This year, as I noted with disappointment in my January 9 post, the Baseball Writers Association of America threw a shutout in the Hall of Fame balloting. While the steroids era “tainted” the 2013 election process, I felt that there were candidates who deserved election – and that the BBWAA could have made more of a statement by voting in a “clean” candidate or two and denying the “suspect” superstars on the list. I was pretty sure that most fans would feel pretty much the same way – and that a fan vote would have turned out differently. With that in mind, I sent out my own ballot – to Ballpark Tours Hot Stove League Banquet and Annual Tour participants, fantasy baseball league opponents and baseball-fan friends. The results are in – and I stand corrected.

BBRT voters put more zeroes up on the 2013 Baseball Hall of Fame scoreboard.

With just over 50 ballots in, the results of the BBRT balloting were not that different from the official BBWAA vote – and no one was elected. In the BBRT ballot, Craig Biggio topped all candidates with 65.3% of the vote, just as he topped the BBWAA ballot at 68.2%. Jack Morris and Mike Piazza tied for second on the BBRT ballot at 61.5%, while in the official voting, Morris finished second (67.7%) and Piazza fourth (57.8%). The main outlier at the top of the ballot was Jeff Bagwell, who finished fifth in the BBRT vote, but with only 38.5%, while the writers has him third at 59.6%.

BBRT voters were a bit harder than the BBWAA on PED-suspect candidates: Here are some notable with the BBRT vote percentage followed by the BBWAA percentages: Barry Bonds (19.2/36.2); Roger Clemens (19.2/37.6); Mark McGwire 15.4/16.9); Sammy Sosa (11.5/12.5); Rafael Pameiro (11.5/8.8).

I did take part in another mock ballot this year – conducted by the national Baseball Bloggers Alliance. In that vote, one candidate – Jeff Bagwell – was elected, with 76% support. As in the BBRT and BBWAA votes, Biggio and Piazza finished close with 69% each, but Morris fared much worse at only 32% (not too many folks who attended Game 7 in 1991, apparently). The suspect list also fared better with the blogger group.  Bonds got 62%, Clements 56%, McGwire 35%, Sosa 21% and Palmeiro 15%. Also of interest to me was the fact that Lee Smith, who captured 57.6% of the BBRT votes and 47.8% of the writers’ ballots, got only 25% from the bloggers’ group. (Visit the Baseball Bloggers Alliance Website for the full results of thee vote. )

BBRT saw three prevailing attitudes in the balloting, in the following order of frequency (I’ll share some of the comments I received at the end of this post):

1) Don’t let the suspects in, but I will vote for a couple of qualified “clean” candidates;

2) Don’t let the suspects and there are no candidates I see worthy of first-ballot election, and few or no returning candidates that really command my vote;

3) Let the records stand for themselves, as long as MLB has not declared candidates ineligible, like Pete Rose and Shoeless Joe Jackson, I will vote based on the numbers;

4) I think the game’s gone bad and here’s a blank ballot in protest.

So, here are the final BBRT results, with each candidate’s vote percentage followed by the BBWAA’s official tally:

Craig Biggio – 65.3% (68.2)

Jack Morris – 61.5% (67.7)

Mike Piazza – 61.5% (57.8)

Lee Smith – 57.6% (47.8)

Jeff Bagwell – 38.5% (59.6)

Edgar Martinez – 30.7% (35.9)

Alan Trammel – 30.7% (33.6%)

Roger Clemens – 19.2% (37.6)

Barry Bonds – 19.2% (36.2)

Curt Schilling – 19.2% (38.8)

Tim Raines – 19.2% (52.2)

Don Mattingly – 15.4% (13.2)

Mark McGwire – 15.4% (16.9)

Sammy Sosa – 11.5% (12.5%)

Larry Walker – 11.5% (21.6)

Rafael Pameiro – 11.5% (8.8)

Dale Murphy – 7.7% (18.6)

Bernie Williams – 7.7% (3.3)

Fred McGriff – 3.8% (20.7)

Julio Franco – 3.8% (1.1)

Note: The following BBWAA vote-getters did not get votes in the BBRT balloting: Kenny Lofton (3.2%, BBWAA) and Sandy Alomar Jr. (2.8%).

