My Baseball Hall of Fame Ballot

While I’m not a member of the Baseball Writers Association of America, I am a lifetime member of the Internet Baseball Writers Association of America–which does include some high profile names in their membership. Anyway, it’s that time of year for voting for induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Mar 15, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; United States pitching coach Greg Maddux (31) during the World Baseball Classic against Puerto Rico at Marlins Park. Image Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Given how stacked the ballot is, what is very unfortunate is that the IBWAA membership has yet to elect Cincinnati Reds shortstop Barry Larkin. As such, Larkin is still eligible by the IBWAA for induction–which makes the decision on who to vote all the more tougher. However, I would have voted for Mike Piazza but he was voted in by the IBWAA membership already so just replace Piazza with Larkin for the IBWAA vote.

As is likely the case with many baseball writers out there, I used all 10 slots made available for voting. After going through the ballot the first time, voting for Bagwell, Biggio, Glavine, Maddux, Morris, Mussina, Piazza, Schilling, and Thomas were no-brainers. This left me with the decision to choose between Kent, Edgar Martinez, Tim Raines, Lee Smith, and Alan Trammell for the final spot on my ballot.

My ballot is as follows:
Jeff Bagwell — (15: ‘91-’05, 4th) .297, 1,517 R, 2,314 H, 449 HR (36th), 1,529 RBI, 202 SB. Also: 1,401 BB (28th), 1994 NL MVP, 1991 NL ROY, 4 AS, 1 GG, 3 SS

Craig Biggio — (20: ‘88-’07, 2nd) .281, 1,844 R (15th), 3,060 H (21st), 291 HR, 1,175 RBI, 414 SB. Also: 668 2B (5th), 2,046 1B (39th), 7 AS, 4 GG, 5 SS

Tom Glavine — (22: ‘87-’08, 1st) 305 W (21st), 3.54 ERA, 2,607 K (24th), 1.314 WHIP, 25 SO, 10 AS, 2 NL CY, 4 SS, 1 WS title, 1985 WS MVP

Jeff Kent — (17: ‘92-’08, 1st) .290, 1,320 R, 2,461 H, 377 HR, 1,518 RBI, 2000 NL MVP, 5 AS, 4 SS, most career HRs by a 2B (351)

Greg Maddux — (23: ‘86-’08, 1st) 355 W (8th), 227 L, 3.16 ERA, 3,371 K (10th), 1.143 WHIP. Also: 109 CG, 35 SO, 3.374 K/BB (24th), 4 NL Cy, 8 AS, 18 GG, 1 WS title, 4 NL ERA

Jack Morris — (18: ’77-’94, 15th) 254-186, 3.90 ERA, 2,478 K (32nd), 1.296 WHIP, 175 CG, 28 SO, 5 AS, 1991 WS MVP, 4 WS titles, 1 no-hitter (1984)

Mike Mussina — (18: ‘91-’08, 1st) 270-153, 3.68 ERA, 2,813 K (19th), 1,192 WHIP. Also: 3.583 K/BB (15th), 5 AS, 7 GG

Mike Piazza — (16: ‘92-’07, 2nd) .308, 1,048 R, 2,127 H, 427 HR, 1,335 RBI, 1993 NL ROY, 12 AS, 10 SS, 1996 AS Game MVP

Curt Schilling — (20: ‘88-’07, 2nd) 216-146, 3.46 ERA, 3,116 K (15th), 1.137 WHIP. Also: 8.6 K/9 (22nd), 4.383 K/BB (2nd), 6 AS, 3 WS titles, 2001 WS MVP

Frank Thomas — (19: ‘90-’08, 1st) .301, 1,494 R, 2,468 H, 521 HR (18th), 1,704 RBI (22nd). Also: .419 OBP (20th), .555 SLG (22nd), 1,667 BB (10th), 121 Sac flies (4th), 15.7 AB per HR (27th), 2 AL MVPs, 1 AL batting title, 5 AS, 4 SS