Here’s the ballot for this year. Names in bold are who my votes would go to.
New on 2008 Ballot
Brady Anderson
Rod Beck
Shawon Dunston
Chuck Finley
Travis Fryman
David Justice
Chuck Knoblauch
Robb Nen
Tim Raines
Jose Rijo
Todd Stottlemyre
Holdovers from Previous Ballot
Harold Baines
Bert Blyleven
Dave Concepcion
Andre Dawson
Goose Gossage
Tommy John
Don Mattingly
Mark McGwire
Jack Morris
Dale Murphy
Dave Parker
Jim Rice
Lee Smith
Alan Trammel
It’s a pretty weak class, I don’t think there are any first timers on it this year. Tim Raines should be in the Hall of Fame, but will most likely not make the cut because he’s not Rickey Henderson and that whole drug scandal thing.
What this weak class means, hopefully, is that Bert Blyleven will finally be in the Hall of Fame. This is Jim Rice’s 14th time on the ballot, so he has one time left but I wouldn’t be surprised if he got the sap vote. Goose Gossage belongs in there as well, and the (lack of) strength of the rest of the ballot might push him.
