Class of 2012 could rock Cooperstown
by Mike Root |
While Cooperstown and the Baseball Hall of Fame are fresh off a record-setting Induction Weekend that saw 75,000 visitors, the small village might want to start planning for 2012, which could make this year’s ceremony seem small. With Craig Biggio and Randy Johnson already saying they’re done after this year, you would have to think this season also has to be the end of the ride for Roger Clemens, Mike Piazza, Greg Maddux and, if he decides to retire, Barry Bonds. That’s six first ballot Hall of Famers. The potential class could rival the Hall’s first induction of Ty Cobb, Walter Johnson, Babe Ruth, Christy Matthewson and Honus Wagner. Whether or not they all get elected is a different story. Looking at the list of potential candidates, Bonds is the only question mark. While his numbers say he is a shoe-in for first ballot election, many voters will probably hold the steroid allegations against Bonds. They have already done this with Mark McGwire. A few years ago, it was a certainty that McGwire would be at last month’s induction ceremony alongside Tony Gwynn and Cal Ripken Jr. But after refusing to answer questions regarding his own personal steroid use at a Congressional hearing, McGwire received a mere 23.5 percent of the votes. That’s not even close to the 75 percent needed for induction. But Bonds’ numbers alone say he is one of, if not the best, all-around players in the history of the sport. He just hit his record-breaking 756th home run, last Tuesday, breaking Hank Aaron’s mark. His seven National League MVP awards are also a Major League record, and he ranks first in bases on balls with 2,540. Bonds is also in the top six in RBIs, on base percentage, slugging percentage, runs, total bases and extra base hits. He has also won eight Gold Glove Awards and played in 14 All-Star Games. While Bonds is still productive this season (22 HR, 51 RBI), he may be ready to get out of the spotlight and away from the media’s constant barrage of questions, speculation and allegations. But what could entice Bonds to return for another year is another milestone. Bonds needs 85 hits to reach 3,000, a mark that seems too far away this season, as his historic homer was his 74th hit. Besides Bonds, the others are a lock for Cooperstown (unless one or more of them get caught gambling on baseball or busted for steroids). Clemens’ seven Cy Young Awards is the most ever, and his 4,653 strikeouts are second. The 11-time All-Star ranks eighth with 352 wins. In his 24th season, he is struggling at 4-5 with an ERA of 4.00. Johnson’s five Cy Young Awards is unmatched by anyone but Clemens, and his 4,616 strikeouts rank third. Johnson has a strikeouts-per-nine-innings-pitched ratio of 10.78, the best ever. He is a 10-time All-Star and has 284 wins. Maddux has four Cy Young Awards of his own, and his 340 wins is 10th all time. Maddux is an eight-time All-Star, and his 16 Gold Gloves is a Major League record he shares with Jim Kaat. Piazza is regarded by many as the best hitting catcher ever. Piazza’s 422 homers is more than any other at that position, and he has a .309 career batting average. The 12-time All-Star has 1,313 RBIs and ranks 14th in total bases (3,709) and 20th in extra base hits (765). Piazza has seen limited playing time this year as a designated hitter. In 174 at-bats, he’s batting .293 with three home runs and 22 RBIs. Finally, there’s Biggio, who just reached the 3,000-hit mark this year, which is virtually a lock to make the Hall of Fame. But Biggio has done something else no one has. He is the only player to accumulate at least 2,700 hits, 250 home runs, 600 doubles, 400 stolen bases and 1,000 RBIs. Biggio’s 662 two-baggers is sixth all time, and his 1,830 runs ranks 13th. So the Hall of Fame’s Class of 2012 should feature at least five members, and there’s always a chance that Tom Glavine could decide to retire after 2007. Glavine is the newest member of the 300 win club and a 10-time All-Star with two Cy Young Awards, but he has still been productive this season. The left hander is 10-6 with a 4.31 ERA, which is the second highest earned run average he’s ever had. All stats are as of last Tuesday.
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