Archives for December 2014

Baseball Book Reviews – For the Baseball Fan on Your Holiday Gift List

December 17, 2014 by

Looking for a gift for the baseball fan on your holiday gift list – or some entertaining reading for yourself.  Here are links to several past Baseball Roundtable book reviews (Or baseball volumes old and new, non-fiction and fiction) that may help.  

Just click on the book’s image to find the review.  

 

Last BestThe Last Best League – One Summer, One Season One Dream (Tenth Anniversary Edition),

by Jim Collins

 

 

summer of beerThe Summer of Beer and Whiskey – How Brewers, Barkeeps, Rowdies, Immigrants and a Wild Pennant Fight Made Baseball America’s Game,

by Edward Achorn

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

veeck 13Bill Veeck:  Baseball’s Greatest Maverick,

by Paul Dickson

 

 

 

stanSTAN MUSIAL – An American Life,

by George Vecsey

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

summer of 68Summer of ’68: The Season that Changed Baseball, and America, Forever,

by Tim Wendel

 

 

down_to_last_pitchDown To The Last Pitch – How the 1991 Minnesota Twins and the Atlanta Braves Gave Us the Best World Series of All Time,

by Tim Wendel

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

19541954 – The Year Willie Mays and the First Generation of Black Superstars Changed Baseball Forever,

by Bill Madden

 

yogiDriving Mr. Yogi:  Yogi Berra, Ron Guidry and Baseballs’ Greatest Gift,

by Harvey Araton

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

59Fifty-nine in ’84,

by Edward Achorn

 

 

ganThe Great American Novel,

by Philip Roth

 

one sjhot

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One Shot At Forever … A Small Town, An Unlikely Coach, And A Magical Baseball Season,

by Chris Ballard

 

killerHarmon Killebrew – Ultimate Slugger,

by Steve Aschburner

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cracker JackThe Cracker Jack® Collection … Baseball’s Prized Players,

by Tom Zappala and Ellen Zappala

/

 

BBRT presents a guest post from journalist/author Larry LaRue.

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Major League Encounters,

by Larry LaRue

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

calicopotoCalico Joe,

by John Grisham

 

 

Chin1Chin Music,

by Lee Edelstein

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I tweet baseball @DavidBBRT

Filed Under: Reviews

Baseball Hall of Fame – Golden Era Voting – BBRT’s Take

December 5, 2014 by

baseball_hall_of_fame-300x225We are just days away (Monday, December 8) from the announcement of the Golden Era candidates (if any) who will be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2015.  In this post, I will share how BBRT’s ballot would look (if I had one), as well as my predictions as to who the committee will chose to send on to the Hall of Fame.

Selecting from among the Golden Era candidates proved more challenging then working my way through BBRT’s predictions and preferences for the regular Baseball Writers Association of American Hall of Fame voting.  (For BBRT’s regular Hall of Fame Ballot predictions, click here.) There were several reasons for that:

  • Since the Golden Era candidates were prescreened by an Historical Overview Committee, they all had some very deserving achievements and attributes;
  • Since I grew up in the Golden Era, I was able to see all the nominated players on the field – and find my choices mixing emotion with reason;
  • You can only vote for five of ten candidates, no matter how deserving you feel six or seven may be; and
  • Predicting how the Committee will vote is complicated by the fact that its membership changes so much from election to election (only four of the 16 members of the previous Golden Era Committee are back this year).

 

By way of background, the Hall of Fame Eras Committees consider candidates passed over for election to the HOF in the annual Baseball Writers Association of America – BBWAA –  balloting. The committees, which meet on a rotating basis (each committee meeting once every three years), are the: Pre-Integration ERA (prior to 1946); Golden Era (1947-72); and Expansion Era (1973 forward). Players to appear on each year’s ballot are selected by an Historical Overview Committee and candidates must receive 75 percent support from Era Committee members to achieve election.  Era Committee members may vote for or up to five candidates.   Candidates whose careers overlap eras are considered on the basis of the time frame in which they made their most significant contributions to the national pastime.

There are ten candidates on this year’s Golden Era ballot and, unlike the regular Hall of Fame election, their fate is not in the hands of the members of the Baseball Writers Association of America. Instead, their election depends on garnering 75 percent of the votes from a16-member panel that, this election cycle, includes:

  • Already enshrined Hall of Famers: Jim Bunning, Rod Carew, Pat Gillick (executive), Ferguson Jenkins, Al Kaline, Joe Morgan, Ozzie Smith and Don Sutton
  • Baseball executives: Jim Frey, David Glass, Roland Hemond and Bob Watson
  • Historian: Steve Hirdt
  • Media representatives: Dick Kaegel, Phil Pepe and Tracy Ringolsby

The returning members from 2011 are Gillick, Kaline, Hemond and Kaegel.

Note:  The last time the Golden Era Committee convened (2011), only former Cubs’ third baseman Ron Santo received the required 75 percent of the vote.

2014 Golden Era Baseball Hall of Fame Voting (for 2015 induction)

Candidates – Those returning from the 2011 voting are in bold face, with voting percentages for the top vote-getters noted.

