The Hall's 2010 Veterans Committee Ballots -- The Results

The Hall today announced the results of the 2010 Veterans Committee ballots.

Congratulations to Doug Harvey and Whitey Herzog, worthy electees.


Managers & Umpires ballot (12 of 16, 75%, needed for election)

rank candidate......votes..percentage

1. Doug Harvey (u)* ...... 15 93.8% -- ELECTED
2. Whitey Herzog (m) ..... 14 87.5% -- ELECTED
3t. Danny Murtaugh (m)* ... 8 50.0%
3t. Hank O'Day (u) ........ 8 50.0%
5. Charlie Grimm (m)* ..... 3 18.8%
6t. Davey Johnson (m)* ... <3 ≤12.5%
6t. Tom Kelly (m) ........ <3 ≤12.5%
6t. Billy Martin (m) ..... <3 ≤12.5%
6t. Gene Mauch (m) ....... <3 ≤12.5%
6t. Steve O'Neill (m) .... <3 ≤12.5%

* Candidates for whom I would have voted.

Executives & Pioneers ballot (9 of 12, 75%, needed for election)

rank candidate....votes..percentage

1. John Fetzer ....... 8 66.7%
2t. Marvin Miller* ... 7 58.3%
2t. Jacob Ruppert* ... 7 58.3%
4. Ewing Kauffman* ... 6 50.0%
5t. Gene Autry ...... <3 ≤16.7%
5t. Sam Breadon ..... <3 ≤16.7%
5t. Bob Howsam ...... <3 ≤16.7%
5t. John McHale ..... <3 ≤16.7%
5t. Gabe Paul ....... <3 ≤16.7%
5t. Bill White ...... <3 ≤16.7%

* Candidates for whom I would have voted.

Post-mortem.

I'm pleased for Harvey, whom I supported, but only because many players have endorsed him for years.

I was not in support of Herzog, but expected he would get elected, and am pleased enough that he did. No objection here.

For most of the other candidates I supported -- Grimm, Johnson, Kauffman, Murtaugh, and Ruppert -- I'm not terribly disappointed. I never expected them all to get elected, and none of these results surprised me very much.

I am greatly surprised and expectantly disappointed by the return for Miller. Seven votes was far more than I though he'd collect, but it still wasn't good enough. It's possible that he gained four votes just from the new voters on the committee this time, but I think that's unlikely. More probable is that some of the opinions of the voters turned in his favor. If that happens again in the 2012 Executives voting cycle, he may finally get his overdue plaque -- and may not be here to enjoy it. Miller will turn 93 next year. Maybe the Hall's powers are waiting for him to be gone, so he won't get to give a speech which is probably mortally dreaded in baseball's corridors of power. Oh well... maybe next time. It was a good showing, at least.

Next year, the VC votes only on post-1942 debut players. Maybe it will finally be Santo's turn to shine through.

The BBWAA ballot results will be announced January 6, 2010.

The Hall's 2010 Writers Ballot -- Wrap-up

Convenient links, since reading the reviews in order is nicer than scrolling down and then back up and so on.

Candidates
Part 1 -- Alomar, Appier, Baines, Blyleven, Burks, Dawson, Galarraga, Hentgen, Jackson.
Part 2 -- Karros, Lankford, Larkin, Martinez, Mattingly, McGriff, McGwire, Morris, Murphy.
Part 3 -- Parker, Raines, Reynolds, Segui, Smith, Trammell, Ventura, Zeile.

Chipmaker's votes: Alomar, Blyleven, Larkin, Martinez, McGriff, McGwire, Murphy, Raines, Smith.

Predictions

Alomar -- 50%.
Appier -- less than 10 votes, relegated.
Baines -- 5-6%, again.
Blyleven -- 69%. Dammit.
Burks -- relegated.
Dawson -- elected with 76%.
Galarraga -- relegated.
Hentgen -- less than 1%, relegated.
Jackson -- less than five votes, relegated.
Karros -- less than 2%, relegated.
Lankford -- a whisker over 5%. This is probably wrong.
Larkin -- 45%.
Martinez -- 30%.
Mattingly -- around 15%.
McGriff -- 40%.
McGwire -- 20-23% again.
Morris -- just over 50%.
Murphy -- 10-15%.
Parker -- 15-20%.
Raines -- around 40%. Probably a very high, wish-based prediction.
Reynolds -- one or zero votes, relegated.
Segui -- zero votes, relegated.
Smith -- 50%.
Trammell -- less than 20%, like always.
Ventura -- 10%.
Zeile -- less than 3%, relegated.

Voting results will be announced Wednesday, January 6, 2010, at 2:00 pm Eastern. Expect the announcement to post first on the Hall's website and the BBWAA's website, with perhaps a live cast on MLB Network.

The Hall's 2010 Writers Ballot -- The Candidates (part 3 of 3)

Concluding the review of this year's Hall candidates, #19-26.


19. Dave Parker (playing record | 2009 ballot review)

Years on ballot: 13.
Peak return: 24.5% (1998).
2009 return: 15.0%

Career: 19 seasons, 1973-91 -- *Pittsburgh Pirates 1973-83, Cincinnati Reds 1984-87, Oakland Athletics 1988-89, Milwaukee Brewers 1990, California Angels 1991, Toronto Blue Jays 1991.
Peak season: 1978 -- 30 HR, 117 RBI, 102 runs, 194 hits, 32 doubles, 12 triples, 20 stolen bases, .334/.394/.585, 166 OPS+, 134 RC.
Other outstanding seasons: 1975, 1977, 1979, 1985.
Primary position: right field, finished as a designated hitter.
Honoraria and claims to fame: Seven All-Star selections (four starts), 1978 NL MVP, 1979 All-Star MVP, three NL Gold Gloves for OF, three Silver Sluggers (two NL for OF, one AL for DH), two NL batting championships, led the NL in slugging twice, hits once, RBI once. Member of two World Series champions, the 1979 Pirates and the 1989 Athletics.

Great peak, but pedestrian outside of it. This is your adjusted OPS on drugs, youngsters. Playing clean does have its merits.

Chipmaker's vote: No.

Prediction: Another 15-20% return. Parker has his proponents, but this candidacy is just whiling away until the 15 years expire, which will be soon.


20. Tim Raines (playing record | 2009 ballot review)

Years on ballot: 2.
Peak return: 24.3% (2008).
2009 return: 22.6%

Career: 23 seasons, 1979-99 & 2001-02 -- *Montréal Expos 1979-90 & 2001, Chicago White Sox 1991-95, New York Yankees 1996-98, Oakland Athletics 1999, Baltimore Orioles 2001, Florida Marlins 2002.
Peak season: 1987 -- 123 runs, 175 hits, 34 doubles, 18 HR, 68 RBI, 50 stolen bases (against five caught steals!), 90 walks, .330/.429/.526, 149 OPS+, 132 RC.
Other outstanding seasons: 1984, 1985, 1986, 1989, 1993.
Primary position: left field. Leadoff hitter.
Honoraria and claims to fame: Seven All-Star selections (two starts), 1987 All-Star MVP, one NL Silver Slugger for Outfield, one NL batting championship, led NL in on-base percentage once, runs twice, stolen bases four times. Career 84.7% stolen base success rate is the highest for anyone with 300+ SB; 808 career SB ranks fifth all-time. Member of the 1996 and 1998 World Series champion Yankees. Jersey #30 retired by the Expos.

Okay, voters, Rickey is in. Now, please, is it Rock's turn? The lowest on-base percentage he ever posted in a 100+ games played season was .350. Devastating player, eminently plaque-worthy.

Chipmaker's vote: Yes!

Prediction: It's a flying leap of a hope, but I'd like to see Raines take a big jump, over 40%. If enough voters were quietly playing a "Rickey First" card, well, that's done, so let's get going.


21. Shane Reynolds (playing record)

Writers ballot rookie.

Career: 13 seasons, 1992-2004 -- *Houston Astros 1992-2002, Atlanta Braves 2003, Arizona Diamondbacks 2004.
Peak season: 1998 -- 19-8, 3.51, 3 complete games, 1 ShO, 233.1 IP, 209 K, 117 ERA+, 1.329 WHIP.
Other outstanding seasons: 1994, 1999. Not a lot to see here.
Primary position: right-handed starting pitcher.
Honoraria and claims to fame: One All-Star selection. Led NL in games started twice.

Reynolds was a good pitcher, a little above league average at preventing baserunners and runs, but there is nothing exceptional in his career to even hint at Hall worthiness.

Chipmaker's vote: No.

Prediction: If he gets one vote, it'll be a token sop from a Houston-area voter, much like Jim DeShaies got in 2001.


22. David Segui (playing record)

Writers ballot rookie.

Career: 15 seasons, 1990-2004 -- *Baltimore Orioles 1990-93 & 2001-04, New York Mets 1994-95, Montreal Expos 1995-97, Seattle Mariners 1998-99, Toronto Blue Jays 1999, Texas Rangers 2000, Cleveland Indians 2000.
Peak season: 2000 -- 19 HR, 103 RBI, .334/.388/.510, 93 runs, 193 hits, 42 doubles, 124 OPS+, 110 RC.
Other outstanding seasons: 1997, 1998, his partial 2001 season.
Primary position: first base.
Honoraria and claims to fame: Second generation ballplayer; papa Diego Segui pitched for 15 seasons.

There's not much to say about Segui -- not much by way of Hall testimony, at least. The most noteworthy item about his career is that he has his own section in the Mitchell Report. And that is not the sort of thing which helps earn one the bronze plaque. Segui has publicly acknowledged using human growth hormone by prescription, and the Mitchell Report incriminates him as a steroids user.

Looking at his career stats, one must wonder two things -- how these PEDs were helping him, and why he's even on the ballot. Segui posted good OBPs and had some decent power, but he wasn't that much above league average, and as a first baseman, there had to be more expected of him that he didn't deliver. He also wasn't in the lineup enough -- only three seasons of 140 or more games played (peaking at 150), only eight of his 15 seasons with over 100 games. As a switch hitter, he wasn't subject to obvious platooning cutting into his playing time.

If one is conspiratorially minded, one might think Segui is on the ballot to show other, perhaps unidentified PED users what might happen to them if they get on the Hall ballot someday, because between an uninspiring career and admitted and alleged PED usage, I'll be impressed if Segui gets one vote. If the Hall wants to make an example of someone not named McGwire, here he is.

Chipmaker's vote: No -- and this has nothing to do with Segui's PED usage. Simply not a Hall-class career.

Prediction: Segui's candidacy gets clobbered with a resounding zero votes.


23. Lee Smith (playing record | 2009 ballot review)

Years on ballot: 7.
Peak return: 45.0% (2006).
2009 return: 44.5%

Career: 18 seasons, 1980-97 -- *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, Montréal Expos 1997.
Peak season: 1991 -- 6-3, 47 saves, 2.34, 67 K, 157 ERA+, 1.137 WHIP.
Other outstanding seasons: 1982, 1983, 1987, 1988, 1990, 1994.
Primary position: right-handed relief pitcher, primarily as a closer.
Honoraria and claims to fame: Seven All-Star selections, three Rolaids Relief Awards (two NL, one AL), led NL in saves three times and AL once. Held the career record for saves from 1993, when he passed Reardon, to 2006, when Hoffman caught up. Currently third in career saves.

