Newsday's 11-part series that looks at some of baseball's most prominent potential Hall of Famers and the reasons to vote them in - or keep them out.

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Baseball

HOF Debates

While there might not be any managers to scream at through your television or umpires to "boo" from the stands, the offseason provides one of the most hotly debated topics of the entire baseball season: who gets into the Hall of Fame? 
 This is the first <a href="/sports/baseball/baseball-hall-of-fame-2013-1.4342391">in a 10-part series</a> that will look at some of the most prominent potential Hall of Famers for the Class of 2013 and the reasons to vote them in - or keep them out. 
 Barry Bonds is in his first year on the ballot. The former Pirates and Giants slugger is perhaps the most powerful and patient hitter in baseball history. And the most feared. But Bonds has reason to fear he may not make the Hall of Fame. Allegations of performance-enhancing drug use could forever bar him from baseball immortality. 
 THE CASE FOR THE HALL 
 Barry Bonds was not only the greatest slugger of his era, but he also might be the greatest of any era: 
 He holds the single-season home run record (73). 
 He owns the career home run record (762). 
 He has the fourth-most total bases in baseball history (5,976). 
 And those achievements helped him rake in a multitude of awards: 
 He won seven MVPs, including four straight from 2001-2004. 
 He was a 14-time All-Star. 
 He won 12 Silver Sluggers. 
 He won eight Gold Gloves. 
 But as powerful as Bonds was, he wasn't a free swinger. He has the most walks in baseball history (2,558) and the most intentional walks (688). 
 A great hitter, he ended his 22-season career with a .298 average and hit over .290 14 times. He led the majors in batting in 2002 (.370) and 2004 (.362). 
 Bonds is alleged to have begun taking PEDs after the 1998 season, disgusted that his achievements were being overlooked in favor of the Mark McGwire-Sammy Sosa home run bonanza. But even before he ever allegedly injected a drug into his body he had a pretty good Hall of Fame case. 
 From 1986-1998, Bonds hit .290 with a .411 on-base percentage, 411 home runs and 445 stolen bases. Bonds is the only player in MLB history to hit at least 400 home runs and steal at least 400 bases. He won three MVPs and was in the top 12 of voting every season from 1990-1998, and in the top five in seven of those years. He had already won all eight of his Gold Gloves and seven of his Silver Sluggers. Using the Jim Rice argument that a player being "the dominant player of his era" is enough to get in the Hall, Bonds was already a slam dunk. 
 Aside from his ridiculous 2001 season and the 73 home runs he hit, his home run totals were never out of whack. From 1999-2007 he only hit over 49 home runs that lone record-breaking season. 
 Now Bonds has one power swing left. His case for induction is a home run. 
 THE CASE AGAINST THE HALL 
 From 1986-1998, Bonds averaged 32 home runs, a .290 average, .411 OBP and .556 slugging percentage per season. From 1999-2007, the years during which he is alleged to have taken PEDs, he averaged 39 home runs, a .316 average, .505 OBP and .712 slugging percentage. 
 How is it possible that a man can perform better from the age of 34-42 than he did in the 13 years before that, when he was in his physical prime? 
 In Bonds' case, we know the answer. 
 We know because reporters Mark Fainaru-Wada and Lance Williams detailed Bonds' performance-enhancing drug use extensively in their book "Game of Shadows." By sorting through court documents, affidavits, grand jury testimony, interviews and other sources, the two were able to shed striking clarity on the extent and specifics of Bonds' regimen. 
 The house of cards began to fall when Bonds' trainer, Greg Anderson, was arrested for supplying steroids to athletes. Though he never named Bonds, it was assumed the powerful slugger was among the users. Bonds denied it. During grand jury testimony, Bonds claimed he used a clear substance and a cream given to him by his trainer that was identified to Bonds as flaxseed oil and rubbing balm for arthritis. The leftfielder would have Hall of Fame voters believe if he did artificially bulk up, it was without knowledge. 
 During the testimony, he skirted an answer about whether anything the trainer supplied him with required a syringe. Years later Bonds was found guilty of obstruction of justice (the other three charges in his federal perjury case were declared a mistrial) and sentenced to 30 days house arrest. 
 That's been his only punishment so far. But Hall of Fame voters can see to it he gets one lasting reprimand by not voting for him.

