KEEP IT REAL, WE NEED TO SAY A PRAYER FOR TIM WAKEFIELD & HIS WIFE

When Tim Wakefield played for the Red Sox and would beat us, I hated him.   These days, I don't.  He's human and the man is dying and so is his wife and it's so messed up I can't help for really feel for the Red Sox organization and for Wakefield and his family.

The Boston Herald writes:

"Former Red Sox knuckleballer Tim Wakefield has been diagnosed with brain cancer while his wife Stacy is fighting pancreatic cancer — developments shared publicly without their permission, the organization said in a Thursday release.

The statement from the Red Sox comes after Wakefield’s ex-teammate Curt Schilling brought the illnesses to light on his podcast Wednesday night.

“We are aware of the statements and inquiries about the health of Tim and Stacy Wakefield. Unfortunately, this information has been shared publicly without their permission,” the statement reads. “Their health is a deeply personal matter they intended to keep private as they navigate treatment and work to tackle this disease. Tim and Stacy are appreciative of the support and love that has always been extended to them and respectfully ask for privacy at this time.”

Schilling, on his podcast, acknowledged he never received approval from Wakefield to share the news before proceeding to do so, anyway.

“This is not a message that Tim has asked anyone to share, and I don’t even know if he wants it shared,” he said, “but as a Christian, and as a man of faith, I have seen prayer work, so I am going to talk about it.”

“Tim’s wife Stacy, who is one of the nicest women you’ll ever meet, is very sick with pancreatic cancer,” he continued. “Recently, Tim was diagnosed with a very serious, a very aggressive form of brain cancer.”

In what world do we live in where a person can just blurt out whatever he wants just to be provocative or popular or maybe desperate? Oh yea, that's right, this one!  Not sure how the Wakefield's handled this with their kids or family but maybe they were keeping certain things close to the vest. They certainly were with the public. 

Curt Schilling is a piece of shit.  This has long been established.  We here at BYB have fought with him on Twitter because he's an absolute loose cannon. 

That's one of many.  He's off the reservation. But Curt Schilling being an asshole isn't the story. Let's take a moment and keep Tim, his wife Stacy and their family in your thoughts.  It's a terrible thing and I just hope there is some way they can overcome this tragedy.

So very sad.

IN DEFENSE OF CURT SCHILLING

You either saw the title of this post and clicked on the link immediately…or you took one look at the name mentioned and said to yourself, “Hard pass. Negative, Ghost Rider the pattern is full.”

Ladies and Gentlemen of the jury, I’m not going to dazzle you with smoke and mirrors today. There isn’t any surprise witness tucked away in a holding room waiting to shock you and the world. I will simply give you the side of this story that needs to be told. I will present facts and prove beyond the shadow of a doubt that Curt Schilling is an arrogant blowhard and deserving of the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Baseball Writers are an insanely overrated bunch. Yes, that is my opinion, but let’s look at the history of those like Heyman, Olney and the like. Objectivity is not a stat on the back of their baseball cards…in fact they don’t appear on any cards! Not a one. Topps, Fleer, Upper Deck…they have little use for these self-important “experts” in America’s National Pastime. Why? Why do they hold sway over the gateway to Cooperstown? Are they ever between the white lines? Did they stand on a bump 60’ 6” away from the plate, in a 3-2 count, runners at 2nd and 3rd, bottom of the ninth on a cold October Night in the Bronx…World Championship on the line? No. Are they athletes good enough to play in the show? No. No, they aren’t. They are wallflowers. They’re not even fans. They are jaded. The career politicians of Major League Baseball. Wouldn’t a council of player appointed former Big Leaguers, Umps, Managers and Scouts be better suited to decide who joins the legends enshrined in the Hall. To me that’s a NO BRAINER! 

Give me Mike Schmidt, Ozzie Smith, Joe Torre, Jimmy Joyce, Dan Iasogna and Mariano Rivera on the Inaugural HALL OF FAME COMMITTEE. No Baseball Writers need apply.

This brings me to Curt Schilling. Not one of my favorite guys. He is obnoxious. He is self-righteous, he is arrogant. He is politically outspoken…not anything he should be barred from doing mind you, but he looks for fights and often let’s his discord fall south of the Mendoza Line so to speak. 

Curt Schilling is a jerk. But he IS a Hall of Famer and the writers don’t like him…so he won’t make it in. This, ladies and gentlemen, is wrong. “Big Game Pitcher”? Check that box. World Champion? Yes…more than once with different teams. A guy most managers, if they are being honest, would want on the hill in a game 7? Indeed. Schilling was a gamer. He was a power pitcher with craft. He played for teams and made them better. 