I've been looking at Smith more closely than any other returning candidate, comparing him to HOF RPs Eckersley, Sutter, Gossage, Fingers -- and I've changed my mind. I've fence-sat before, conservatively deciding to be opposed to Smith for the Hall, but he stands up very well compared to the Hall relievers, so I've jumped over that fence. Elect Lee Arthur!

Chipmaker's vote: Yes!

Prediction: Gets 50%, and should have enough ballots remaining to make it.


24. Alan Trammell (playing record | 2009 ballot review)

Years on ballot: 8.
Peak return: 18.2% (2008).
2009 return: 17.4%

Career: 20 seasons, 1977-96 -- *Detroit Tigers all the way.
Peak season: 1987 -- 109 runs, 205 hits, 34 doubles, 28 HR, 105 RBI, 21 stolen bases (against 2 caught steals), .343/.402/.551, 155 OPS+, 137 RC.
Other outstanding seasons: 1983, 1984, 1988, 1990, 1993.
Primary position: shortstop.
Honoraria and claims to fame: Six All-Star selections, 1984 World Series MVP, four AL Gold Gloves for Shortstop, three AL Silver Sluggers for Shortstop. Member of the 1984 World Series champion Tigers.

Baseball bonus points: Tram was manager of the Tigers for three seasons, 2003-05. His teams were not impressive, at least not in good ways. The 2003 team was a complete disaster, so bad that not all responsibility can be laid upon Trammell's head. But this doesn't help his Hall candidacy at all.

Trammell's career annoys me. Half of his seasons were really good, the other half were below average, and they're all mixed together, no significant clustering. I cannot support a half-great player, not this time. I'll still think about him, but the easy choice here is "no".

Chipmaker's vote: No.

Prediction: Another hum-drum below-20 percent.


25. Robin Ventura (playing record)

Writers ballot rookie.

Career: 16 seasons, 1989-2004 -- *Chicago White Sox 1989-98, New York Mets 1999-2001, New York Yankees 2002-03, Los Angeles Dodgers 2003-04.
Peak season: 1999 -- 32 HR, 120 RBI, .301/.379/.529, 88 runs, 177 hits, 38 doubles, 74 walks, 129 OPS+, 118 RC.
Other outstanding seasons: 1991, 1992, 1995, 1996.
Primary position: third base.
Honoraria and claims to fame: Two All-Star selections. Six Gold Gloves (five AL, one NL) at 3B. Won the 1988 Golden Spikes Award as the outstanding amateur player in the nation.

Ventura was a very good player but at his best was never great -- not as a professional anyway. His collegiate career was the stuff of legend, including a 58-game hitting streak, but the Hall looks to the majors, the highest level of competition, for its honorees.

Three things do stand out about Ventura's career, worth reviewing.

1. He was very proficient at hitting grand slams, with a career total of eighteen, tied for fourth all-time. This included tying the major league record by hitting two in one game (White Sox 14 - @Rangers 5, 04-September-1995) and later hitting two in a doubleheader, one in each game (20-May-1999).

2. His most famous grand slam, however, is one he hit but never completed. In Game 5 of the 1999 NLCS, with his Mets trailing in the series 3-1 -- on the cusp of elimination -- and trailing the game, 3-2, in the bottom of the 15th, Ventura came up with the bases loaded and clobbered it, for an apparent game-winning slam. However, the Mets mobbed him in celebration after he rounded first base, and Ventura abandoned his attempt to circle the bases. Two Mets scored to win the game, 4-3, but Ventura was credited with a single. Too bad, as it would have been the first walk-off grand slam in major league postseason history.

3. In 1993, Ventura was plunked in the ribs by Nolan Ryan, who was in the home stretch of his career. Ventura, a 25-year-old stud, charged the mound. Ryan, a venerable 46, put the finishing touch on his take-no-shit reputation by snaring Ventura in a headlock and dogie-punching him in the head six times. It was over quickly, tempers cooled, Ventura was ejected and the game played on. It was an unusual event even for baseball, and the image of the ancient Ranger taking the young kid to school, literally the school of hard knocks, was indelible. What the heck was Ventura thinking?


Good player. Not Hall measure.

Chipmaker's vote: No.

Prediction: Grabs 10%, stays on the ballot for a few years. I'm probably aiming high.


26. Todd Zeile (playing record)

Writers ballot rookie.

Career: 16 seasons, 1989-2004 -- *St. Louis Cardinals 1989-95, Chicago Cubs 1995, Philadelphia Phillies 1996, Baltimore Orioles 1996, Los Angeles Dodgers 1997-98, Florida Marlins 1998, Texas Rangers 1998-99, New York Mets 2000-01 & 2004, Colorado Rockies 2002, New York Yankees 2003, Montreal Expos 2003.
Peak season: 1997 -- 31 HR, 90 RBI, .268/.365/.459, 89 runs, 154 hits, 85 walks, 121 OPS+, 96 RC.
Other outstanding seasons: 1991, 1999, 2000 -- but don't look for too much in 'em.
Primary position: third base. Started out as a catcher. Played some first base along the way.
Honoraria and claims to fame: Played for eleven different major league franchises, one short of the record. Most career home runs by any player whose family name starts with "Z", surpassing Gus Zernial (237) in 2003.

Wow. Zeile was around for a long time, and didn't win anything -- no major awards, no minor awards, no leading the league in anything , not even an All-Star selection. This surprised me. He was a pretty good player, and such guys usually get one trip to the July celebration along the way. Zeile did not.

He was a good hitter in the postseason -- .292/.362/.460 in 29 games, 127 plate appearances. And he was durable, playing in 140+ games ten times, plus all of the 1994 season. But he never rose to greatness. The Hall is short on third basemen, but Zeile isn't going to be the next one added to the rolls.

Chipmaker's vote: No.

Prediction: The voters didn't like 3B Matt Williams last year, and he had more homers. They're not going to give Zeile any more ballot love. Less than 3%, and relegated.


Summary. I support nine players for Hall election -- Alomar, Blyleven, Larkin, Martinez, McGriff, McGwire, Murphy, Raines, and Smith.

If I could vote for only one, it would go to Blyleven.

I expect only Dawson will be elected this time. If any ballot rookie is elected, it will be Alomar.

Ballot results will be announced Wednesday, January 6, 2010.

The Hall's 2010 Writers Ballot -- The Candidates (part 2 of 3)

Continuing the review of the writers ballot candidates, #10-18.

The asterisk * by a team the candidate played for indicates which team I think will be on his plaque cap, should he be elected.


10. Eric Karros (playing record)

Writers ballot rookie.

Career: 14 seasons, 1991-2004 -- *Los Angeles Dodgers 1991-2002, Chicago Cubs 2003, Oakland Athletics 2004.
Peak season: 1995 -- 32 HR, 105 RBI, .298/.369/.535, 164 hits, 29 doubles, 145 OPS+, 107 RC.
Other outstanding seasons: 1998, 1999. There's not a lot here, fans.
Primary position: first base.
Honoraria and claims to fame: 1992 NL Rookie Of The Year, one NL Silver Slugger for 1B.

Karros was the first of five consecutive Dodgers to win the NL ROY, followed by Mike Piazza, Raul Mondesi, Hideo Nomo, and Todd Hollandsworth. Winning a ROY is a very unreliable harbinger of future success -- for every Piazza or Jeff Bagwell, there's plenty of Marty Cordova or Pat Listach types. So, while ROY is a positive award to collect, sometimes the winner says more about the quality of the fresh talent in the league than the award says about the recipient.

Karros was a useful player, but he didn't hit enough -- good power, not nearly great, and wasn't much for getting on base, though he was better than, say, Dave Kingman was -- to be a star, certainly not at first base (maybe not even at second base). And he certainly wasn't a Hall-class player. Being named to the ballot is his career endpoint.

He did hit well in the postseason -- .300/.364/.560 in 15 games, 55 plate appearances, with four home runs.

Chipmaker's vote: No.

Prediction: doesn't get the 5% needed to stay on the ballot. Probably won't get 2%.


11. Ray Lankford (playing record)

Writers ballot rookie.

Career: 14 seasons, 1990-2002 & 2004 -- *St. Louis Cardinals 1990-2001 & 2004, San Diego Padres 2001-02.
Peak season: 1998 -- 31 HR, 105 RBI, .293/.391/.540, 37 doubles, 26 stolen bases, 143 OPS+, 123 RC.
Other outstanding seasons: 1992, 1997.
Primary position: center field.
Honoraria and claims to fame: One All-Star selection (one start), led NL in triples once.

Lankford was a good player, hit well enough for a center fielder, had some power, and could take a walk or swipe a base (though he got caught far too often in his younger days). But there's little in his career that stands up and proclaims greatness. Good-hitting center fielders aren't that hard to find; Lankford was not a rare class of player.

Chipmaker's vote: No.

Prediction: Just scrapes past the 5% needed to stay on the ballot at least this once.


12. Barry Larkin (playing record)

Writers ballot rookie.

Career: 19 seasons, 1986-2004 -- *Cincinnati Reds the whole time.
Peak season: 1996 -- 33 HR, 89 RBI, .298/.410/.567, 117 runs, 32 doubles, 36 stolen bases, 154 OPS+, 124 RC.
Other outstanding seasons: 1989, 1991, 1992, 1995, 1997, 1998.
Primary position: shorstop.
Honoraria and claims to fame: Twelve All-Star selections (five starts), 1995 NL MVP, three NL Gold Gloves for shortstop (and probably should have won a few earlier, but Ozzie Smith had a hammerlock on it), nine NL Silver Sluggers for shortstop. Ranks in the Top Five in many Reds franchise hitting records, including second in hits and doubles (behind Pete Rose). Member of the 1990 World Series champion Reds.

It always look a little curious, how Larkin won the 1995 MVP with a good season, then had a much better one, and finished 12th in the 1996 voting, but these things happen.

Larkin was a brilliant shortstop, and filled a unique niche in history. The shortstops of the 1980s were Ozzie Smith, the defensive Wizard, and Cal Ripken, Jr., the slugging Iron Man. Larkin was the next great SS, and just as he was about to take the spotlight -- Ozzie retiring, Rip having taken the consecutive games streak record, the MVP in his pocket -- along came the Trinity of Nomar Garciaparra, Derek Jeter, and Alex Rodriguez, all young, all exciting, all at least Larkin's equal, and they stole the show.

So Larkin never got the overload of public acclaim he was due, which was too bad. Partly that was his fault, as it were -- he didn't do any one thing with consistent sparkle and flair, like Ozzie with the glove, but he did everything very well. The harshest flaw in Larkin's game was that he didn't have a curveball. This man belongs in the Hall, and I am fully in support of his candidacy.

Chipmaker's vote: Yes!

Prediction: doesn't get in the door this time, but does collect a healthy 45%, and makes it by his fifth ballot. I hope I'm predicting low.


13. Edgar Martinez (playing record)

Writers ballot rookie.

Career: 18 seasons, 1987-2004 -- all with the *Seattle Mariners.
Peak season: 1995 -- 29 HR, 113 RBI, .356/.479/.628, 182 hits, 52 doubles, 121 runs, 185 OPS+, 161 RC, while playing the entire 145 game schedule.
Other outstanding seasons: 1990, 1991, 1992, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003.
Primary position: designated hitter; was a third baseman in his early seasons.
Honoraria and claims to fame: Seven All-Star selections (four starts), five AL Silver Sluggers (one for 3B, four for DH), two AL batting championships, led the AL in OBP three times, runs scored once, doubles twice, RBI once, runs created once. MLB's award for the season's outstanding designated hitter is named in Martinez's honor, after he won it five times.

