Sports and Rants with Brett and Pants : Hall of Fame... Who will we see standing on the stage?

Well baseball fans it is that time of year again, Hall of Fame voting. Questions once again surround who should be put in, how many players should be voted and who should be enshrined in Cooperstown. Questions again are brought up whether regarding the former superstar steroid users like Bonds and Clemens should be put in as well. Below I have listed the five guys I think are the most likely candidates we will see standing on the stage this summer.

1. Randy Johnson

a. This vote does not need any explaining if you ever watched Randy pitch a game. Johnson was truly one of the most dominating and powerful pitchers to play. Johnson could blow a baseball by any player no matter who it was. The 300 game winner was one of the best players to watch play the game and was truly an all-time great and is a no brainer for the HOF.

2. Pedro Martinez

a. Pedro is another guy that was just truly dominating during his playing time. Smaller than most of his opponents Martinez still had a fastball that was unhittable and a change-up that was even better. Martinez though only having 219 career wins, falls in the category of a guy like Sandy Koufax a pitcher that truly dominated the game for a short amount of time. Pedro will have his opportunity to tell the Cooperstown “Who their daddy is…”

3. John Smoltz

a. Smoltz was always a guy who would do whatever it took to help his team win a game. Smoltz never had a problem switching between being a starting pitcher or a closer during his time with the Braves. Smoltz was truly spectacular on both ends of the mound.

4. Curt Schilling

a. How can you not put one of the best post-season players of all-time into the HOF. Schilling was truly a big game pitcher, no matter the circumstance or pressure, Curt was always able to give it his best on the mound. In his career in the post-season Schilling is 11-2 with two MVP Awards in the playoffs. This former Phillie is truly deserving of the opportunity to be with Cooperstown elite.

5. Craig Biggio

a. This is pretty apparent that Biggio will most likely get in this season. Biggio was two votes shy last season of getting into the HOF. The 3,000 hit club member will one day find himself with Cooperstown elites. Biggio was never a star but he was truly consistent and a very good player all around.

Honorable Mentions:

Alan Trammell and Tim Raines- Both of these guys are HOF players, and given an opportunity I would vote for them in a heartbeat. These players dominated at their positions and were leaders of their teams as well. Trammell and Raines are both deserving HOFer’s and I hope that they aren’t in a situation like that of Ron Santo, where by the time they get into the HOF they will no longer be with us.

Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens- Though both these players were steroid users, there is no doubt in my mind that they are not HOF worthy. Both of these players were superstars, the best at their positions, and should be in Cooperstown one day. Bonds and Clemens both saved the game of baseball and were both unbelievable talents. One day both of these guys will be in the hall.

-Brett