Can Arizona get it done in 2001 without him? Nope. Boston reveres the imaginary curse lacking #38? NAWT A PRAYER, DOOD. Heck, even those Phight’n Phils may have been Champs in ’93 if the Wild Thing doesn’t spoil it with a gimme ball to Joe Carter…yeah, Schill was a big reason that rotation was a great one. It’s not just the numbers. Hall of Famers are guys that played the game at that next level when it was needed. They lead their teams. Curt Schilling did just that. 

But he’s a not well liked? So what?! I’m not putting him in the Hall of Fame because I like him. I don’t. I agree with many I’ve gotten to know and talk with in Baseball (names to be omitted) who said he was a lousy coworker and extraordinarily selfish. However, that’s not for the writers to decide. We have allowed these writers to take something that doesn’t belong to them. It’s not their game. It’s ours. It belongs to the fans and the players. It’s woven in the fabric of our country and these over-hyped former high school bench warmers are letting their own issues and personal feeling stop players who deserve to be recognized for the way they played baseball. That is a fact. For example…we all remember the writer who didn’t like Derek Jeter so he gave his vote to Armando Benitez…

I’ll close with this. In 2002 my father was flying back to Philly from a business trip in Phoenix. In the row in front of him on that US Airways flight was the reigning World Series Champ and Co-MVP Curt Schilling. While disembarking the aircraft my Dad, a diehard Yankee Fan, offered his congratulations and remarked, “You got my Yanks, but they’ll be back.” Schilling, instead of taking it all in stride and thanking my dad, turned quickly, nodded his head dismissively, and answered, “And we’ll kick their asses again.” 

My dad relayed that story to me and said he was truly a nasty pr**k…but a World Champ and would one day earn the Hall. I agree with my Pop. I worked with Schilling on a episode of Baseball Tonight. He is arrogant. He isn’t overly friendly (though did sign a cap for my kid brother who, tragically, is a Sox Fan). I can’t say anything truly nice about this guy….but if only nice guys made the Hall it would be like a Ramada in Fort Lauderdale the week after Spring Break.

I ask that you look to strike down the will of baseball’s writers and see Mr. Schilling for what he is…a royal assh*** ... AND a Hall of Famer.

Thank you. The Defense rests.

** Boston once loved the guy...so the Murphys can serenade him. A loser....but only as a person. As a player? HOF ready** 

--Mike O'Hara

BYB Contributor

Twitter: @mikeyoh21

A NOT SO GREAT HISTORIC HALL OF FAME VOTE

I'm still in shock over Tuesday's news. I really can't believe that none of baseball's most recognizable names will be inducted into the Hall of Fame this year. It's something I look forward to every summer so this is going to be very weird. 

And it is really weird. This is the second time since 2013 that the BBWAA didn't vote anyone in. If you want to dig deeper this is the 9th time since 1936 that no one has been voted in. I thought that the next few Hall of Fame classes would be smaller, but I didn't think we would have a giant goose egg for 2021. Honestly, I thought at minimum we would see Curt Schilling inducted. He came pretty close in last year's vote so I really was expecting him to get in, but he was 16 votes short.

And now he doesn't even want to be considered for next year's vote which would be his last year eligible on the ballot. Have you seen Schilling's plea on his Facebook page? Read that HERE. You can also read the BBWA's response to his plea HERE. Whether you are in support of Schilling getting voted in or not....this is CRAZY!

I do think that Schilling has a flair for the dramatic. I think he likes to draw attention to himself, but even so I didn't expect him to ask to be REMOVED from the ballot. So where do we go from here? I really want to see what happens in the next few days and weeks. This is an awkward spot for the BBWAA and the sport.

There is a silver lining though, we will still have an induction ceremony to watch. Last year Derek Jeter and Larry Walker were voted into the Hall of Fame, but the ceremony was cancelled due to the pandemic and now we will finally get a ceremony. There may not be a 2021 class, but Jeter will finally get his day. I think this is the best "silver lining" we could possibly ask for.

I have been waiting for Jeter to get his day and he finally will. Funny how things work out sometimes. So I have plans on Sunday July 25th, will you be watching?

  --Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

     BYB Managing Editor

    Twitter: @nyprincessj

NICK SWISHER HITS THE HALL OF FAME BALLOT!

The Bronx Elvis did it! The question is, did he really have what it took during his playing days to make it to Cooperstown?