Edgar Martinez could hit. Really HIT. The Mariners didn't call him up until he was 24, and didn't keep him up until he was 27, so his career totals never reached some of the sparkly milestones which he surely would have passed. That doesn't make him a lesser hitter, because he was amazing. Every season, Gar was either the best hitter on the team, or right behind Griffey or Rodriguez -- yes, he more than held his own beside two men widely seen as inevitable future Hall Of Famers. In 1995, when Junior missed half the season, he kept the Mariners going, leading them to the franchise's first-ever postseason berth -- and it was Martinez who provided the signature moment against the Yankees in the ALDS, doubling in Griffey with the winning run in extra innings in Game 5. Yeah, Junior had the mile-wide smile at the bottom of the celebratory dogpile, but it was Martinez who brought him around.

In 1996, he was on a ferocious doubles pace -- 44 in 95 games -- when Piniella played him at third base, he collided with Marzano and got injured and missed a few weeks. And when he came back, he didn't have his power. I'm a hardliner on not giving credit for things not done, but I cannot help think about Martinez that season without the injury -- he projected to over 70 doubles, well past Webb's record, and if he had done it, his career would have one very shiny spangle to help boost his candidacy. And it's gonna be an uphill fight, because of The DH Thing.

I have no quibble with designated hitters, either the position as defined or the men who play it. It's been part of baseball for nearly 40 years; those who still think it somehow is wrong or is Not How The Game Should Be Played really need to get past their petty indignation. I take particular issue with anyone claiming that DHs play only half the game and therefore are unworthy of the Hall -- how do they approach AL starting pitchers, or any relief pitcher? Those are no different, from that point of view. I call hogwash. Martinez was a brilliant hitter, the Mariners decided that was his best destiny -- hey, better that than to let him play defense, especially if (a) there were better options and/or (b) he'd have been a liability with the glove. No, to me, he did the job that was asked of him, and he did so with greatness and beauty. It was a joy and a wonder to watch him bat.

Martinez could hit, he did hit a ton, and no one has ever done a better job of being a DH.
If the BBWAA is ever going to come to grips with the reality that is the designated hitter role, there is no better pioneer for opening the doors to the Hall as a DH than Edgar Martinez.

Chipmaker's vote: YES!

Prediction: 30%, as too many writers, including many who have never witnessed an AL game without the DH, hold to their unofficial pre-20th century precepts. I so hope I'm way wrong on this. The story of the 1990s Seattle Mariners' ascension to relevance is incomplete without Martinez in a starring role, and he's earned his plaque.


14. Don Mattingly (playing record| 2009 ballot review)

Years on ballot: 9.
Peak return: 28.2% (2001).
2009 return: 11.9%

Career: 14 seasons, 1982-95 -- all with the *New York Yankees.
Peak season: 1986 -- 238 hits, 117 runs, 31 Hr, 113 RBI, 53 doubles, .352/.394/.573, 161 OPS+, 150 RC.
Other outstanding seasons: 1984, 1985, 1987.
Primary position: first base.
Honoraria and claims to fame: six All-Star selections (one start), 1985 AL MVP, nine AL Gold Gloves at 1B, three AL Silver Sluggers at 1B, 1984 AL batting champion, 1986 AL slugging champion, led AL in hits twice, doubles three times, RBI once. Set the major league single season record for grand slams with six in 1987 (and never hit another in his entire career). Tied the ML record for consecutive games with a home run, with eight. Tied the ML record for most putouts in a game, with 22. Jersey #23 retired by the Yankees.

The thematic successor to Jim Rice, but without the climbing vote returns -- the greatness is there if one really wants to see it. Donnie Baseball had four great seasons, two other very good ones, and then he was pedestrian for the rest of his career.

Many Mattingly supporters will cite HOFer Kirby Puckett as a reason to promote Donnie. I understand why -- their career stats are similar. There are three significant reasons why the comparison is not valid, or at least isn't going to get Mattingly in:

1. Puckett was a center fielder, whereas Mattingly was a first baseman. CFs who could hit like Puck are rare across baseball history; 1B who could hit as well as, or better than, Mattingly (on a career basis, where this comparison always plays) are not so rare. Position does matter, a lot.

2. Puckett's value was evenly spread out over his entire career, whereas most of Mattingly's value was crammed into four seasons. I look to seasonal value before I look to career value, because great seasons help a player's team toward the postseason, which is the annual goal of the season. Puckett did more in more years than Mattingly did.

3. Puckett wasn't that good of a choice for the Hall anyway.

Chipmaker's vote: No.

Prediction: Just another mid-teens return, futzing about until his 15 years run out.


15. Fred McGriff (playing record)

Writers ballot rookie.

Career: 19 seasons, 1986-2004 -- Toronto Blue Jays 1986-90, San Diego Padres 1991-93, *Atlanta Braves 1993-97, Tampa Bay Devil Rays 1998-2001 & 2004, Chicago Cubs 2001-02, Los Angeles Dodgers 2003.
Peak season: 1992 -- 35 HR, 104 RBI, 30 doubles, 96 walks, .286/.394/.556, 166 OPS+, 116 RC.
Other outstanding seasons: 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1999, 2001.
Primary position: first base.
Honoraria and claims to fame: Five All-Star selections (three starts), three Silver Sluggers (one AL, two NL) for 1B, led both leagues in HR once each. 1994 All-Star MVP. Carries the curious distinction of having the only baseball "Bermanism" -- silly, punnish nicknames bestowed by ESPN's Chris Berman that typically have little to do with the player -- that has entered the widespread lexicon, "Crime Dog". Member of the 1995 World Series champion Braves.

Fred McGriff finished his career with 493 home runs, agonizingly close to 500, a milestone which many people consider to be a golden ticket to the Hall if reached. This is not the case, but it's the sort of simplistic causality that plays well to the masses, and it's easy to remember.

I have little doubt that, had the players not struck in 1994-95, McGriff would have hit those seven more homers, and his candidacy would be a lot more clear-cut (to the good) than it otherwise is today. However, I don't feel the least bit bad or sad for McGriff, because he was one of the players and supported the strike, and given how that mess eventually played out, missing out on #500 is a small sacrifice. His career would look better with 500 homers, but not really be any better. I don't care that he didn't reach 500, and I think many of the BBWAA voters will similarly look past such petty surface distinctions.

Crime Dog was a damn good hitter, the sort of slugger who personifies the stereotypical, even archetypal, first baseman. Good glove, big bat, plays a lot of games, does a lot of damage at the plate, doesn't muck up on defense very often, reliable. What's not to like? McGriff did his job, did it very well for a long time, often rising to greatness, and was a key part of the storied mid-1990s Braves. And he was an excellent postseason player, too -- .303/.385/.532 in 50 games, 218 plate appearances, with 10 HR.

Chipmaker's vote: Yes!

Prediction: Brings home 40% this first time, moves up quickly, gets elected before his seventh ballot. He's Hall-worthy, but it'll take the writers a while before enough recognize this.


16. Mark McGwire (playing record| 2009 ballot review)

Years on ballot: 3.
Peak return: 23.6% (2008).
2009 return: 21.9%

Career: 16 seasons, 1986-2001 -- *Oakland Athletics 1986-97, St. Louis Cardinals 1997-2001.
Peak season: 1998 -- 70 HR, 147 RBI, 130 runs, 162 walks, .299/.470/.752, 216 OPS+, 193 RC.
Other outstanding seasons: 1987, 1990, 1992, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1999, and 2000 even though he played only 89 games.
Primary position: first base.
Honoraria and claims to fame: 12 All-Star selections (six starts), 1987 AL ROY, one AL Gold Glove at 1B, three Silver Sluggers (one AL, two NL) at 1B, led his league in OBP twice, SLG four times, home runs four times, RBI once, walks twice. Rookie record 49 HR. Record 70 HR in 1998, since surpassed once. Member of the 1989 World Series champion Athletics. Member of the 500 Home Runs Club (583 career).

After three ballots, it is obvious that the majority of the voters are holding their embargo against McGwire. Nothing before now has changed -- or has it? A few weeks ago, the Cardinals had to acknowledge -- the news leaked -- that McGwire has been hired to be the batting coach in 2010.

This was a surprise, as Mac apparently was content with his isolated, golfing life in southern California. Cards manager Tony LaRussa has long been one of his supporters, and must have decided that it was time to begin The Rehabilitation Of Mark McGwire. The media will of course clamor to have him speak at last -- in one-sided hopes of getting some sort of confession of whatever it is they think he did -- and, back in the public eye, he'll have to say something, however vague or evasive, eventually. He could continue playing his shell game, or he could press the detonator on the players' omerta and move on. No idea what will happen next -- but if he approaches it right, he could win lots of brownie points with the writers, and maybe even some Hall votes.

My vote doesn't count, but he's had it before and still has it this time.

Chipmaker's vote: Yes!

Prediction: no meaningful change this time, though at least one voter has said he's turned positive this year. Another low-20s percentage return. It'll be more interesting next year after he's been a coach for a season, see if the tide is turning.


17. Jack Morris (playing record | 2009 ballot review)

Years on ballot: 10.
Peak return: 44.0% (2009).
2009 return: 44.0%

Career: 18 seasons, 1977-94 -- *Detroit Tigers 1977-90, Minnesota Twins 1991, Toronto Blue Jays 1992-93, Cleveland Indians 1994.
Peak season: 1986 -- 21-8, 15 CG, 6 ShO, 223 K, 3.27, 267 IP, 127 ERA+.
Other outstanding seasons: 1979, 1981, 1987, 1991, 1992.
Primary position: right-handed starting pitcher.
Honoraria and claims to fame: Five All-Star selections (three starts), 1991 World Series MVP, led AL in wins twice, strikeouts once, shutouts once. Pitched a no-hitter in 1984. Member of three World Series champion teams, the 1984 Tigers, the 1991 Twins, and the 1992 Blue Jays. A good postseason pitcher, going 7-4, 3.80 in 13 games, 92.1 IP, with one legendary night.

The greatness is there for those who are convinced they see it. I see a big helping of good and very good performances, but no, I don't see the greatness.

Chipmaker's vote: No.

Prediction: cracks 50% at last, but his runway is getting very short (four more ballots after this year), so it could get tight at the end.


18. Dale Murphy (playing record | 2009 ballot review)

Years on ballot: 11.
Peak return: 23.2% (2000).
2009 return: 11.5%

Career: 18 seasons, 1976-93 -- *Atlanta Braves 1976-90, Philadelphia Phillies 1990-92, Colorado Rockies 1993.
Peak season: 1983 -- 36 HR, 121 RBI, 131 runs, 30 stolen bases, 90 walks, .302/.393/.540, 149 OPS+, 131 RC.
Other outstanding seasons: 1980, 1982, 1984, 1985, 1987.
Primary position: center field.
Honoraria and claims to fame: 1982 & 1983 NL MVPs, seven All-Star selections (five starts), five NL Gold Gloves for Outfield, four NL Silver Sluggers for Outfield, led NL in slugging twice, runs scored once, home runs twice, RBI twice. Jersey #3 retired by the Braves.

Great center fielders are a rare breed. Murf was a genuinely nice guy. Outside of his peak, he wasn't much to talk about, but his peak was excellent. I don't know why he doesn't get more ballot love. By now, however, it clearly isn't going to change, so I'm still behind his candidacy, but this makes me in a definite minority.

Chipmaker's vote: Yes.

