Orioles’ Palmeiro off the hall of fame ballot

It came as no surprise yesterday when former Baltimore Orioles’ first baseman Rafael Palmeiro was not elected to the MLB Hall of Fame. However what did surprise me a bit was the fact that Palmeiro only handled 4.4% of the vote, meaning that he would drop off of the ballot in future years. Palmeiro of course finished his career with 500 homers and 3000 hits, and he’s one of four players in history who can claim that. Of course the reason that he’s not in the hall today – and probably the reason he won’t be considered going forward – is because of his suspension for PED’s in 2005 (while with the Orioles). Candidates need a minimum of 5% of the vote in order to stay on the ballot the following year.

Courtesy of Joy R. Absalon-USA TODAY Sports

Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, and Frank Thomas were all elected Hall of Famers by the BBWAA. Mike Mussina was also a first-time candidate on the ballot, however he failed to reach the necessary 75% of the vote for induction. Quite frankly I wouldn’t disagree with that; I think that Mussina eventually should and will get in, however I’m fine with him not making it on the first ballot. Ironically, the two candidates that I feel should have been elected (but weren’t) are Edgar Martinez and Jack Morris. I’m sorry, but I can’t live in a world where those guys aren’t in the MLB Hall of Fame – I just can’t!

We go through this charade every year in terms of who got snubbed and so forth, and I suppose it’s similar to the NCAA tournament selection in March.  The fact is that when people are doing the selecting there will be guys that are ultimately left out who shouldn’t be. It is what it is…for lack of a better term. The interesting thing to me is that former Oriole Armando Benitez received one vote. I have to wonder what that voter was thinking, but as I said it is what it is!