MLB Roundup 11/19: Hall of Fame ballot released

Hall of Fame Ballot Released

Monday was a big day for those who are passionate about the history of the game and the Hall of Fame in general, as the ballot for this year’s Hall of Fame class was released. Now, we wait until January 21 to learn who will actually be in. Over the two months before that announcement, we’ll hear plenty of arguments about steroids and park effects and the merits of WAR and a whole lot of other things that will probably make me pull my hair out. In case you can’t tell, I’m pretty much over the Hall of Fame stuff at this point and think the entire process has eaten itself and taken away any entertainment value in my mind. Many disagree, and that’s fine, but I won’t really be taking part in too much of that conversation.

I will talk a little about it today, though. The ballot can be seen here, and there is one slam dunk first timer on the list this year in old enemy Derek Jeter. We’ll hear a lot of jokes about the former Yankee star’s defense in these conversations — and by all means, get those off — but for as overrated as his glove once was he is clearly one of the best players of all time and is an easy Hall of Famer. Bobby Abreu has a solid case as well, though his type of value is one that generally doesn’t get rewarded in Hall of Fame voting. Other than those two, it’s all about the players returning to the ballot. Larry Walker is the player I’ll be rooting for the most, and the other major storylines will be Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens and Curt Schilling.

Sox Spin: There are a whole lot of players with Red Sox connections on the ballot this year. Those players are: Josh Beckett, Roger Clemens, Carlos Peña, Brad Penny, Manny Ramirez, Curt Schilling and Billy Wagner. By my count, there are four Hall of Famers on that list of seven. You can decide who those are.