The Absent Class of 2013

The baseball writers of America sent a clear message yesterday when they elected no one to the Baseball Hall of Fame for 2013. Obviously, this was a statement against the alleged steroid use by many of the players that were eligible for the ballot this year. On the surface, it's pretty mind-boggling that the following players did not get elected:

• Barry Bonds - Seven time Most Valuable Player, Eight Gold Gloves, the all-time home run leader with 762, broke the single season home run record with 73
• Roger Clemens - The only seven time Cy Young Award winner, 354 career wins and 4672 career strikeouts
• Sammy Sosa - 609 career home runs
• Rafael Palmiero - One of only four players in Major League history to have over 3000 hits and 500 home runs
• Craig Biggio - Seven-time all-star, four Gold Gloves, 3060 career hits, 414 career stolen bases
• Mike Piazza - Twelve-time all star catcher, Ten Silver Slugger Awards, Lifetime .308 with 427 home runs (the most by any catcher in Major League history)

So, should the writers go strictly off of the statistics and elect the players with the impressive numbers? Or are they perfectly justified in not voted for players that they allege may have not walked the straight line?

It's a tough call. Frankly, I always thought that Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens seemed like arrogant jerks. But then again, I heard some really nasty stories about Ty Cobb and he got in on the very first Hall of Fame ballot way back in 1936. Also going in that year was Babe Ruth who I still consider the greatest baseball player of all time. However, I wouldn't really characterize him as the greatest role model.

But, of course the real issue here is the PED's (performance enhancing drugs). Unfortunately  it is and has been part of the game for the past twenty years or more. But are the players totally to blame? Are you going to tell me that no one in management of the front office of these teams knew anything about any of the steroid use? Come on, really? I read somewhere that Barry Bonds' head grew two or three inches larger during his playing days. How does no one on the team notice that?? 

The bottom line is that the owners loved when these guys were hitting balls into the stratosphere because it put asses in the seats. So, as long as the fans were happy and coming out in big numbers to see the next home run record broken, it was convenient for the owners and management to turn a blind eye. The way they saw it, the ends definitely justifies the means, as long as it translated into big profits.

It will be interesting to see if any of these players get voted in on next year's ballot. I have to wonder if players like Bonds and Clemens really care about being snubbed this year. After all, they got rich and their numbers are still in the record book. But if the public perception is that you were a cheater, is that really something that you can feel good about?

The guys who I really feel bad for are the ones that may not have used PED's. Did Piazza or Biggio use them? Is it fair to stereotype them just because they happened to come from the same steroid era as Mark McGuire and Sammy Sosa?

It will be really interesting to see what happens next year when the baseball writers will have to vote on these same guys again. Maybe they should just let the fans vote. Just a thought......

kw