Bonds, Clemens and Sosa are on the 2013 Hall of Fame Ballot

[Frobby]

This should be interesting.

[Can_of_corn]

Why wouldn't they be?

[Can_of_corn]

What a ballot! Even a small hall guy such as myself saw eight names I would probably vote for after just a cursory glance.

Sandy Alomar Jr.

Jeff Bagwell

Craig Biggio

Barry Bonds

Jeff Cirillo

Royce Clayton

Roger Clemens

Jeff Conine

Steve Finley

Julio Franco

Shawn Green

Roberto Hernandez

Ryan Klesko

Kenny Lofton

Edgar Martinez

Don Mattingly

Fred McGriff

Mark McGwire

Jose Mesa

Jack Morris

Dale Murphy

Rafael Palmeiro

Mike Piazza

Tim Raines

Reggie Sanders

Curt Schilling

Aaron Sele

Lee Smith

Sammy Sosa

Mike Stanton

Alan Trammell

Larry Walker

Todd Walker

David Wells

Rondell White

Bernie Williams

Woody Williams

[Frobby]

Why wouldn't they be?

Well, they have to be on the ballot, so far as I know. I'm just pointing out that the BBWAA has voted down McGwire and Palmeiro previously, in votes that weren't close at all. So, it will be interesting to see what they do with these three. Bonds and Clemens would be near-unanimous selections but for the steroids issue, and Sosa wouldn't be far behind.

[Can_of_corn]

Well, they have to be on the ballot, so far as I know. I'm just pointing out that the BBWAA has voted down McGwire and Palmeiro previously, in votes that weren't close at all. So, it will be interesting to see what they do with these three. Bonds and Clemens would be near-unanimous selections but for the steroids issue, and Sosa wouldn't be far behind.

A case could be made against Sosa that wasn't dependent on PED use. (He wasn't one of the eight I mentioned earlier.)

[TGO]

A case could be made against Sosa that wasn't dependent on PED use. (He wasn't one of the eight I mentioned earlier.)

What argument is there against Sosa that isn't PEDs? Even if you knock his defense and BA/on base skills, the guy hit 600 home runs.

[ShaneDawg85]

What argument is there against Sosa that isn't PEDs? Even if you knock his defense and BA/on base skills, the guy hit 600 home runs.

Other than the corked bat incident and bleaching of his skin, I can't think of anything outside of the issue of PED's.

[Can_of_corn]

What argument is there against Sosa that isn't PEDs? Even if you knock his defense and BA/on base skills, the guy hit 600 home runs.

And Raffy is at 500/3000 and he isn't in, isn't close to being in.

Keep in mind I already stated I was a small hall guy.

Low BA, low OBP, unimpressive defense. The 600 homers are diminished in my eyes because of the offensive nature of the era when he played.

[luismatos4prez]

Bagwell, Walker, Raines, Biggio, Martinez, Schilling, Wells, and Trammell are the guys I would like to get strong consideration.

[TGO]

And Raffy is at 500/3000 and he isn't in, isn't close to being in.

Keep in mind I already stated I was a small hall guy.

Low BA, low OBP, unimpressive defense. The 600 homers are diminished in my eyes because of the offensive nature of the era when he played.

Shall I assume you're a "no" on Biggio? Much better defense but his main argument is 3000 hits.

[Can_of_corn]

Shall I assume you're a "no" on Biggio? Much better defense but his main argument is 3000 hits.

At first glance I am yes on Bagwell, Biggio, Bonds, Clemens, Martinez, Piazza, Raines and Schilling.

The offensive bar is a lot lower at Catcher and Second base then CO.

[OFFNY]

Other than the corked bat incident and bleaching of his skin, I can't think of anything outside of the issue of PED's.

I don't have a problem with him corking his bat, but bleaching his skin ....... now that's just a dirty, underhanded trick.

[ccbird]

Both Clemens and Bonds should be first ballot guys despite their suspected(lol) PED use. I know they won't get in this year but they should. Also, whenever they decide to eventually let PED users in, Clemens and Bonds should head the class. Each were the best position player and pitcher of the steroid era. An era in which I believe the majority of all ML players were using PEDs.

[Loophole]

Shall I assume you're a "no" on Biggio? Much better defense but his main argument is 3000 hits.

You know Biggio has a higher career WAR than Sosa?

A lot of people say "Bonds would be a HOFer with or without PEDs, so he should be in." I think that's sort of missing the point, but I also think Sosa might actually be a guy who wouldn't deserve consideration without steroids. His trajectory before that huge bump at age 30 wouldn't suggest it.

[Riggodrill44]

Both Clemens and Bonds should be first ballot guys despite their suspected(lol) PED use. I know they won't get in this year but they should. Also, whenever they decide to eventually let PED users in, Clemens and Bonds should head the class. Each were the best position player and pitcher of the steroid era. An era in which I believe the majority of all ML players were using PEDs.

Bonds and Clemens might be two of those guys they only punish for a year, like they did with Alomar. But they should still get in well before most of the other suspected/known players do.