HOFBONDS.WEB

Baseball Hall of Fame debates 2013: Barry Bonds

Hall of Fame Ballot Baseball cropped

Part 2 of <a href="http://newsday.com/hofdebates">a 10-part series</a> that looks at prominent potential Hall of Famers for the Class of 2013 and the reasons to vote them in - or keep them out. 
 While there might not be any managers to scream at through your television or umpires to "boo" from the stands, the offseason provides one of the most hotly debated topics of the entire baseball season: who gets into the Hall of Fame? 
 This is the first in a 10-part series that will look at some of the most prominent potential Hall of Famers for the Class of 2013 and the reasons to vote them in - or keep them out. 
 The first case is that of Roger Clemens, who's in his first year on the ballot. The former Yankees, Red Sox, Blue Jays and Astros right-hander had a blazing fastball and a penchant for letting hitters know just how hot it was. Since his final retirement following the 2007 season, Clemens has been tainted with allegations of cheating which may prove fatal to his chances of induction. 
 THE CASE FOR THE HALL 
 Keeping Roger Clemens out of the Hall of Fame might be more of a humanitarian effort: his plaque's engraver is likely to get carpel tunnel listing all of his accomplishments. 
 Even for those who grew up watching "The Rocket" dominate baseball, regularly watching his surly sneer staring down another soon-to-be strikeout victim, getting used to greatness on a start-by-start basis, his career is truly awe-inspiring in retrospect: 
 -- Seven Cy Young awards and three other top-three finishes 
 -- 1986 AL MVP (24-4, 2.48 ERA, 238 Ks) 
 -- 11-time All-Star 
 -- 354 wins, ninth all-time 
 -- 4,672 strikeouts, third all-time 
 -- Two-time World Series winner (1999, 2000) 
 -- Led baseball in ERA seven times 
 -- Led the league in wins four times 
 -- Led the league in strikeouts five times 
 -- Won the pitching Triple Crown in 1997 (21-7, 2.05 ERA, 292 strikeouts) 
 -- Twice struck out 20 batters in a game 
 That resume, on numbers alone, is beyond debate. 
 But it's never that simple with Clemens. 
 For one thing, the guy with the surly sneer wasn't always so well-liked. He hit 159 batters with a pitch, 14th all-time, and threw countless others high-and-tight to make a point. Clemens famously sparred with Mets catcher Mike Piazza -- also on the Hall of Fame ballot -- and during a World Series game threw part of a shattered bat at him. After the game, Clemens claimed he thought it was the baseball. As if that made things better. He was the original Brett Favre, constantly retiring and unretiring, lured back to baseball by his love for the game - and, of course, a hefty payday. 
 But all of that would have been overlooked and Clemens would have been celebrated if not for his one-time trainer, Brian McNamee. McNamee said he injected Clemens with performance-enhancing drugs, a charge Clemens vociferously denied, fighting the accusation first in the court of public opinion, then in front of Congress and finally in federal court, while on trial for perjury. Clemens won his federal case, but his image was never the same. Though he still denies ever taking PEDs, it's widely believed that Clemens used a chemical boost to sustain his 24-season career that ended at the age of 44. 
 McNamee said he first injected Clemens with steroids in 1998, by which time Clemens had already won 213 games, claimed four Cy Young awards, been an MVP and Triple Crown winner and held five ERA titles. Even if his career ended at that moment, Clemens would be in the Hall of Fame conversation. No matter how you look at his career, Clemens belongs in Cooperstown. 
 So what do you get the man who has everything for Christmas? You let him get a plaque by voting him into the Hall of Fame. 
 THE CASE AGAINST THE HALL 
 But he cheated. 
 That's the simple response to any statistic you can bring up about Clemens. Yes, the numbers are impressive. Astounding, even. Almost unbelievable. 
 Posting a 2.98 ERA at the age of 41 is pretty difficult to do. Leading baseball with a 1.87 ERA the following year is even harder. Then "declining" to a 2.30 ERA the year after that. As a 43-year-old. 
 During the 14 seasons of his career during which time we're to believe Clemens assuredly played clean, the pitcher averaged 15 wins, 205.8 strikeouts and a 2.97 ERA from age 21-34. 
 He regressed the final 10 seasons of his career, but not by normal standards. He averaged 14 wins, 179 strikeouts and a 3.38 ERA from age 35-44. Oh, and he won three more Cy Young awards, two World Series and twice led baseball in ERA. 
 Even without McNamee's testimony, those numbers don't pass the smell test. 
 But there is McNamee's testimony. Believable testimony of repeated injections, even if McNamee himself wasn't the purest witness, backed up by evidence that bore Clemens' DNA. 
 There is the time during which Clemens played, commonly called "the steroid era.". 
 The courts may have partially vindicated Clemens, but now it's time for the court of public opinion to have its say. Not bound by legal complexities or influenced by lawyers. Simply using common sense.