Dick Allen, Ken Boyer, Gil Hodges (56.3%), Bob Howsam (executive),  Jim Kaat (62.5%), Minnie Minoso (56.3%), Tony Oliva (50.0%), Billy Pierce, Luis Tiant and Maury Wills.

 

How BBRT would use its five votes – if I had a ballot.

When considering players, it’s difficult to put sentiment aside.  Being born in the initial year of the Golden Era, I grew up watching all of these players.  I can find a reasons – beyond basic statistics – to vote for every one.

Beyond overall statistics (more on those later), here are just a few of the candidates’ unique achievements:

  • Maury Wills, Ken Boyer and Dick Allen have all won league MVP Awards
  • Jim Kaat shares the MLB record for consecutive Gold Gloves won (16) with Brooks Robinson
  • Gil Hodges is one of only 16 MLB players to hit four home runs in one game
  • Tony Oliva is the only player to win his league batting title in his rookie and sophomore seasons
  • Maury Wills, in 1962, not only became the first player to steal 100 bases in a season (104), he topped the next highest player’s total by 72 – and the Dodger shortstop actually stole more bases than every other MLB team
  • Minnie Minoso led the AL in hit by pitch an MLB record 10 times
  • In 1962, Billy Pierce (traded to the San Francisco Giants in the off season), proved to really like home cooking – going 11-0 in eleven Candlestick starts, with  his overall 15-6 record helping the Giants tie the rival Dodgers for the pennant. Pierce started Game One of the three-game playoff and ran his 1962 home record to 12-0 (beating Sandy Koufax, tossing a three-hit shutout in an 8-0 win).
  • Dick Allen is one of only 39 players since 1900 to hit two inside-the-park homers in a one game. Since Allen hit his two inside-the-park HRs on May 31, 1972, the feat has been equaled only once in MLB – by the Twins’ Greg Gagne in 1986. (Three inside-the-park homers in a game has been achieved only once, by Tom McCreery of Louisville of the NL in 1897.)

The uniqueness of this class of candidates goes beyond the numbers. Consider:

  • Tony Oliva’s knees bent-in stance – and ability to hit pretty much any pitch (in or out of the strike zone)
  • Luis Tiant’s twisting (and deceptive) delivery
  • Minnie Minoso’s groundbreaking efforts on behalf of Latin American players
  • Dick Allen’s fierce presence and personality on and off the field

I could go on and on, but the point is – each of these players offers up good (and diverse) reasons to secure the votes of the Golden Era Committee (and BBRT).  Still, the Committee members are limited to five votes, so I decided to follow the same rules for BBRT’s “ballot.”   I did my best to focus on exceptional performance in relation to their Golden Era peers – league leadership in key categories, All Star selections, individual awards (Rookie of the Year, Cy Young, MVP, etc.)  I recognize that my selections, which I will present in priority order, may make me look like a bit of a “homer.” (I’m from Minnesota and two of my selections are former Twins.) I do, however, think my reasoning will stand up to evaluation.

 

1. Minnie Minoso (OF/3B, 1949-1964*)

*Minoso also made brief publicity-focused appearances for the White Sox in 1976 and 1980 – which allowed him to appear in MLB in five different decades.

GEMinosoIn his first full MLB season (split between the Indians and the White Sox), Minoso hit .326, leading the AL in triples (14), stolen bases (31) and hit by pitch (16) – finishing second to Yankees’ infielder  Gil McDougald in the Rookie of the Year balloting.

BBRT note: Minoso’s statistics for the year – 146 games, 530 at bats, 173 hits, 34 doubles, 14 triples, 10 home runs, 76 RBI, 31 steals and a .326 average – topped McDougald in every category except home runs.

Minoso went on to a 17-season MLB career in which he made seven All Star squads, earned three Gold Gloves, led the AL in hits once, doubles once, triples three times, stolen bases three times, total bases once and hit by pitch an MLB-record ten times. He finished with 1,963 hits and a .298 average (topping .300 eight times), 186 home runs (hitting 20+ in a season four times), 1,136 runs (scoring more than 100 runs in a season four times), 1,023 RBI (besting 100 four times) and 205 stolen bases. In addition to those offensive marks, Minoso also led AL leftfielders in assists six times, putouts four times and double plays four times.  Minoso was well into his career when the Rawlings Gold Glove Awards were established in 1957; yet he still earned a Gold Glove in left field in 1957, 1959 and 1960.

Adding to Minoso’s Hall of Fame resume is the fact that he was a groundbreaking “Black Latino” in major league baseball.  He was the first player of color for the Chicago White Sox, the first Black Cuban to play in the major leagues and the first Cuban to play in the major league All Star game.  His baseball legacy is further enhanced by the fact that he played (and starred) not only in the major leagues, but in the Negro Leagues (where he played in the East West All Star Games of 1947 and 1948) and Cuban League – and is a member of the Cuban Baseball Hall of Fame, the Latino Baseball Hall of Fame and the Hispanic Heritage Hall of Fame.

