Eras Committee Results (Congratulations Jeff Kent)

First of all, congratulations to Jeff Kent.  I have advocated for Kent in the past and believed he had a legitimate shot.  I am a little surprised he got in right away, but he seemed like someone the writers were just missing on.  I am hoping his election clears the way for Dustin Pedroia.  JAWS rates Pedroia higher than Kent.  

So, what else is there to talk about?  I suppose I will look at each of the other candidates.

CARLOS DELGADO

I think the biggest surprise of the night was that Delgado finished second, three votes away from election.  That is crazy to me.  Delgado was one and done on the writers' ballot, though that was due to the massively packed ballot.  But still, the fact that he performed so well was a big shock.  I think he will be on the next ballot.

DON MATTINGLY

I think if there was a favorite going into the night, it was probably Mattingly.  Tons of writers put out Mattingly puff pieces.  And then, he received six votes.  He is stagnant.  He received two fewer votes than last time.  He has been given 19 opportunities at election and the closest he has ever gotten is 50% of the vote.  He is not getting elected.  I was listening to MLB radio on the way home from work and multiple hosts seemed pissed that he was not elected.  It's time to try someone else.  The voters have spoken time and time again and Mattingly is not getting in.  One of the hosts talked about giving Mattingly extra credit for his managerial career, but he has generally been a less-than-good manager.  He has a career record of 889-950.  I don't think you get extra credit when you have a losing record as a manager.  Now, some people might call me a hypocrite because I continue to pound the drum for Luis Tiant and he has gotten a lot of opportunities as well (21 so far), but the difference is that Tiant compares favorably to a lot of pitchers already in, Mattingly is the 40th best first-baseman according to JAWS.  Most of the Hall of Famers behind him are either Negro League players or generally considered bad picks for the Hall.  

DALE MURPHY

A lot of what I said about Mattingly goes to Murphy as well.  He has also been given 19 opportunities and failed to gain election.  He was also a favorite for election tonight due to his consecutive MVP awards and his nice-guy status.  He also received just six votes (50%).  I am sure both Mattingly and Murphy will be on the ballot next time around, but I think it's time to take a break from these two.  

BARRY BONDS

Bonds received fewer than five votes.  There is a big consequence to that.  He will not be on the next ballot.  And if he fails to receive five votes the next time he makes it on the ballot, he will no longer be considered for the Hall of Fame.  Personally, I think that's a travesty.  Bonds is one of the greatest players of all time and won seven MVP awards, as well as being the all-time home run leader.  I don't care about the steroid issue, particularly in light of the fact that at the time, PEDs were not banned by the sport.

ROGER CLEMENS

And everything I said about Bonds goes to Clemens.  He too received fewer than five votes and will not be eligible for this ballot the next time around and is in danger of dropping off permanently.  Clemens is one of the greatest pitchers of all time and won the Cy Young Award seven times, as well as being named MVP.  Again, it is ridiculous to keep him out.  He never tested positive.  I do not understand keeping him out.

GARY SHEFFIELD

Like Bonds and Clemens, Sheffield also failed to get more than five votes and the same consequences apply to him.  I feel less angry about him.  I believe he deserves election, but I am not nearly as strong in my convictions about him as I am about Bonds and Clemens.  

FERNANDO VALENZUELA

Valenzuela also failed to receive five votes.  This was the least surprising result for me though.  Playing career-wise, he is the least deserving of any of the candidates on this ballot.  Not to say he wasn't a great player for awhile.  He definitely had a high peak, but it didn't last long enough.  The best argument for Valenzuela was for his cultural impact and his work as an announcer.  I was a big fan of Valenzuela, but I just do not think he is really close to being a Hall of Famer.  I would be pretty surprised if he gets another shot.

CLOSING THOUGHTS

The next time this era comes up for a vote will be in December, 2028.  Only Delgado, Mattingly and Murphy are eligible for consideration that year from this ballot.  I would like to see Dwight Evans, Lou Whitaker and Curt Schilling on that ballot.  I think all three deserve to be in. 

Next year's ballot will be the far-less-exciting Contemporary Managers/Executives/Umpires ballot.  I have zero idea what to expect from that one.  I really think they should just do this one every other year in conjunction with other ballots.  

The Classic Baseball Era Committee will vote in 2027.  I want to see Reggie Smith and Luis Tiant on that ballot.