Gilbert: Analyzing the 2014 Baseball Hall of Fame vote
From SABR member Bill Gilbert at Scout.com on January 16, 2014:
The Baseball Writers’ Association of America elected three players to the Hall of Fame this year, Greg Maddux (97.2%), Tom Glavine (91.9%) and Frank Thomas (83.7%). It was the largest class since 1999 when Nolan Ryan, George Brett and Robin Yount were elected. In addition, a veterans committee earlier elected managers Bobby Cox, Tony La Russa and Joe Torre. Thus, induction weekend in July will feature six inductees, all of them still living. Last year, there were only three inductees, all long deceased, elected by a veterans committee.
Craig Biggio received 74.8% of the vote, falling two votes short of the 75.0% required for election. He should make it easily next year, even with another strong incoming class. Biggio and Mike Piazza were the only two ballot holdovers that received more votes this year than last. The other 15 holdovers received fewer votes and some suffered significant declines.
Jack Morris fell from 67.7% to 61.5% in his 15th and final year of the ballot. Rafael Palmeiro dropped from 8.8% to 4.4%, below the 5.0% required to remain on the ballot. Four players recorded double digit percentage declines – Lee Smith (-17.9%), Alan Trammel (-12.8%), Larry Walker (-11.4%) and Edgar Martinez (-10.7%). All will remain on the ballot but their chances for future election by the writers are highly unlikely.
Read the full article here: http://stlcardinals.scout.com/2/1366589.html
Originally published: January 17, 2014. Last Updated: January 17, 2014.