Before I write anything else let me say congratulations to former University of Michigan baseball player and Cincinnati Reds shortstop Barry Larkin on being chosen to enter Baseball’s Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York.
Larkin received 86.4 percent of the BBWAA votes for a first place finish.
Jack Morris and Alan Trammell are two players that many Detroit Tigers fans have been waiting to see mentioned as inductees into the Hall of Fame.
Morris achieved second place in the voting with 66.7 percent, while Trammell placed sixth with 36.8 percent. Each player did better than last year’s 53.5 percent (Morris) and 24.3 percent (Trammell). They are gaining support from the writers. Morris will have more of a chance next year. Seventy-five percent is needed to get into the Hall.
If you would like to know how several of the particular writers voted, along with the reasoning for their choices, here is a link to the official Baseball Writer’s Association of America website. You can gain valuable insight into the thought behind the choices.
For example:
Peter Abraham, of the Boston Globe, said he had Larkin and Trammell on his ballot last year, as well as on this year’s ballot. Of the two he said, “Briefly, Larkin and Trammell were consistent, productive players who dominated a premium position for a long period of time.”
Troy Renck, of the Denver Post, wrote that “I will provide a simple defense of the other three that received my vote. Alan Trammell: Can’t vote for Larkin without voting for Trammell. Lee Smith lacked the signature moment and I really struggled with his inclusion. But he retired as the all-time saves leader. Jack Morris made it because, for me, he was Curt Schilling before Curt Schilling. His 3.90 ERA makes me uneasy, but he won 254 games, and four for World Series champions in Minnesota and Detroit.”
So, if you are among those in the crowd of Detroit fans who wonder why Morris and Tram were again overlooked you might find solace in several of the writers comments.
Here is the link: BBWAA WEBSITE
By the way, former Tiger Juan Gonzalez (2000) received less than five percent of the votes and will not be included on next years ballot. He was one of several players who are suffering from the continuing fallout from baseball’s steroids era. Mark McGwire, Rafael Palmeiro, although statistically deserving, were snubbed by the majority because of their unproven, yet perceived use of PED’s.
McGwire picked up 19.5 percent of the votes. Palmeiro managed a meager 12.6 percent.
Barry Larkin will be inducted into Baseball’s Hall of Fame on July 22, 2012 along with Ron Santo from the Chicago Cubs who was chosen by the Veterans Committee. Santo died on December 3, 2010.
~Skip
