2024 Hall of Fame Ballot

[kalinecountry]

https://www.mlb.com/news/2024-hall-of-fame-ballot-released
2024 Hall of Fame ballot is unveiled.
MLB.com

Adrian Beltr?, Joe Mauer and Chase Utley are some of the more notable newcomers featured on the 2024 Baseball Writers? Association of America Hall of Fame ballot, which was released Monday.

Those first-year candidates are joined by ballot veterans such as Todd Helton, Billy Wagner and Andruw Jones, who are trending toward enshrinement in Cooperstown.

Beltr? appears on the ballot for the first time after recording 3,166 hits and 477 home runs during his 21-year career. Mauer?s three batting titles as a catcher and 2009 AL MVP are some of his top reasons for induction. Utley made six All-Star teams and won the 2008 World Series with the Phillies. Other first-timers on the ballot include David Wright, Bartolo Colon, Adri?n Gonz?lez, Matt Holliday, Jos? Reyes, Jos? Bautista, Victor Martinez, James Shields and Brandon Phillips.

 

[kalinecountry]

https://blogs.fangraphs.com/the-big-questions-about-the-2024-bbwaa-hall-of-fame-ballot/
The Big Questions About the 2024 BBWAA Hall of Fame Ballot.
Fangraphs

 

[boogerlovejoy]

https://www.mlb.com/news/2024-hall-of-fame-ballot-released
2024 Hall of Fame ballot is unveiled.
MLB.com

Adrian Beltr?, Joe Mauer and Chase Utley are some of the more notable newcomers featured on the 2024 Baseball Writers? Association of America Hall of Fame ballot, which was released Monday.

Those first-year candidates are joined by ballot veterans such as Todd Helton, Billy Wagner and Andruw Jones, who are trending toward enshrinement in Cooperstown.

Beltr? appears on the ballot for the first time after recording 3,166 hits and 477 home runs during his 21-year career. Mauer?s three batting titles as a catcher and 2009 AL MVP are some of his top reasons for induction. Utley made six All-Star teams and won the 2008 World Series with the Phillies. Other first-timers on the ballot include David Wright, Bartolo Colon, Adri?n Gonz?lez, Matt Holliday, Jos? Reyes, Jos? Bautista, Victor Martinez, James Shields and Brandon Phillips.

Yes to Beltre & Mauer. No to Utley. 5 very good years and 11 above average/injury riddled years does not make a HOF career. (Kofax is different....his 5 years were legendary years....Utley's were not)

No to everyone else. All really good players. Not HOF'ers.

 

[kalinecountry]

Which of Bill Freehan, Thurman Munson, and Yadier Molina is most Hall of Fame-worthy? I asked that question regarding the three former catchers in a Twitter poll on Friday, and the results were more or less what I expected them to be. Along with being recency-biased, they were very much debatable.

Molina won the poll easily, garnering a healthy 57.3% of the 1,293 votes cast while Munson finished second with 31.9% and Freehan received a mere 10.8%.

Here is a snapshot of their respective numbers and awards:

Freehan: 1,591 hits, 200 HRs, 113 wRC+, 44.8 bWAR, five Gold Gloves, 11 All-Star appearances.

Molina: 2,168 hits, 176 HRs, 97 wRC+, 42.3 bWAR, nine Gold Gloves,10 All-Star appearances.

Munson: 1,558 hits, 113 HRs, 116 wRC+, 46.1 bWAR, three Gold Gloves, seven All-Star appearances.

Note that the above WAR totals are bWAR and fWAR. The latter includes framing ? a Molina strength ? whereas both Freehan (1961-1976) and Munson (1969-1979) played prior to framing being measured. By and large, comparing catcher WAR over eras is a tenuous exercise. That said, Molina?s edge in fWAR is clear, 55.6 to Freehan?s 44.8 and Munson?s 40.9. Make of it what you will.

Given the dearth of catchers in Cooperstown, one could reasonably argue that all three merit enshrinement. As for which of them is most deserving of the honor? let?s just say I?m not convinced that it is the longtime St. Louis Cardinal. The late Detroit Tigers and New York Yankees stalwarts ? themselves one-franchise players ? were every bit as good.

