24 newcomers, who played their last major league game in 2007, are on this year’s ballot for the Baseball Hall of Fame. Balloting started yesterday and runs through December 31st, with the results announced on January 9th, 2013. Here’s my quick read on the chances of these first timers.
Sandy Alomar Jr.
The former White Sox backstop had a very good career and will likely get enough support to stick around on the ballot, but he will not be joining his brother in the Hall.
Craig Biggio
The career Astro might have to wait a few years, but he will eventually be enshrined.
Barry Bonds
And this is where things get interesting. Bonds was a surefire first ballot Hall of Famer when, by all accounts, he got jealous of the amount of attention being heaped on Sammy Sosa and Mark McGwire. Barry responded by ingesting enough steroids to make his head grow three sizes, and because of that he is likely to spend the next few years, if not forever, on the outside looking in.
Jeff Cirillo
Royce Clayton
Likely to become the newest members of the zero vote club.
Roger Clemens
Clemens initially retired following the 2003 season, and had he stayed retired, he would have been easily elected on the first ballot. Unfortunately for him, he unretired, came back with the Astros, and got himself entangled in the whole steroids scandal and a lawsuit with his former trainer. Like Bonds, he is likely to be held up as an example.