA – 2007)
Cal Ripken, Jr. (BBWAA – 2007)
Bruce Sutter (BBWAA - 2006)

Players on BBF Ballot not on BBWAA Ballot (9)
Joe Carter – Dropped by BBWAA (2004)
Will Clark – Dropped by BBWAA (2006)
Darrell Evans – Dropped by BBWAA (1995)
Dwight Evans – Dropped by BBWAA (1999)
Keith Hernandez – Dropped by BBWAA (2004)
Fred Lynn – Dropped by BBWAA (1997)
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 1979-2006 (50)
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
Kirby Puckett 2006 76.19% 6th
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 (4): Richie Ashburn, Willie Mays, Kirby Puckett, 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 1979-2006 (46)
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
Bruce Sutter 2006 76.90% 13th
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
50:46

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
2006 Kirby Puckett Bruce Sutter

Players Elected by BBF but not BBWAA between 1979-2006 (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 1979-2006 (3)
Catfish Hunter (1987)
Tony Perez (2000)
Bruce Sutter (2006)

Players Dropped by BBF After 15 Years on Ballot (24)
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)
Bobby Grich 2006 55.88% (1998)
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)
Tony Perez 2006 48.15% (2002)
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
2006: 42

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)
2006 (http://http://www.baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?p=985274#post985274)

[Westlake]

That was quick -- there is one vote missing for Cal now. Sorry guys.

[DoubleX]

I think this year's incoming class is one of the most interesting we've had. It's very deep, but also very controversial. We have bonafide Hall of Famers in Tony Gwynn and Cal Ripken Jr. Then we have guys like Harold Baines, Eric Davis, Tony Fernandez, Paul O'Neill, and Bret Saberhagen that could spawn some debate about Hall of Fame qualifications. Then even after that we have a strong group of players that could receive support, notably Dante Bichette, Bobby Bonilla, Jay Buhner, and Devon White. Then of course, there is the cloud of steroids surrounding Ken Caminiti, Jose Canseco, and Mark McGwire (I also have speculation about Dante Bichette and Jay Buhner, but that's just me). Heck, even Wally Joyner made large contributions to an ESPN report on steroids a few years back an admitted to trying steroids once.

As for the holdovers, first, PLEASE VOTE FOR TED SIMMONS! I wouldn't be making such a stink about him if he wasn't so consistently close to election and also so near the end of is eligibility. It would be a travesty, IMO, if after years of being within a vote or two, his eligibility ends next year without election.

This is also the penultimate year for Bruce Sutter. We haven't been so kind to Sutter. Is it because there is sentiment among us that he should not have been elected by the BBWAA ahead of Gossage? We elected Gossage years ago, so I wonder if we're subconciously slighting Sutter because of how we feel about the BBWAA's treatment of him and Gossage (or maybe we just feel he doesn't belong). In any event, I have not been voting for Sutter, but as his eligibility is nearing an end, I'm starting to rethink my position and realize that my opinion on him and Gossage has clouded my judgment, so I'm trying to put Sutter in an individual light. The problem is, that Quisenberry is here as well.

This is the last year for Steve Garvey. He doesn't seem to have much of a chance, but I'm actually surprised he's made it this far. I think many of don't think that highly of Garvey and thought he was overrated when he played, but there is no questioning that he was one of the biggest stars of the game when he played with many feeling that he was a good bet to make the Hall.

No one else I really feel like stumping for at the moment, though I would like to see someone make a good argument for Alan Trammell and Lou Whitaker. I think they both have a shot at eventually being elected, and that's without much said yet on their behalves.

And remember - VOTE TED SIMMONS :)

[DoubleX]

That was quick -- there is one vote missing for Cal now. Sorry guys.

You missed it or was it strategy? There's a lot of good candidates this year, so I wouldn't begrudge you for leaving Cal, a surefire bet to get in, in favor of someone who might be in a more tenuous position.

[2Chance]

Belle
Clark
Dawson
Gwynn
Murphy
Ripken
Simmons
Sutter
Trammell
Whitaker

I had to leave the "Evans Brothers" ;) off last time, and it pains me to drop support for Parker and Quisenberry. Well, more for Parker than for Quiz, but if you just look at the stats, you have to say, "if Sutter, why not Quisenberry?" I'm not big into relievers for the Hall, but there are a few select closers, including these, Rivera and Hoffman, who I think deserve it.

McGwire doesn't get my support here, not for the cloud of steroids or a Congressional speech gone bad, but because it's his first time and I feel that I have already dropped enough worthy candidates. He might get in without this one vote, but if not he will always be the one on the bubble.

And let me echo DoubleX:
VOTE FOR TED SIMMONS

[PVNICK]

I think and hope this is consistent with my past votes.

Dawson
Gwynn
Hernandez
Morris
Parker
Ripken
Simmons
Sutter
Trammell
Whitaker

[MadHatter]

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

I think it's tragic that Rice, Murphy & Morris don't get more support.

