2014 Baseball Thread

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The BBWAA has announced those that have achieved election to the Baseball Hall of Fame:

Maddux, Glavine, Thomas Elected on First Try

For only the second time since the first National Baseball Hall of Fame class in 1936, the Baseball Writers’ Association of America elected three players in their first year of eligibility to the Hall of Fame in balloting verified by Ernst & Young.

Pitchers Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine and designated hitter-first baseman Frank Thomas all cleared the 75-percent plurality threshold to gain election to the Hall of Fame and will be inducted in ceremonies July 25-28 at Cooperstown, N.Y.

Complete BBWAA Notice

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In his last year of eligibility on the ballot Jack Morris received 351 votes (61.5%) and will be eligible for the Expansion Era ballot in 2016

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Results of BBWAA Hall of Fame voting for 2014

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Players who did not receive enough votes to stay on the ballot for 2015 are, total votes follow name and percentage in ():
Rafael Palmeiro, 25 (4.4); Moises Alou, 6 (1.1); Hideo Nomo, 6 (1.1); Luis Gonzalez, 5 (0.9); Eric Gagne, 2 (0.4); J.T. Snow, 2 (0.4); Armando Benitez, 1 (0.2); Jacque Jones, 1 (0.2); Kenny Rogers, 1 (0.2); Sean Casey, 0 (0); Ray Durham, 0 (0); Todd Jones, 0 (0); Paul LoDuca, 0 (0); Richie Sexson, 0 (0); Mike Timlin, 0 (0)

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Biggio missed out by a whopping 2 votes

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Only Biggio (+39) and Piazza (+26) were named on more ballots this year than last.

[CaptainP]

Some notes:

-Biggio missed by TWO votes. There were a few a$$-clowns who didn't vote for him simply because he played in the 90s and are refusing to vote for anyone who played in the "steroid era", even if they have never been accused.

-Maddux and Glavine are the first 2 starting pitchers elected who began their careers after 1970. Unless you count Dennis Eckersly as a starter.

-Armando Benitez received a vote. Seriously.

[CaptainP]

This guy voted for Clemens and Bonds and others. He didn't vote for Biggio. Why? Because Biggio "cheated"...by wearing elbow pads. Read it. Then ask yourself why he still has a vote and Dan LeBatard does not.

http://www.kenstewartphoto.net/dowling_ ... og/?p=4208

[Bicycle Bill]

This guy voted for Clemens and Bonds and others. He didn't vote for Biggio. Why? Because Biggio "cheated"...by wearing elbow pads. Read it. Then ask yourself why he still has a vote and Dan LeBatard does not.

http://www.kenstewartphoto.net/dowling_ ... og/?p=4208

I don't know.... has the all-time "hit by a pitch" record with 285 times in his career, but never charged the mound and never seriously injured as a result?  And then he sent an arm guard to the HoF for display once he made #1 on the list?  OK, maybe he wasn't doing it intentionally; but it does seem like maybe he wasn't exactly putting a lot of effort into getting out of the way either.

And it's as good a reason for voting/not voting for someone as any of the others that I've heard this year.

-"BB"-

[TommyBahama]

Arod suspension reduced to 162 games by arbitrator. I realy wanted to see the Yankees have to pay his contract on top of the ones they signed.

[CaptainP]

This guy voted for Clemens and Bonds and others. He didn't vote for Biggio. Why? Because Biggio "cheated"...by wearing elbow pads. Read it. Then ask yourself why he still has a vote and Dan LeBatard does not.

http://www.kenstewartphoto.net/dowling_ ... og/?p=4208

I don't know.... has the all-time "hit by a pitch" record with 285 times in his career, but never charged the mound and never seriously injured as a result?  And then he sent an arm guard to the HoF for display once he made #1 on the list?  OK, maybe he wasn't doing it intentionally; but it does seem like maybe he wasn't exactly putting a lot of effort into getting out of the way either.

And it's as good a reason for voting/not voting for someone as any of the others that I've heard this year.

-"BB"-

The guy voted for Bonds, who usually wore a suit of armor to the plate.

