S49 Hall Recap

Eli Cash - contributing reporter

Hall of Fame Voting Recap

Carlos Colome does it on his first ballot! Congratulations to the 276 game winner and 39th member of the Cobbfather Hall of Fame! Mr Cash is a little behind the times this year and didn't get a chance to write his pre-voting article. But let's get this one before the seasons ends. 

Sean Gosling's first time on the ballot and he was able to secure 9 votes, most likely because of all those HRs; everybody digs the long ball! Season manned the hot corner but only hit .265 while averaging 94 runs, 38 home runs, 106 RBI, 14 stolen bases but also averaged being caught stealing 7 times a season. 2x Gold Glove winner, 2 time league MVP, and 9x All Star. Ranks well on the HoF monitor but not as well on the Test or Cash Scores. 

Raul Galvez is closing in and I believe fell just one vote short of joining Colome. Perhaps Season 50 will be his year. He reached the honored 2500 hits, 500 home runs, 1500 runs, and 1500 RBI; no way he doesn't eventually make it. I'm surprised it's taken the voters this long to get him in. Signed as an IFA in Season 24 by the now Colorado Cab Blast, but also played for the Boston Massacre and Wichita Aeros franchises. He outscores 8 of the current Hall of Famers!

Edison Hernandez saw a drop and that just baffles this writer. His scores rate well above the lock for the Hall by any league's standards. He is also one of few players to combine for over 1000 extra base hits, majority of whom are in the Hall currently. Averaged 117 runs, 38 doubles, 27 home runs, and 40 steals a season over the course of his career. Batting lead off or in the 2 hole, every team wanted him including the team that won 2 World Series rings with him. Next season will be his last eligible season, but unless voters come around his chances aren't looking good for some reason. 1x league MVP, 7x All Star, and former Rookie of the Year.

Don Sparks, another big HR hitting guy that I shouldn't be surprised saw an uptick in votes though he only averaged 31 a season with 23 doubles. Without that 16th season that pushed him over the 2500 hits, 500 HR, and 1500 RBI; we wouldn't be talking about him. Majority of other Hall members accomplished what he did in less seasons. Similar to Hernandez, I believe this next season will be his final on the ballot. 

Wiki Unamuno saw the biggest drop by losing 6 votes. I don't think it's his fault, just the love of Home Runs and a few new shiny players on the ballot, including Colome mentioned previously. He averaged 118 runs, 26 HR, 36 SB, 100 RBI a season; not to mention the 188 hits a season he averaged, once being able to cross the 200 a season that very few see. Depending on which new players are on the ballot next year, he'll definitely have my support. 

As we mentioned, Colome didn't take long to acquire the number of votes needed for enshrinement. But let's take a look at what he did. Through 595 games (569 starts), he won .670%, good for 276 wins and 136 loses. Also averaged over 200 innings per season, but if we are counting stats like that we should take another look at Dizzy. There, I said his name. Dizzy Leonard. Might be the last time he's mentioned in a HoF article. He had a lowly 2.2 K/BB, 5.94 K/9 while a rise in BB at 2.65/9. He was able to snag himself an accomplish very few reach, 25+ wins in a season and 2 Cy Young awards. While I'm happy he made it, I would have put Armando Merced and Tomo Hayashi in before him.

Speaking of Merced, it's unclear if that was his last season or if he has one more remaining. He surpassed not only the 250 win mark, but also 2800 K. His 7.63 K/9 ranks up there with the best, but his 3.0 K/BB is near tops all time in the league. There were 6 seasons he topped 200 K, and 7 seasons where he won at least 14 games with a .700 W% or better. Again, ranking up there towards the top of the all time list. If he's on the ballet next year, he has my vote!

Both Braeden Abercrombie and Midre Tavarez are holding strong but struggle to find new voters. With other options, it's not surprising to see them struggle for votes. Simlar to Merced, we don't know which of them will be back on the ballet next season. Good luck if they are!

No love for the relief pitchers, that's for sure. No, this isn't the same write up from last season, but the statement still stands. If you didn't reach 300 wins or 3000K, don't even bother applying for the Hall! Had his manager used Hayashi out of the pen his whole career, he'd be up there with Sale for the All-Time Saves leader. He slips from 4 to 2 votes, but I hope voters will take a longer look him in comparison to his fellow relief pitchers currently in the hall, Sammy Felix. In just about every way, Hayashi was the much better reliever. 

Until next voting season, good luck the rest of the way!