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.

The Draft

Carlos Correa was the first pick in the 2012 draft. He was taken by the Astros 20 years after they passed on a prospect named Derek Jeter. It was a wise decision to choose Carlos Correa. AS history may show the Amateur Draft rankings don't mean much of anything.

Many teams select prospects as the first overall, but they don't pan out. In 1984 the first overall pick was Shawn Abner by the New York Mets. You will be shocked by the players picked in the second round. Pick 31 was the greatest pitcher ever, Greg Maddux (355 wins and 3.16 ERA). Pick 47 was Tom Glavine another fantastic pitcher (305 wins and 3.54 ERA). Pick 50 was Al Leiter (162 wins 3.80 ERA).

In the 1999 draft the first 2 picks worked out wonderfully, Josh Hamilton (#1) and Josh Beckett (#2) both have successful careers at the major league level. Other names selected in the first round that year are: Barry Zito (#9), Ben Sheets (#10), Alex Rios (#19) and Brian Roberts (#50). The most successful selection from the 1999 draft did not come the first 1 round, but in the 13th. 29 other teams had the chance to pick this player and 401 picks were before him. Albert Pujols was #402. The Cardinals' first pick was #30 and they chose Chance Caple who never made it to AA.

Although the draft day is filled with optimism most of the players will never make it to the major leagues. The picks selected in the latest parts of the draft can make it and be some of the greatest ever.