I for one loved when Swisher was in New York. He brought a new energy there and it was needed in such a corporate atmosphere.  But the reality is, I just don't see how this guy can be voted in. Not now for sure... but probably ever. If a guy like Jorge Posada lost his chance after just one time, there's no way Swish gets in. It's just my opinion of course.

Anyway, the Associated Press writes:

"Curt Schilling, Roger Clemens and Barry Bonds are the leading candidates returning to baseball’s Hall of Fame ballot in a year without any favorites among the new names....Newcomers also include Dan Haren, LaTroy Hawkins, Aramis Ramirez, Michael Cuddyer, Nick Swisher and Shane Victorino."

And New5 Cleveland writes:

"Swisher has found himself on the Hall of Fame ballot.

Swisher played for the Tribe from 2013 to 2015. During his 12 year career Swisher also played for the New York Yankees, Oakland A’s, Atlanta Braves and the Chicago White Sox. Although he didn’t see much success in Cleveland, Swisher was named to the American All-Star Game in 2010 and was a member of the 2009 World Series Champion Yankees. He appeared in 12 postseason series over seven seasons hitting .165 with four homers, eight RBI and 16 runs scored in 47 games. 

While it is unlikely Swisher has a large number of votes, he can stay on the ballot for 10 years providing he is not elected and he’s named on at least 5% of all ballots cast each year, which is also unlikely to happen."

And that's the key for Swish... try to stay on the ballot, because it's all about timing and maybe that's where he'll have a shot.

I personally don't think he has any shot, but damn I loved him in pinstripes!

Congrats to all the new entries. It's always fun to see who gets voted in.

BEFORE YOU RIP MATT BLAKE, KNOW WHO HE IS

When Matt Blake was hired by the Yankees to be the new pitching coach, some Yankee fans went bananas.  I guess they all wanted David Cone because he was a name that they can recognize.  He's also very smart and a perfect fit for the Yankees clubhouse. But for whatever reason, the Yankees thought that Matt Blake was a better candidate.  By the way... Matt Blake is a GREAT hire.

Now weirdos are out there blasting this guy, I guess because they have no idea who he is.  But trust me, it's a great move.

The New York Post writes of Blake:

"Blake was perhaps a name not heard of outside of those familiar with the inner-workings of the Indians and others who knew his reputation in New England, where the Holy Cross alumnus had come to be thought of as something of a “pitching guru,” according to his old college coach, Craig Najarian. 

Just four years ago, Blake was a pitching coach at Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School near Boston, where he was also the owner and founder of Elite Pitching Development and the pitching coordinator at Cressey Sports Performance, a program that has worked with the likes of Noah Syndergaard, Max Scherzer and Curt Schilling, among others.

'He’s ahead of his time,’ said Kirk Fredericks, who brought Blake on as his pitching coach at Lincoln-Sudbury about a decade ago.'"

And Sweeny Murti writes:

"Who is he? Part of the new breed. ...Pitching Coordinator at Cressey Sports Performance, a factory similar to Driveline. And Driveline, coincidentally, is where the Yankees found Sam Briend who they named Director of Pitching earlier this year. Someone who has worked with Blake told me he is

'extremely smart on the analytic side but doesn’t have much actual coaching experience. That might be the challenge, but it might not. He’s easy going, but very smart.'”

And isn't this what we want? Larry Rothschild, God love him, was there too long.  There needed to be a change. Plus, good for the Padres, they just hired him to do the same role.

And sure, it wasn't Coney, but whatever... give Blake a chance.

I like this move a lot.

A DECADE LATER, PEDRO MAKES EXCUSES FOR PHILLIES WORLD SERIES LOSS TO YANKS

Nobody cares, Pedro... nobody cares.

The Yankees were the best team in baseball in 2009, but with every loss in history, there are excuses, or finger pointing or something.  I hate sore losers.

Pedro Martinez cracked the code to why the Phillies lost to the Yankees in 2009 in the World Series... Swine Flu. Give me a freaking break.

Sporting News writes:

"Martinez said "most" of the team became sick during that series. 'It wasn't told, but most of us were sick,' Martinez said (via the Philadelphia Inquirer). 'Some of the guys had swine flu and had to be kept away. I caught some of the virus. We would just never say it. When I got home, I realized that I was really sick.  I had a little bit of an asthma attack in the middle of the game and I was having a hard time breathing," Martinez said. 'I was really sick. In any other situation, I wouldn't be out there. But the team needed me. I held on as long as I could and I did that. I was really proud to have my last game with the Phillies at Yankee Stadium.'"