To wrap up, here excerpts from some selected comments BBRT received with its ballots.

I’ve got a real problem with voting for suspected PED-users – particularly on the first ballot. Beyond that I find this year’s HOF class uninspiring – and look forward to next year with Maddux, Glavine and the Big hurt eligible.    BK

If there was ever a year to justify a shutout, this would be it. It’s a pretty uninspiring ballot, all the more compared to recent years and what’s to come. On the drug issue, at this point I’m not willing to vote for them – realizing that ‘them’ is a slippery slope in some cases. My view may change over time as we have a longer historical lens and more knowledge with which to work. In 10 years, will I feel differently about Bonds or Clemens? Can’t answer that.

One other thing: I really believe there’s a distinction between a Hall of Famer and a “first-ballot Hall of Famer,” … I think that first-ballot election signifies being among the elite of the elite in all criteria of the game: Voting shall be based upon the player’s record, playing ability, integrity, sportsmanship, character, and contributions to the team(s) on which the player played.   HS

I’m tired or reading about drugs and money, rather base hits.  They’re spoiling the game, so I vote a blank ballot.   LW

I believe that the steroid users should never get in. If they can continue to keep Pete Rose out for gambling and refuse to acknowledge his accomplishments on the field sans drugs, then there is no way there is justification for putting the druggies in. I don’t care how many others do it and I don’t care how it enhances performance.  KC

Why doesn’t MLB take these guys off ballots? It seems to me that they asking voters to make up minds for MLB. Bud needs to step up and deny these guys (entry) into HOF as a ban.  PC

I agree with the MLB Baseball writers in not electing players into the hall every year. I think that there are some players that should be in, Jack Morris, Jim Kaat but the vote is the best process that can be used and if they do not concur for that year than so be it. It just makes the membership to the hall that much more exclusive … The debate that this year’s vote has brought on is what makes this sport so wonderful and timeless.   SB

 I am of the belief that it is not possible to tell who did or did not inhale, so trying to be drug-cops is, in the end ineffective. So my ballot is based on the fact that these players are part of the history of the game. It seems to me there are three key issues:

1) As fans of the national pastime, we accept the scoreboard as it is, regardless of any extenuating circumstances: no asterisks, no questions. The Game is the Game; the record is the record.

2) Betting on baseball is bad, Bad, BAD, REALLY BAD. Thou shalt forever be banned from the Hall. Is it a greater sin to bet on the game than to use drugs to improve your performance? If you agree, Pete and the Black Sox shall be forever banned, but Sammy, Mark et al. shall be eligible. I am not wise enough to make this call so close to the bag.

3) Performance enhancing drugs are worse /are not as bad as betting on the game. If you used steroids, you should/should not/should/should not/should/should not be admitted to the Hall of Fame. You hit the ball more, you scored more runs, but was it you or the drugs in your body allowed you to be that good? How well would Sammy, Roger, Barry, and Mark done if they had not used drugs? They might have done just as well. They were, after all, really good players. Sadly, we shall never know. What we do know now is that certain players were banned by the Commissioner for betting on the game, regardless of their performance record. End of story. If Pete Rose is ever inducted, I will have watched my last MLB game, unless at the same moment Shoeless Joe is also forgiven his sins. To the best of my understanding, their crimes were only about money.  From my professional perspective, using drugs to enhance performance is a deeper, more fundamental violation of the rules of the game. It seems to me that those who voted this year unambiguously agreed. So it should remain.   JT

Mike Redmond, 2011 Midwest League Manager of the Year … now leading the Miami Marlins.

BBRT says congratulations to one of its favorite “grinders,”  Mike Redmond, who was recently named manager of the Miami Marlins.    Redmond’s 13-year major league career – primarily as a backup catcher, included time with the Marlins, Twins and Indians.  His best season came with the Twins in 2007, when he hit .294. with 1 home run and 38 RBI in 82 games.  His career batting average was .287, with 13 homers and 243 RBI in 764 games.