Fangraphs

 

[kalinecountry]

https://www.mlb.com/news/baseball-has-the-best-hall-of-fame
Every Hall of Fame is great. But none are like baseball's.
MLB.com

 

[kalinecountry]

https://motorcitybengals.com/posts/...acker-how-many-more-does-he-need-01hkd5fkkqsd
Victor Martinez Hall of Fame vote tracker: How many more does he need?
MCBTB

 

[kalinecountry]

https://totallytigers.wordpress.com/2024/01/23/watercooler-wednesday-119/
WATERCOOLER WEDNESDAY.
Totally Tigers

On the day after the yearly election to the Baseball Hall of Fame, we are reminded of one of the greatest to ever play 2B. A man who has yet to be recognized in Cooperstown.

Lou Whitaker.

In his first and only election, Sweet Lou received a vote total that was not so sweet. He received less than 3% of the votes and as a result, was removed from the ballot.

In 2022, he failed to be nominated. His next opportunity will be in 2025.

To summarize his accomplishments, Lou has a 75.1 WAR and is tied with Hall of Famer, Johnny Bench. They both rank #82 in that category in all of baseball history.

The Hall has 268 members elected as players. Out of those, 20 of them were 2Bers.

If we ranked all of them, Whitaker would sit in 7th place behind Rogers Hornsby, Eddie Collins, Nap Lajoie, Joe Morgan, Rod Carew and Charlie Gehringer.

Many wonder why Whitaker, a most deserving and obvious candidate, is not in the Hall and goes unrecognized despite the stellar stats.

Some have attributed his absence to the Tigers? lack of effort in supporting his candidacy. Other teams prepare binders and video of their retired players to present to the voters. Some of those teams also coordinate a PR push through those already elected to the Hall.

In August 2021, Chris Ilitch made the team?s first move in promoting Lou by retiring his number and honoring him with a spot on Comerica?s wall. It was hoped that this move would have helped get him nominated in 2022.

Others will point to Whitaker?s unconventional personality, controversial moves connected to his religion and his odd and uncomfortable media interviews. Some of those interviews on MLB Radio were so strange that they were cut short very quickly.

Yet there are other fans who point to Lou?s aloofness and introvert qualities that made keeping friends in baseball challenging. Friends who would have helped support his election.

Whitaker did coach in spring training for the Tigers but both sides terminated the agreement almost 15 years ago. Since then, he has spent most of his post-career as a missionary for his church.

What do you believe is the biggest factor as to why Lou is still not in the Hall despite having some of the best statistics of 2Bers?

What do you believe is the biggest factor that has prevented Lou Whitaker from being elected to the Hall of Fame?

1. The lack of effort by the Tigers and other players in promoting him to the voters.

2. His uncomfortable style of communication.

3. His introverted personality that impacted the number of friendships he has in the industry.

VOTE

 

[kalinecountry]

https://www.mlb.com/news/2024-baseball-hall-of-fame-election-results
Beltr?, Helton, Mauer a trio of legends headed to Hall of Fame.
MLB.com

https://www.mlb.com/news/complete-2024-hall-of-fame-voting-results
Complete 2024 Hall of Fame voting results.
MLB.com

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024...-helton-elected-to-baseball-hall-of-fame.html
Adri?n Beltr?, Joe Mauer, Todd Helton Elected To Baseball Hall Of Fame.
MLBTR

https://blogs.fangraphs.com/beltre-helton-and-mauer-make-it-a-trio-for-cooperstown/
Beltr?, Helton, and Mauer Make it a Trio for Cooperstown.
Fangraphs

https://www.mlive.com/tigers/2024/01/3-players-elected-to-baseball-hall-of-fame.html
3 players elected to Baseball Hall of Fame.
Mlive

 

[kalinecountry]

Just Sayin'! @baseballhall

Career Baseball Reference WAR:
Lou Whitaker : 75.1
Todd Helton: 61.8 (Denver air)
Joe Mauer: 55.2

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GEkFx-CbgAAPORx?format=png&name=360x360

Lou Whitaker holds the number 83 spot for all-time Baseball reference WAR at 75.1 (FYI, tied with Johnny Bench and ahead of Derek Jeter by 3.8).
https://baseballreference.com/leaders/WAR_career.shtml

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GEodUPRaYAAn1cP?format=jpg&name=medium

Two of the finest all around players to ever grace MLB diamonds.
This dynamic duo combined for:
7 Silver Sluggers
11 All Star game selections
7 Gold Gloves
Lou was Rookie of the Year in 1978
All time BWar rankings:
Lou #83
Tram #97
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GEoaw97a4AAhbxP?format=png&name=small

