Via BBTF, Dan Holmes tries to predict the next five Hall of Fame classes. I almost agree with his 2022 class:
Finally, in their tenth and final chance, Roger Clemens and Barry Bonds will get their day in Cooperstown. I predict it will come with some boos and boycotts from some Hall of Famers, but these two ultimately deserve to be honored. Before they turned to medicinal methods, both had Hall of Fame achievements. Perhaps it’s fitting that those two polarizing figures will share the stage with David Ortiz, who was beloved by Red Sox Nation. This class has a lot to offer: a pair of heroes for Red Sox fans, a Yankee ace, east coast superstars, and a west coast superstar.
One reason players stay on the ballot a long time is so any animosity between players and writers gets a chance to fade away. That’s a big reason Jim Rice and Bert Blyleven made it on their last ballots, time allowed newer voters who judged them mainly on statistics to push them over the edge. I also believe that a last ballot election is a bit of a punishment for players who do not have a clean record in the game, like Tim Raines. If you look at the statistics for Bonds and Clemens, they should be first ballot Hall of Famers. Getting in on the tenth ballot will force future fans to ask why and force them to learn about the PED era.
I don’t think Ortiz will get in on the first ballot. Voters are still not convinced a designated hitter deserves election. That will keep enough from voting for Ortiz his first time on the ballot. He’ll make it, but probably in 2023 or 2024.
from baseballmusings.com http://ift.tt/2iN3oeQ
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