HOFCLEMENS.WEB

Baseball Hall of Fame debates 2013: Roger Clemens

hof debates - roger clemens 

Part 3 of a 10-part series that looks at prominent potential Hall of Famers for the Class of 2013 and the reasons to vote them in -- or keep them out. 
 The third case is that of Mike Piazza, in his first year on the ballot. The longtime Dodgers and Mets catcher, who made cameos with the Marlins, Padres and Athletics, is one of the greatest offensive catchers in baseball history. It's reasonable to think the only question that remains is which hat does he wear on his plaque -- Mets or Dodgers? But there is a case to be made against Piazza, too. 
 THE CASE FOR THE HALL 
 The greatest case for Piazza comes by comparing him to the catchers already in Cooperstown: 
 Piazza has 427 career home runs. But, perhaps more important, 396 of his long balls came at the catcher position, making him the greatest home-run hitting catcher ever. Johnny Bench hit the second most with 389. 
 His .545 slugging percentage eclipses current Hall of Fame leader Roy Campanella's .500 slugging percentage at catcher. 
 His .308 average would be third among Hall of Fame catchers, trailing Bill Dickey (.313) and Mickey Cochrane (.320). 
 Piazza drove in 1,335 runs. Only two current Hall of Fame catchers posted a higher number: Yogi Berra (1,430) and Bench (1,376). 
 His 2,127 hits trail only Berra (2,150) and Carlton Fisk (2,356) among Hall of Fame catchers. 
 For those voters who like awards and honors, Piazza was a 12-time All-Star, won 10 Silver Sluggers, finished in the top 14 of MVP voting nine times and won the 1993 National League Rookie of the Year after hitting .318 with 35 home runs. 
 He was one of the most recognizable names of his era and had plenty of signature moments, from his battles with <a href="/sports/baseball/baseball-hall-of-fame-debates-2013-roger-clemens-1.4342351">Roger Clemens</a> to <a href="/sports/baseball/mets/mets-dramatic-post-9-11-win-over-braves-1.202737">his dramatic home run</a> in the Mets' first game in New York after 9/11. 
 THE CASE AGAINST THE HALL 
 Just because he played the position doesn't mean Piazza was a great catcher. 
 Runners had no fear when he was behind the plate, and, if elected, Piazza would have the lowest caught-stealing percentage of any Hall of Famer at 23 percent. He never posted a percentage above 35 percent during any season. Fisk is currently the worst enshrined catcher with 34 percent. Gary Carter is next at 35 percent, but he led the league three times. Every other catcher nailed at least 39 percent of runners attempting a steal against. 
 Piazza also led the league in passed balls twice and allowed 102 for his career. He never won a Gold Glove. 
 Speaking of awards, while Piazza was often in the MVP conversation, he never actually won the award. 
 He also never led the league in any major category, posting good numbers that always were bested by others. 
 He never won a World Series, never reached a "magic number" such as 3,000 hits or 500 home runs. 
 Piazza played during the heart of the steroids era, and while he was never linked to PEDs as <a href="/sports/baseball/baseball-hall-of-fame-debates-2013-barry-bonds-1.4344573">Barry Bonds</a> or Clemens were, there were always whispers. Nothing ever was proven, though, even tangientially. 
 Voters have shown no mercy toward those suspected of using steroids so far -- will they keep Piazza out to avoid the sheer possibility of enshrining someone who may have used performance-enhancing drugs, despite zero evidence?

HOFPIAZZA.WEB

Baseball Hall of Fame debates 2013: Mike Piazza

hof debates - mike piazza cropped

Part 4 of a 10-part series that looks at prominent potential Hall of Famers for the Class of 2013 and the reasons to vote them in -- or keep them out. 
 Curt Schilling, the former Phillies, Diamondbacks, Red Sox, Astros and Orioles righthander, was a postseason bulldog known for being the man you wanted on the mound during a big game. Unlike several top players of his era, Schilling never was accused of using performance-enhancing drugs. As such, his candidacy is based solely on the numbers. Even with numbers, though, there are two sides to the story. 
 THE CASE FOR THE HALL 
 Schilling's candidacy for the Hall of Fame isn't entirely about his performance in the postseason, but that might be his most compelling case. 
 In 19 postseason starts, Schilling was 11-2 with a 2.23 ERA, starting the final game of the World Series in 2001 and 2007, games that his teams won both times. He sandwiched in another World Series win with Boston in 2004, helping to break an infamous 86-year World Series-winning drought for that franchise. 
 He also started one of the most famous playoff games ever in 2004. 
 After tearing the tendon sheath in his right ankle during Game 1 of the American League Championship Series against the Yankees -- a game during in which he pitched poorly and lost -- Schilling had to have his ankle stabilized or be shut down. He took part in a revolutionary new procedure that allowed him to pitch, but the sutures that were used caused the sock on his foot to become red with blood as he pitched in Game 6 of the ALCS. He won the game and helped the Red Sox complete a historic comeback from an 0-3 deficit in the best-of-seven series. He had a second "bloody sock" moment in the World Series. The tenacious pitcher allowed just one earned run in 13 innings -- both victories -- spread out over those two games. 
 Schilling pitched four complete games in the postseason and tossed two shutouts. He was named MVP of the 1993 National League Championship Series and MVP of the 2001 World Series. 
 But it's not as if his regular seasons were pedestrian. He ended his 20-year career with a 216-146 record and 3.46 ERA, led the league in wins twice (2001, 2004), strikeouts twice (1997, 1998) and WHIP twice (1992, 2002). He finished in the top four of Cy Young voting four times, and finished second in 2001, 2002 and 2004. He was in the top 14 of MVP voting four times and was a six-time All-Star. 
 The durable righthander also led the league in games started three times (1997, 1998, 2001), complete games four times (1996, 1998, 2000, 2001) and innings pitched twice (1998, 2001). He developed remarkable control late in his career and led the league in strikeout-to-walk ratio five times (2001-2004, 2006). 
 Baseball-reference.com lists Schilling's 76.9 career Wins Above Replacement as the 26th best all-time for a pitcher. His 1.137 career WHIP is 46th best in MLB history and his 3,116 strikeouts are 15th best. 
 Schilling doesn't have any "magic numbers," necessarily. But he did have a pretty magical career. 
 THE CASE AGAINST THE HALL 
 It's difficult to argue with Schilling's postseason contributions. He was a terrific pitcher in October (and that one unbelievable November in 2001) and is one of the best playoff pitchers ever. 
 But the Hall of Fame measures what a player does during the course of his entire career, not just in one month. 
 Though Schilling certainly had some career peaks, he had plenty of valleys as well. 
 He posted an ERA north of 3.50 12 times. Despite debuting in 1988, he didn't make an All-Star team or finish in the top-20 of MVP and Cy Young balloting until 1997. If that was the beginning of his peak, his great years ended after 2004. 
 Schilling's peak years were just too short. 
 There's also the fact that he never won a Cy Young Award, though he finished second three times. He wasn't even the best pitcher on his own team during his best seasons. Randy Johnson outshined him in Arizona and Pedro Martinez and then Josh Beckett were the aces in Boston. 
 And despite being the beneficiary of some great offenses, Schilling was only able to post 216 wins, winning more than 15 games just five times. 
 Luckily for him, he also has 146 losses, so he knows how to handle defeat. That might come in handy when the Hall of Fame votes are counted.

