Get Ready for the Biggest Hall of Fame class in years, everybody. From the Veteran's Committee to the stacked regular ballot (stacked extra heavy because of last year's bust, that is) there will be plenty of names enshrined in Cooperstown for 2014.
First of all, I'll predict who gets in on the Veteran's Committee:
-Bobby Cox
-Tony La Russa
-Joe Torre
-Marvin Miller
I think all those submissions go without saying, unless of course the Veteran's Committee pulls a 2013 MLB Ballot and elects to ignore all achievement in favor of making a statement. I don't think that will be the case, however, as there is no denying the tandem of Torre, Cox, and La Russa their first year of opportunity. As for Marvin Miller, he's suffered enough, let the guy in already.
Additionally, I predict Ken "Hawk" Harrelson wins the Frick Award.
Moving on, its time for the Regular Ballot:
*Greg Maddox 96.7%
*Craig Biggio 84.5%
*Tom Glavine 82.5%
*Jack Morris 79.1%
*Mike Mussina 78.9%
*Frank Thomas 76.3%
Jeff Bagwell 70.1%
Mike Piazza 61.0%
Tim Raines 53.5%
Edgar Martinez 45.1%
Lee Smith 43.4%
Alan Trammell 41.9%
Curt Schilling 40.2%
Mark Mcgwire 31.8%
Roger Clemens 23.3%
Barry Bonds 20.9%
Fred McGriff 20.6%
Larry Walker 16.7%
Jeff Kent 12.0%
Luis Gonzalez 11.8%
Don Mattingly 9.7%
Rafael Palmeiro 6.1%
-Sammy Sosa 4.5%
-Moises Alou 3.4%
-Hideo Nomo 2.2%
-Kenny Rogers 1.7%
-Eric Gagne 1.3%
-JT Snow 0.8%
-Mike Timlin 0.4%
-Todd Jones 0.1%
-Richie Sexson 0.1%
-Armando Benitiez 0.0%
-Sean Casey 0.0%
-Jacque Jones 0.0%
-Paul Lo Duca 0.0%
* = Hall of Famer
- = Goner
So yes, there are six, count them, six hall of famers coming off the regular ballot, provided the other baseball writers don't decide that even Maddox, Glavine, and Mussina don't deserve the hall. I am hoping Frank Thomas gets his calling as well, and that we haven't decided 500 home runs isn't enough to get into the hall even without steroid help. Also I'm still sticking by the idea that Sammy Sosa will be the first 500 home run hitter to be voted off the ballot.