Prediction: Another pokey 10-15% range return. sigh.


Part 3 soon.

The Hall's 2010 Writers Ballot -- The Candidates (part 1 of 3)

The first nine of the 26 candidates on this year's Hall Of Fame ballot.

1. Roberto Alomar (playing record)

Writers ballot rookie.

Career: 17 seasons, 1988-2004 -- San Diego Padres 1988-90, *Toronto Blue Jays 1991-95, Baltimore Orioles 1996-98, Cleveland Indians 1999-2001, New York Mets 2002-03, Chicago White Sox 2003 & '04, Arizona Diamondbacks 2004.
Peak season: 1999 -- 24 HR (career high), 120 RBI (career high), .323/.422/.533, 182 hits, 138 runs (led AL), 139 OPS+, 139 RC.
Other outstanding seasons: 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2001.
Primary position: second baseman.
Honoraria and claims to fame: 12 All-Star selections (nine starts), ten AL Gold Gloves for 2B, four AL Silver Sluggers for 2B, MVP Awards for the 1992 ALCS and the 1998 All-Star Game. Member of 1992 & 1993 World Series champion Blue Jays and five other postseason teams. Led AL in runs scored in 1999.

Alomar, scion of a baseball family (father Sandy Sr. and brother Sandy Jr. both played; Robbie and Jr. were teammates in San Diego, Cleveland, and Chicago), was a brilliant fielder at a tough position, and along with Craig Biggio (Hall eligible 2013), was the premier player at second base for a generation. And he did a lot of good work with his bat, as well. Roberto was an excellent postseason performer, putting up slashes of .313/.381/.448 in 58 games, and he demolished the Athletics in 1992, including a game-tying home run in the ninth inning of Game 4 off Dennis Eckersley, a game which Toronto won in extras to take a 3-1 lead in the ALCS. Sure, that's just one moment, but it's a memorable moment, and those only help. Not that Alomar's candidacy needs help -- his career is golden and definitely Hall-worthy.

However, with one impassioned but bad decision, he probably won't get in this first try. Late in the 1996 season -- Baltimore at Toronto, 27-September -- Alomar was called out on strikes in the top of the first inning. Alomar argued the called strike three -- perfectly legitimate -- but the argument escalated, home plate umpire John Hirschbeck ejected Alomar, and then Alomar spit on Hirschbeck. Oops; you just don't do that sort of thing. Alomar served a short suspension the next season, he and Hirschbeck made amends, and apparently both of them consider it a long-buried event. But it's the sort of thing that will follow Alomar until his obituary is printed, and I suspect the writers, enough of them anyway, will use The Spitting Incident as reason enough to impose a one-year embargo on Alomar's Hall candidacy. He'll get in, but not this year. (shrug) Whaddya gonna do?

Chipmaker's vote: Yes!

Prediction: around 50%, and elected in 2011.


2. Kevin Appier (playing record)

Writers ballot rookie.

Career: 16 seasons, 1989-2004 -- *Kansas City Royals 1989-99 & 2003-04, Oakland Athletics 1999-2000, New York Mets 2001, Anaheim Angels 2002-03.
Peak season: 1993 -- 18-8, 2.56 (led AL), 5 complete games, 1 ShO, 238.2 IP, 186 K, 179 ERA+, 1.106 WHIP.
Other outstanding seasons: 1990, 1992, 1996, 1997.
Primary position: right-handed starting pitcher.
Honoraria and claims to fame: One All-Star selection, led AL in ERA in 1993, member of the 2002 World Series champion Angels.

Appier was a workhorse, never pitching fewer than 185 innings (and usually well more) in a full season from 1990-2002 except once (1998) when he was injured. He delivered a lot of quality from the mound, even if most of it was in Kansas City, from where he got little attention from fans or the media. He wasn't the same after the injury, even though he finally got some postseason action -- Oakland in 2000 and the champion Angels in 2002, though he got knocked around pretty badly that October -- and the end came quickly. Appier put up a distinguished career, but not a great one.

Appier got votes for the Cy Young Award only once, in 1993, finishing third behind winner Jack McDowell and Randy Johnson. Appier received one first-place vote, which was cast by Phil Rogers, then with the Dallas Morning News, if I recall correctly. Appier was the internet/stathead choice that year -- McDowell certainly wasn't -- and I still slightly admire Rogers for casting that vote for Kevin, even if the stuff he writes today doesn't indicate that his thinking still runs along such lines.

Chipmaker's vote: No.

Prediction: I hope he skirts past relegation -- geez, Harold Baines keeps hanging on -- but I think Appier will get some single-digit vote total and be done.


3. Harold Baines (playing record | 2009 ballot review)

Years on ballot: 3.
Peak return: 5.9% (2009).
2009 return: 5.9% (avoided relegation by six votes, a personal high).

Career: 22 seasons, 1980-2001 -- *Chicago White Sox 1980-89, '96-97, & 2000-01, Texas Rangers 1989-90, Oakland Athletics 1990-92, Baltimore Orioles 1993-95 & '97-2000, Cleveland Indians 1999.
Peak season: 1984 -- 29 HR (career high), 94 RBI, .304/.361/.541, 142 OPS+, 109 RC.
Other outstanding seasons: 1989, 1991, 1996.
Primary position: right field for seven seasons, then designated hitter.
Honoraria and claims to fame: Six All-Star selections (one start), one Silver Slugger, led the AL in slugging average in 1984. Good postseason hitter (.324/.378/.510 in 31 G, 102 AB). Jersey #3 retired by the White Sox. His 1628 RBI currently grant Baines the title of "Most RBI Not In The Hall", at least until Rafael Palmeiro gets on the ballot and takes permanent ownership.

Nothing new to see here. Good hitter, not great. If a primary designated hitter is ever going to be elected, Edgar Martinez will be the first.

Chipmaker's vote: No, again.

Prediction: heck, let's see him hit that 5-6% range for the fourth time.


4. Bert Blyleven (playing record | 2009 ballot review)

Years on ballot: 12.
Peak return: 62.7% (2009).
2009 return: 62.7% (67 votes short of election).

Career: 22 seasons, 1970-90 & 1992 -- *Minnesota Twins 1970-76 & '85-88, Texas Rangers 1976-77, Pittsburgh Pirates 1978-80, Cleveland Indians 1981-85, California Angels 1989-90 & '92.
Peak season: 1973 -- 20-17, 2.52, 258 K, 158 ERA+.
Other outstanding seasons: 1974, 1977, 1984, 1989.
Primary position: right-handed starting pitcher.
Honoraria and claims to fame: Two All-Star selections, led AL in strikeouts once and shutouts three times. Fifth highest career strikeout total, third highest when he retired. 287 career wins (which, alas, is just short of 300). Member of two World Series champion teams, the 1979 Pirates and the 1987 Twins. An excellent postseason pitcher -- 5-1, 2.47 in 8 games, 6 starts, 47.1 IP, 36 K, 8 BB.

Extremely silly baseball bonus points: A longtime announcer for the Twins, Blyleven has a habit of circling fans on the telestrator, which has led to the enduring habit of Twins fans holding up "Circle Me, Bert" signs in hopes of being among the chosen. Yes, this is ridiculous, but it's the sort of thing baseball embraces. Shoot, fans still love dot races.

What? What does it take? What does it take to get this man's brilliant career highlighted enough to win election? He's got three ballots left. Please, BBWAA voters, let's not have to revisit Blyleven again for the 2011 ballot. Vote him in. Happy ending.

Chipmaker's vote: YES!

Prediction: jumps to 69%, prolonging the infuriation yet another year or two.


5. Ellis Burks (playing record)

Writers ballot rookie.

Career: 18 seasons, 1987-2004 -- *Boston Red Sox 1987-92 & 2004, Chicago White Sox 1993, Colorado Rockies 1994-98, San Francisco Giants 1998-2000, Cleveland Indians 2001-03.
Peak season: 1996 -- 40 HR, 128 RBI, .344/.408/.639, 211 hits, 142 runs (led NL), 45 doubles, 32 stolen bases, 149 OPS+, 158 RC. Sure, Coors Field was his home park, but this was still an excellent season.
Other outstanding seasons: 1988, 1994, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002.
Primary position: center field. Moved to right field late, and finally, designated hitter.
Honoraria and claims to fame: Two All-Star selections, one AL Gold Glove for outfield, two Silver Slugger (one AL, one NL) for outfield, led NL in runs scored and slugging average in 1996.

The 1987 Red Sox had an amazing harvest off the farm -- Burks, Mike Greenwell, John Marzano, Todd Benzinger, and Sam Horn. The five of them got 1519 at-bats, over 27% of the team's season total. They all went on to have pretty good careers, Burks the best of the bunch. Realize that the 1987 Sox were not a good team, which was all the more disappointing coming off the brilliant 1986 almost-won-it-all season. The rookies were one of the few bright spots.

So I like Ellis Burks. He wasn't the next Willie Mays, he wasn't even the next Eric Davis, but he was an exciting player who had speed and hit with some power. And he kept that going well after he left Boston. But it wasn't enough to merit the Hall. In his five seasons in the hitting paradise that is Coors Field, he excelled in two and was just a bit above league average in the other three. He never played over 150 games after '96, even when DHing. Little injuries took away some of his potential, and this has happened to greater players. Really good career; not great.

Chipmaker's vote: No.

Prediction: deserves better than relegation, but probably won't be back on the next ballot.


6. Andre Dawson (playing record | 2009 ballot review)

Years on ballot: 8.
Peak return: 67.0% (2009).
2008 return: 67.0% (44 votes short of election).

Career: 21 seasons, 1976-96 -- *Montréal Expos 1976-86, Chicago Cubs 1987-92, Boston Red Sox 1993-94, Florida Marlins 1995-96.
Peak season: 1981 -- 24 HR, 64 RBI, .302/.365/.553 in 103 games (the Expos played 108 games in the strike season), 157 OPS+, 83 RC.
Other outstanding seasons: 1980, 1983, 1987, 1988, 1990.
Primary position: center field early, right field later.
Honoraria and claims to fame: 1987 NL MVP, 1977 NL ROY, eight All-Star selections (seven starts, five at CF and two at RF), eight NL Gold Gloves for outfield, four NL Silver Sluggers for outfield, led NL in hits in 1983, home runs and RBI in 1987. Career 438 homers, 1591 RBI, 2774 hits. Jersey #10 retired by the Expos (which the successor Washington Nationals do not maintain).

No change here, so I'll use my standard line: Dawson would look good on a plaque, but the Hall is not suffering for his absence.

But his election is inevitable. His returns have been creeping up, now just a few points short, and he's got enough runway left (six more ballots after this one) that it's just a matter of time. We won't have any final ballot, Jim Rice-style melodrama with Dawson. Congratulations if (when) he makes it, no tears if he doesn't.

Chipmaker's vote: No. I'm not alone, but I am in the minority.

Prediction: elected with 76%.


7. Andres Galarraga (playing record)

Writers ballot rookie.