[LIPH]

This guy voted for Clemens and Bonds and others. He didn't vote for Biggio. Why? Because Biggio "cheated"...by wearing elbow pads. Read it. Then ask yourself why he still has a vote and Dan LeBatard does not.

http://www.kenstewartphoto.net/dowling_ ... og/?p=4208

Biggio didn't cheat for 2 reasons:
1. wearing those pads isn't against any MLB rules and he wasn't the only player to wear them;
2. if it's true he leaned into pitches and got hit on purpose, it's not his fault the umpires don't have the stones to call the pitch a ball and make him stay at the plate.

[CaptainP]

Arod suspension reduced to 162 games by arbitrator. I realy wanted to see the Yankees have to pay his contract on top of the ones they signed.

They're still on the hook for the money.
Unless you think they'd cut him with 3 years left on the deal and eat $90 million?

[surfpirate]

Arod suspension reduced to 162 games by arbitrator. I realy wanted to see the Yankees have to pay his contract on top of the ones they signed.

They're still on the hook for the money.
Unless you think they'd cut him with 3 years left on the deal and eat $90 million?

Doesn't $25 million slated for 2014
get removed from the Yankees salary cap?
They are not obligated to pay him for the suspended games.

[CaptainP]

Arod suspension reduced to 162 games by arbitrator. I realy wanted to see the Yankees have to pay his contract on top of the ones they signed.

They're still on the hook for the money.
Unless you think they'd cut him with 3 years left on the deal and eat $90 million?

Doesn't $25 million slated for 2014
get removed from the Yankees salary cap?
They are not obligated to pay him for the suspended games.

But they would still be on the hook for the remainder of the contract. 3 years left, (or is it only 2?) Either way, a ton of money to eat.

[drunkpirate66]

Either way the Yankees signed what has to be the worst contract of all time. ARod's contract just doesn't make sense on any level. It didn't make sense, originally when the Rangers organization offered it back when ARod was actually good. The Yankees lost ARod, Cano, Rivera, and Granderson. The Ellsbury and Beltran signings just don't add up. They will still have a decent team but you can't expect CC to continue to carry the load (not an attempt at a fat joke but if it works for you go with it) and I doubt Jeter can last as a full time Short Stop any more. Considering that Texiera doesn't hit until July and the Yankees might not win a game until after summer actually starts. If Pineda can actually pitch like he was projected to back in the Seattle minors then there is some minimal hope. As a Red Sox fan I am pretty excited that after they won the World Series they are coming back with young exciting players, a healthy pitching staff, and a stacked minors to pull from if need be.

[CaptainP]

Either way the Yankees signed what has to be the worst contract of all time. ARod's contract just doesn't make sense on any level. It didn't make sense, originally when the Rangers organization offered it back when ARod was actually good. The Yankees lost ARod, Cano, Rivera, and Granderson. The Ellsbury and Beltran signings just don't add up. They will still have a decent team but you can't expect CC to continue to carry the load (not an attempt at a fat joke but if it works for you go with it) and I doubt Jeter can last as a full time Short Stop any more. Considering that Texiera doesn't hit until July and the Yankees might not win a game until after summer actually starts. If Pineda can actually pitch like he was projected to back in the Seattle minors then there is some minimal hope. As a Red Sox fan I am pretty excited that after they won the World Series they are coming back with young exciting players, a healthy pitching staff, and a stacked minors to pull from if need be.

Yep, Yanks should be bad....but the off season isn't over. (Chase Headley rumored to be traded there still, and would be a great pickup for their ballpark.)

As for the Sox, that organization is stocked. I didn't expect last season to be what it was, but they found a way....the young'ns developed faster than expected and the FA signings all panned out beyond even their own expectations. Now, they have talent at the top, AND the best minor league system in baseball. Be ready for a lot of success in Boston.

[CaptainP]

Clark the Cub:

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1922 ... g-national


Wonder if he's a Grizzwold-y Bear?

[ragtopW]

it's an even year

[chippewa]

Clark the Cub:

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1922 ... g-national


Wonder if he's a Grizzwold-y Bear?

I woulda went with a billy goat. Any true Cub fan already knows how to poke a little fun at themselves.