Hall of Fame: Just One Slam-Dunk Each of Next Three Years
By Matt Veasey
2019 BASEBALL HALL OF FAME BALLOT
Something tells me that once they are eligible and on the ballot, over the next decade this group is going to be hotly debated.
Roy Halladay won the Cy Young Award in both the National and American Leagues with the Philadelphia Phillies and Toronto Blue Jays respectively. He also finished as the runner-up for the award on two other occasions. ‘Doc’ tossed a Perfect Game and a playoff no-hitter. But I don’t believe he will be a first ballot HOFer.
Another worthy pitcher who will probably not make it the first time out is Andy Pettitte. The lefty has 256 career wins and recognition as one of the New York Yankees “Core Four” greats. He will likely make it. He is just going to have to wait a year or two.
A trio of truly outstanding hitters in 7x All-Star Michael Young, 6x All-Star Lance Berkman, and 5x All-Star Todd Helton will not make it on the first ballot. They will become major discussion pieces during the 2020’s. That is, as long as any of them fails to gain election.
ENTER SANDMAN
One player who will need little to no discussion will be the greatest closer in the history of the game, Mariano Rivera. The 13x AL All-Star finished among the Top Five in AL Cy Young Award voting five times. Furthermore, Rivera received MVP Award votes in nine seasons.
His 651 Saves are far and away the most in big league history. Rivera was the 1999 World Series Most Valuable Player as well as the 2003 ALCS MVP.
Rivera also took home the 2013 AL Comeback Player of the Year among numerous other career accolades. As one of that Yankees “Core Four” he helped lead the club to five World Series titles over his 19-year career.