All of this puts Minoso at the top of the BBRT Golden Era ballot – plus I’d like to see his full name Saturnino Orestes Armas (Arrieta) Minoso on that HOF plaque.

Minnie Minoso played for: Cleveland Indians (1949, 1951, 1958-59); Chicago White Sox (1951-57, 1961, 1964, 1976, 1980); Saint Louis Cardinals (1962); Washington Senators (1963).

Minnie Minoso’s best season:  1954 Chicago White Sox … 153 games, .320 average, 182 hits, 29 doubles, 18 triples (league-leading), 19 home runs, 119 runs scored, 116 RBI, 18 stolen bases.

 

2. Jim Kaat (LHP, 1959-83)

GEKaatJim Kaat – 283 wins, 3oth all-time.  That might say enough right there.  Kaat, however, also is among MLB’s top 35 hurlers in games started (625, 17th), innings pitched (4,530 1/3, 25th) and strikeouts (2,461, 34th). One of the criticisms of Kaat raised during regular BBWAA balloting was that he his win total was inflated by the length of his career (Kaat average 11.3 wins per season over 25 seasons).  From a different perspective, BBRT believes the fact the Kaat had the skills and determination to compete on the major league level from age 20 to age 44 contributes to his Hall of Fame credentials.

Overall, Kaat went 283-237, 3.45.  He was a three-time All Star, and won 20 or more games three times. He led his league in games started twice and wins, complete games and shutouts once each. Then, of course, there are those sixteen (consecutive) Gold Gloves.  Kaat finished second (with 62.5 percent of the vote) in the previous Golden Era balloting.  This should be his year.

Jim Kaat played for the: Washington Senators/Minnesota Twins (1959-73); Chicago White Sox (1973-75); Philadelphia Phillies (1976-79); New York Yankees (1979-1980); Saint Louis Cardinals (1980-83).

Jim Kaat’s best season: 1966 Twins … A league-leading 25 wins (13 losses), with a 2.75 ERA. That season, Kaat also led the AL in starts (41) and complete games (19). Kaat might have that all-important Cy Young Award on his HOF resume, except for the fact that MLB gave out only one CYA in 1966 (the move to a CYA for each league came the following year) and it went to National Leaguer Sandy Koufax (27-9, 1.73 for the Dodgers).

 

3. (Tie) Tony Oliva (OF-DH, 1962)

GEOlivaOkay, having two former Twins on my ballot may make me look like a “homer,” but hear me out.  First, it’s ironic that Jim Kaat’s HOF qualifications have been criticized in the past because his career was too long (283 wins over 25 seasons), while Oliva’s HOF credentials have been criticized because – due to injury – his productive career was too short (only 11 seasons in which he played at least 125 games, only seven of 140 games or more).

Oliva gets BBRT’s vote because when he played he was simply one of the best. In his first eight seasons full seasons (1964-71), he made the All Star team every year.  During that span he produced an annual average of 182 hits (.313 batting average), 22 home runs, 89 runs scored, 90 RBI and ten stolen bases.

Oliva won three batting titles (and the 1964  Rookie of the Year Award) – and is the only player to win the batting crown in both his rookie and sophomore seasons.  He also led the AL in base hits five times, doubles four times, and topped the AL one time each in runs scored, slugging percentage, total bases and intentional walks.   Tony-O also showed speed on the bases, finishing in double-digit in steals six times, with a high of 19 in 1965.

Oliva also was a “’plus” defender with a rifle arm in right field, capturing a Gold Glove in 1966. Even after knee issues forced to serve primarily as a DH (1972-76), he continued to be a feared hitter.  Oliva played in 15 major league seasons, retiring with a .304 career average, 1,917 hits, 220 home runs, 870 runs scored and 947 RBI.

Tony Oliva played for:  Minnesota Twins (1962-76)

Tony Oliva’s best season:  1964 Twins … In his rookie year, Oliva led the AL in batting average (.232), hits (217), doubles (43), total bases (374) and runs scored (109). He threw in 32 home runs, 94 RBI and 12 stolen bases for good measure.  Oliva did not fall prey to the “sophomore jinx.” The following season, he again led the AL in hits and batting average.

 3. (Tie) Dick Allen (1B/3B, 1963-77)

GEAllenDick Allen’s traditional HOF candidacy suffered from a combination of career-shortening injuries and career-complicating (often racially motivated) controversy.  The fact is Allen had a fierce presence both on and off the field.  It is on-the-field performance – specifically his at-the-plate performance – that earns Allen BBRT’s Golden Era vote.  It is generally agreed that none of his peers hit the ball as consistently hard (and far) as Allen did in the pitching-dominated 1960s.

Allen came on with a bang in his first full season, leading the NL in runs scored (125), triples (13) and total bases (352), while hitting .318 with 29 home runs and 91 RBI.  His performance earned him the Rookie of the Year Award.  He went on to a 15-year career during which he was a seven-time All Star and collected 1,848 hits, 351 home runs and 1,119 RBI.  His career batting average was .292, and he topped .300 seven times.  He led the NL in home runs twice (hitting 30+ HRs six times), RBI once (besting 100 three times), walks once, on base percentage twice, slugging percentage three times and total bases once.