As a player, Redmond enjoyed a well-earned reputation as a hard worker who got the most from his talents, was respected for his commitment to and knowledge of the game, and was appreciated for his clubhouse presence – knowing when to get fired up and when to loosen up.   He was also known for clutch hits, playing through pain, “smelling the RBIs” and taking naked batting practice (actually, he was wearing spikes and batting gloves.)

And, while his managing experience is brief, it’s pretty impressive.  The 41-year-old Redmond, who retired as a player after the 2010 season, managed the past two seasons in the Blue Jays’ minor league system.  In 2011, he started his managerial career by leading the Lansing Lugnuts to their best record ever (77-60), winning Midwest League Manager of the Year honors.   In 2012, he moved to the Florida State League, leading Dunedin to a 78-55 record and first-place divisional finish.

Redmond has plenty of work to do with the Marlins, who finished 69-93 under veteran manager Ozzie Guillen in 2012.  BBRT applauds the Marlins’ choice and wishes Mike Redmond the best – we know he will, as always, give the job his best.

Carlos “Big Game” Beltran – this guy can play the game.

Great players need great nicknames – like Mr. October, Big Train or the Baby Bull. Well, perhaps Carlos Beltran should be Carlos “Big Game” Beltran.  With his home run in game one of the 2012 NL Championship Series, Beltran added to his already spectacular post-season statistics.

In 29 post-season games, Beltran is hitting .370 with 14 home runs, 25 RBI., 38 runs scored and 9 stolen bases.  Not that he’s a regular season slouch.  In 15 seasons, the 1999 AL Rookie of the Year and nine-time All Star has rung up a .282 average, with 2,064 hits, 1,243 RBI and 1,267 runs scored.  He’s also a member of the 300-300 club, with 334 home runs and 306 stolen bases.  And, he tops it off with 3 Gold Gloves.  And, he’s done it all consistently and quietly, never leading the league in any of the key offensive categories.

In recent posts (Oct. 6/7), BBRT has shared its opinion on the AL & NL Most Valuable Player and Cy Young Awards.  In this post, we’ll take a look at two more major regular season recognitions – Rookie of the Year and Manager of the Year.   We’ll start with the easiest to guage, American League Rookie of the Year.

Mike Trout – likely unanimous AL ROY.

AL Rookie of the Year – Mike Trout (Angels)

If you don’t know the AL ROY is going to be the Angels’ Mike Trout, go back to Monday Night Football, you’re reading the wrong blog.

The (now) 21-year-old Trout, called up in late April, finished the season with a .326 average, 30 HRs, 83 RBI (from the lead-off spot) – while also leading the AL in runs scored (129) and stolen bases  (49) and likely earning Gold Glove consideration. In the process,  he became the youngest player to reach the “30-30 Club” (HRs and SBs), one of only 19 players to reach 30-40, and came within one stolen base of joining Eric Davis (1987) and Barry Bonds (1990) in the 30 HR-50 SB fraternity.   In fact, as BBRT completes this post, Trout is not only being talked about as a shoe-in Rookie of the Year, but as a leading AL Most Valuable Player candidate (see BBRT post of Oct. 7).

Honorable Mention would go out to the Rangers’ right-hander Yu Darvish, who posted a 16-9 record, with a 3.90 ERA, striking out 222 batters in 191 1/3 innings pitched.  The contest, however, is not even close.

NL Rookie of the Year – Wade Miley (Diamondbacks)

Wade Miley – stats on next year’s card will show why BBRT likes him as NL ROY.

BBRT sees a three-way battle here – one that could have been avoided except for a kink in the ROY eligibility rules (more on that later).  BBRT takes Arizona hurler Wade Miley over Bryce Harper of the Nationals and Norichika Aoki of the Brewers.