HOFSCHILLING.WEB

Baseball Hall of Fame debates 2013: Curt Schilling

hof debates 2013 - curt schilling

Part 5 of a 10-part series that looks at prominent potential Hall of Famers for the Class of 2013 and the reasons to vote them in -- or keep them out. 
 Jack Morris is in his 14th year on the ballot. The former Tigers, Twins, Blue Jays and Indians righty is a lightning rod for many Hall of Fame voters. In a classic case of "eyes" vs. "numbers," some see Morris as the top pitcher of the 1980s who unquestionably belongs in the Hall. Others see his career as decidedly average. One thing both sides agree on: He pitched one heck of a game in October 1991. 
 THE CASE FOR THE HALL 
 If Jack Morris is elected to the Hall of Fame in January, he will have punched his ticket on Oct. 27, 1991, during Game 7 of the World Series at the Metrodome. 
 It was one of the most memorable games of the last quarter-century, and Morris was the star. 
 Facing a young John Smoltz, the veteran Morris was brilliant. He pitched 10 shutout innings and earned the win after Chaminade High School graduate Gene Larkin's walk-off single handed the Twins the Series. Morris was named World Series MVP. 
 That game became Morris' calling card, but it was also the perfect encapsulation of his 18-year career as an American League bulldog: 
 -- He twice led the league in wins (1981, 1992). 
 -- He won double-digit games 14 times (including a streak from 1979-1988). 
 -- He won more than 15 games 10 times. 
 -- He was a five-time All-Star. 
 -- He had seven top-nine finishes in Cy Young Award voting. 
 -- He was in the top 21 of MVP voting five times. 
 His 162 wins in the 1980s were the most in that decade. If Jim Rice got in the Hall of Fame chiefly for being "the most feared hitter" of the 1980s, shouldn't Morris' election be simple if he was the best pitcher during that same time? 
 Morris' greatest strength was his ability to go deep into games. Morris threw 175 complete games, led the league in 1990 with 11 complete games, led the league in 1986 with six shutouts and led the league in innings pitched in 1983 (2932/3). 
 And it was that endurance and competitive fire he took with him into World Series Game 7 in 1991, allowing him to pitch in and out of trouble for 10 innings. 
 Morris peaked last year with 66.7 percent of the votes (75 percent is needed for enshrinement). His vote total has increased each year since 2007 (37.1). 
 THE CASE AGAINST THE HALL 
 Here's the easy stuff. If you're a fan of wins, Morris won only 254 games, not even close to the "magic number" of 300. If you like ERA, Morris' career ERA of 3.90 is about good enough to earn him a spot in the middle of a rotation but is hardly an automatic entry into the Hall of Fame. 
 If you like awards, well, Morris didn't win any. At least not during the regular season. He never finished better than third in Cy Young Award voting. He never finished better than 13th in MVP voting. 
 Oh, but the postseason, right? That's supposedly Morris' bread and butter. Except that his postseason exploits have become more lore than fact over time. 
 Morris was 7-4 with a 3.80 ERA overall in the postseason. He appeared in seven postseason series and was excellent in three of them: 1984 American League Championship Series (1-0, 1.29 ERA); 1984 World Series (2-0, 2.00 ERA); 1991 World Series (2-0, 1.17 ERA). He was good in one of them: 1991 ALCS (2-0, 4.05 ERA). He was awful in the other three: 1987 ALCS (0-1, 6.75 ERA); 1992 ALCS (0-1, 6.57 ERA); 1992 World Series (0-2, 8.44 ERA). 
 Take away that one outstanding World Series game in 1991 and what do you have? A pitcher who belongs in the memory banks, but not in the Hall of Fame. That game is supposed to show Morris' prowess. What it really does is obscure a respectable career that was just slightly above average.