Career: 19 seasons, 1985-98 & 2000-04 -- Montreal Expos 1985-91 & 2002, St. Louis Cardinals 1992, *Colorado Rockies 1993-97, Atlanta Braves 1998 & 2000, Texas Rangers 2001, San Francisco Giants 2001 & 2003, Anaheim Angels 2004.
Peak season: 1998 -- 44 HR, 121 RBI, .305/.397/.595, 63 walks (career high), 157 OPS+, 134 RC.
Other outstanding seasons: 1988, 1993, 1996, 1997. His 2000 was pretty good too, especially the first half, as he came back from cancer therapy.
Primary position: first base.
Honoraria and claims to fame: Five All-Star selections (one start), two NL Gold Gloves for 1B, two NL Silver Sluggers for 1B, 1993 NL batting champion, led NL in hits and doubles in 1989, HR in 1996, RBI in 1996 & '97. Known as the "Big Cat". Two-time winner of The Sporting News' Comeback Player Of The Year Award (1993 & 2000).

Galarraga was never a great player, but he put up some nearly-great seasons, even allowing that his home park was Coors Field for the best of them. Injuries and illnesses kept him off the field a good bit, particularly after age 29, though he did have three seasons of 150+ games in his late 30s. His physical woes bottomed out when he was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and missed the entire 1999 season. His comeback the following year was inspiring and he still had some playing left in him, but missing a season doesn't make him a better player, just a better story. First basemen have to hit a ton, and Galarraga was always a few hundred pounds short.

The Sporting News discontinued its Comeback Player Award after the 2006 season, and Galarraga was one of only three players to win it twice, along with Bret Saberhagen and Rick Sutcliffe. While any positive honor is worth noting, a Comeback Player Award has always confounded me a bit. It's a backhanded way of saying that, last year, you were either injured a lot, or sucked, and glad to see that's over with. Winning it twice doesn't make it seem any better, since the recipient must have had two disastrous seasons.

Chipmaker's vote: No.

Prediction: one and done, below 5%, relegated.


8. Pat Hentgen (playing record)

Writers ballot rookie.

Career: 14 seasons, 1991-2004 -- *Toronto Blue Jays 1991-99 & 2004, St. Louis Cardinals 2000, Baltimore Orioles 2001-03.
Peak season: 1996 -- 20-10, 3.22, 10 complete games, 3 ShO, 265.2 IP, 177 K, 155 ERA+, 1.250 WHIP.
Other outstanding seasons: 1994, 1997.
Primary position: right-handed starting pitcher.
Honoraria and claims to fame: Three All-Star selections, 1996 AL Cy Young Award, led AL in innings pitched, complete games, and shutouts in 1996 & 1997. Member of the 1992 and 1993 World Series champion Blue Jays (though he did not pitch in the '92 postseason).

Hentgen had one brilliant season and a few other strong ones, but was otherwise around league average, though he was typically good for 175 innings or more. He was injured soon after moving to Baltimore, lost most of two seasons, and when he came back he wasn't the same and didn't have much left. A very good pitcher for a stretch, but not Hall measure.

Chipmaker's vote: No.

Prediction: less than 1% of the vote, relegated.


9. Mike Jackson (playing record)

Writers ballot rookie.

Career: 17 seasons, 1986-99, 2001-02, 2004 -- Philadelphia Phillies 1986-87, *Seattle Mariners 1988-91 & '96, San Francisco Giants 1992-94, Cincinnati Reds 1995, Cleveland Indians 1997-99, Houston Astros 2001, Minnesota Twins 2002, Chicago White Sox 2004.
Peak season: 1998 -- 1-1, 1.55, 40 saves, 64.0 IP, 55 K, 307 ERA+ (!), 0.875 WHIP (!).
Other outstanding seasons: 1988, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2002.
Primary position: right-handed middle relief pitcher, occasional closer.
Honoraria and claims to fame: Led NL in games pitched in 1993. Member of six postseason teams, including the 1997 AL champion Indians.

Other than his Cleveland years and part of one season in Seattle, when he was a closer (and a darn good one), Jackson was a middle reliever. As such, he has no counting stat to show how good he was at it -- other stats, sure, but Hall voters generally don't dig deep before making their decisions, and Holds aren't official (Baseball Reference credits Jackson with 179, with no indication where that ranks him). Jackson pitched in 1005 games, ranking him 12th all-time and 8th when he retired, so that speaks well of him.

I cannot support Jackson's Hall candidacy, even though I sort of want to. I talked about this last year when Jesse Orosco was on the ballot, one of the best middle relief pitchers the game has ever seen. I had no delusions that Orosco should have been elected, but there hasn't yet been an ongoing, detailed dialogue on what makes, or might make, a middle reliever considered Hall class, and Orosco offered the perfect starting point. If he'd gotten just the 5% necessary to stay on the ballot, there was a chance that debate would have, haltingly, begun. Didn't happen -- he got one vote, and was gone. Jackson was about the same quality of pitcher as Orosco, over a shorter career, and generally less impressive -- Orosco had more of a legendary/iconic vibe to him, probably due to the longevity and games pitched record. Qualitatively, they're close. I'm still not sure what might make a middle reliever worthy of the Hall, but if it wasn't Orosco last year (in a decision received from on high, rather than reached through discussion, dammit), then it's not going to be Jackson this year, either.

Chipmaker's vote: No.

Prediction: cast aside with fewer than five votes. Though, just maybe, and curiously by dint of his strong seasons as a closer, Jackson might get just enough love to stay on the ballot, and get that middle reliever discussion brewing. I doubt it, but hold out thin hope anyway.


Part 2 soon.

The Hall's 2010 Writers Ballot -- Introduction

The Baseball Hall Of Fame has released its 2010 candidate ballot for voting by the eligible members of the Baseball Writers' Association Of America (BBWAA).

I'll be doing complete candidate reviews in the coming days, probably in three parts, as there are 26 names on the ballot.

The candidates:

Returning from the 2009 ballot (11): Harold Baines, Bert Blyleven, Andre Dawson, Don Mattingly, Mark McGwire, Jack Morris, Dale Murphy, Dave Parker, Tim Raines, Lee Smith, Alan Trammell.

Rookie candidates (15): Roberto Alomar, Kevin Appier, Ellis Burks, Andres Galarraga, Pat Hentgen, Mike Jackson, Eric Karros, Ray Lankford, Barry Larkin, Edgar Martinez, Fred McGriff, Shane Reynolds, David Segui, Robin Ventura, Todd Zeile.

Congratulations for making the ballot, men. That's a distinction all on its own. Let's see which of you truly measure up to the level of the Hall.

Captured by Google

Earlier this year -- and I think I mentioned it on Facebook, but cannot find the item any longer -- I was driving home with the kids and noticed, passing us, a car with a curious feature. It looked to be a multidirectional camera mounted atop the roof. If there were any markings on the car, I did not notice. I wondered, perhaps, if this was a Google car, capturing new street-level images?

It turns out that, yes, my guess was correct. Here's my 1998 Civic, distinguishable by the half-extended antenna with the minor bend:

My car on Google street view.

Livin' the digital life.

The Hall's 2010 VC Executives (& Pioneers) Ballot

The Baseball Hall Of Fame has released the ballots for consideration by various parts of the Veterans Committee for 2010 induction.

Of the ten candidates on the 2008 Executives ballot (voted in December 2007), three were elected. Six of the other seven return for re-consideration on this cycle, and one candidate returns from an earlier non-player voting cycle. With only three new faces, reviewing the candidates should go quickly.

Candidates who have been considered previously by any version of the Veterans Committee since 2003 -- when VC voting results were first released (prior editions of the VC simply announced the names of electees) -- have their prior voting returns noted.

The "Connections" category indicates where the candidate has a direct, past working relationship with one or more voters (this does not apply to all candidates). The Executives (& Umpires) committee has 12 electors; the Hall considers them demographically to be two Hall players, three writers, and seven past or present executives. While players and field managers might develop close relationships, executives tend to be at a further remove from the men in uniform, but the people in the front offices run into each other all the time. So, while several voters might know any candidate professionally, I tried to find instances where there may have been closer quarters between any voter and candidate. I think this adds perspective to how the voters might approach the candidates, if they really liked (or despised) someone they know personally from being on the same team. The 2010 committee voters are: HOFers Robin Roberts and Tom Seaver, executives John Harrington, Jerry Bell, Bill DeWitt, Bill Giles, David Glass, Andy MacPhail, and John Schuerholz, and writers Rick Hummell, Hal McCoy, and Phil Pepe.

Voting results will be announced on December 7.


Here are the ten candidates on the Executives (& Pioneers) ballot, in the traditional alphabetical order. (I cannot find or recall any reference to this ballot being called the Executives & Pioneers ballot during the 2008 voting cycle, though it is so named now, which seems silly and pointless as there are no Pioneer candidates included. Perhaps, however, this will finally open a doorway for some as-yet-unrecognized worthy people, including Dr. Frank Jobe, developer and continuing master of the ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction technique, better known for its first test subject -- Tommy John surgery. Jobe's impact with this procedure has been monumental, and recognition by the Hall would be a good idea.)

1. Gene Autry (Wiki bio)

Personal status: deceased.

Veterans Committee rookie candidate.

Claims to fame: founding owner of the Los Angeles/California Angels, from 1960 (the team first took the field in 1961) until his death in 1998. The Angels have retired jersey #26 in honor of Autry, as the "26th man" on the team.

Autry was a generous man with his baseball team, but the Angels just plugged along, never seeming to have a coherent strategy for winning a championship. Expansion teams are tough to mold into winning form, particularly in the pre-free agency days, and it took the Angels 19 seasons to finally make it to October. And, worse, in three postseason appearances (1979, '82, '86), the Angels never once advanced to the World Series, though they did bring home a trophy (2002) after he passed on.

Autry was also well-known as The Singing Cowboy, a star of radio and screen, who gave us hit songs like "Back In The Saddle Again" and, his biggest seller, "Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer", still popular to this day. Autry certainly had fame in his lifetime, but had the Angels owner been, oh, real estate magnate Joe Jones or captain of industry Sam Smith, and sent the Angels along the same, largely aimless path, neither Jones nor Smith would be on this ballot. I'm sure Autry was a nice man and is still missed, but his baseball career was not really what the Hall looks for.

Chipmaker's vote: No.


2. Sam Breadon (Wiki bio)

Personal status: deceased.

Veterans Committee rookie candidate.

Claims to fame: owner of the St. Louis Cardinals, 1920-47.

Under Breadon's flag, the Cardinals rose to power, developing the farm system, bringing home six World Series championships (1926, 1931, 1934, 1942, 1944, 1946) and three other National League pennants (1928, 1930, 1943). But the best thing Breadon did during his tenure was keep Branch Rickey on staff and let him do as he would -- Rickey gets the credit for the farm system, player acquisitions, just about everything. Breadon was one of the best types of owners -- he usually got out of the way of the smart baseball people he employed -- but that doesn't raise him up to Hall class.

Chipmaker's vote: No.


3. John Fetzer (Wiki bio)

Personal status: deceased.

Reviewed on 2008 ballot.

2008 VC ballot: 33.3% (4 of 12 votes).

Claims to fame: owner of the Detroit Tigers (minority 1956-60, controlling 1961-83), including the 1968 World Series champion team. Used his expertise in radio and television broadcasting to negotiate national contracts for MLB.

Fetzer was a good-guy owner, but with the emergence of the players union under Marvin Miller during this time, it wasn't a good era to be an owner. Fetzer put some good teams on the diamond but his baseball career lacks anything proclaiming him as having been Hall measure.

Chipmaker's vote: No.


4. Bob Howsam (Wiki bio)

Personal status: deceased.

Reviewed on 2008 ballot.

2008 VC ballot: 25.0% (3 of 12 votes).

Connections: traded for Seaver (1977).

