It's Hall of Fame season again, and this year we have quite a few new retirees that are up for their first vote, including Ed Donovan, Rod Young and Pat Politte. All these players seem to be locks to make the Hall of Fame one day, but only Politte appears to be a first ballot lock. It might take Young and Donovan another cycle to get in, however both are well deserving. All three got my vote. So here's my ballot (in order of deservedness):
Bonilla was a beast and in my opinion he should have been a first ballot guy. Bonilla's career ERA of 2.79 is the career record and his 1.10 WHIP ranks second. He was downright nasty, nobody wanted to see him coming out to the mound, ever. Bonilla was an eight time All Star with two World Series Rings and a Cy Young Award. His 441 Saves rank second and he appeared in 1,372 games, nearly 300 more than anyone else.
Rod Young, the Strikeout King, recording 3,859 K's in his career, more than 400 more than any other pitcher. And if you thought that also made Young a walk machine, you'd be wrong. He ranks 4th all-time with a 3.29 Strikeout-to-Walk Ratio. Rod turned all these K's and 578 games started (another career record) into a masterful 271 win career, currently 5th all-time.
Ed Donovan (admittedly some bias here), was one of the first great bats this game saw. He was an everyday 2B, with great contact and solid power, but what Donovan was really known for was his base running, racking up 708 steals in his career, 113 triples, 601 doubles and scoring 1,898 runs landing himself at the top of the career leaderboard for all four. He managed to hit for three cycles in his career, win seven Silver Sluggers (six at 2B and one at RF) and two Gold Gloves (one each at 2B and RF). Donovan appeared in ten All Star games and won a single MVP.
Jesus Fernandez only got to pitch 16 seasons. He missed out on 3-4 years of prime ball due to political nature of the Dominican Republic during his 20s and not being able to leave for the MLB. Even so, he had 92 complete games, which is a career record. He also managed to win 274 games, an average of over 17 a season. Winning 26 in his third season of professional ball in the states. Fernandez also threw one no-hitter, won two World Series Rings and had eight All Star Game Appearances.
Those are my five votes, four pitchers and one position player. A few other players I considered voting on, but just didn't break through for me for varying reasons are…
Damaso Peron, he might be able to get in. He was a very unquie player in his days and one of only a few players that have been able to reach the 40/40 club. He racked up 626 HRs and 504 SBs. Peron won two MVPs and was an eight time All Star selection.
Vic Sosa, hit 483 HR and had a career .302 batting average. Sosa was an eight time All Star selection.
Steven Munson, was a good player in his day, winning two MVPs and seeing seven All Star games. Munson had a .305 career batting average and hit 432 HRs.
Ryan Carr, was a five time All Star who also won two World Series Rings in his playing days. He had a career .304 batting average and hit 420 HRs.
Keith Bagwell nearly got to the 250 Win Club, falling just three games short in his 247 Win career. He ended with a 3.60 ERA in 3037.2 IP. He was a six time All Star and winner of one Cy Young.
Walter Miller was another different player cut from the same mold as Peron, but with a much less decorated career. He failed to win an MVP (although he came close one year) and only managed three All Star games. He is one of the few members of the 40/40 club.
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