HOFMORRIS.WEB

Baseball Hall of Fame debates 2013: Jack Morris

hof debates 2013 - jack morris

Part 6 of a 10-part series that looks at prominent potential Hall of Famers for the Class of 2013 and the reasons to vote them in - or keep them out. 
 Craig Biggio is in his first year on baseball's Hall of Fame ballot. The former Astros icon ended his career after the 2007 season, the year he reached 3,000 hits. But is there more to Biggio than the "3,000" number? Or is the Kings Park High School graduate a one-trick pony? 
 THE CASE FOR THE HALL 
 There are 28 players who've reached 3,000 hits, a magical number for fans and players. Four of those 28 players are not in the Hall of Fame. Pete Rose (4,256) is banned from baseball. Derek Jeter (3,304) is still playing. Rafael Palmeiro is on the ballot, but questions about performance-enhancing drug use may hurt his chances. Biggio is the other. 
 Biggio, who played for the Astros every year of his 20-year career, finished with 3,060 hits, 21st on the all-time list, just ahead of Rickey Henderson and behind Dave Winfield. 
 That achievement alone should guarantee the second baseman a spot in Cooperstown. But he has other qualities that lend to an easy election. 
 Biggio is 15th on the career runs scored list. Everyone ahead of him is either in the Hall of Fame, still an active player, banned from baseball or about to be on the ballot for the first time (Barry Bonds). He's also fifth all-time in doubles. The only player in the top 4 not in the Hall of Fame already is Rose. 
 During his career, Biggio was a seven-time All-Star, won five Silver Sluggers and four Gold Gloves and finished in the top 16 of MVP voting five times. 
 He led the National League in doubles in 1994 (44), 1998 (51) and 1999 (56). His 291 home runs would be second only to Rogers Hornsby among Hall of Fame second basemen. His 1,844 runs would be first. 
 Biggio also led the league in stolen bases (39) in 1994. A durable player, he played less than 141 games in a season just four times, and two of those occasions came during his first two years in the league when he was a catcher. 
 A versatile player, Biggio primarily served as a catcher for his first four seasons, during which time he made one of his All-Star appearances (1991) and earned one of his Silver Slugger awards. Those awards didn't stop after he moved to second base. 
 And he may have one more honor coming to him. 
 THE CASE AGAINST THE HALL 
 It's hard to battle a number like 3,060 hits. But hear the argument out, since this whole Hall of Fame series is about debates 
 Many of the players currently up for election to the Hall of Fame have one question that needs to be answered in order to figure out how to vote. For sluggers such as Bonds or fireballers such as Roger Clemens, that question is "should a player associated with performance-enhancing drugs be voted into the Hall?" For Jack Morris the question is "Does one outstanding game and one decade overshadow the rest of his career?" 
 For Biggio the question is this: "Is one accomplishment enough to merit election?" 
 While Biggio was a prolific hitter, he was only a good player (no top 3 finishes in MVP voting) and he doesn't have much else to commend him to the Hall. 
 Biggio finished his playing career with a .281 average and only reached 3,000 hits by hanging on long after his numbers started to drop. From 2004-2007, Biggio never had an on-base percentage above .337. His batting average dipped from .281 in 2004 to .251 in 2007. His slugging percentage in 2007 was .381, his lowest since 1992. 
 Biggio hit .246 with a .306 OBP in 2006, but he also had 2,930 career hits. But, as the franchise's icon, he signed a one-year deal worth more than $5 million and had 555 more plate appearances to continue his quest for 3,000. 
 There's also the matter of Biggio's poor postseason play. In 185 plate appearances spanning nine playoff series, Biggio batted .234 with a .294 OBP. He batted over .222 in only three series. He hit .222 during his only World Series appearance in 2005, a loss to the White Sox.