Claims to fame: general manager of the St. Louis Cardinals (1964-66) and the Cincinnati Reds (1967-78 -- the Big Red Machine era -- and 1983-84). Got his start running the minor league Denver Bears from 1947-62. Co-founded the Continental League in 1959, which inspired MLB to undergo expansion in the 1960s.

Howsam added the final parts to the Big Red Machine (World Series championships in 1975-76, NL pennants in 1970 & '72, NL West champions in 1973; NL MVP Awards by Bench '70 & '72, Rose '73, Morgan '75-76, Foster '77), one of the great dynasty teams of modern times. Got out of the general managing business just as free agency was beginning to influence how front offices do their jobs. A long and good career, but no greatness or clever innovation such as the Hall seeks to honor.

Chipmaker's vote: No.


5. Ewing Kauffman (Wiki bio)

Personal status: deceased.

Reviewed on 2008 ballot.

2008 VC ballot: 41.7% (5 of 12 votes).

Connections: employed John Schuerholz as the Royals GM for ten years, 1981-90.

Claims to fame: founding owner of the Kansas City Royals until his death, 1969-93, including the 1985 World Series champion team. Hired and encouraged unconventional thinkers, trying to find innovative ways to approach baseball and build winning teams consistently; one initiative was the Royals' baseball academies in other countries. Got a new ballpark built for his team, and on his deathbed, acquiesced to have it renamed after him (he didn't want that, but his wife reminded him that it wasn't just a building, but one with a baseball diamond inside). The Royals continue to play in Kauffman Stadium today.

A pharmaceuticals billionaire and a generous philanthropist, Kauffman was a genuinely good man. He returned baseball to Kansas City after the Athletics left in 1967, not because he loved the game, but because he loved his city. He was more than a good team owner; he was a good man. Kauffman's dedication to his city and committment to great baseball sets him above others. (Comparing the Royals' results since Kauffman's death puts the contrast between Good Owner and Bad Owner into sharp relief.) Ewing Kauffman is almost too good for the Hall -- but it's the highest honor baseball can give him.

Chipmaker's vote: Yes.


6. John McHale (Wiki bio / playing record)

Personal status: deceased.

Reviewed on 2008 ballot.

2008 VC ballot: ≤16.7% (<3 of 12 votes).

Claims to fame: McHale was general manager of the Detroit Tigers (1957-58), Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves (1959-66), and Montréal Expos (1978-84), as well as the first president of the Expos (1969-86)

Baseball bonus points: McHale was a player for five seasons (1943-45, '47-48) for the Detroit Tigers. At first baseman when he played the field, he was primarily a spare part on the bench. A member of the 1945 World Series champion team.

McHale was a baseball lifer, always in a front office. His Braves tenure came just after the team had peaked and Milwaukee was starting to lose interest; they moved on to Atlanta, rendering McHale's efforts discouraging. Canada was more fertile, and McHale built the only Expos postseason team (1981). The Hall looks for more than good work, however, and McHale's career didn't reach greatness.

Chipmaker's vote: No.


7. Marvin Miller (Wiki bio)

Personal status: living, will turn 93 in April 2010, and apparently in good health. Certainly still opinionated.

Reviewed on 2008 ballot.

2003 VC ballot: 44.3% (35 of 79 votes).
2007 VC ballot: 63.0% (51 of 81 votes).
2008 VC ballot: 25.0% (3 of 12 votes).

Connections: Roberts was one of the players who hired Miller. Nearly all of Seaver's career overlapped Miller's time at the Major League Baseball Players Association. As owner of the Phillies starting in 1981, Bill Giles certainly got to know of Miller and what he did and could do.

Claims to fame: Miller was the executive director of the Major League Baseball Players Association, typically called the players union, from 1966-84. I have written, and written, and written, and written, and written more in support of Marvin Miller for the Hall, so I'll just sum up.

Marvin Miller brought baseball labor relations into the 20th century, made conditions much better for all players, and most importantly, broke the reserve clause and opened the door for free agency. Miller's work has had profound and enduring impact on the game, and mostly in good ways.

Marvin Miller made baseball better, which only a handful of others across the reach of the game's history could stand beside with equivalent degree. That is exactly the sort of contribution to the game of baseball that the Hall should seek to honor.

Marvin Miller is The Most Worthy Person Not In The Hall.

But again this will not matter. Miller's candidacy will stand before another electorate, a committee of twelve, which has a majority of owners or their representatives. They know the impact and historic import Miller owns, but he earned undying enmity for his works. To these people, Miller is the adversary -- and the Hall powers-that-be must know this, and simply do not care. Miller deserves the plaque, but his candidacy before this electorate is farce, folly, and futility.

Miller even requested that the Hall not consider him further. The Hall ineffably ignored this, and stood him again.

I give up. Hey, why not? Miller already has. He knows a snow job when he sees one.

Chipmaker's vote: Yes! Vote him in, you petty, meretricious bastards.


8. Gabe Paul (Wiki bio)

Personal status: deceased.

Reviewed on 2008 ballot.

2003 VC ballot: 16.5% (13 of 79 votes).
2007 VC ballot: 12.3% (10 of 81 votes).
2008 VC ballot: ≤16.7% (<3 of 12 votes).

Claims to fame: Paul was general manager of the Cincinnati Reds (1951-60), Houston Colt .45s (1961, before the team took the field), and Cleveland Indians (1961-72). He moved to the New York Yankees as president and general manager (1973-77), rebuilding the game's most storied franchise back to championship level, winning the 1977 World Series. Paul was again GM for the Indians (1978-84) before retiring.

Paul was a baseball lifer who contributed to interesting developments in the game over the decades, the 1969 divisional realignment included, but a long and good career off the field doesn't really measure up to Hall standards. Previous ballot returns agree with this view.

Chipmaker's vote: No.


9. "Colonel" Jacob Ruppert (Wiki bio)

Personal status: deceased.

Veterans Committee rookie candidate.

Claims to fame: Ruppert was owner of the New York Yankees until his death (1915-39), a tenure that included seven World Series championships (1923, 1927-28, 1932, 1936-38, and they won in 1939 after he died) and three other American League pennants (1921-22, 1926). Built and debuted Yankee Stadium (1923).

Typically I have little interest in owners, as their biggest influence tends to be paying the salaries and the bills. They should hire good baseball people and get out of their way -- but few really do, as they are hands-on folks. There's probably more owners in the Hall than there should be, and while I would like to see Kauffman added to the rolls, I cannot think of another owner in recent times that I would likewise support (possibly Steinbrenner or Henry; Selig is probably inevitable, due to his tenure as commissioner). Ruppert, though, didn't just put forth a winning team, he put forth a dynasty -- THE Dynasty, the Murderer's Row Yankees of Ruth and Gehrig and Lazzeri and, later, DiMaggio. And he paid for his own ballpark, which today would be almost quaint if not actively albeit discreetly discouraged by MLB's powers-that-be. If ever a team owner deserves election to the Hall, Ruppert is a darn good choice.

Chipmaker's vote: Yes.


10. Bill White (Wiki bio / playing record)

Personal status: living, will turn 76 in January 2010.

Reviewed on 2007 ballot.

2003 VC ballot: 27.8% (22 of 79 votes).
2007 VC ballot: 29.6% (24 of 81 votes).

Connections: as NL president, White certainly would have interacted with Phillies owner Bill Giles.

Claims to fame: President of the National League, 1989-94. Longtime broadcaster for the New York Yankees alongside Phil Rizzuto, 1971-89.

Baseball bonus points: White was a player for 13 seasons (1956, '58-69) for the New York/San Francisco Giants, St. Louis Cardinals, and Philadelphia Phillies. A first baseman, White won seven Gold Gloves and was an All-Star selection eight times (three starts). A member of the 1964 World Series champion Cardinals.

Bill White is a nice guy, one of those "ambassadors for the game" we hear about now and then. He was president of the NL at a time when then-Acting Commissioner Selig was working on phasing out the position (as well as the AL presidency) and consolidating operations between both leagues (White was the second-to-last NL prez; the position was eliminated in 1999). And he was a good player, though well short of Hall-class. A bunch of roles in which he did well but never achieved greatness cannot sum up to overall greatness, and therefore falls short of Hall standard.

Chipmaker's vote: No.


----------
Summary of Chipmaker's Yes votes: Kauffman, Miller, and Ruppert.

If I could vote for only one: Miller.

The Hall's 2010 VC Managers & Umpires Ballot

The Baseball Hall Of Fame finally released the ballots for consideration by various parts of the Veterans Committee for 2010 induction.

Of the ten candidates on the 2008 Managers & Umpires ballot (voted in December 2007), two were elected, and seven of the other eight return for re-consideration on this cycle. If nothing else, that should speed up my review of the candidates, as there are only three new faces.

Candidates who have been considered previously by any version of the Veterans Committee since 2003 -- when VC voting results were first released (prior editions of the VC simply announced the names of electees) -- have their prior voting returns noted.

When evaluating managerial seasons, I'm only closely considering those years where the candidate was the manager for over half the season, though noteworthy fractional seasons will be mentioned. And while the "best season" tends to be chosen by regular season winning percentage, that's not always the case -- a World Series championship might be viewed as better than a stronger W-L record.

The "Connections" category indicates where the candidate has a direct, past working relationship with one or more voters (this does not apply to all candidates). The Managers & Umpires committee has 16 electors; the Hall considers them demographically to be ten Hall honorees, three former or current executives, and three baseball writers. Looking more closely, though, we find that twelve of the committee members were major league players and/or managers, and seven of them have been on the same team simultaneously with some of the candidates (well, six; one is a curious connection). I find this adds some potential perspective to how the voters might approach the candidates, if they really liked (or despised) someone they know personally from being on the same team. The 2010 committee voters are: HOFers Jim Bunning, Bob Gibson, Ferguson Jenkins, Al Kaline, Tommy Lasorda, Phil Niekro, Tony Perez, Ryne Sandberg, Billy Williams, and Dick Williams; executives Jim Frey (managed), Roland Hemond, and Bob Watson (played), and writers Tim Kurkjian, Jack O'Connell, and Tom Verducci.

Finally, an asterisk * marks which team the candidate managed that I think would best represent his career on a Hall plaque, should he be elected.

Voting results will be announced on December 7.


Here are the ten candidates on the Managers & Umpires ballot, in the traditional alphabetical order.

Manager candidates (eight).

1. Charlie Grimm (managerial record / player record)

Personal status: deceased.

Veterans Committee rookie candidate.

Managerial C.V.
Seasons managed: 19 (14 full time/majority, 5 partial) -- *Chicago Cubs 1932-38, '44-49, '60, Boston/Milwaukee Braves 1952-56.
Career W-L record: 1287-1067 (.547).
Best season: 1935 Cubs, 100-54 (.649), first place by +4 games, NL pennant.
Worst season: 1948 Cubs, 64-90 (.416), 8th place (dead last) by -27.5 games (-0.5 games behind seventh place).
Finishes: first place four times (1932, 1935, 1938 (Grimm did not finish the season), 1945), second place three times, third place five times, 4th - once, 6th - once, 7th - once, 8th - once.
Postseason appearances: three (1932, 1935, 1945), and managed the 1938 Cubs a little more than halfway into the season.
Postseason W-L record: 5-12 (.294).
Postseason series record: 0-3.
Championships: zero. Well, he was running the Cubs, what could anyone expect?