First, why Miley?  For the year, he posted a 16-11 record (leading the Diamondbacks in wins), with the league’s tenth-best ERA among qualifiers (3.33).  He took on a strong workload for a rookie (194 2/3) innings pitched – showing poise, control and power (only 37 walks against 144 strikeouts).

Second, why not Harper or Aoki (especially Harper, who was touted all year as the league’s top and most exciting rookie)?  For BBRT these two players, who took widely different paths to the NL (Harper a teenage sensation and Aoki a 30-year-old Japanese import), stole votes from each other.   Here’s the proverbial “tale of the tape.”

Games Played:  Aoki leads 151 to 139.

Hits:  Aoki tops Harper 150 to 144.

Batting Average:  Aoki bests Harper – .288 to .270.

Runs Scored:  Harper tops Aoki – 98 to 81.

Home Runs:  Harper well ahead of Aoki 22 to 10.

Doubles:  Aoki makes up for some of Harper’s HR-power, leading in two-baggers 37-26.

Triples:  Harper is more explosive, with 9 triples to Aoki’s 4.

RBI:  Despite the “overpowering” HR lead, the RBI race was closer than you would expect, with Harper leading 59 to 50.

Stolen Bases: Like Harper in HRs, Aoki has a big lead here, 30 to 18.  Also, Oaki was safe 89.5% of the time to 75.0% for Harper.

Walks:  Harper leads Aoki 56 to 43.

Strikeouts:  BBRT hates these wasted at-bats.  Aoki fanned only 55 times to Harper’s 120.

Excitement quotient:  Have to give the edge to Harper, who went all-out, all-the-time.

Harper had a fantastic season for a teenager, but just not enough to offset Wiley’s presence in the Diamondbacks’ rotation – and really not that far ahead of Aoki’s 2012 performance.

Honorable Mention:  BBRT regrets that Cardinal Lance Lynn did not qualify for ROY consideration (there was some debate early in the season).  He was well under the 50 innings pitched limit (getting in 18 games with 34 2/3 innings in 2011), but his early June  2011 call-up gave him more than the allowable 45 days of ML service (during the 25-man roster period – yes, it’s a technical rule).  Without that hitch, and time on the bench, Lynn would get BBRT’s vote hands down for his 18-7, 3.78, 176 innings pitched, 64-walk, 180-strikeout effort.

Notably, over in the AL, Mike Trout faced a pre-season ROY-eligibility dilemma himself.  According to reports last December, Trout was initially credited with 55 days on the Angels’ active roster (during the 25-player time period) in 2011. However, Trout was on the 25-man roster for just 38 days, with the remaining additional 17 days being credited after a short-term demotion to the minors.  MLB, in that case, ruled that while Trout retains 55 days of service time for accounting purposes, only the time he spent on the active roster will count against his rookie status.  Wow, I’m getting a headache, Mr. Commissioner.

AL Manager of the Year – Bob Melvin (A’s)

The A’s Bob Melvin – BBRT choice for AL Manager of the Year.

BBRT’s choice, Bob Melvin, brought a no-name, no-payroll club (picked for last place by many analysts) to the West Division Championship with a 94-68 record (second-best in the AL).  Along the way, his A’s overcame a 13-game deficit as of June 30; were nine games out at the All-Star Break, four back with eight to go; and two behind with three to go.  They had to sweep the first-place and favored Rangers in the last series of the year and needed to overcome a 5-1 deficit in game 162 to capture the Division title.  They did it all – and with the lowest payroll in the league.

They also did it with no 100-RBI men; no .300 hitters; only one player with 30 or more homers; no-pitcher with more than 13 victories; only one pitcher with 30+ starts; and no pitcher with 200 innings pitched. They had 54 wins from rookie pitchers, and started a rookie hurler in each of the last 14 games of the season.

Runner-up?  That would be Buck Showalter of the equally “disrespected-in-the-preseason” Orioles.  Showalter kept his Orioles in the race with the vaunted Yankees until the final weekend, finishing two games out of the Division title – winning a Wild Card spot with a 93-69 record.  Had Melvin’s A’s not captured the West, BBRT would have split its vote between the A’s and Orioles’ skippers.

