Once again, the writers hosed Bert Blyleven. The Baseball Crank writes that things may be looking up for Blyleven, though:
Blyleven has gained serious momentum with each year, and this year’s addition of a new Bill James study on his side has to help. I think he’ll make it, and it will be some time before a better starting pitcher is on the ballot (Bret Saberhagen is by far the best starter entering the ballot over the next four years; the next people in Bert’s class or better are all active, those being Clemens, Maddux, Randy Johnson, Glavine, Pedro and Mussina, of whom only Clemens might not return in 2007).
The Crank has more analysis on the rest of the HoF candidates. The Baseball Analysts make the case for Blyleven:
This year marks the ninth time that Blyleven has been on the ballot. Fifteen players have been elected since Bert’s first year. Twelve position players and three pitchers. In other words, only 20% of the honorees during the past eight years have been pitchers, despite the fact that pitching is widely considered to be about 35% of the game. Moreover, no starting pitcher has gained election since 1999 when Nolan Ryan was inducted with a near-record 98.8% of the votes.
The writers are instructed that “voting shall be based upon the player’s record, playing ability, integrity, sportsmanship, character, and contributions to the team(s) on which the player played.” I’m not the one to judge integrity, sportsmanship, and character, but the Hall of Fame case for Blyleven based on his playing record and the contributions to his teams is indisputable.
Now that I have made my way up to the top of the mountain and cupped my hands around my mouth, I will shout out the following:
Since 1900, Bert Blyleven ranks 5th in career strikeouts, 8th in shutouts, and 17th in wins.
There are only eight pitchers who rank in the top 20 in wins, shutouts, and strikeouts.
Everyone on that list is in the HoF except- you guessed it- Blyleven. More answers for the critics here.
I will remain faithhul- we got Maz in.