BBWAA gives Dan Le Batard lifetime ban from Hall of Fame voting
By Mike Dyce
Deadspin revealed their Basbeall Hall of Fame ballot and voter. It was none other than ESPN personality and longtime Miami Herald columnist Dan Le Batard.
While Deadspin was trying to purchase a Hall of Fame vote, Le Batard gave them his after the initial seller fell through. Deadspin did not buy the vote like they had initially sought out to do.
The BBWAA said they were “examining their options” when it came to Le Batard and his vote going forward.
From Hayden Kane of FanSided:
"LaVelle Neal, a Minnesota Twins beat writer for the Minneapolis Star Tribune and the current president of the Baseball Writers Association of America, fielded that question in an interview earlier today (click here to view the video). Neal said that the BBWAA board is “examining their options” with regards to LeBatard’s decision and that they have had “substantive discussions” about possible disciplinary action."
Le Batard announced on Thursday that the BBWAA gave him a lifetime ban from Hall of Fame voting and banned him from attending games as a credentialed member of the media for a year.
Max penalty: BBWAA just lifetime banned me from Hall of Fame vote and won't allow me to attend a game as credentialed media for a year.
— Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz (@LeBatardShow) January 9, 2014
FanSided’s Phil Daniels wrote a column regarding Le Batard’s situation with the BBWAA and if they can legally take away his vote. He thinks Le Batard might have a chance to keep it if he cares to appeal.
[UPDATE:] Statement from the BBWAA, signed by president La Velle E. Neal III, via Deadspin:
"The BBWAA Board of Directors has decided to remove Dan Le Batard’s membership for one year, for transferring his Hall of Fame ballot to an entity that has not earned voting status. The punishment is allowed under the organization’s constitution.In addition, Le Batard will not be allowed to vote on Hall of Fame candidates from this point on.The BBWAA regards Hall of Fame voting as the ultimate privilege, and any abuse of that privilege is unacceptable."