I'll be back with more details tomorrow, but I will say this. The Houston Chronicle did a brief piece on Roger Clemens and some of the notables who will be on the MLB Hall of Fame ballot for the first time, as well as notables who will be back. Just a few thoughts:
It always amazes me that Jack Morris doesn't get as much respect as he deserves. He's been on the ballot 12 times but has never gotten into the Hall of Fame. This is a guy who won three world titles with three different teams, and pitched the World Series of his life in 1991. To this day, that 1991 World Series remains the greatest of all time in my view and Jack Morris was a large part of it. Chances are he might still get in as he got 66 percent of the vote last time but he's running out of time.
Even more amazing is Don Mattingly, one of the sweetest swingers of all time and the current manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers. The first year he was eligible for the ballot all the way back in 2001 he received a fair amount of votes but that has steadily declined. Sure he didn't win a world title in his career as a player, but I'm surprised at the lack of respect he has got.
As far as some of the newcomers on the ballot:
Barry Bonds - If this guy gets in at all it's going to make me puke and for those who follow the sport I think you know why. In my view Henry Aaron is still the all time home run king.
Curt Schilling - He'll get in for sure I think - who knows how long it will take. That 2004 ALCS and playing with a bloody sock, not to mention three world titles alone gets him in.
Craig Biggio - Also his first time on the ballot. Ideally as an Astros fan he'll go in with Bagwell but that remains to be seen.
Roger Clemens - Here's a guy I thought I loved watching pitch. But man, now I have mixed feelings because of the drug issues and because he wants back in the spotlight at near 50 years old.
More details coming tomorrow.
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