Dick Allen played for: Philadelphia Phillies (1963-1969; 1975-76); Los Angeles Dodgers (1971); Chicago White Sox (1972-74); Oakland A’s (1977).

Dick Allen’ best season:  1972 Chicago White Sox … Played in 148 games, hitting .308, while leading the AL in home runs (37), RBI (113), walks (99), on base percentage (.420) and slugging percentage (.603).  Won the AL MVP Award.

 

5. Gil Hodges (1B, 1943-63 – military service 1944-45)

GEHodgesGil Hodges was a slick-fielding first baseman. (Rawlings launched the Gold Glove Award in 1957 and Hodges, already in his 12th MLB season at age 33, began a streak of three consecutive Gold Gloves at first base.) Hodges was also a potent offensive force – an RBI machine.  For the seven seasons from 1949 to 1955, he topped 100 RBI every year – averaging 112 runs driven in per campaign.   He also logged 11 consecutive seasons of 20+ home runs (1949-59), with a high of 42 in 1954.

In 18 MLB seasons, Hodges was selected for eight All-Star teams, and helped his Dodgers capture seven NL pennants and two World Series championships.  In post season play, he is best remembered his 21 hitless at bats in 1952, but in his other six World Series he hit .318, with five home runs and 21 RBI in 32 games.

Hodges’ put up a career average of .273, with 370 home runs, 1,274 RBI and 1,105 runs scored.  Without losing those two years to military service, he may well have exceeded the 400 home run, 1,500 RBI marks. After his playing days, he also managed the Washington Senators (1963-67) and New York Mets (1968-71), leading the “Miracle Mets” to the World Championship in 1969.

Gil Hodges played for: Brooklyn/LosAngeles Dodgers (1943-61); the New York Mets (1962-63).

Gil Hodges’ best season:  1954 Dodgers … Hodges played in all 154 games that season, providing sparkling defense along with a .304 average, 42 home runs, 130 RBI and 106 runs scored.

Note: Hodges finished third in the previous Golden Era voting, with 56.5 percent.

 

So, there’s the BBRT Golden Era ballot.  But I can’t resist taking just a little liberty.  If I only had one more vote, it would go to:

 

Ken Boyer (3B/1B/CF … 1955-69)

GEBoyerKen Boyer was a Gold Glove fielder at third base.  In fact, he won five Gold Gloves in a six-season span (1958 to 1963).  He led all NL third baseman in assists twice, putouts once and double plays five times. And I guess he was able to console himself for losing the 1964 Gold Glove to the Cubs’ Ron Santo with the fact that Boyer was voted the NL MVP that season.

You may have heard about (or witnessed) Boyer’s defensive skills at the hot corner, but did you know his MLB career also included time in centerfield (111 games), as well as at first base (65 games) and shortstop (31 games)? In fact, in 1957 – with the Cardinals wanting to develop infield prospect Eddie Kasko and facing a gap in centerfield – Boyer agreed to move to the center of the outfield. In 105 games there, he made just one error and led NL outfielders with a .993 fielding average.

Note: A combination of an injury to Kasko and the Cardinals acquisition of outfielder Curt Flood sent Boyer back to third base in 1958 (and he began a streak of four consecutive Gold Gloves).

In his fifteen-year MLB career, Boyer became known not just as a fine defensive player, but also as a consistent, quality hitter. He retired with 2,143 hits, a .287 average, 282 home runs, 1,104 runs scored and 1,141 RBI – topping .300 five times (with a high of .329 in 1961), hitting 20 or more home runs eight times (with a high of 32 in 1960), driving in 90 or more runs eight times (with a league-leading high of 119 in 1964) and scoring 90 or more runs five times (with a high of 109 in 1961).  The quality of Boyer’s play – in the field and at the plate – earned him seven All Star selections.

 

WHAT WILL THE GOLDEN ERA COMMITTEE DO?

With only four of the sixteen members from the previous Golden Era Committee (which elected on Ron Santo) returning, this becomes a tough call. Given the make-up of the 2014 committee, I expect they will be a little more generous in the balloting.

Likely to be elected:  I expect Jim Kaat (who came so close in 2011) and Minnie Minoso to receive the necessary support.

Dark horse candidates:  I also think Tony Oliva (thanks to Rod Carew’s presence on the panel) and Gil Hodges (who got 56.3 percent last time around) have a chance – but I am less confident they will garner three-quarters of the votes.

So, in order of likelihood, Kaat, Minoso, Oliva, Hodges.

 

BBRT invites your comments on the Golden Era ballot.

 

I tweet baseball @DavidBBRT

Filed Under: BB Fun Facts, News

2015 Baseball Hall of Fame Ballot – BBRT’s Take

December 3, 2014 by
Cooperstown - home to 1987 Salt Lake City Trappers memorabilia.

The Baseball Hall of Fame.

