Hall of Fame: DoD Ballot’s

The day is finally here. The Hall of Fame ballots will be released today, changing some players lives forever, and putting them with the best that has ever played this game. Some players are easy decisions and others take some serious thought, on if they are a true Hall of Famer or just a great player that fell just a bit short.

Voters have ten spots, for ten names if they choose to use all ten. That is how we will do our ballot’s here at District on Deck. Each writer has ten spots they can fill, if they choose, and then each will have an explanation on why they chose that player to become a Hall of Famer. Will this be the first time we see a first ballot Hall of Famer since Rickey Henderson in 2009? 

Ryan Ritchey – @BaseballAddicts on Twitter

Jun 6, 2013; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners former designated hitter

prior to the game against the New York Yankees at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

1. Greg Maddux – This was the easiest choice out of them all, by a long shot. He had ten seasons of an ERA at or below three. Two of those seasons saw his ERA in the mid one’s. From 1992-2002 he was arguably one of the best three pitchers in all of baseball. He won four straight Cy Young‘s from 1992-1995. He saw his WAR get at or above six in ten seasons and he also won a few games as well, 355. I’m not big on wins but when his statistics look like they do, he deserves to win. Not to mention he has the Major League Baseball record for Gold Gloves, 18, including 13 straight in 23 years of MLB experience. Not to mention he did all of this with a mid-to-high 80’s fastball and great control, while playing in the power arm era. This one is a no doubter for me.

2. Frank Thomas – Thomas is a pretty easy choice as well in my opinion. He played a lot of first base, but the designated hitter position as well. You don’t see many players getting into the Hall of Fame because of their defense do you? That will come into play a little later. He could hit for power and also got on base at a great rate. He walked over 100 times in a season, 10 times, while only striking out 100 times in a season, three times. The Big Hurt finished in the top ten in MVP voting nine times, including coming out on top in both the 1993-1994 seasons. To wrap it all up he hit over 500 home runs and is one of the best right-handed hitters of all-time. He also hasn’t been linked to any steroid rumors and for that, you have to trust that he has never been on the juice.

3. Craig Biggio – Biggio is a borderline Hall of Famer, but I believe he needs to be in Cooperstown. He collected 3,000 hits in his 20 year career and also scored close to 1,850 runs. His 1,844 is good for 15th best all-time. He was a double hitting machine, in fact his 668 two baggers are the most ever for a right-handed hitter. He also came away with a 50 double/50 stolen base season, the only one to happen in the last 100 seasons. He had a great mix of speed and power, as he hit 291 home runs in his career. He did all of these things as a second baseman for most of his career.

4. Tim Raines – Raines as I wrote yesterday, was one of the best base stealers of all time. He totaled 808 in his career out of 954 attempts. He walked over 1330 times compared to his strikeouts which came to a total of less than 1,000. He wasn’t the player that you wanted to watch at the plate, but when he got on the bases, you didn’t want to blink, because you might miss him stealing a base. His statistics compared to Tony Gwynn alone should get him to Cooperstown this year. He is in my opinion the second best leadoff hitter behind Rickey Henderson.

5. Edgar Martinez – He we are with another player that doesn’t get the recognition that he deserves. He was a designated hitter that gets thrown under the bus because he didn’t play the field. So I will ask again, how many players make the Hall of Fame because of their fielding ability? Martinez compiled over 2,200 hits, 500 doubles and 300 homers. His on base percentage ranks 21st all-time, with his on base plus slugging 34th best. He isn’t a no doubter, but he is deserving of a plaque in the Hall of Fame.

I could of easily put eight names on this list, but I just don’t think Tom Glavine, Mike Mussina and Jeff Kent did enough to be first ballot Hall of Famers. In my opinion, there are Hall of Famers and then there are the first ballot Hall of Famers. I do believe that each of these players get in in the near future and possibly even this season if the voters see it that way. On the Jack Morris delima, he just wasn’t great enough to even be mentioned. He was an innings eater that flowed with everyone else. He was never on top of the game at any point in his career, in any capacity.