Now there's this thing in life that we all do, and that's exaggerate stories as we fall further and further away from them. We start the add details that didn't happen. Embellish. Lie a little to make it more dramatic... more entertaining. In fact, Men's Health did this great piece on why people do it. I had to share some of it...

Mandatory Credit: Michael Weinstein

"'At social events, you're expected to entertain people—you're almost on a stage,' says R. Keith Sawyer, Ph.D, a professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.   However, if your truth-stretching has become so noticeable that your buddies call you out on it, it’s time to examine your motivations. For instance, are you embellishing your stories because in reality they’re boring?"

There's plenty more, check out that article. But look, that's the main point here. The further we are from it, the more Pedro is making a more dramatic ending. Sure it's not a great story even then, but the excuse factor comes into play.  Reality is, The Yankees won fair and square, and the Phillies losing isn't all that exciting all these years later, and so... he made something up. Someone could have been sick, but it's like that stupid bloody sock and Curt Schilling.  Drama makes people interested.  Real or not... they're sucked in.

All and all though... this is just stupid and even more stupid that the Sporting News picked it up as a legit story.  We here at BYB? We wanted to point out what excuses look like, and once again trash the Sporting News for terrible journalism.

We won Pedro... you lost... get over it.

YANKEES LOSE PATRICK CORBIN TO NATIONALS

Source: USA Today

I couldn't believe it.  I guess I am not used to it.  But, the Yankees did in fact get outbid as the New York Times stated in its headline last night.  According to the Times, "When the first big free-agent domino fell on Tuesday, the biggest surprise was not that Patrick Corbin landed a six-year, $140 million contract, it was the team with whom he signed it."  And that team was not the Yankees nor the Philadelphia Phillies, Corbin's biggest suitors, but the Washington Nationals who had a pot full of money with "the expiring contracts of Bryce Harper, Daniel Murphy, Gio Gonzalez and Matt Wieters free nearly $62 million from their payroll — and probably fueled by last season’s collapse, they were willing to outbid the competition by adding a sixth year to the offer," reported the Times.

Source: AJC.com

Being on the losing side of the bidding war feels, well, defeating, but more than that, it feels awkward as it's not something I was expecting.  "The Yankees have occasionally lost out on free agents over the years — Greg Maddux didn’t care much for New York, and Curt Schilling was intrigued by the possibility of ending the Red Sox playoff drought — but it is exceedingly rare for them to pursue one of the top players on the market and be outbid," reported the Times.  Yes, that's exactly it.  We don't lose out like this.  It is just not typical.

Source: Sports Illustrated

Who will they pursue next?  Well Brian Cashman does not seem worried with his comment that there are plenty of great players out there on the market that can improve the team and lift them to the top of the AL East.  It is just a matter of at what cost?  Clearly, the Yankees need more than the rotation they currently have in Luis Severino, Masahiro Tanaka, CC Sabathia and newly acquired James Paxton.  They could augment the team of starters with other big ticket free agents including Dallas Keuchel, Nathan Eovaldi, J. A. Happ and Corey Kluber.

Source: Philly.com

The Yankees lost one big fish, but there is always today, tomorrow and the next day. It is very early in the off season and with the Winter Meetings heating up in Las Vegas on Sunday, there will be a number of good opportunities coming their way.  Corbin to Nats.  Okay, onto the next candidate for Yankee starter in pursuit of #28.

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof

SCHILLING, REACTION TO THE HOF VOTE & TROLLS

(April 26, 2016 - Source: Cindy Ord/Getty Images North America)

I don't hate anyone.  Let's get that out there right now. I can't run a website about the Yankees and baseball and introduce life lessons into it... preach to 'be nice to each other' and then go out hating everyone. It's not me, it's not what we do.

Bleeding Yankee Blue DOES root for our team though, and sometimes when we do it, we poke the players that were and ARE Yankee killers. We don't swear at them, we don't wish ill on them... we state our piece, offer our opinion, sometimes not as flattering as some would expect, and we let them know it's happening.  It's the blog world.  But one thing we are not, and will never do is troll.  This world is way too complicated for that shit and the last thing anyone needs is someone threatening another on the Internet and making them feel uncomfortable.  That's how I feel... you may disagree and that's OK.

Curt Schilling is a sarcastic son of a gun and was responding to Bleeding Yankee Blue's piece today by Jeana Bellezza. It was titled NO HALL OF FAME FOR YOU.  I sent it to him. Hell, I'm not gonna be the boss of this operation and not let someone know were talking about them behind their back. I would rather not be a sneaky bitch and instead, start a dialog.