The 2015 Baseball Hall of Fame Ballot is now in the hands of the members of the Baseball Writers Association of America, with the results to be reported January 7, 2015.  As in 2014, there are some strong newcomers and, also like last year (when first-timers Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine headed the ballot), this year’s most likely first-ballot electees are pitchers – Randy Johnson and Pedro Martinez. Other big names making their first appearance on the ballot include: Nomar Garciaparra, Gary Sheffield, John Smoltz, Carlos Delgado and Troy Percival.

In this post, I’ll take a look at how BBRT would vote (if I had a ballot), as well as BBRT’s predictions for the actual BBWAA results. By way of review, each BBWAA member can vote for up to ten players, and a player must receive 75 percent support to earn election. In an upcoming post, BBRT will look at the Golden Era Hall of Fame voting.

If recent balloting is any indication, we can expect a significant number of writers will decline to vote for players suspected of (or having admitted to) PED use, which seems a legitimate reason.  Others will hold back votes from first-timers to make a statement on “what it takes to be a first-ballot inductee” (a less legitimate reason than the PED issue) and still others may send in blank ballots (for no apparent reason). So, let’s start with a quick list of what BBRT’s ballot would look like.  Then we’ll move on to my predictions for the actual BBWAA results and, finally, take a more detailed look at the players who would garner BBRT’s votes.

BBRT’s Hall of Fame Selections – if I had a vote – In Priority Order

First a quick list, later a more detailed look at BBRT’s selections.

Group One – Should Be No Doubt

1. Randy Johnson– 303 wins, 4,875 strikeouts (second all-time), five Cy Young Awards (including four consecutive 1999-2002)

2. Pedro Martinez– 219 wins, three Cy Young Awards, five-time ERA leader

3. Craig Biggio– 3,060 hits, 1,884 runs scored, 291 HRs, 414 steals

Group Two – Debatable, But Clearly Deserving Support

4.  John Smoltz – Only pitcher in MLB history to top both 200 wins and 150 saves, led NL in wins as a starter (24 in 1966) and saves as a reliever (55 in 2002), compiled a 15-4 post-season record (with four saves for good measure)

5. Lee Smith– 478 saves (third all- time), three times league saves leader

6. Mike Piazza – .308 career average, most home runs by a catcher, 12-time All Star

7. Jeff Kent – Most home runs by any second baseman, nine more RBI than Mickey Mantle, 2000 NL MVP

Group Threee – More Debatable, But Would Get BBRT’s Vote

8.  Jeff Bagwell – 449 HRs, 202 steals, 1,529 RBI, 1991 NL Rookie of the Year, 1994 NL MVP, twice recorded seasons of 40 or more HRs and 30 or more steals

9.  Mike Mussina – 270 wins, five-time All Star, seven-time Gold Glove winner, six times finished in top five in Cy Young voting

10.  Tim Raines– 808 stolen bases (fifth all time), 2,605 hits (.294 career average), 1,571 runs scored.

 

BBRT Predictions as to Whom the Baseball Writers Will Vote In

BBRT projects that the BBWAA, being  stingier than BBRT with their votes, will elect:

  • Randy Johnson,
  • Pedro Martinez
  • Craig Biggio

I also see two dark horse candidates for 2015, in this order of likelihood:

  • John Smoltz’ post-season record may give him just the push he needs to become a “first-ballot” inductee, but BBRT expects it to be very close
  • Mike Piazza, with 62.2 percent of the vote one year ago, is a potential dark horse candidate to make the jump to 75 percent – but will more likely move up to about 66-68 percent  

Big names associated with the PED issue – they will not be named here, but the vote totals will tell you – are likely to remain on the sidelines, as emotions related to PED-use continue to run high. (In BBRT’s line of thinking, there is a difference between proven and suspected PED use – and between solid evidence and rumors.)   In addition,  players like Nomar Garciaparra (1997 Rookie of the Year, six-time All Star, two-time batting champion), Carlos Delgado (473 home runs, 1,512 RBI)  and Troy Percival (358 saves, ninth all-time) are likely fall victim to the higher standards some voters require of first-ballot inductees.

I expect a handful of players to move closer to the 75-percent mark, including Mike Mussina, Mike Piazza (if he doesn’t get in), Jeff Bagwell, Tim Raines and Jeff Kent.   Note:  All five of these players would get BBRT’s vote this year.

 

A More Detailed Look at BBRT’s Selections from This Year’s HOF Ballot

Should Be Elected Easily

BBRT believes this first group of players should be locks for 2015 Hall of Fame induction.

 

 

Randy Johnson (LHP, 1988-2009 – first time on ballot)

The Big Unit should be headed for the Hall of Fame.

The Big Unit should be headed for the Hall of Fame.