HOFBIGGIO.WEB

Baseball Hall of Fame debates 2013: Craig Biggio

hof debates 2013 biggio

Part 7 of a 10-part series that looks at prominent potential Hall of Famers for the Class of 2013 and the reasons to vote them in -- or keep them out. 
 Tim Raines is in his sixth year on baseball's Hall of Fame ballot. The longtime Expo, who also spent time with the White Sox, Yankees, Athletics, Orioles and Marlins, received 48.7 percent of the vote in 2012, his highest total so far. Along with Rickey Henderson, he's one of the greatest base stealers of the last 30 years. But is that enough to get him elected to the Hall of Fame? 
 THE CASE FOR THE HALL 
 Of the two best leadoff men in the last three decades -- if not the history of baseball -- one is in the Hall of Fame. The other is 0-for-5 so far. 
 Rickey Henderson has the shiny record for stolen bases (1,406) and runs scored (2,295). He owns a .401 on-base percentage and a so-so .279 batting average. He also has a plaque in the Hall. 
 Then there's Raines, who is fifth on the all-time stolen base list and has the second-most since 1979 (808). His .385 on-base percentage is below Henderson's, but his .294 career average is better. And yet he hasn't been able to even reach the 50 percent mark during his first five years on the ballot. 
 Part of this could be due to perception. Henderson was a premier showman who overshadowed Raines. 
 But Hall of Fame voting gives a chance to cut through sometimes deceiving perception and get to the heart of the numbers. 
 Such as this: Raines led the National League in stolen bases from 1981-1984, stealing a career-high 90 in 1983. He had 71, 78 and 75 in the other three. 
 More outrageous? He was only caught 14 times the year he stole 90. He led baseball in average in 1986 (.334) and the National League in OBP the same season (.413). He combined pop (not necessarily power) with speed, driving 38 doubles in 1984, the same season he stole 75 bases. 
 He was a seven-time All-Star, finished in the top-20 of MVP voting seven times and helped win two World Series with the Yankees (1996, 1998). 
 Raines also bested his base-stealing counterpart in a couple areas. Raines had a career 9.3 percent strikeout rate to Henderson's 12.7. Raines was also caught stealing just 15.3 percent of the time. Henderson was nabbed at a 19.2 percent clip for his career. Raines' mark is the best known rate for any of the top five base stealers (Lou Brock was caught 24.6 percent of the time and caught-stealing information is either missing or incomplete for Ty Cobb and Billy Hamilton). 
 THE CASE AGAINST THE HALL 
 Raines stole a lot of bases. He was great at that. 
 Everything else? Well, he was just very good at those things. 
 His career had an eight-year peak, from 1981-1989, which is when he received all of his MVP votes (only once placing in the top five) and All-Star selections. 
 Outside of those eight years? No honors. Never led the league in anything. He only played full-time for another six seasons before becoming a part-time player for the Yankees, Athletics, Expos, Orioles and Marlins. And he wasn't the same player during his "second career." 
 In six seasons, Raines got 1,327 plate appearances -- about two seasons worth for Raines in his prime. He stole just 31 bases and was caught 10 times. Henderson, his contemporary, remained effective as an older player (175 steals in his final six seasons). Those same skills that many point to as the reason Raines should be in the Hall of Fame were not maintained his entire career.

HOFRAINES.WEB

Baseball Hall of Fame debates 2013: Tim Raines

hof debates 2013 tim raines

Part 8 of a 10-part series that looks at prominent potential Hall of Famers for the Class of 2013 and the reasons to vote them in -- or keep them out. 
 Jeff Bagwell is in his third year on the ballot, getting 56 percent of the vote in 2012 (75 percent is needed for election). The former Astros slugger was constantly in the National League MVP discussion, consistently hitting more than 30 home runs and driving in and scoring at least 100 runs per year. But an injured shoulder cut his career short at 37 following a miserable 2006 season. 
 Did he need more time to become a Hall of Famer? Or are his numbers enough for election? 
 THE CASE FOR THE HALL 
 Bagwell had only 2,314 hits. He hit only 449 home runs. He never won a World Series. But lost amid falling short of several "magic" numbers is this: He was one of the best first basemen in the game. Ever. 
 His 83.9 WAR is sixth among first basemen in the modern era (since 1900). He ranks ahead of Rod Carew (80.4) and Eddie Murray (78.8). 
 His .408 on-base percentage is 13th all-time at the position. 
 His .540 slugging percentage is 16th among first basemen, ahead of Willie Stargell (.529) and Harmon Killebrew (.509). 
 His 202 stolen bases rank 14th all-time, but he's the only first baseman with at least 144 home runs and 200 steals, a rare combination of power and speed. 
 He's eighth in runs scored with 1,517, ahead of Carew (1,424) and Ernie Banks (1,305). 
 He's one of seven first basemen to hit at least 400 home runs, drive in 1,500 runs and score 1,500 runs. Four are in the Hall of Fame (Stan Musial, Lou Gehrig, Jimmie Foxx, Murray). 
 Bagwell was the NL Rookie of the Year in 1991 when he hit .294 with 15 home runs and 82 RBIs. He was the NL MVP in 1994, hitting .368 with 39 home runs, 116 RBIs and a league-leading .750 slugging percentage during the strike-shortened season. He was in the top 20 of MVP voting 10 times during a 15-year career. He was a four-time All-Star, won three Silver Sluggers and picked up a Gold Glove in 1994. 
 For his career, Bagwell posted a 59.1 UZR, an advanced metric that measures a player's ability to get to balls hit in his fielding zone. That ranks 15th all-time among first basemen, second among those who hit at least 400 home runs. 
 Power. Speed. Defense. Bagwell was one of the most well-rounded players at his position in the last 112 years. 
 THE CASE AGAINST THE HALL 
 As a fan, your heart wants to vote Bagwell into the Hall. He was a Houston lifer who, along with fellow Hall of Fame candidate Craig Biggio, was one of the Astros' "Killer B's." 
 But Bagwell -- or rather the length of his career -- falls just short. 
 If he'd played another two or three seasons, it's likely he would have finished with more than 500 home runs and around 2,700 hits. Those numbers are Hall of Fame worthy. But fewer than 2,400 hits and 450 home runs? 
 Statistically minded folks have argued in recent years that the Hall of Fame is lowering its standards by inducting the likes of Jim Rice and Andre Dawson. Why then do they make the case for Bagwell? 
 It's certainly possible to get into the Hall with a shorter career. Sandy Koufax pitched only 12 seasons. But then again, he was also one of the best pitchers to ever pick up a baseball. Not many would argue that Bagwell was one of the best to ever clutch a bat. 
 Additionally, he was not a distinguished postseason performer, batting .226 and slugging only .321 in 106 at-bats spread across nine series. 
 Bagwell has been hurt, as well, by guilt by association. He played during the "steroid era," was a muscular slugger and put up double-digit home run totals for 14 consecutive seasons before his body broke down and he retired. 
 But aside from the skepticism some voters will have about any powerful hitter who played during the 1990's or 2000's, that's not reason enough to keep him out of the Hall. There's never been a shred of evidence to suggest Bagwell juiced.

