When the BBWAA announces who they are inducting into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York on January 6, expect to see the names Randy Johnson, Pedro Martinez and Craig Biggio on that list.
It’s almost safe to say that if a player took performance-enhancing drugs, they are most likely not getting into Cooperstown anytime soon. There will probably be flying cars before Steroid Era players get in.
This is not an argument for that, however there are 15 legitimate players on the ballot this year that should getting in two of which are first-timers and one of which should’ve gotten in last year. Neither of which were on PED’s, somewhat of a relief if you think about it.
However, of the 15 candidates on the ballot, only 10 get in.
To start off, “The Big Unit” Randy Johnson should be getting in on his first try. The dominant 6’10” left-hander was known for his hard-throwing and strikeout capability, going 303-166 with a career 3.29 ERA. He only won one World Series title (2001 vs. New York Yankees) however he took home five Cy Young Awards including a record four-straight from 1999-2002, and struck out 4,875 batters (second to only Nolan Ryan) in a 22-year career that saw him starting his career in Montreal, start to make his name in Seattle, make his place in history in Arizona, end up becoming a Yankee before returning to Arizona then heading home to San Francisco to call it a career in 2009.
Despite the numerous accolades, Johnson was only a 20-game winner three times in his career (1997, 2001, and 2002).
Another pitcher that should be getting in on his first try is Pedro Martinez.
Probably one of the fiercest competitors of all time and the catalyst behind leading the Red Sox to their first World Series title in 86 years, breaking “The Curse of the Bambino,” Pedro also finished his career with a .687 career winning percentage, the best of any pitcher starting his career after 1950 and sixth all-time. His career includes sixth seasons with an ERA either just above or just over 2.00, two 300-strikeout seasons and nine seasons with over 200 strikeouts (including the 300 strikeout years)
The only gripe behind Pedro’s case to get in is a record that has only 219 wins (219-100), two 20-win seasons and just one World Series ring, however Martinez’s three Cy Young awards, two-time Cy Young runner ups and, as previously mentioned, his winning percentage should get him in on the first try, barely.
Last but not least on our list of sort is last year’s holdover who should’ve gotten in, but somehow missed the cut by two votes, Craig Biggio.
The most versatile player of all of the position players on this year’s ballot, Biggio did everything but pitch for the Houston Astros, finishing a 20-year career in Houston with a .281/.363/.433 slash line with 3,060 career hits, 291 home runs and 1,175 RBI. He was a six-time all-star, five-time Silver Slugger award winner, three-time Gold Glover and finished in the top five of the MVP voting twice.
He played the outfield, infield and caught, displaying power, speed and the ability to hit for average. He should get those two extra votes this time around.
Of course, as with any pro sports hall of fame, there will be controversy. Someone is going to get snubbed, someone will get in who shouldn’t get in, and so on.
But if there’s any safe bet on this year’s induction into Cooperstown, it’s these three.
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