[dgarza]

1. Tony Gwynn
2. Mark McGwire
3. Cal Ripken
4. Jim Rice
5. Albert Belle
6. Dale Murphy
7. Dave Parker
8. Ted Simmons
9. Andre Dawson
10. Steve Garvey

[KCGHOST]

Gwynn
Quisenberry
Ripken
Trammell
Whitaker

[Erik Bedard]

Belle
Clark
Gwynn
Murphy
Quisenberry
Ripken
Saberhagen (recognition for one of my favorites)
Simmons
Trammell
Whitaker

I had Sutter checked, and I was about ready to cast my vote when I realized that I had left off Cal, which simply wouldn't do. So Sutter got left off again.

[Brad Harris]

To the Simmons detractors: stop drinking the Hate-o-rade!!!

[BoofBonser26]

To the Simmons detractors: stop drinking the Hate-o-rade!!!

Simmons is in so far...77%.

[SamtheBravesFan]

Okay, Murphy is getting as many votes as McGWIRE?! Now I'm mad.

[2Chance]

The really odd thing about that is that of the 13 or 14 votes those two have, only five people voted for both McGwire and Murphy.
Whaddaya make of that? :noidea :shrug:

[DoubleX]

Simmons is in so far...77%.

Simmons is looking ok right now at 78.57%, but that's usually been the case in the past several elections. Simmons looks to be in good shape about halfway through the election with about 2/3 of the votes in, and then we see him slip under the line as the remaining votes come in. So I'm not that optimistic at this point given the history. Plus, with what should be two obvious choices on the ballot, that might make it more difficult for some to have Simmons on their ballots.

[DoubleX]

Does it bother anyone else that we've elected three players unanimously, and Willie Mays is not one of them? The three we have elected unanimously are Hank Aaron, Frank Robinson, and Willie McCovey. Aaron and Robinson seem to make sense as I believe they are the second and third best players we've had up for election (though some might say Schmidt and/or Bench are better than Robinson), but McCovey? I certainly think McCovey is a clear Hall of Famer, but I also think we've had a number of better players get less support than him.

Speaking of rankings - How would people rank the players we've elected since 1979 (you can include Gwynn and Ripken as they will almost certainly be elected this year as well, and even Simmons if you feel comfortable with that, though I might be afraid of jinxing him)?

[leecemark]

--It doesn't bother me too much that Mays was not unanimous. All it takes is one careless voter (been there, done that) or one idiot to leave him off the ballot. It doesn't bother me that McCovey was unanimous either. There is no good reason NOT to vote for him. If everybody always voted for the 10 best or even the most qualified on a ballot of less than 10 we'd have quite a few more unanimous selections.
--That said, McCovey is not one of the 10 best players we have elected so far in the project. I've got the following ahead of him; Mays, Aaron, Schmidt, Morgan, Bench, FRobinson, Brett, Yaz, Reggie and Ripken. Those guys are all clearly better IMO and there are several more who are arguably so (Snider, Killebrew, Carew, Yount, Murray, Boggs and Gwynn). That doesn't include pitchers either, where at least 3 are clearly better; Seaver, Carlton and Gibson - and several more are arguably better. I guess the stars just lined up right for Strech and nobody had some sort of trivial quibble that pushed him off their ballot.

[DoubleX]

--That said, McCovey is not one of the 10 best players we have elected so far in the project. I've got the following ahead of him; Mays, Aaron, Schmidt, Morgan, Bench, FRobinson, Brett, Yaz, Reggie and Ripken. Those guys are all clearly better IMO and there are several more who are arguably so (Snider, Killebrew, Carew, Yount, Murray, Boggs and Gwynn). That doesn't include pitchers either, where at least 3 are clearly better; Seaver, Carlton and Gibson - and several more are arguably better. I guess the stars just lined up right for Strech and nobody had some sort of trivial quibble that pushed him off their ballot.

I'd put at least the following ahead of McCovey (not exactly in order): Mays, Aaron, Robinson, Schmidt, Bench, Morgan, Brett, Yaztrzemski, Ripken, Kaline, Gwynn, Killebrew (3B credit puts him ahead), Boggs, and Jackson. So that puts McCovey at no better than 15th for me, and I can see good arguments for Snider, Carew, Murray and Yount as well.

[J W]

I'm interested in finding out when the time comes why Bruce Sutter was not elected by us... nor even came close. Fingers, Gossage and Eckersley were ushered in, meaning we're not showing a stark bias against relief pitchers--but 30% support year in, year out is way under what the BBWAA gave Sutter for several years leading up to his election in 2006.

Very glad to see that both Will Clark and Lou Whitaker are hanging around. These were two terrible one-and-done drops by the BBWAA and deserve consideration for enshrinement, whether or not they make it.