Maybe a good nickname helps (especially if you notch 300 wins on the mound). Last year’s HOF ballot was headed by Greg “The Professor” Maddux and his 355 career victories.  This year’s ballot features Hall of Fame shoo-in Randy “The Big Unit” Johnson, who notched 303 wins (versus 166 losses) and 4,875 strikeouts (second all-time) in 4,135 innings pitched.  The 6’ 10”, 225-pound Johnson was an intimidating specter and force on the mound. He was known for a blazing fastball and hard slider, and his 10.61 strikeouts per nine innings ranks number-one among qualifying starting pitchers.  Johnson, who held hitters to a .221 average (eighth all-time), was a ten-time All-Star and five-time Cy Young Award winner (second only to Roger Clemens). He led his league in strikeouts nine times (topping 300 in a season six times), ERA four times, complete games four times, winning percentage four times and victories once.  He ran off four straight NL Cy Young Awards (1999-2002) and, over those four seasons, went 81-27, 2.48 with 1,417 strikeouts in 1,030 innings pitched.  Johnson threw two no-hitters (one – on May 18, 2004 – a perfect game.) He was also the 2001 World Series MVP – going 3-0. 1.04 in three starts (striking out 19 in 17 1/3 innings).

Johnson pitched for the  Montreal Expos (1988-89); the Seattle Mariners (1989-98); Houston Astros (1998); Arizona Diamondbacks (1999-2004 and 2007-08); the New York Yankees (2005-06); and the San Francisco Giants (2009).

Randy Johnson’s  best season: 2002 Arizona Diamondbacks … Johnson earned his fourth consecutive Cy Young Award while leading the NL in wins (24 – versus just five losses),  winning percentage (.828), ERA (2.32), complete games (eight), innings pitched (260) and strikeouts (334). It was also his fourth consecutive season of 300+ strikeouts.

Randy Johnson’s most unusual season: In 1998, Johnson started the season with the Seattle Mariners (for whom he had won 20 games the year before – not to mention the Cy Young Award in 1995). There had been some conflict over his contract and both Seattle and Johnson got off to a slow start.  On July 31, the Mariners traded Johnson to Houston for three talented minor leaguers (Freddy Garcia, Carlos Guillen and John Halama), who went on to put together a combined 38 major league seasons.  At the time, the Mariners were at the bottom of the AL West with a 48-60 record, while the Astros led the NL Central at 65-44.  Johnson ended July with a 9-10, 4.33 ERA record in 23 starts.  He turned his season around with the Astros, going 10-1, 1.28 in 11 starts – helping Houston to a 102-60 record and the Division title.

Pedro Martinez (RHP, 1992-2009 – first time on ballot)

Pedro Martnez brought an arsenal of "plus" pitches and elite control to the mound.

Pedro Martnez brought an arsenal of “plus” pitches and elite control to the mound.

Pedro Martinez, like Randy Johnson, was known as a power pitcher – twice topping 300 strikeouts in a season.  He brought his power from a different platform, generously listed at 5’11’, 170-pounds.  Martinez mowed hitters down by coupling excellent control with a “plus” fastball, cutter, curveball and circle change.   Early in his career, Martinez’ fastball was clocked in the mid-to-high 90s, while later he used his combination of pitch selection and control to continue to win with a fastball in the high 80s.

Martinez ran up a 219-100 record, a 2.93 ERA and 3,154 strikeouts in 18 seasons.  Among qualifying starting pitchers, only Randy Johnson recorded more strikeouts per nine innings than Martinez’ 10.04. He captured three Cy Young Awards (1997, 1999, 2000) and was an eight-time All Star.  His HOF resume also includes a league-low ERA in five seasons, and a league-high in strikeouts three times.  Martinez, with 760 career bases on balls, is one of only four pitchers to log 3,000+ strikeouts with fewer than 1,000 walks (Curt Schilling – 3,116 Ks/ 711 BBs; Fergie Jenkins – 3,192/997; Greg Maddux – 3,371/999). Martinez held opposing hitters to a .214 average over his career – the fourth-lowest in MLB history.  His .687 winning percentage is the third-highest all-time and second-highest in the modern era (behind Whitey Ford’s .690; 238-106). Martinez logged a 6-4 post-season record, with a 3.46 ERA and 96 strikeouts in 96 1/3 innings.

Martinez pitched for the Los Angeles Dodgers (1992-93); Montreal Expos (1994-97); Boston Red Sox (1998-2004); New York Mets (2005-08); and Philadelphia Phillies (2009).

Pedro Martinez’ best season: 1999 Boston Red Sox … Martinez led the AL in wins (23), winning percentage (23-4, .852), ERA (2.07) and strikeouts (313 in just 213 1/3 innings), while winning his second Cy Young Award.

Pedro Martinez’ remarkable run:  After going 17-8 with an NL-best 1.90 ERA for Montreal in 1997, Martinez was traded to the Boston Red Sox for pitcher Carlos Pavano and a Player to Be Named Later (Tony Armas, Jr.). In his time with the Red Sox, Martinez went 117-37, with a 2.52 ERA and 1,683 strikeouts in 1,383 1/3 innings.

 

Craig Biggio (2B/C/OF, 1988-2007 – third time on the ballot)

Craig Biggio getting his bat on the ball for 3,000+ hits should be his ticket to the Hall of Fame.

Craig Biggio getting his bat on the ball for 3,000+ hits should be his ticket to the Hall of Fame.

