Hall of Fame Inductees

This year's Hall of Fame ballot was jam packed with All Stars, MVPs, Cy Young Award winners, Gold Glovers, and five tool players, but only three players made the hall this year.

Left to Right: Larussa, Torre, Cox

Three inductees made it in as managers, they were the leaders of dynasties: Joe Torre, Bobby Cox, and Tony Larussa. Toree led the Yankees through some of their most successful seasons winning 4 World Series titles in a 5 year period. Bobby Cox managed the Braves through the years and led the team to a World Series in 1995, but has the 4th most wins as a manager in history. Tony Larussa is known for being the manager of the Cardinals and leading them to World Series victories in 2006 and 2011. All three managers are well respected and definitely deserve their position in the Hall of Fame.  

Now for the reveal of this years Hall of Fame inductees. With 75% of the total vote three players made it in to they Hall of Fame. These greats are Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, and Frank Thomas.

Tom Glavine (left) and Greg Maddux (Right)

Maddux's 355 career wins, 3.16 ERA, 3371 strikeouts, 4 consecutive Cy Young Awards, and his overall greatness make him not only the best pitcher of generation, but perhaps one of the greatest pitchers of all time, and one of the best in the Hall of Fame. He deserves his position in the Hall of Fame.

Glavine was a teammate of Maddux for 10 seasons and they were one of the most devastating duo's for those 10 years. His 305 wins, 2607 strikeouts, 2 Cy Young Awards, and career 3.54 are absolutley fantastic, but Glavine really shined when it meant most. 14 post season wins with a 3.30 ERA in the clutch probably sealed the deal for Glavine to get in on his first ballot. It is only appropriate that he and Maddux are entered along with Bobby Cox.

Frank Thomas

Spending 16 seasons with the Chicago White Sox Frank Thomas, also known as The Big Hurt, put him ridiculous numbers. The two time MVP posted 521 home runs over the course of his career, along with .301 batting average and a staggering .419 on base percentage. Thomas struck not only the ball but fear into the pitchers that faced him.

As for Jack Morris, he has failed to get into the Hall of Fame, but will probably be considered by the veterans committee. Craig Biggio missed being inducted by less than 1%, so he and his 3000 hits will have to wait, he will almost certainly be inducted next season. Mike Piazza improved on his percentage, but he may take more than one more season to make the Hall of Fame.

Possible Hall of Fame Inductees in the Near Future

The 2012 Hall of Fame class consisted of one person, Barry Larkin, but in the near future some big names are coming up, with a lot of controversy.

Frank Thomas (The Big Hurt)- Thomas played 19 seasons, 16 of them with the Chicago White Sox. over those 19 seasons he posted a .301 batting average, .419 on base percentage, 521 home runs, and a .555 slugging. I think there will be some controversy, because he was convicted of steroid use in his career. This is one of the many problems of the steroid era.  All in all Thomas will get inducted within 5 years of eligibility.

Greg Maddux- Without a doubt Maddux will be inducted on his first ballot. He dominated the 1990's and 2000's pitching 23 total seasons mostly with the Braves (11 seasons) and the Cubs (10 Seasons), but pitched 2 seasons each with the Dodgers and Padres. 355 wins is a ridiculous number, I don't think we will see a player hit 350 wins for another 20 years or so if that. A lifetime 3.16 era and 3371 strikeouts. His best season was 1996 when he held a 1.63 era, 209.2 innings pitched, and 181 strikeouts with just 28 walks.

Mike Mussina (Moose) - Mussina pitched 18 seasons, 10 with the Orioles and 8 with the Yankees. He collected 270 wins, a 3.68 era, 2813 strikeouts, and 6 gold gloves. He may not make it in the first ballot, but he will absolutely make in by 2017. He is a fan favorite, getting his first 20 win season in his final season was something really magical. He was known for his durability and incredible fielding.

Roger Clemens (The Rocket) - 24 seasons, 13 with the Red Sox, 6 with the Yankees, 2 with the Blue Jays, and 3 with the Astros.  354 wins, 3.12 era, 4672 strikeouts, and 7 cy young awards will not get Clemens into the hall of fame for a long time. Until he admits that he took steroids, he will not be admitted. Once he admits it, then I will give him 10 years to get admitted, just because there is no on better to admit that year.

Barry Bonds- Bonds played 22 seasons in the MLB, 15 for the Giants and 7 for the Pirates. Being known as possibly the best hitter all time, The son off Bobby Bonds and godson of Say Hey Kid (Willie Mays) Barry posted 762 home runs (The most all time) a .444 on base percentage, a .298 batting average, .607 slugging, 1996 rbis, and 2558 walks. Barry Bonds will never get into the hall of fame. His constant denial of steroid usage will keep him out. All he would have to do is apologize and he would be admitted.

Pete Rose (Charlie Hustle) - Pete has been eligible for 21 years for hall of fame induction, but he was denied again and again, for gambling on games he took part in as a manager and a player. he has 4256 career hits. Come on Pete, just apologize. The same would go for Shoeless Joe Jackson, although he is deceased taking part in the Chicago Black Sox scandal withheld him from the Hall of Fame.