My Hall of Fame Ballot
by Cary Greene
December 30, 2021
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If I had a vote here are the players I would vote for, keeping in mind that I don’t condone steroid users/cheaters. There is some real controversy surrounding Ortiz and the use of steroids but it is entirely possible that he never used them and that the one positive result that was recorded was a faulty positive.
Also for the record I’m not even close to a yes vote on Curt Schilling, choosing to believe that his career numbers just aren’t quite worthy. I also don’t care for his attitude and I don’t think he’s a role model worthy of being enshrined, but my decision on him starts and ends with the numbers.
In my opinion the Hall of Fame is not about numbers alone.
I didn’t have to debate internally or even think extensively think about any of the five players that I would vote Yes for.
Ortiz is the quintessential example of a productive middle of the order hitter and he consistently hit for both power and average.
Ramirez is the best pure hitter I’ve ever seen in my lifetime. Period. He was also in the heart of some tremendous lineups both in Cleveland and in Boston.
Vizquel got my vote with his glove and his steady bat. Is the consummate professional and a great example of a two-way player. Not many people realize Vizquel hit over .300 a couple times in his career. In my lifetime I have seen a few shortstops with more magical defensive ability, such as Ozzie Smith, but if the ball was hit to Vizquel, it was basically an automatic out.
Hunter, another tremendous two-way player, got my vote because of how his defense could impact a game, but I also kept in mind his standout seasons and his solid bat.
Rolen is yet another example of a stellar two-way player who also had a potent bat and a very solid career.
1 David Ortiz
2 Manny Ramirez
3 Omar Vizquel
4 Scott Rolen
5 Torii Hunter
Andy Pettitte had very good numbers but he was a steroid user and therefore I couldn’t ever vote for him.
Tim Hudson also had some really solid numbers but I don’t think he’s truly a Hall of Famer.
When we have conversations about some of baseballs all time greats we can put asterisks next to them and then mention how despite the fact that they used steroids they accomplished this and that. However, when it comes time to cast a vote, I believe that the voter should recognize that the Hall of Fame is hallowed ground where only real heroes belong. Making the Hall of Fame involves recognizing a player’s body of work. There have been many flashes in the pan over the years who had two or three phenomenal seasons, and for fans of the teams that these types of players played for I think that’s great for baseball.
Making the Hall of Fame involves a player demonstrating sustained excellence both on and off the field. Making the Hall of Fame is about having a brilliant career, one that generations of baseball fans should forever admire and look up to.
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