It takes 75 percent of the vote to enter the “Hall” and, last year, Biggio just missed at 74.8 percent (two votes shy).  This should be his year.  In 20 seasons, Biggio recorded 3,060 base hits (20th all time), 1,884 runs (154h all time), hit 291 home runs and stole 414 bases.  He was a seven-time All Star and a four-time Gold Glove winner, who spent notable time at second base, catcher and in the outfield.  He led the NL in runs twice, doubles three times, stolen bases once and hit-by-pitch five times.  His 668 doubles are the most ever by a right-handed hitter (and fifth all time). He holds the NL record for home runs to lead off a game (53) and for hit-by-pitch (285).  Biggio played his entire 18-year MLB career with the Houston Astros.

Craig Biggio’s best year:  1998 Houston Astros … 160 games,  .325 average , 210 hits, 123 runs, 20 HRs, 88 RBI, league-leading 51 doubles, 50 stolen bases.

Craig Biggio fact:  Biggio is one of only two players to hit 50 doubles and steal 50 bases in the same season.

 

Deserving Candidates Who Also Would Get BBRT’s Vote (If I had one)

This next group of candidates consists of players whose entrance into the Hall of Fame might prompt some discussion and debate – but when the discussion is done, BBRT is confident they should be seen as deserving of election.

John Smoltz (RHP, 1988-2009 – 1st time on ballot)

Smoltz is the only MLB hurler to notch 200+ wins (213) and 150+ saves (154) in his career – as well as one of only two pitchers to have a 20-win season and a 50-save season.  In 1996, he went 24-8 as a starter for the Braves, leading the NL in wins, winning percentage (24-6, .750), strikeouts( 276)  and innings pitched (253 2/3). Five seasons later, after Tommy John surgery, Smoltz led the NL in saves with 55, while going 3-2, 3.25 with 85 strikeouts in 80 1/3 innings as the Braves’ closer.   The eight-time All Star won the NL Cy Young Award in 1996 and was the Rolaids Relief Man of the Year in 2005. He led the NL in wins twice, winning percentage twice, strikeouts twice, innings pitched twice and saves once.  He finished his career at 213-155, 3.33, with 154 saves and 3,084 strikeouts in 3,473 innings pitched.  Smoltz was a beast in the post season, appearing in 41 games and recording 15 wins (versus just four losses), four saves, 199 strikeouts (in 209 innings pitched) and a 2.67 ERA.

Might be a little shy of support from those who place heavy emphasis on first-ballot selection, but has a chance to make it in this year.

Smoltz’ best year:  1996 Braves … League-leading wins (24), winning percentage (24-6 .750), and strikeouts (276). Won the Cy Young Award.  Followed up by going 4-1, 0.95 in the post season – striking out 33 in 38 innings.

Smoltz’ fact:  Smoltz was pretty much equally effective at home and on the road.  In 363 home appearances, he went 108-77, 3.29.  In 360 road appearances, he went 105-78, 3.37.

 

Lee Smith (RHP, 1980-97 – 13th time on the ballot)

I’d love for this to be lucky number thirteen for Lee Smith.  However, last year Smith got only 29.9 percent of the vote, and that’s a lot of ground to make up.  Smith’s  478 saves put him third on the all-time list (he was number-one when he retired after the 1997 season).  He recorded 13 consecutive seasons (in an 18-year career) of 25 or more saves, a 3.03 lifetime ERA and 1,251 strikeouts in 1,289 innings pitched; led his league in saves four times; made seven All Star teams; and was the Rolaids Relief Man of the Year in three seasons.  Smith pitched for the Chicago Cubs (1980-87); Boston Red Sox (1988-90); St. Louis Cardinals (1990-93); New York Yankees (1993); Baltimore Orioles (1994); California Angels (1995-96); Cincinnati Reds (1996); Montreal Expos (1997).

With the third most saves all time, Smith gets BBRT’s vote.

Lee Smith’s best season:  1991, Cardinals … 6-3, 2.34 ERA, 47 saves, 73 innings pitched, 67 strikeouts.

Lee Smith fact: Smith is one of only 16 pitchers to appear in 1,000 or more games.

 

Mike Piazza (C, 1992-2007 – Third year on the ballot)

Mike Piazza’s stat sheet includes a .308 career average, 427 home runs (a MLB-record 396 as a catcher), a Rookie of the Year Award, 12 All Star Selections and ten Silver Slugger Awards as the best hitter at his position. Over his career, he collected 2,127 hits, 1,335 RBI and scored 1,048 runs. He hit .242, with six home runs and 15 RBI in 32 post season games.  Piazza got 62.2 percent of the vote last year and should improve this year – maybe even to the required 75 percent.

Piazza’s best year: 1997, Dodgers – .362 avg., 201 hits, 104 runs, 40 HR, 124 RBI.

Piazza fact: Piazza’s career defied expectations:  He was the 1,390th player selected in the 1988 MLB draft (62nd round). Five years later, he was a major league All Star, NL Rookie of the Year and a Silver Slugger winner.