Great players managed.
Hall Of Famers: Hank Aaron, Richie Ashburn, Ernie Banks, Kiki Cuyler, Dizzy Dean, Jimmie Foxx, Burleigh Grimes, Gabby Hartnett, Billy Herman, Chuck Klein, Tony Lazzeri, Freddie Lindstrom, Eddie Mathews, Warren Spahn, coached Billy Williams.
Award winners: 1935 NL MVP Hartnett, 1945 NL MVP Phil Cavarretta.
Key rookies debuted: Aaron.

Connections: coached Billy Williams for three seasons (1961-63).

Baseball bonus points: Grimm was a player for 20 seasons (1916, '18-36) with the Philadelphia Athletics, St. Louis Cardinals, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Chicago Cubs; and was a player-manager, an extinct breed today, for his last five seasons (1932-36). A first baseman, he was around a league average hitter, some good seasons, some not so good.

Claims to fame: manager of the Chicago Cubs for three National League pennant seasons and part of a fourth one. The last man to get the Cubs to the World Series! Maybe the Ricketts family should have him exhumed, his DNA analyzed, and a new version cloned to run the Cubs. Just a thought.

Grimm took the Cubs to the World Series -- more than once! -- and that's the sort of thing which, while perhaps not that amazing at the time, is the stuff of myth and legend in certain northern Chicago neighborhoods today. He was good at getting winning results, only posting three full losing seasons over his managing career. I don't have a strong sense of great accomplishment, but the mere thought of a Cubs World Series team is so remote, so abstract, that any manager who could make it manifest not once, but three times (and strongly contributed toward a fourth), has to be Hall worthy. I might change my mind with further review, but heck, let's go with it. Cubs fans need something to rejoice.

Chipmaker's vote: Yes.


2. Whitey Herzog (managerial career / player career)

Personal status: living, turned 78 this month (November 2009).

Reviewed on 2008 ballot.

2003 VC ballot: 31.6% (25 of 79 votes).
2007 VC ballot: 35.8% (29 of 81 votes).
2008 VC ballot: 68.8% (11 of 16 votes; tied for highest non-elected return, one vote short).

Managerial C.V.
Seasons managed: 18 (14 full time/majority, 4 partial) -- Texas Rangers 1973, California Angels 1974, Kansas City Royals 1975-79, *St. Louis Cardinals 1980-90.
Career W-L record: 1281-1125 (.532).
Best season: 1977 Royals, 102-60 (.630), first place by +8 games, AL West champion.
Worst season: 1973 Rangers, 47-91 (.341), 6th place (dead last) by -37 games (-20 games behind fifth place). Herzog did not last the season.
Finishes: first place six times (1976-78, 1982, 1985, 1987), second place once, third place three times, 4th - once, 5th - once, 6th - once. Took the 1981 Cardinals to second place in both halves of the strike-split season, which overall was the best record in the NL East, but the Cards stayed home in that unusual October.
Postseason appearances: six (1976-78, 1982, 1985, 1987).
Postseason W-L record: 26-25 (.510).
Postseason series record: 4-5.
Championships: one, 1982 St. Louis Cardinals. Probably should have won in 1985 as well, but let's not revisit that situation. There was more involved than just one bad call.

Great players managed.
Hall Of Famers: George Brett, Frank Robinson, Nolan Ryan, Ozzie Smith, Bruce Sutter.
Award winners: 1985 NL MVP Willie McGee, 1985 NL ROY Vince Coleman, 1986 NL ROY Todd Worrell.

Honors: 1985 National League Manager Of The Year Award.

Connections: teammate of Dick Williams for four seasons (1959-62, with two different teams), teammate of Bunning and Kaline for one season (1963); very briefly served as Angels manager preceding Dick Williams (1974).

Baseball bonus points: Herzog was a player for eight seasons (1956-63) with the Washington Senators, Kansas City Athletics, Baltimore Orioles, and Detroit Tigers. Primarily he was a fourth outfielder (mostly right field), but he did play in over 80 games four times. A little above league average as a hitter. This part of his career was never going to get him into the Hall, though.

Claims to fame: manager of the 1982 World Series champion St. Louis Cardinals, and had two other World Series appearances. Known as the "White Rat". Acted as his own general manager during his St. Louis tenure, building the teams he then took to the Series. A leader in shaping the conceptual bullpen into the artwork of relief pitching the best ones are today -- middle relievers who work to get the game to The Closer, who nails it down. His best teams played "small ball" style, getting on base and running, which worked well on Busch Stadium's artificial turf.

Good career, maybe even very good, but not really great. If he'd climbed into another dugout after leaving the Cardinals, put together another contender (or champion!), piled on another four or six winning seasons -- but he did not do that. Herzog gave us about 2/3 of a Hall-class career. I wanted more.

Chipmaker's vote: No.


3. Davey Johnson (managerial career / player career)

Personal status: living, will turn 67 in January 2010.

Reviewed on 2008 ballot.

2008 VC ballot: ≤12.5% (<3 of 16 votes).

Managerial C.V.
Seasons managed: 14 (13 full time/majority, 1 partial) -- *New York Mets 1984-90, Cincinnati Reds 1993-95, Baltimore Orioles 1996-97, Los Angeles Dodgers 1999-2000.
Career W-L record: 1148-888 (.564).
Best season: 1986 Mets, 108-54 (.667), first place by +21.5 games, NL East champion, NL pennant, World Series championship.
Worst season: 1993 Reds, 53-65 (.449), 5th place (of 7) by -31 games -- and Johnson didn't start this season for Cincinnati.
Finishes: first place five times (1986, 1988, 1994 for what that season was worth, 1995, 1997), second place six times, third place once, 5th place once.
Postseason appearances: five (1986, 1988, 1995, 1996, 1997).
Postseason W-L record: 23-23 (.500).
Postseason series record: 5-4.
Championships: one, 1986 New York Mets.

Great players managed.
Hall Of Famers: Gary Carter, Eddie Murray, Cal Ripken, Jr. Probably a few more in time, like Mike Piazza.
Award winners: 1984 NL ROY & 1985 NL CYA Dwight Gooden, 1995 NL MVP Barry Larkin.
Key rookies debuted: Eric Gagne.

Honors: 1997 American League Manager Of The Year Award, despite being fired after the season and before the award was announced.

Connections: teammate of Niekro for two seasons (1973-74); succeeded Perez as Reds manager (1993).

Baseball bonus points: Johnson was a player for 13 seasons (1965-75, '77-78) with the Baltimore Orioles, Atlanta Braves, Philadelphia Phillies, and Chicago Cubs, and also played two seasons for the Tokyo Giants. A good hitter with two sterling seasons. Played second base. Four All-Star selections (one start), three Gold Gloves at second base, and a member of the 1970 World Series champion Orioles. Johnson was on the Hall's player ballot once, getting 3 votes, below 1%.

Claims to fame: manager of the 1986 World Series champion New York Mets, a team he helped build. Johnson was a notoriously winning manager, and had only one full, losing season.

Johnson was a consistent winner, one that many players liked playing for, and clearly was quite smart at his job. And yet he couldn't keep a job, and never got another chance after 2000. Why this was, I don't know. (Johnson managed Team USA in the 2009 World Baseball Classic, and recently was hired as an adviser by the Washington Nationals). Johnson got winning results -- only once finished below second place in a full season at the helm -- and I'm good with that.

Chipmaker's vote: Yes.


4. Tom Kelly (managerial career / player career)

Personal status: living, turned 59 in August 2009.

Veterans Committee rookie candidate.

Managerial C.V.
Seasons managed: 16 (15 full time, 1 partial) -- *Minnesota Twins 1986-2001.
Career W-L record: 1140-1244 (.478).
Best season: 1991 Twins, 95-67 (.586), first place by +8 games, AL West champion, AL pennant, World Series championship.
Worst season: 1995 Twins, 56-88 (.389), 5th place (dead last) by -44 games (-9 games behind fourth place).
Finishes: first place two times (1987, 1991), second place three times, fourth place four times, 5th - four times, 6th - once, 7th - once.
Postseason appearances: two (1987, 1991).
Postseason W-L record: 16-8 (.667).
Postseason series record: 4-0.
Championships: two, 1987 and 1991 Minnesota Twins.

Great players managed.
Hall Of Famers: Steve Carlton, Paul Molitor, Kirby Puckett, Dave Winfield.
Award winners: 1988 AL CYA Frank Viola, 1991 AL ROY Chuck Knoblauch, 1995 AL ROY Marty Cordova.
Key rookies debuted: Johan Santana.

Honors: 1991 American League Manager Of The Year Award.

Connections: none.

Baseball bonus points: Kelly had a very brief major league playing career, as a part-time first baseman for the 1975 Twins. A cursory review of his stats shows why it was brief -- he couldn't hit. Turns out that he was pretty good at managing, though, so that's good.

Claims to fame: manager of two World Series champions, the 1987 and 1991 Minnesota Twins. An old school, one team for life man -- all of his major league playing and managing has been for the Twins.

Kelly was a reliable touchstone in Minneapolis, slogging away in the Metrodome for 16 seasons, writing Puckett's and Molitor's and Hrbek's names in the lineup, putting Blyleven or Viola on the mound, making the call for Reardon. Two championships in five years is great, the sort of accomplishment that tends only to happen on the banks of the Harlem River in these wild card modern times. But other than the title seasons and three second-place finishes, Kelly couldn't really get any mileage out of the Twins, not finishing above fourth place or with a winning record. Sure, nothing is better to have than sheer talent on the field, but craft and guile and tactics and strategies should buy a little more than fourth place, at least sometimes. Kelly left on a high note, the 2001 team which finished second, and set up the handful of postseason appearances that have followed, but overall I think there just isn't enough magic there to unlock the doors to the Hall.

Chipmaker's vote: No. I'd rather vote Yes, but it wouldn't seem honest.


5. Billy Martin (managerial career / player career)

Personal status: deceased.

Reviewed on 2008 ballot.

2003 VC ballot: 27.8% (22 of 79 votes).
2007 VC ballot: 14.8% (12 of 81 votes).
2008 VC ballot: ≤12.5% (<3 of 16 votes).

Managerial C.V.
Seasons managed: 16 (15 full time/majority, 1 partial) -- Minnesota Twins 1969, Detroit Tigers 1971-73, Texas Rangers 1973-75, *New York Yankees 1975-78, '79, '83, '85, '88, Oakland Athletics 1980-82.
Career W-L record: 1253-1013 (.553).
Best season: 1977 Yankees, 100-62 (.617), first place by +2.5 games, AL East champion, AL pennant, World Series championship.
Worst season: 1982 Athletics, 68-94 (.420), 5th place (of 7) by -25 games.
Finishes: first place five (and one half) times (1969, 1972, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1981), second place four (and one half) times, third place three times, 4th - once, 5th - once.
Postseason appearances: five (1969, 1972, 1976, 1977, 1981), and managed the 1978 Yankees about 60% into the season.
Postseason W-L record: 15-19 (.441).
Postseason series record: 4-4.
Championships: one, 1977 New York Yankees. Managed the 1978 Yankees for more than the first half of the season but was not with the team when they hoisted the trophy.

Great players managed.
Hall Of Famers: Rod Carew, Goose Gossage, Rickey Henderson, Catfish Hunter, Reggie Jackson, Ferguson Jenkins, Al Kaline, Harmon Killebrew, Phil Niekro, Gaylord Perry, Dave Winfield.
Award winners: 1969 AL MVP Killebrew, 1974 AL MVP Jeff Burroughs, 1974 AL ROY Mike Hargrove, 1976 AL MVP Thurman Munson, 1977 AL CYA Sparky Lyle, 1978 AL CYA Ron Guidry, 1985 AL MVP Don Mattingly.