Curt didn't like it, and so, the dialog became.

@gehrig38 Brother. You need to relax. Everyone has an opinion. Stop being a troll and start being a man.

— Robert Casey (@BleednYankeeBlu) January 19, 2017

@gehrig38 there is no question you were a great pitcher, but crying and attacking folks because you didn't get in questions your character

— Robert Casey (@BleednYankeeBlu) January 19, 2017

@gehrig38 got it. Denial. No biggie. Look, you should be in the Hall. I've always believed that. I'm just suggesting you tone it down man

— Robert Casey (@BleednYankeeBlu) January 19, 2017

Now truth be told, I have no problem with Curt Schilling other than he can be ultra abrasive on Twitter and has admitted that.  He's "that guy" and said on Dan Patrick today that him being so vocal about everything has probably kept him out of the Hall of Fame recently.  He mentioned the fact that if these writers are gonna gauge character after his playing days, that's not exactly when that character clause should be exercised.  While many don't agree with that... I do. 

The truth is, Schilling was a good pitcher, played well with some great teams and I think Curt Schilling should be in the Hall of Fame. I've always thought that because of the competitor he was.  He was damn good.  He was more than good, he was a Yankee killer and I will go as far as I think he probably should have even been considered last year.  Before you jump down my throat, that's just how I feel. I don't need to debate numbers with you and all of that...don't bother. I feel like he's done enough to even "squeak" in... if you don't think so... I do. Sorry. And for the record, I'm not a fan of Curt Schilling... I do however respect the grind.

The reaction to Bellezza's piece today was insanity over all. I wanted to share some of the comments today.  Enjoy portions of these, they are good comments and I appreciate you guys always commenting.

Section 36 (Of the BYB Hub) said:

"I have always said that Schilling didn't have the numbers to be a Hall of Famer. The only reason I could see for why he'd ever be elected is his good relationship with the media. So, I don't see his current bad relationship with them as "hurting" his chances. It's simply canceling out the overhype and slotting him where he should have been in the first place. A good, but not great, pitcher who gets around 50% of the vote. Like Mussina."

Whitehorse67 said:

"You site his Character, integrity and sportsmanship as negatives. Well, I happen to admire his character and integrity. He has the stones to stand up for what he believes and doesn't back down ..."

Steve B said:

"This is where the sports writers make a stand against Schilling's poor character and lack of integrity based on the HOF induction criteria... he's stubborn and seems to lack the empathy and compassion."

Look, in the end, being kind wins... it really does. And I'm not gonna lie, I want to interview Curt Schilling... asking about baseball only. 

I have a million questions for the guy because the guy has played with the best and seen so much in this game. And so, this is an open invitation Curt....

.@BleednYankeeBlu @gehrig38 - Curt, I've followed your career for many years; we have children around the same age- DM me & let's talk

— Suzanne (@suzieprof) January 19, 2017

Consider it... like I tweeted you today.  You know where to find us.

NO HALL OF FAME FOR YOU!

There were 34 players on the Hall of Fame ballot this year, and 19 of them were newcomers but The Baseball Writers Association of America only voted three new ballplayers in last night. I applauded some, was shocked by some and as insensitive as this will sound I have to admit I laughed my ass off at some of them! To sum it up, this ballot just had some good, a little bad, and a whole lot of ugly!

Tom DiPace / The Associated Press file photo

The good part was finally getting Tim Raines into the Hall of Fame on his tenth and final year of eligibility. He was a staple and an icon of the dynasty Yankee teams from 1996-1998. It feels like a long time coming because back in 2009 he had a mere 26% of the vote....which usually means slim chances of getting into Cooperstown but he made it. The odds were stacked against him so this definitely feels like a victory so this belongs in the "good" column.

Mike Mussina also seems to be gaining momentum. He has steadily gained a higher voter percentage in his last four years on the ballot. He ended with 51.8% of the vote this year which is a lot better than his 20.3% back in 2014. Maybe he can pull a Tim Raines too and get to the needed 75% within the next six years. He at least has momentum on his side, so I will go with the good vibes and chalk that up to a spot in the "good" column also.

There are always some "bad" surprises in these ballots....and this one was surprising and close for destined future Hall of Famers Vladimir Guerrero and Trevor Hoffman. I know I was especially pulling for Hoffman this year, but he fell just 5 votes shy of getting in and Guerrero missed it by 15. If I were a betting woman I would've put money down on both. Good thing I didn't. I guess the good news here is that next year they should both get their spots. Mariano Rivera will always be my favorite closer but Hoffman is not only talented, but a class act.