I also can’t come to voting for Roger Clemens, Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa, Rafael Palmeiro, or Barry Bonds. If they have been linked to steroids, I just can’t vote for them. They may have been great players, but it was with a little help along the way.

Luke Jett – @LukeJett10 on Twitter

May 18, 2012; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros former second baseman Craig Biggio watches batting practice before a game against the Texas Rangers at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

1. Greg Maddux- One of the best right handed pitchers in the modern era. Four straight Cy Young Awards from 1992-95 and finished with an ERA under 2.50 six times through his career. 300 wins and 3000 strikeouts make Maddux a no brainer.

2. Frank Thomas- MVP in 1993 and 1994. A force in the middle of the White Sox lineup in the 1990s, hitting over 24 home runs in all but one year through the 90s. Career totals of 521 home runs and 1704 RBIs and a .301 batting average.

3. Tom Glavine- He was a main part in the Braves’ championship teams in the 90s, compiling 20+ wins five times through his career and an ERA under 3.20 nine times. He finished with 305 wins and 2607 strikeouts.

4. Craig Biggio- Posted an OPS+ over 200 fifteen times in his career. 3060 hits for his career, while leading the NL in doubles three times. Seven time all star and is second all time for hit by pitches with 285.

5. Lee Smith– One of the best closers of his time. Second all time in saves with 478 and owns an ERA of 3.03 in 18 seasons. Led the league in saves four times while compiling 30+ saves from 1984-1995.

6. Tim Raines- Totaled 808 stolen bases which is good for fifth all time. Led the NL in stolen bases in four straight seasons from 1981-84.  He also compiled a career batting average of .294 and OBP of .385. Raines is considered one of the best leadoff hitters of all time.

Noah Nash 

August 3, 2012; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox former pitcher

throws out a ceremonial first pitch prior to a game against the Minnesota Twins at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

1. Greg Maddux- I think Maddux is an obvious choice here.  The man single-handedly dominated a hitter-friendly era with elite command and late darting movement.  355 career wins would likely get him into the hall alone, but if you add in the 3.16 ERA and over 5000 career innings he’s a clear first ballot Hall of Famer.

2. Craig Biggio- Craig Biggio, in my opinion, is another clear cut Hall of Famer. While the career slash line of (.281/.363/.433) doesn’t scream Hall of Famer, the 3,000 hits and the fact that he was the face of the Houston Astros for 20 years does.  In addition, his slash line is brought down a bit by the extra years he stayed in baseball in order to reach the coveted 3,000 hit plateau.

3. Curt Schilling- I’ve never understood why people think Curt Schilling does not deserve a plaque in the Hall of Fame.  Yes, the win total is a little low, but in his prime Curt Schilling was a strikeout machine and innings eater.  He did struggle with injuries in his career, but it wasn’t like he was labeled as injury prone.  Ultimately though, the man is the most clutch pitcher in post season history and he deserves to join his famous bloody sock in the hall of fame.

4. Edgar Martinez- Edgar Martinez is simply the 2nd most dominant designated hitter in major league history and has a Hall of Fame slash line of (.312/.418/.933).  The man has a career OPS+ of 147, a number that is elite on it’s own. Besides, Martinez shouldn’t be punished for the fact that he was a designated hitter.  The DH is a position in baseball and so there deserve to be DH’s in the Hall of Fame.

5. Frank Thomas- Simply one of the greatest hitters of his generation. 500 homers, a career batting average of .301, and an OPS of .974 speak for themselves.  First ballot Hall of Famer, and one of the greatest people the game has ever seen.

6. Jeff Bagwell– Biggio’s partner in crime put up elite offensive levels without the help of any performance enhancing drugs.  Everytime I see his 1994 season I can’t believe my eyes.  The man had an OPS over 1.2.

I didn’t vote for Morris because he never was elite in any fashion beyond being an innings eater and his high win totals. I just can’t bring myself to vote for Bonds and Clemens.  They tainted the game of baseball and they don’t deserve the greatest individual achievement in baseball.  Mussina, while I believe he deserves it eventually, doesn’t deserve it yet.