Honors: The Yankees have retired Martin's #1 jersey.

Connections: teammate of Bunning and Kaline for one season (1958); managed Kaline for three seasons (1971-73), Jenkins for two seasons (1974-75), Niekro for one season (1985).

Baseball bonus points: Martin was a player for 11 seasons (1950-53, '55-61), mostly a second baseman, for the New York Yankees, Kansas City Athletics, Detroit Tigers, Cleveland Indians, Cincinnati Reds, Milwaukee Braves, and Minnesota Twins. A member of four Yankees championship teams (1951, '52, '53, & '56) and MVP of the 1953 World Series. An All-Star selection in 1956.

Claims to fame: manager of the 1977 World Series champion New York Yankees, and was leading a title defense (ultimately successful) in 1978 when he got fired from the job. Became something of a punchline, being hired (and fired) by the Yankees five different times. Not known for self-control, diplomacy, measured sobriety, or well-managed anger issues.

Martin whipped teams into shape quickly and got some winning results, but his style was too mercurial and he never stayed long. Players and front offices burned out when dealing with Martin. He brought headlines, success, winning, and a championship to Yankee Stadium and entertainingly bantered with Reggie regularly; those sorts of actions brought the spotlight and made him memorable. But I cannot see that Martin's career, as a manager or in total, has enough historical weight for the Hall.

Chipmaker's vote: No.


6. Gene Mauch (managerial career / player career)

Personal status: deceased.

Reviewed on 2008 ballot.

2008 VC ballot: ≤12.5% (<3 of 16 votes).

Managerial C.V.
Seasons managed: 26 (25 full time/majority, 1 partial) -- *Philadelphia Phillies 1960-68, Montreal Expos 1969-75, Minnesota Twins 1976-80, California Angels 1981-82 & '85-87.
Career W-L record: 1902-2037 (.483).
Best season: 1982 Angels, 93-69 (.574), first place by +3 games, AL West champion.
Worst season: 1961 Phillies, 47-107 (.305), 8th place (dead last) by -46 games (-17 games behind seventh place), a genuine disaster of a team that included a modern record 23 game losing streak.
Finishes: first place two times (1982, 1986), second place two times, third place two times, 4th - seven, 5th - four, 6th - three, 7th - twice, 8th - twice.
Postseason appearances: two (1982, 1986).
Postseason W-L record: 5-7 (.417).
Postseason series record: 0-2.
Championships: zero.

Great players managed.
Hall Of Famers: Jim Bunning, Rod Carew, Gary Carter, Reggie Jackson, Ferguson Jenkins, Robin Roberts, Don Sutton.
Award winners: 1964 NL ROY Dick Allen, 1970 NL ROY Carl Morton, 1977 AL MVP Carew, 1979 AL ROY John Castino.
Key rookies debuted: Wally Joyner.

Connections: managed Bunning for five seasons (1964-68) and Jenkins for two (1965-66).

Baseball bonus points: Mauch was a player nine seasons (1944, '47-52, '56-57) with the Brooklyn Dodgers, Pittsburgh Pirates, Chicago Cubs, Boston Braves, St. Louis Cardinals, and Boston Red Sox, primarily at second base, but he was strictly a backup player (he only once had more than 200 at-bats).

Claims to fame: Unfortunately for Mauch, his most familiar mention in the history books is with the 1964 Phillies, a team that collapsed in the final weeks of the season. The other prominent note about him is that he never managed in a World Series. These are not really the top line-items that should begin a Hall-class career record.

Mauch managed forever and made plenty of friends in baseball. He does carry much responsibility for that terrible 1964 pennant race burnout, he overworked his pitchers, but Mauch wasn't on the field and there's plenty of blame for all. A good manager but not a great one; the great ones can mold a team into winning shape in some few seasons.Mauch had lots of second-division (bottom half) finishes. Not enough in his managerial career proclaims Hall-worthiness. A strong candidate doesn't have to have championships or even postseason appearances, but there has to be some winning. Mauch doesn't have enough of it.

Chipmaker's vote: No.


7. Danny Murtaugh (managerial career / player career)

Personal status: deceased.

Reviewed on 2008 ballot.

2008 VC ballot: 37.5% (6 of 16 votes).

Managerial C.V.
Seasons managed: 15 (13 full time/majority, 2 partial) -- *Pittsburgh Pirates 1957-64, '67, '70-71, '73-76.
Career W-L record: 1115-950 (.540).
Best season: 1960 Pirates, 95-59 (.617), first place by +7 games, NL pennant, World Series championship.
Worst season: 1963 Pirates, 74-88 (.457), 8th place (of 10) by -25 games.
Finishes: first place five times (1960, 1970, 1971, 1974, 1975), second place two times, fourth place twice, 6th - three times, 8th - once.
Postseason appearances: five (1960, 1970, 1971, 1974, 1975).
Postseason W-L record: 12-16 (.429).
Postseason series record: 3-3.
Championships: two, 1960 and 1971 Pittsburgh Pirates.

Great players managed.
Hall Of Famers: Roberto Clemente, Bill Mazeroski, Willie Stargell.
Award winners: 1960 NL MVP Don Groat, 1960 MLB CYA Vern Law.
Key rookies debuted: Stargell.

Honors: The Pirates have retired Murtaugh's #40 jersey.

Connections: none.

Baseball bonus points: Murtaugh was a player for nine seasons (1941-43, '46-51) with the Philadelphia Phillies, Boston Braves, and the Pirates, mostly as a second baseman. Led the NL with 18 stolen bases in his rookie season, which says more about the NL and its style of play in those days than it does about Murtaugh.

Claims to fame: manager of the 1960 and 1971 World Series champion Pirates teams. Won The Sporting News' Manager Of The Year Award in 1960 and 1970.

While Murtaugh didn't always run a winner, he did get strong efforts and winning results out of his teams (having Clemente and Mazeroski and Stargell surely helped). He never had a disaster team -- only three losing seasons, and only one of those by more than -4 games. I supported his candidacy on the 2008 ballot and, while I wasn't certain that was the right call, I still like the cut of his jib, so I'm good with holding out another thumbs-up.

Chipmaker's vote: Yes.


8. Steve O'Neill (managerial career / player career)

Personal status: deceased.

Veterans Committee rookie candidate.

Managerial C.V.
Seasons managed: 14 (13 full time/majority, 1 partial) -- Cleveland Indians 1935-37, *Detroit Tigers 1943-48, Boston Red Sox 1950-51, Philadelphia Phillies 1952-54.
Career W-L record: 1040-821 (.559).
Best season: 1945 Tigers, 88-65 (.575), first place by +1.5 games, AL pennant, World Series championship.
Worst season: 1943 Tigers, 78-76 (.506), 5th place (of eight) by -20 games, and 1948 Tigers, also 78-76 (.506), also 5th place (of eight) by -18.5 games.
Finishes: first place one time (1945), second place three times, third place two times, 4th - four times, 5th - three times.
Postseason appearances: one (1945).
Postseason W-L record: 4-3 (.571).
Postseason series record: 1-0.
Championships: one, 1945 Detroit Tigers (besting fellow candidate Charlie Grimm's Chicago Cubs).

Great players managed.
Hall Of Famers: Richie Ashburn, Earl Averill, Lou Boudreau, Bobby Doerr, Bob Feller, Hank Greenberg, George Kell, Hal Newhouser, Robin Roberts, Ted Williams.
Award winners: 1944 & 1945 AL MVP Newhouser.
Key rookies debuted: Feller.

Connections: none.

Baseball bonus points: O'Neill was a player for 17 seasons (1911-25, '27-28) with the Cleveland Indians, Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, and St. Louis Browns. A catcher, he wasn't much of a hitter outside of his age 27-30 peak. O'Neill came from a baseball family; three other brothers played in the majors -- Jack (another C), Jim (2B), and Mike (a starting pitcher). O'Neill was a member of the 1920 World Series champion Indians.

Claims to fame: manager of the 1945 World Series champion Detroit Tigers. Never posting a losing W-L record in any managing season, even when finishing as low as fifth place.

O'Neill's distinction of never having a losing record on the season is impressive, and yet he only has the one first place finish. That's like today's Houston Astros -- hang around, be good, hope for lucky, except back in O'Neill's day there were no relief options like divisions or the wild card berth by which to limp into the postseason. His teams, particularly the Tigers (which benefited from the opposition's depleted wartime rosters), were good but not often enough great. A championship is a great feat that stands forever, and certainly O'Neill knew how to win, but I'm thinking there should have been at least one more World Series appearance to seal the deal for this Hall candidate.

Chipmaker's vote: No.


Umpire candidates (two).

9. Doug Harvey (umpiring record)

Personal status: living, will turn 80 in March 2010.

Reviewed on 2008 ballot.

2003 VC ballot: 60.8% (48 of 79 votes, highest return on the ballot).
2007 VC ballot: 64.2% (52 of 81 votes, highest return on the ballot).
2008 VC ballot: 68.8% (11 of 16 votes, tied for highest non-elected return).

Claims to fame: Harvey was a National League umpire for 31 years, back in the days when the leagues ran as separate offices and hired their own, independent umpiring crews. Worked 14 postseason series and six All-Star Games.

I consider umpires part of the framework of the game of baseball, best seen only lightly. As such, I don't think there is great need for them to be honored as inductees to the Hall. But the players, both in public statements and by the voting returns on the 2003 and 2007 VC ballots (when the electorate was player-dominated), clearly consider Harvey to be a serious candidate for induction. I have neither standing nor interest to contradict that consensus, though if Harvey was going to reach the necessary 75%, he probably should have made it by now. I've supported him before and I won't recant that, but my evaluation is strictly based upon a parroting of the players' views. They like him, okay, fine by me. He got 11 votes in 2008, so let's see him get 12 this time.

Chipmaker's vote: Yes. Hey, the players like him. Good enough.


10. Hank O'Day (complete major league service record, umpiring at the bottom)

Personal status: deceased.

Reviewed on 2008 ballot.

2008 VC ballot: 25.0% (4 of 16 votes).

Baseball bonus points: O'Day was a player for seven seasons (1884-90) with the Toledo Blue Stockings (American Association), Pittsburgh Alleghenys (AA), Washington Nationals (National League), New York Giants (NL), and New York Giants (Players League). He was a starting pitcher, but not a particularly good one. O'Day also spent two seasons managing, for the 1912 Cincinnati Reds and the 1914 Chicago Cubs, finishing with a 153-154 (.498) record.

Claims to fame: National League umpire for 30 years (1895, 1897-1911, 1913, 1915-27), with a handful of games in five other, earlier seasons as well. Officiated in ten World Series, including being the only NL ump in the three of the first four (1903, '05, '07). One of the umpires in the 1908 "Merkle's Boner" game that ended in a tie, forcing a replay game a few weeks later to decide the National League pennant.

Evaluating an umpire objectively is difficult even today -- and O'Day's career was a century ago. O'Day is a good candidate, but I'm not a strong supporter of umpires for the Hall, and I'm already backing Harvey, and that without enthusiasm. Impressive and diverse career, but not what I'm looking to have honored.

Chipmaker's vote: No.


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Summary of Chipmaker's Yes votes: Grimm, Johnson, Murtaugh, Harvey.

If I could vote for only one: Johnson.

Coming soon: the Executives (& Pioneers) ballot review.