HOFBAGWELL.WEB

Baseball Hall of Fame debates 2013: Jeff Bagwell

hof 2013 debates jeff bagwell

Part 9 of a 10-part series that looks at prominent potential Hall of Famers for the Class of 2013 and the reasons to vote them in - or keep them out. 
 Sammy Sosa is in his first year on the ballot. The former Cub, who also spent time with the Rangers and Orioles, slugged his way into the baseball record books with 609 career home runs. But questions over how exactly he transformed from an average player into a great player may keep him out of the Hall of Fame. 
 THE CASE FOR THE HALL 
 Baseball has been very, very good to Sosa. 
 As Sosa prepares for his first shot at the Hall of Fame, he does so as the eighth-most prolific home run hitter in baseball history. He retired with 609 home runs -- more than Frank Robinson, Mark McGwire, Harmon Killebrew or Reggie Jackson. Every one ahead of him is either in the Hall of Fame (Hank Aaron, Babe Ruth, Willie Mays), still playing (Alex Rodriguez, Jim Thome), isn't eligible yet (Ken Griffey Jr.) or is eligible for the first time this season (Barry Bonds). 
 He finished in the top-15 of MVP voting every season from 1995-2003, winning the National League MVP in 1998 when he hit 66 home runs and led the league with 158 RBIs, 134 runs and 416 total bases. He finished second in 2001 after leading the league with 146 runs, 160 RBIs and 425 total bases. He led the league with 50 home runs in 2000 and led the league with 49 home runs and 122 runs in 2002. 
 His 4,704 total bases are the 35th most in history. 
 His 1,667 RBIs rank 27th all-time. 
 His 1,033 extra-base hits are 27th best ever. 
 Every player ahead of him on each of those lists is either in the Hall, still playing, not yet eligible, is about to be on the ballot for the first time or has been banned from baseball. 
 Sosa became one of the faces of the game during the summer of 1998 when he and McGwire chased Roger Maris' single-season home run record. When McGwire became the first man to break the record -- during a game against Sosa's Cubs -- the two men embraced in a terrific and emotional moment for the sport. 
 From 1990-1998, Sosa hit double-digit home runs and stole double-digit bases all but one year, an injury-shortened 1992 (he still had 15 steals in 67 games that year). 
 After a year off from baseball in 2006, Sosa came back to hit .252 with 21 home runs in his final campaign with the Rangers at age 38. 
 When the Cubs lost a controversial NLCS in 2003, Sosa was not part of the problem. He hit .308 with two home runs in that series, making up for prior postseason failures. 
 Sosa's 93.1 combined career UZR (ultimate zone rating) is seventh-highest since 1900 for all primary rightfielders. UZR is an advanced stat that measures a player's ability to reach balls hit in his fielding zone. Aside from Hank Aaron's 98 UZR, no other player reached at least a 90 UZR who's hit at least 241 home runs. 
 THE CASE AGAINST THE HALL 
 For many years, after the fun -- and the farce -- of the 1998 home run chase had ended, fans and writers looked back on that above-average player who became a one-dimensional, muscular slugger and wondered -- was it all real? 
 Then in 2009, the answer seemed to come: no. 
 Sosa allegedly was among 104 MLB players who tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs during a supposedly anonymous test in 2003, according to a New York Times report. The exact substance for which Sosa supposedly tested positive was never identified. 
 But that article gave credence to what the "eye test" had told spectators for many years: Sosa was a juicer. Heck, throw out the eye test. Just check the numbers. 
 From 1989-1997, Sosa hit 40 homers once. During those first nine years of his career, he hit 207 home runs, batted .257, had a .308 on-base percentage, a .469 slugging percentage and a .777 OPS. He was selected to one All-Star game, won one Silver Slugger and had three top-20 MVP finishes, only reaching as high as No. 8. Still a speedy player, he stole 199 bases. 
 From 1998-2007, Sosa hit more than 40 home runs five times and more than 60 home runs three times. During those final nine seasons of his career, he hit 402 home runs, batted .287, had a .372 OBP, a .588 SLG and a .960 OPS. He was elected to six All-Star games, won five Silver Sluggers and had six top-10 MVP finishes, including one win. Now a cumbersome, slow player, he stole only 35 bases. 
 The argument can be made for some of the other suspected steroid cheats - Roger Clemens and Barry Bonds, in particular -- that they were Hall of Famers before they ever allegedly injected anything. 
 The same cannot be said for Sosa.

