hall of fame Archives | Baseball Essential

Takeaways from this year’s Hall of Fame voting

Jan 23, 2020

1. Schilling is not a slam dunk to get in Curt Schilling reached the 70% mark in the BBWAA voting announced Jan. 21. Historical voting patterns indicate that if you get that close and have time left on the bal...

Many Factors Contributed to Mariano Rivera’s Unanimous Hall of Fame Election

Jeff J. Snider

Jan 23, 2019

Features, New York Yankees

On Tuesday, former New York Yankees closer Mariano Rivera became the first player ever inducted into the Hall of Fame with 100 percent of the vote. Babe Ruth was not unanimous. Greg Maddux was not unanimous. Yo...

Hall of Fame: Mariano Rivera’s Potentially Unanimous Induction

Tom Dorsa

Jan 21, 2019

Baseball History, Major League Baseball, Offseason, Opinions & Predictions

As you probably know, no Baseball Hall of Fame inductee has ever been enshrined unanimously by voting members of the Baseball Writers Association of America. Not Ken Griffey Jr. (99.32%), not Tom Seaver (99.84%...

2019 Hall of Fame Vote: Locks, Returns, and Longshots

Tom Dorsa

Jan 26, 2018

Baseball History, Features, Major League Baseball, Offseason, Opinions & Predictions

On Wednesday afternoon, the Baseball Writers Association of America unveiled the 2018 class of Major League Baseball stars being inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York. 600...

The Case for Johan Santana to Remain on the Hall of Fame Ballot

Justin Birnbaum

Jan 8, 2018

Minnesota Twins, New York Mets, Opinions & Predictions

Injuries robbed Johan Santana of some of his prime years, but is that enough of a reason to let him fall off the Hall of Fame ballot in his first year? The 2007 New York Mets will forever be remembered for one...

Consider Justin Verlander’s Hall of Fame Induction Done

Tom Dorsa

Jan 8, 2018

Detroit Tigers, Houston Astros, Opinions & Predictions

Baseball folklore is unforgiving, and sometimes the most dominant athletes in their era can have a span of elite play essentially forgotten. There are a number of factors that contribute to this phenomenon, but...

Reviewing the newest names on the 2018 Hall of Fame ballot

Jason Kelly

Nov 21, 2017

Baseball History, Headlines, Opinions & Predictions, Statistics

The 2018 Hall of Fame ballot was released on Monday by the Baseball Writers Association of America, and it included 19 new faces headlined by the likes of Chipper Jones and Jim Thome. While the Hall of Fame can...

Besides the Obvious, McGwire and Sosa Were Nothing Alike

Jeff J. Snider

Mar 31, 2017

Chicago Cubs, Features, History, St. Louis Cardinals

Disclaimer: This article is not timely. It is apropos of nothing. There is no logical reason for me to write it right now, except that I happened recently to listen to an old episode of a podcast where the host...

David Ortiz is a Hall of Famer (We Think)

Eric Kabakoff

Jun 7, 2016

Baseball History, Boston Red Sox

David Ortiz’s career will soon come to an end, and then comes the discussion about whether he belongs in the Hall of Fame. So far this year, Big Papi is having a season for the aged (pun intended). At 40 years ...

Hello, My Name Is Carlos Beltran: Here Is My Hall of Fame Curriculum Vitae

Gabriel Bogart

May 26, 2016

Features, Kansas City Royals, New York Yankees, Opinions & Predictions, St. Louis Cardinals

I don't pay much attention to the New York Yankees. As somebody who roots for the Boston Red Sox and Seattle Mariners, it's an exercise in not experiencing annoying sights and sounds. Granted, the Yankees aren'...

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