Today was the day baseball geek (non-denominational) Christmas. It was Hall of Fame day. The day in which icons turn into legends forever marked in bronze in a little town in New York. It sounds quaint, doesn’t it?
The suspected suspects got in the Hall: Randy Johnson, Pedro Martinez, John Smoltz and Craig Biggio. Three other players received over 50% of the vote and all three of them still hold hope on getting enshrined in the years to come: Mike Piazza, Jeff Bagwell and Tim Raines.
My attention goes to the bottom of the ballot. To the 12 people at the bottom of the ballot who will never be on a ballot ever again due to them receiving less than five percent of the vote.
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A quick aside, Carlos Delgado got less than five percent of the vote? How?! Only 21 of 549 ballots had the former Blue Jay great on them. He deserves more than one year on the ballot, but, um, whatever. Delgado still isn’t my main issue.
I feel bad for the seven hardworking professionals who didn’t even receive a vote: Rich Aurilia, Tony Clark, Jermaine Dye, Cliff Floyd, Brian Giles, Jason Schmidt and, it pains me to say, Eddie Guardado.
I know that Eddie Guardado isn’t a Hall of Famer. That’s clear, but not even getting one sympathy vote from a loving vote caster? That’s ridiculous.
There is precedent for one crazy vote a year! Last year, Jacque Jones got a vote. Jacque freaking Jones! Sure, Jones was a nice little player for the Minnesota Twins, but didn’t Guardado leave a more lasting impact than Jacque Jones? Tell me I’m not crazy for thinking that.
It’s obvious it’s not really worth the pain and suffering to think about it, but it just turks me.
Darin Ernstad was apparently the one-vote of the year. Congrats, Darin.
Eddie Guardado’s Hall of Fame chances, dead on first ballot arrival.