Whitaker screwed again

The Den
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Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Carlos Delgado, Jeff Kent, Don Mattingly, Dale Murphy, Gary Sheffield, and Fernando Valenzuela were revealed today by the Hall of Fame as this year’s candidates on the Era Committee ballot. Previously called the Veterans Committee, a panel made up of 16 former players, executives, sportswriters, and historians from around the game will meet during this year’s Winter Meetings to vote on whether or not these eight players will be elected into the Hall of Fame. At least 12 of those 16 votes are needed to be inducted into Cooperstown, and the results of this year’s vote will be revealed at 6:30pm CT on December 7.

The Era Committee rotates between three pools of candidates every year

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There will be another 1980s/90s/2000s voter pool next year, AND, if you don’t get 5 out of 16 votes from now on, you have to skip a pool, which turns every 3 years between 1980s+, 1980s manager/execs/umpires and pre 1980s as the cycle.

So anyone of these 9 that dont get 5 votes can’t be considered next year. I expect Lou to be in that pool and win, as the winners this year and the losers this year will open up a lot of spots for guys lesser than Lou.

Out of this 9 I am guessing 12 of 16 votes to win for;

Mattingly near lock. Bonds and Clemens better than 50/50. Sheff and Murphy clear 5 and Delgado, Kent and Fernando get relegated.

So, 3 returnees in 2026, plus Lou. Also left off from the final 8 out of the candidate pool this year were beside Lou, Schilling, Bernie Williams, Dewey Evans, Albert Belle, Keith Hernandez and Kenny Lofton (total screw job there).

Schilling and Lofton make it. So to me thats 6 of 8. New possibilites I believe would be guys that retired 2011 or before. From 2001 to 2011 balloting, I think that only Hershiser McGwire and Palmiero would both be credible and fit the 15 years retired bar.

IF next years ballot falls Lou, Clemens, Sheff, Murphy, Schilling, Lofton and say Hershiser McGwire….I think I’d have rather seen Lou in this year’s group tbh but he still piles in 12 votes because steroid guys.

I dont know but I think Bobby Grich falls in the pre 80s bucket, as I know Tiant does. Not many more guys from the 70s on Id even think about being on the semifinalists.

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nailed it.

lol.

All they need to do is compare Lou’s numbers with others who are in. He has a really compelling case IMHO.

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I just think enough of the panelists will not vote for a steroid guy so that other than the clearly all time elite like Bonds and Clemens, none will make it ( Manny too, ARoid is borderline) This will open up Moreso the thought process to Lou. You are right though, his numbers compared to the 2b already in should have had him in 10 years ago.

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