NL Manager of the Year – Davey Johnson (Nationals)

Davey Johnson – BBRT choice for NL Manager of the Year.

This was a close one for BBRT, with the Nationals’ Davey Johnson barely edging out Bruce Bochy of the Giants and Dusty Baker of the Reds not far behind.  All three managers brought 2011 non-playoff teams to Division Championships.  Johnson ends up with a slight edge for bringing his Nationals’ squad in at 98-64, MLB’s best record in 2012.

Here’s what BBRT saw over the season.  We’ll start with Johnson.  His Nationals improved from 2011’s third-place finish (80-81, 21 ½ games out) to 98-64 and an AL East Crown.  In the process, Johnson had to deal with injuries to key players like Michael Morse,  Jayson Werth and Ryan Zimmerman.  He also had to keep enthusiastic (can you be overly enthusiastic?) 19-year-old rookie Bryce Harper on as even a keel as possible and handle the Stephen Strasburg shut-down controversy.  Finally, he boosted the confidence and performance of middle-infielders Ian Desmond and Danny Espinosa, who came into the season with a combined 515 total games of MLB experience.  Those challenges, plus his deft handling of the pitching staff and MLB’s best record earn Johnson BBRT’s vote.

Close behind is the Giants’ Bruce Bochy.  The Giants didn’t have as far to come as the Nationals (which played a role in BBRT’s preference for Johnson), going from 2011’s second-place finish (86-76, eight games out) to 94-68.  Bochy, however, faced plenty of challenge along the way.  He lost his leading offensive player to a PED-related suspension, suffered through an off-year by staff ace Tim Lincecum (whose ERA went from 2011’s 2.74 to 5.18), dealt with injuries to key players like Pablo Sandoval, and faced the threat of the high-spending Dodgers.   Outside of the spectacular year from Buster Posey (.336, 24 HR, 103 RBI), the Giants’ HR and RBI leader would have been Sandoval, with only 12 HRs and 63 RBI.  Like the Nats, the Giants could count on a strong starting staff (Matt Cain, Ryan Vogelsong, Madison Baumgardner and a resurgent Barry Zito), which helped compensate for Lincecum’s 10-15 record. A key to the Giant’s strong season, however, was Bochy’s handling of the bullpen, consistently getting the “hot hand” in at the “right time.”  As a result, the bulk of the saves went to:  Santiago Casilla (25), Sergio Romo (14) and Javier Lopez (7).

BBRT gives third place in the Manager of the Year race to Dusty Baker of the Reds.  Baker brought the Reds from 2011’s third-place finish (79-83, 17 games back) to 97-65.  Over the course of the season, he had to deal with injuries to key players like Joey Votto (the center of the Reds’ offense) and Scott Rolen.  Baker, known as a player’s manager and motivator, responded by getting the best out of players like Jay Bruce and Ryan Ludwick.  Not blessed with a particularly strong bench, Baker proved a master (though an oft-criticized one) at juggling his line-up to keep the Reds on track.  Baker also has to be credited for the Mid-May decision to move hard-throwing Aroldis Chapman into the closer role.  Chapman responded with 38 saves, a 1.51 ERA and 122 K’s in 71 2/3 innings pitched.

Like Johnson and Bochy, Baker did benefit from a solid and stable (perhaps the most stable) starting rotation.  Baker’s five-man rotation (Johnny Cueto, Matt Latos, Homer Bailey, Bronson Arroyo and Mike Leake) accounted for 161 of the Reds’ 162 starts.  For you trivia buffs, the starter in that one “outlier” – the second game of an August 18 day/night doubleheader – was rookie Todd Redmond (his only ML appearance to date).

Overall, a great – maybe even award-worthy – managerial season for Baker.  However, both Johnson and Bochy had to deal with more “distractions” in bringing their squads home in first.

BBRT invites your comments on 2012 regular-season awards.