[538280]

I definitely think Mays should have gone unanimous, of course, as should many other players, there are a lot of players who are just clearly HOFers and there's no real reason not to vote for them. I wouldn't say McCovey is in the top 3 of the players we've voted on but still there's no reason IMO for anyone not to vote for him. I think we have more of an excuse than the BBWAA though because it is totally possible (and it's happened to me a few times on polls) to just skip over someone's name or just forget to check their box, in this poll format. I don't think that would happen the BBWAA who actually do it by hand and probably check it over a number of times.

My list of top players we've voted on:

1. Mays
2. Aaron
3. Schmidt
4. Morgan
5. F. Robinson
6. Bench
7. Brett
8. Ripken
9. Yount
10. R. Jackson
11. McCovey
12. Yastrzemski
13. Carter
14. Fisk
15. Allen

[DoubleX]

I think we could be at that time in the election where we see Simmons go from having about 78% support, to gradually dipping under the line. It seems to be the pattern each year. For people not voting for Simmons, and particularly those that haven't voted yet, what's the case for not voting for Simmons and continually thwarting his election by the narrowest of margins each year? Are you that deadset against him, that after several years of being one or two votes away from election, you can't bring yourself to see the potential merits of his Hall of Fame case and throw him and his supporters a bone? If I had been voting against a player and I see he's continually receiving over 70% support, at some point I think I'd stop and really think about his candidacy and why he's getting so much support and whether I should continue to be holding that back. So I think after all these years of being close, I think as a courtesy, could people not voting for Simmons (and thus effectively voting against Simmons) please explain why you continue to do so after all these years? Why is candidacy so weak to you?

[Windy City Fan]

Belle
Dawson (accidentially clicked Davis instead)
Da. Evans
Gwyn
Hernandez
Murphy
Quisenberry
Ripken
Simmons
Smith
Sutter
Trammell

[DoubleX]

Belle
Dawson (accidentially clicked Davis instead)
Da. Evans
Gwyn
Hernandez
Murphy
Quisenberry
Ripken
Simmons
Smith
Sutter
Trammell

You realize you voted for 12 players (2 too many)? Please let me know which two you want to drop, or else I'll have to discount your entire ballot.

[Windy City Fan]

Dump Evans and Davis (who was supposed to be Dawson anyway).

[THE OX]

QUICK, DoubleX, put this poll to an end before some muttonhead fails to vote for Ted Simmons and screws this fine player once again! He's at 75.68%!

[DoubleX]

Three new electees - Tony Gwynn, Cal Ripken Jr, and Ted Simmons. We finally got Simmons over the hump. Now on to Alan Trammell. :)

We will go ahead with 2008. I will most likely just the list of players that the BBWAA has for the upcoming election and then quickly scan the list of players that retired in 2002 to see if anyone else should be on there.

[Erik Bedard]

Thank goodness we elected Simmons.

[Freakshow]

We will go ahead with 2008. I will most likely just the list of players that the BBWAA has for the upcoming election and then quickly scan the list of players that retired in 2002 to see if anyone else should be on there.

A couple notes about the 2008 newbies:

Rod Beck should be on the ballot, since he died before June 30 this year.

Jose Rijo should be reinstated. He was on the 2001 ballot, then played in 2001-02.

I have made the HOF aware of both of these unusual cases, but they have not been added to the newbie list on their website. Other good players missing from their 2008 list include Todd Stottlemyre and John Valentin.

[Freakshow]

A couple notes about the 2008 newbies:

Rod Beck should be on the ballot, since he died before June 30 this year.

Jose Rijo should be reinstated. He was on the 2001 ballot, then played in 2001-02.

I have made the HOF aware of both of these unusual cases, but they have not been added to the newbie list on their website. Other good players missing from their 2008 list include Todd Stottlemyre and John Valentin.
Ah, I see you caught all four of these on the new ballot. Good work!:thumbsup:

[DoubleX]

I have made the HOF aware of both of these unusual cases, but they have not been added to the newbie list on their website. Other good players missing from their 2008 list include Todd Stottlemyre and John Valentin.

Actually, all four players you mentioned were on the HoF site, at least as of this morning. Here's a link. (http://web.baseballhalloffame.org/hofers/) Scroll down a little and future candidates are listed on the right.

Feel free to give me a heads up about any players you feel should be added to upcoming elections that aren't on the Hall's website. I'm thinking we'll go through 2011.

[Freakshow]

Actually, all four players you mentioned were on the HoF site, at least as of this morning. Here's a link. (http://web.baseballhalloffame.org/hofers/) Scroll down a little and future candidates are listed on the right.

Feel free to give me a heads up about any players you feel should be added to upcoming elections that aren't on the Hall's website. I'm thinking we'll go through 2011.
Hey, thanks for the link. I've been checking that page a couple times a week over the past couple months. I'm personally gratified that my persistence in reminding them finally paid off.

For newly eligible players, BB-Ref currently has players Last Year lists through the 2004 season. So 2009 and 2010 will be easy to check the newbies. It will take a bit more searching to make a good list for 2011, right now.