Blue Jays: How we’d vote if Jays Journal had a HOF ballot

A handful of votes, but a long way to go

• Jeff Kent
• Manny Ramirez
• Scott Rolen
• Gary Sheffield
• Sammy Sosa
• Omar Vizquel
• Billy Wagner

A group of players that didn’t land on my personal ballot, but I can understand why there would be support for most them. I’m generally a “big ballot” kinda guy, but these players just don’t scratch the itch for me, and most of the writers here at Jays Journal felt the same way. I think Ramirez would be different, but his multiple PED suspensions make him feel like a long shot to ever receive serious vote totals. We’ll see if that changes over time, but this is his sixth turn on the ballot and he only had 28.2% last year.

Close, but no cigar

• Todd Helton
• Andrew Jones
• David Ortiz
• Alex Rodriguez
• Curt Schilling

This is the point where we reach a serious debate, and where I’d like to bring in some comments from my colleagues here at Jays Journal.

Dave Corcoran on Andruw Jones-  Jones had eight 30 home run seasons, including 41 and 51 home runs seasons, and three more with at least 20 long balls. Jones also collected ten consecutive Gold Gloves and was one of the greatest defenders in the world during his prime. While his batting average wasn’t superb, it was good enough to go with his power and his remarkable defence.

Brent Cardy on Todd Helton- I thought Helton was a solid hitter. Some may argue he had a truckload of protection from Larry Walker and Dante Bichette, and he also played his career in Coors Field. Ballpark factor is a real thing, folks. However, he again did play in National League parks, which are bigger. He did put up a 61.8 for his career and a 404 OBP. He was solid, and underrated in many ways.

Dave Corcoran on Billy Wagner- Just one of six pitchers to ever record 400 career saves.  Pitched in more than 70 games, five times in his career. Over 16 seasons he was as consistent as they come, only having an ERA over 2.85 once in his career, which was an injury-filled 2000 season.

Addressing the elephant in the room

Chris Henderson on Alex Rodriguez and David Ortiz

Some of us voted for Ortiz and A-Rod, and others decided to pass. There is always going to be a debate about whether players from the PED era belong in the Hall of Fame, and that’s part of what’s going on here. That’s especially the case with Rodriguez, who was twice suspended for his actions, which has really hurt his slam dunk HOF case.

As for Ortiz, he was only linked to the whole thing through the Mitchell report, and many fans will tell you he shouldn’t be included in the PED-era stuff at all. I don’t know where I sit on that, but I think I can speak for the majority of our staff in general on these two players.

I believe that if we polled our group again in a year or two, both Ortiz and A-Rod would be elected, especially the former. Through the discussions we had as a group, I think it was about being “first-timers” as much as anything, and the precedent has already been set. If the all-time home run champion like Barry Bonds doesn’t make the Hall of Fame on the first crack, then A-Rod isn’t going to either.

And I think, in general, that’s where we sit here. For me personally, I’ll admit that’s how I feel. I’d likely vote for both of them eventually, but not on the first time around.

As for Schilling, he was one vote away from making the Hall of Fame according to our staff. We could probably spend a whole day talking about that one, but I’ll leave you with the positive from our own Graeme Wallace:

Curt Schilling was the heart and soul of three teams that made it to the World Series, including two that won it all. His gutty complete game shutout kept the Phillies alive in Game 5 of the Fall Classic against the Blue Jays.

Schilling’s next chance to play the hero came with Arizona in 2001 and he would not be denied. He made three starts in the Fall Classic against the Yankees and only surrendered four runs over 21.1 innings. His performance earned him World Series MVP. His gritty efforts helped the Red Sox finally break through in 2004 and helped Boston capture the Commissioner’s trophy again in 2007.

For what it’s worth, I think Schilling will likely be elected this year, which is also his 10th time on the ballot. I’m glad I don’t have to actually decide whether or not to vote for the guy.