http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2677322

McGwire, Gwynn, Ripken headline first-timers on ballot
Associated Press


NEW YORK -- Mark McGwire, Tony Gwynn and Cal Ripken Jr. headline the first-time candidates on the 2007 baseball writers' Hall of Fame ballot released Monday, sure to spark debate on Big Mac's place in history as the steroid era comes under renewed scrutiny.

Jose Canseco, whose book last year led to a congressional hearing on steroid use in baseball, also is on the ballot for the first time. Canseco said he used steroids along with McGwire when they were teammates.

McGwire denied using illegal performance-enhancing substances, but when he appeared before a congressional committee, he evaded questions. "I'm not here to talk about the past," was his repeated response.

McGwire finished his career with 583 home runs, seventh in baseball history while Canseco, a former MVP, is 30th at 462. Dave Kingman, 34th with 442, has the most home runs for a player who has been on the Hall of Fame ballot and was not elected.

Gwynn, an eight-time batting champion with San Diego, and Ripken, a two-time MVP with Baltimore, are considered likely to gain election on the first ballot. Ripken played in 2,632 consecutive games, breaking Lou Gehrig's record.

Bret Saberhagen, a two-time Cy Young Award winner, and former MVP Ken Caminiti also are among 17 players on the ballot for the first time along with Harold Baines, Dante Bichette, Bobby Bonilla, Scott Brosius, Jay Buhner, Eric Davis, Tony Fernandez, Wally Joyner, Paul O'Neill, Devon White and Bobby Witt.

Jim Rice, who was 53 votes short of election last year, heads the 15 holdovers. Rich Gossage finished one vote behind Rice.

Reporters who have been in the BBWAA for 10 or more consecutive years are eligible to vote, and the totals will be announced Jan. 9.

Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press


Players on Hall ballot
• Harold Baines
• Albert Belle
• Dante Bichette
• Bert Blyleven
• Bobby Bonilla
• Scott Brosius
• Jay Buhner
• Ken Caminiti
• Jose Canseco
• Dave Concepcion
• Eric Davis
• Andre Dawson
• Tony Fernandez
• Steve Garvey
• Rich Gossage
• Tony Gwynn
• Orel Hershiser
• Tommy John
• Wally Joyner
• Don Mattingly
• Mark McGwire
• Jack Morris
• Dale Murphy
• Paul O'Neill
• Dave Parker
• Jim Rice
• Cal Ripken Jr.
• Bret Saberhagen
• Lee Smith
• Alan Trammell
• Devon White
• Bobby Witt

Funny how i can pick 15 players more deserving than McGwire on that list of nominees. Then you throw in the steroid shit....no way he gets in on the 1st ballot

let's not forget canseco could pitch, too

the Garv should be in, but he never will get the votes

Is Orel gonna get in? He's gotta, right?

Orel had exactly TWO HOF seasons in his career. 1985 or 86 he went 19-3 I believe, and then 1988 may have been the best season by any pitcher ever, but he was nowhere near a HOFer. plus he threw my old man out of an elevator in Cincinatti one year, so screw him hehe

I thought that might have been the case. He was sooooo good those couple of years though. Jack Morris should get in though. One of the most clutch pitchers in playoff history

the fuckin man!!!!

doesnt have the #s, but of they let people in on heart and desire to win, Paulie would be a shoo in.

Bert Blyleven.

Out of that list, I think Tony Gwynn, Tommy John, Don Mattingly, Jack Morris, Jim Rice, Cal Ripken Jr., and Alan Trammell are the most deserving of the bunch.

no doubt man...whats the deal with all the great pitchers of the 80's getting the shaft

Could you pleeeease tell me how Trammell and Morris are better candidates than Blyleven?

In all honesty, I don't know much about Blyleven's career. But I can tell you that, throughout the 80s, Trammel/Whitaker were probably the best shortstop/second base combo in all of baseball, and Morris was a clutch pitcher that was mostly responsible for bringing two World Series to Detroit and Toronto.

Look up Blyleven's career and compare it to Morris'.

I can't wait to see how many people throw votes Bobby Witt's way.

Well after looking up Blyleven's stats, I still think Morris would edge him out for a number or reasons:

All-Star Appearences: Blyleven 2, Morris 5
World Series MVPs: Morris 1, Blyleven 0
World Series: Morris 2, Blyleven 1
Cy-Young Top 5 Placings: Morris 5, Blyleven 3
Career Wins: Moris 287, Blyleven 254

Granted, Blyleven does have fewer losses, and his ERA is slightly lower, but if I had to chose between the two, I'd still go with Morris.

ERA is slightly lower? .6 isn't slightly. You have their win totals mixed, Blyleven had more.

Don't forget his performance in the '91 Series which is probably the defining moment of his career.

True, I have the win totals mixed, but that also means Morris then lost a lot less games than Morris did. Plus Morris has also won 4 World Series titles instead of two, so even with the lower ERA and more wins, I'd still go with Morris.