Photo: SI.com

The real "bad" surprise here was the lack of support or "one and done" appearance for Jorge Posada on this year's ballot. Posada only received 3.8% of the vote and will not be eligible on future ballots. It's a shame. I always knew Posada was a long shot to get in. He played an important role for the Yankees during their championship years but the numbers just weren't there. I was at least hoping he would get enough votes to stay on the ballot for a couple of years. I wish he had fared better with the BBWAA but, he will always score high with the BYB staff.

The best part for me was the hilarity and the "ugly" meltdown for Curt Schilling that has been ongoing or months now. Many news sources have covered it, but THIS one gives a good timeline. Maybe karma is catching up to Schilling and he is having another meltdown. In 2016, Schilling appeared on the ballot for his sixth year and ended with 52.3% of the votes. His numbers had been increasing over the years so it seemed like 2017 was the year for him to get in.....

But it seems as though too many writers still remember the bridges he burned. Maybe tweeting about how "awesome" it would be to lynch journalists wasn't such a good idea when you want these same people to vote you into baseball mortality. Before anyone says "well you are a writer, you are just being sensitive" it's not just about that. Schilling also made controversial Anti-Transgender comments and made comments comparing Muslims to Nazis that ultimately caused ESPN to fire him from his analyst gig. He tried to defend himself later but the damage was done and myself like many other people just didn't care to hear it anymore. Open mouth....Schilling inserts foot. Not so bright.

Photo of the real Sidney Ponson

And of course, even as I sit and laugh others are too. In fact, it appears that Schilling has been "trolled" on Twitter by what may or may not be a fake Sidney Ponson account because it is not "verified" by Twitter. Someone saw an opportunity to have some fun and Schilling once again opened his mouth and inserted foot. He just doesn't know when to stop.

So clearly, he hasn't learned that words have consequences no matter how stupid or misguided he sounds and people aren't overlooking it.  Schilling has fallen victim to the dreaded "character clause" that states: "Voting shall be based upon the player's record, playing ability, integrity, sportsmanship, character, and contributions to the team(s) on which the player played."

Based on this, he is one of the best postseason pitchers in history.

He ranks 15th in career strikeouts and third in strike-out to walk rate so the numbers are there....but clearly his integrity, sportsmanship and character suck so that overshadows his great accomplishments. Is it fair? Maybe not....but he is representing more than just himself otherwise he would still be an analyst for ESPN and he may have made the Hall of Fame this year.

The best part of all of this for me was when other Twitter users tried to tell him they thought the account was fake he responded with this:

Wait, let me get this straight....HIS tweets are about as stupid as the stuff he said in real life? Hmmmm....HEY SCHILLING are you the pot or the kettle because if anyone can relate to stupid tweets and remarks it would have to be YOU.

 --Jeana Bellezza
BYB Managing Editor
Follow me on Twitter: @NYPrincessJ

THE HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES WERE NAMED

The names have been announced.  The names shouldn't surprise anyone really, even though I'm kind of shocked.

Mike Piazza
Ken Griffey Jr.

These men will be elected into the Hall of Fame in 2016 and well deserved even though I disagree.  BYB Senior Writer Ike Dimitriadis put together his list yesterday in his post MY HALL OF FAME BALLOT AT HIGH NOON. Here it is:

Mike Mussina
Lee Smith
Ken Griffey Jr.
Curt Shilling
Gary Sheffield
Trevor Hoffman

BYB Writer Alexis Garcia gave her opinion for why Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens should be in the Hall and you should read her thoughts on why in  BONDS & CLEMENS DESERVE COOPERSTOWN.

If you are asking me, I agree mostly with the voting, although I'm not so sure that Piazza should be in, at least right now. I'm shocked actually.  Then again, there can be an argument for making it as well.

I would have also chosen Mike Mussina for his great work a a Balimore Oriole more than with the Yankees, Griffey, Tim Raines, Billy Wagner, Trevor Hoffman and Roger Clemens.

I would have written in Pete Rose and if I was a member of the BBWAA, I would do it every single year. I do not care that he bet on baseball... his play needs to be recognized in Cooperstown. It's a wasted vote, I understand that, but it would have to be done. It would put my mind at ease.

I would have also written in Don Mattingly even though there is virtually no shot he will ever be a member of the Hall... his time may have passed.

Congrats to the inductees. Looking forward to the ceremony.




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