 

Jeff Kent (2B/3B/1B, 1992-2008 – second year on the ballot)

Despite the fact that only 15.2 percent of the writers voted for Kent last year (his first on the ballot), BBRT believes Kent is a deserving candidate.  Kent holds the all-time MLB record for home runs by a second baseman (351 of his 377 career round trippers were hit while playing second base). He has a healthy .290 career batting average and his 1,518 RBI are 51st  all time (for perspective, Kent drove in nine more runs than Mickey Mantle). Kent was a five-time All Star, four-time Silver Slugger winner and 2000 NL MVP.  He hit .276, with nine home runs and 23 RBI in 49 post-season games.

Kent has the credentials, but BBRT has a hunch the writers will make keep him waiting – a couple of Gold Gloves, at this traditionally defense-oriented position, would have really helped his case.

Jeff Kent’s best season: SF Giants, 2000:  159 games, 196 hits, .334 average, 33 home runs, 125 RBI, 114 runs, 12 steals. NL MVP.

Jeff Kent fact: Kent hit .276, with nine home runs and 23 RBI in 49 post-season games.

 

More Debatable, But Would Still Get BBRT’s Vote

More debate is likely to swirl around this group.  They may be on the cusp when it comes to election (some for this year, some overall); but BBRT would use all ten votes.

Jeff Bagwell (1B, 1991-2005 – fifth year on the ballot)

Jeff Bagwell earned Hall of Fame consideration with a 15-year career that included 2,314 hits, 449 home runs, 202 stolen bases and a .297 average – along with a Rookie of the Year Award, a Most Valuable Player Award, one Gold Glove and four All Star selections.  He also twice recorded seasons of 40 or more homers and 30 or more steals. Bagwell’s chances are hurt a bit by the fact that first base has been manned by so many power hitters over time.  Bagwell played his entire career with the Houston Astros.

BBRT would vote for Bagwell, who picked up 54.3 percent of the vote last year and should improve this season.

Bagwell’s best season:  Bagwell really gives us two good choices here.  1994 Astros …  Baggy hit .368, with 39 homers and 15 stolen bases, while leading the NL in runs (104) and RBI (116) and earning a Gold Glove.  Bagwell also won the NL MVP Award despite playing just 110 of the Astros’ 144 games in the strike-shortened season.   2000 Astros …  .310 average, 183 hits, 152 runs, 132 RBI, 47 home runs.

Bagwell’s durability: Jeff Bagwell played all 162 of the Astros’ regular season games in four of his fifteen seasons – and topped 155 games ten times.

 

Mike Mussina (RHP, 1991-2008 – second year on the ballot)

It’s another tough year on the ballot for Mike Mussina.  In his first year (2014), he was overshadowed by fellow first-timers Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine  (both 300-game winners). This year, Mussina must contend with the first HOF ballot appearances of Randy Johnson (another 300-game winner) and Pedro Martinez.  The writers are likely to ask Mussina to wait, but BBRT would cast a vote for “Moose.”  Last year,  Mussina garnered just 20.3 percent of the vote.  Expect improvement this year.

Mussina built a 270-153 record, a career 3.68 ERA and 2,813 strikeouts over 18 seasons. While only a 20-game winner once (in his final season, at age 39), Mussina won 18 or 19 games five times, leading the AL with 19 wins in 1995. He was a five-time All Star and a seven-time Gold Glove winner. While the lack of a Cy Young Award on his resume may hurt him, he finished his career 117 games over .500 – and history says 100 or more wins than losses is good for a ticket to the HOF.

Mike Mussina’s best season:  2008 New York Yankees … Mussina may have saved his best for last.  In his final season, at age 39, he recorded his first twenty-win campaign.  That year, Mussina went 20-9, 3.37 – and proved his durability by leading the AL in starts with 34.

Mussina fact: In his first three full seasons  in the major leagues (1992-94) Mussina put up a .700 or better winning percentage each year (.783, .700, .762). His record over that span – for the Orioles – was 48-16.

 

Tim Raines (OF, 1979-2001 –  eighth year on the ballot.)

Tim Raines hit .294 over his 23-season MLB career, collecting 2,605 hits, 1,571 runs scored, 170 home runs, 980 RBI and 808 stolen bases (#5 all time).  Raines was successful on 83.5 percent of his career steal attempts. He was a seven-time All Star, led the NL in stolen bases four consecutive years (1981-84), had a streak of six seasons with at least 70 steals, won the NL batting title in 1986 with a .334 average, led the league in runs scored twice and doubles once. In 34 post-season games, he hit .270 with one home run, six RBI, 18 runs scored and three steals.

More debatable than Piazza or Bagwell, but Raines would get BBRT’s vote.

Raines’ best season: BBRT did not select Raines’ 1986 batting title year, but rather his 1983 season with the Expos … 156 games, 179 hits, .298 average, league-leading 133 runs scored, 11 homers, 71 RBI, league-leading 90 steals.

Raines was always running:  Over 23 seasons, Raines average 35 steals a year (and that included six seasons in which he played in less than half his team’s games).  Over his MLB career – from age 19 to 42 – Raines averaged 52 stolen bases for every 162 games played.

So, there’s  BBRT’s regular Hall of Fame “selections.” Again, coming soon, a look at the Golden Era HOF election.

BBRT invites your comments on the 2015 Hall of Fame election.

I tweet baseball @DavidBBRT

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