Congratulations to Barry Larkin on being voted into the Hall of Fame today. Great player and he deserves the honor. That said, I have a small problem with the HOF voting taking place.
I like a lot of baseball writers, and most of them I respect for the job that they do. What I don’t like is the notion of a “hall of fame player, just not on the first ballot”? What the hell is that? Why do some writers feel the need to classify a hall of fame career this way? Correct me if I am wrong but you are either a hall of fame player or not, right?
My opinion, all ballots should be made public after the vote. If you, as a writer, want the ability to not vote for someone then I, as a reader want the ability to criticize you for it. If you can’t take the criticism then you are in the wrong profession. You don’t write damaging articles without a by line, do you? No, you are all the happier to disgrace a player if you feel they deserve it, I say writers should deal with the same. I believe there were 9 blank ballots turned in this vote, nine of a class that had at least two sure things in my opinion. Don’t want to vote for them? Fine, put your name on it and stand up for your vote.
I don’t know all the details about how writers get votes, if you do please let me know, but some people should loose that privilege. If you can put up a good argument for not voting someone it that’s fine, it is your vote not mine, however I feel some people are taking advantage of the “closed” ballot.
I was lucky enough to visit the hall as a kid, and I hope I get to go again before it becomes a joke.
By the way, my favorite Larkin moment, his at bat to start the ’99 All Star Game. Pedro (future Hall of Fame player) was on fire that day and Larken never stood a chance.