Today the Baseball Writers’ Association of America released
the 2013 Hall of Fame ballot.
There are 37 former players on the ballot that can be chosen by the
600-plus eligible voters. The ballot consists of 13 returning candidates, but
notable are the 24 newcomers.
This is a big year for first timers as players like Sandy
Alomar Jr., Craig Biggio, Jeff Conine, Julio Franco, Shawn Green, Ryan Klesko,
Kenny Lofton, Mike Piazza, Reggie Sanders, Curt Schilling, Mike Stanton and
David Wells have made the ballot.
But the bigger issue will be addressing whether the careers and
achievements of players who were accused or suspected of using performance
enhancers are worthy of making the Hall as players like Barry Bonds, Roger
Clemens and Sammy Sosa have entered their first year of eligibility.
So far the biggest name that the writers have had to deal
with that has ties to performance enhancers has been Mark McGwire, now in his
7th year on the ballot. Last year
he received 19.5% of the vote. Candidates who receive less than five percent of
the vote in any Hall of Fame election are dropped from future consideration.
Others returning to the BBWAA Hall of Fame ballot include
(with their 2012 vote percentage in parentheses): Jack Norris (66.7%), Jeff
Bagwell (56.0%), Lee Smith (50.6%), Tim Raines (48.7%), Alan Trammell (36.8%),
Edgar Martinez (36.5%), Fred McGriff (23.9%), Larry Walker (22.9%), Don
Mattingly (17.8%), Dale Murphy (14.5%), Rafael Palmeiro (12.6%) and Bernie
Williams (9.6%).
Voting ends and all ballots must be returned by December
31st. The results of the election will be announced Jan. 9 live on MLB Network
and at the Baseball Hall of Fame's website, and any candidate named on at least
75 percent of ballots submitted will be enshrined at the National Baseball Hall
of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown on July 28.
Here is the complete list of candidates on the 2013 BBWAA Hall of Fame ballot.
