Fansided

Should baseball Hall of Fame wipe away the steroid era?

By Dan Dechenaux

Jul 27, 2014; Cooperstown, NY, USA; Bobby Cox and Tony La Russa and Tom Glavine and Frank Thomas and Greg Maddux and Joe Torre pose with their Hall of Fame plaques during the class of 2014 national baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremony at National Baseball Hall of Fame. Mandatory Credit: Gregory J. Fisher-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 27, 2014; Cooperstown, NY, USA; Bobby Cox and Tony La Russa and Tom Glavine and Frank Thomas and Greg Maddux and Joe Torre pose with their Hall of Fame plaques during the class of 2014 national baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremony at National Baseball Hall of Fame. Mandatory Credit: Gregory J. Fisher-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

If MLB eliminates the steroid era, will the Baseball Hall Of Fame be complete?

As the Baseball Hall of Fame stumbles over what to do about admitting players from “The Steroid Era,” it is clear that innocent players will suffer because of the guilty ones.

Looking at voting patterns, it looks like it is becoming, “you are guilty until proven innocent.” Voters seem worried about the embarrassment of admitting a player into Cooperstown, and then having the player proven guilty later on. That is a shame.

The voters should step up to the plate and do the job they are given. There are so many players who are not in but should be. Starting with Pete Rose, the Major League Baseball all-time hits leader. The excuse for keeping Rose out is the stance that he bet on games. But some suggest, according to Fox Sports, that his rumored use of amphetamines has an underlying influence. This is particularly disappointing since amphetamines were not banned until 2006, long after Rose’s career was over. [related category]

The problem comes when voters start appointing themselves as judge and jury. Of course, everyone must play by the same rules. There is no disputing that. But if you should have to prove that amphetamines were illegal, and then prove that Rose used them, before knocking him out. Don’t just go by the way you feel it should have been. And if that is the case, don’t hide behind the betting situation. If you can’t prove it, then let him in.

So here is the potential Hall of Fame lineup that may never be. Players, whether through proof of performance enhancement, through mere suspicion, or merely for playing in the wrong era, who may never get in:

First base: Mark McGwire. Some say his battle with Sammy Sosa in their pursuit of Roger Maris’ season home run record may have saved baseball. He is a member of the All-Century team. He finished with 583 home runs.

Second Base. Jeff Kent: Kent was a five time all star and the National League MVP in 2000. He won four Silver Slugger Awards as the best hitting player at his position.

Shortstop: Alex Rodriguez. Rodriguez has 654 home runs. He is a three time MVP and a 14 time all star. He also has won an American League Batting Championship in 1996.

Thirdbase: Ken Caminiti. Caminiti won the National League MVP in 1996. He was a three time all star and hit 239 home runs in his career.

Outfield: Pete Rose. Rose had 4,256 career hits, the most of anyone to ever play the game. He was the National League MVP in 1973 and the World Series MVP in 1975. He also won the National League Batting Championship three times.

Outfield: Barry Bonds. Bonds hit 762 career home runs, the most of any player. He also is listed as the MLB record holder with 73 home runs in a season, 2558 career walks and 688 career intentional walks.

Outfield: Ryan Braun. Braun is the 2011 National League MVP , the 2012 home run champion and the 2007 Rookie of the Year. He has won five Silver Slugger Awards.

Designated Hitter: Rafael Palmiero. Palmiero hit 569 career home runs. He also had 3,020 hits and 1,835 RBI. He was also a four time all star.

Pitcher: Roger Clemens. Clemens won seven Cy Young Awards. He was a seven time ERA champion and a five time strike out champion.

Catcher: Mike Piazza. Piazza is already in the New York Mets Hall of Fame. He won the Silver Slugger Award ten times and the 1996 All Star Game MVP. He hit 427 career home runs with a .308 lifetime batting average.

Next: Who are the 30 greatest starting pitchers of all-time?

Home/MLB