 

[kalinecountry]

https://motorcitybengals.com/posts/detroit-tigers-gary-sheffield-not-elected-hall-of-fame-01hmx
Former Detroit Tigers slugger Gary Sheffield not elected to Baseball Hall of Fame.
3 players were elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame alongside former Detroit Tigers skipper Jim Leyland. Unforunately, Gary Sheffield was not one of them.
MCBTB

 

[kalinecountry]

https://motorcitybengals.com/posts/...ng-approach-because-of-joe-mauer-01hmy7ebgn65
Max Scherzer legitimately changed his pitching approach because of Joe Mauer.
The Tigers have the newest Hall of Famer to ... thank? Iron sharpens iron.
MCBTB

 

[kalinecountry]

https://blogs.fangraphs.com/a-candidate-by-candidate-look-at-the-2024-hall-of-fame-election-results/
A Candidate-by-Candidate Look at the 2024 Hall of Fame Election Results.
Fangraphs

 

[kalinecountry]

https://www.mlb.com/news/future-baseball-hall-of-fame-ballots-preview
The next 5 HOF ballots are stacked.
MLB.com

 

[Cam]

I was going to create a topic about this, but it looks like you've already got one. I was a big fan of Mauer Power, but I'm not sure he belongs in the Hall of Fame. Definitely agree with Helton and Beltre though. Wish the voters would reach a consensus on all of the Steroid Era greats. It's ridiculous seeing people like A-Rod still near the bottom of the ballot in votes year after year.

 

[Mitchrapp]

I was going to create a topic about this, but it looks like you've already got one. I was a big fan of Mauer Power, but I'm not sure he belongs in the Hall of Fame. Definitely agree with Helton and Beltre though. Wish the voters would reach a consensus on all of the Steroid Era greats. It's ridiculous seeing people like A-Rod still near the bottom of the ballot in votes year after year.

You cheat you out.

 

[Cam]

You cheat you out.

That's the traditional perspective, but it's all so grey... Who cheated? Who didn't cheat?

Amid the Mitchell Report, the BALCO investigation, we still don't have all the answers. Guys like Bonds should be remembered regardless. I just think it's insane that we'll look back 100 years from now and talk about how great Larry Walker was... Over Bonds/Soda/McGwire/etc.

 

[Mitchrapp]

That's the traditional perspective, but it's all so grey... Who cheated? Who didn't cheat?

Amid the Mitchell Report, the BALCO investigation, we still don't have all the answers. Guys like Bonds should be remembered regardless. I just think it's insane that we'll look back 100 years from now and talk about how great Larry Walker was... Over Bonds/Soda/McGwire/etc.

I guess all you can really do is if you were caught, or had a neck grow 10 sizes (Like Bonds & McGuire) you're considered cheaters.

Petey won't get in with over 4000 hits, and he cheated after the playing.. And it was generally because the integrity of the game.. Bonds & McGuire etc.. weren't any different. Cheating should have consequences.

Lastly guys who played it fair who should be in the hall aren't.

 

[Cam]

I guess all you can really do is if you were caught, or had a neck grow 10 sizes (Like Bonds & McGuire) you're considered cheaters.

Petey won't get in with over 4000 hits, and he cheated after the playing.. And it was generally because the integrity of the game.. Bonds & McGuire etc.. weren't any different. Cheating should have consequences.

Lastly guys who played it fair who should be in the hall aren't.

Pete Rose is a similar situation. He?ll have to be put in eventually. You can?t leave out the all time hits leader.

 

[tomdalton22]

The problem is, there are guys in the HOF that cheated

 

[Mitchrapp]

Pete Rose is a similar situation. He?ll have to be put in eventually. You can?t leave out the all time hits leader.

Maybe when we're all gone. He's not even eligible for a ballot.

When Bonds was with Pittsburgh I was a big fan having such a great player. He was headed in the right direction to the hall. But he was a long way off - say he had some injuries afterward that prevented him from competing or going out like a Miggy etc.. Before the steroid era his HR total was miniscule, hit total hits as well and everything else. No guarantee he'd hit in SF, that big park, at 30 years old and beyond. Without steroids.

73 HR's doesn't happen. Why? Because it's impossible. You don't hit .370 & .362 in your late 30's when you're a career sub .300 hitter. Without steroids we have no idea what his numbers would have been. I don't want that in the hall. His numbers are fake.