HOFSOSA.WEB

Baseball Hall of Fame debates 2013: Sammy Sosa

hof debates 2013 - sammy sosa

Part 10 of a 10-part series that looks at prominent potential Hall of Famers for the Class of 2013 and the reasons to vote them in -- or keep them out. 
 Rafael Palmeiro is in his third year on the ballot. He received 12.6 percent of the vote in 2012, his highest percentage to date. The former Cubs, Rangers and Orioles first baseman reached two baseball milestones during his career -- 3,000 hits and 500 home runs. But a positive test for a banned substance during his final season may be enough to undo his accomplishments. 
 THE CASE FOR THE HALL 
 There have only been four players in Major League history to hit both 500 home runs and reach 3,000 hits. Eddie Murray, Willie Mays and Hank Aaron are already in the Hall of Fame. 
 Now, Palmeiro is knocking at the door. 
 - Palmeiro had top-19 finishes in MVP voting 
 - He was a four-time All-Star 
 - He won three Gold Gloves 
 - He won two Silver Sluggers 
 - He led the league in hits (191) in 1990, doubles (49) in 1991 and runs (124) in 1993. 
 But Palmeiro's numbers are even more extraordinary when compared throughout baseball history: 
 - Palmeiro is 11th in baseball history with 5,388 total bases. 
 - He's 12th on the all-time home run list, with 569. 
 - He's 25th in hits, with 3,020. 
 Everybody in front of Palmeiro on those lists is either in the Hall of Fame, still playing, is a first-time eligible player this year or has been banned from baseball. 
 There's only one player who doesn't fit the above criteria: Mark McGwire. McGwire has been eligible for the Hall of Fame for six seasons and has yet to attain more than 23.5 percent of the vote. Palmeiro's support has been even lower. 
 Both players were in their primes during the "steroid era." And performance-enhancing drug accusations surrounded both. But there are legitimate differences, differences that support Palmeiro's election to the Hall. 
 For one, McGwire was a one-dimensional slugger during his career, who, even if he never took PEDs, may not have attained election to the Hall. 
 But the big difference is McGwire eventually admitted to using PEDs. Palmeiro has repeatedly denied knowingly using them. 
 Palmeiro tested positive for a banned substance in August 2005 -- his final season in the majors -- and was given a 10-day suspension, league policy at the time. He said during a 2009 interview with ESPN that "Whatever I took was tainted, had to have been. There's no other reason, unless I got set up." 
 He's long maintained that what he took was vitamin B-12 provided to him by a teammate. Given that the "check every medication" mentality hadn't yet been drilled into players' minds in 2005, that kind of transaction between friends shouldn't completely be viewed with skepticism. And given that in the 2011 offseason, Ryan Braun had a positive PED test overturned after discovering flaws in the testing system, there's a case to be made to view the testing system with some skepticism. 
 And that's a testing system that had seven years to improve since it "caught" Palmeiro. Palmeiro who never had a noticeable jump in his career performance beyond the typical arc of a ballplayer's life. Palmeiro never hit more than 47 home runs in a season and only hit 40 or more four times. Heck, Hank Aaron hit more than 40 home runs in a season eight times. No one has accused him of being a steroid cheat. 
 THE CASE AGAINST THE HALL 
 The exact moment when Palmeiro lessened his chances of being elected to the Hall of Fame is pretty easy to determine. 
 On March 17, 2005, he pointed his finger at a congressional panel and emphatically stated, "I have never used steroids. Period." Less than five months later, Palmeiro tested positive for a banned substance. 
 So the tally goes: 3,020 hits, 569 home runs, and one positive PED test. 
 Funny how the little numbers matter the most at times like these. 
 Of all the alleged PED users on the 2013 Hall of Fame ballot, Palmeiro has the most to overcome. Roger Clemens was accused, fought the accusation like a rabid dog and was never convicted of anything. Barry Bonds was accused, denied it and was eventually brought to federal court on obstruction of justice charges for perjury. He was convicted on one charge, but not for using steroids. Sammy Sosa was outed by an anonymous source in a newspaper article that didn't identify the substance he supposedly testified positive for. 
 But Palmeiro was the only member of this quartet with an actual public positive test to his name. The only one who was ever suspended. 
 Just because he insists he didn't take PEDs isn't enough of a reason to give him the benefit of the doubt. Just because his career didn't spike like Sosa's or Clemens' or Bonds' isn't reason to not suspect him. Matt Lawton was suspended for taking a banned substance, and he never hit more than 21 home runs in a season or had a noticeable spike either. 
 The absence of numerical evidence is not evidence of the absence of steroids. 
 Palmeiro's accomplishments were surely great. There's no arguing with the overall statistics he created. The argument comes from the fact that he seems to have had chemical help when writing his career resume.

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Baseball Hall of Fame debates 2013: Rafael Palmeiro

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