The 2016 Hall of Fame ballot was released Monday by the Baseball Writers Association of America. On it is Griffey, a couple of lights-out closers and a couple sluggers who had a few nice seasons. Here are the notable newbies, starting with Griffey:

• Ken Griffey, Jr.
• Jim Edmonds
• Trevor Hoffman
• Billy Wagner
• Garret Anderson
• Troy Glaus
• Mike Sweeney
• David Eckstein
• Mike Hampton

Other new players, most of whom are looking at a one-and-done on the ballot if they don't get five percent of the vote: Brad Ausmus, Luis Castillo, Mark Grudzielanek, Jason Kendall, Mike Lowell and Randy Winn. Of all these, Griffey is the only sure thing. Edmonds is an interesting case, but it's hard to imagine a world in which he's voted in while Tim Raines isn't. Hoffman and Wagner will get some votes, but relief pitchers have traditionally been a harder sell to voters. Just ask Lee Smith.

Speaking of Smith, he'll be on the ballot for the 14th year. He's one of the many holdovers who are hoping to reach the all-important 75-percent-of-the-vote threshold. Here they are, in order of last year's vote results:


• Mike Piazza (69.9%)
• Jeff Bagwell (55.7%)
• Tim Raines (55%)
• Curt Schilling (39.2%)
• Roger Clemens (37.5%)
• Barry Bonds (36.8%)
• Lee Smith (30.2%)
• Edgar Martinez (27%)
• Alan Trammell (25.1%)
• Mike Mussina (24.6%)
• Jeff Kent (14%)
• Fred McGriff (12.9%)
• Larry Walker (11.8%)
• Gary Sheffield (11.75%)
• Mark McGwire (10.0%)
• Sammy Sosa (6.6%)
• Nomar Garciaparra (5.5%)

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Flew too close to the sun on wings of pastrami

Just Junior is my guess.

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Proud member of the white guy grievance committee

It aint the six minutes. Its what happens in those six minutes.

Jr. and Piazza will get in I believe.

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2018
#ExtendLafleur
10 More Wins

Hoffman has 601 saves but not a 1st ballot guy.

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Flew too close to the sun on wings of pastrami

My thought as well.

Maybe Tim Raines sneaks in too but by no means a sure thing.

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He's need a 20% jump for the final push. Don't see that happening

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Proud member of the white guy grievance committee

It aint the six minutes. Its what happens in those six minutes.

Why is a guy like Mark Grudzielanek even on there? Just wasting everybody's time for no reason?

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Fare you well, fare you well
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Yeah I don't get it but surprisingly he has a career .289 average and over 2000 career hits. Better than I expected.

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Flew too close to the sun on wings of pastrami

Well if you look at his baseball reference comparables...zzzzzzz

Unless you are willing to admit that you actually believe that Mark Grudzilanek did not play baseball, you should probably shut the fuck up about Mark Grudzielanek being on the HOF ballot, think about the situation a bit more critically, and help determine which baseball factors are causing Mark Grudzielanek to be on the HOF ballot. So much ignorance when it comes to this topic it's unfucking real.

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Fare you well, fare you well
I love you more than words can tell
Listen to the river sing sweet songs
To rock my soul

Wagner was better than Hoffman but neither will get in this year.

Only Griff and Piazza.

That was well done.

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Elections have consequences.

I'm continually amazed at how Piazza (& his Muscle Beach "ties") continue to get shown so much love, but Bagwell continually gets the red headed druggy stepchild treatment.

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There are only two examples of infinity: The universe and human stupidity and I'm not sure about the universe.

I'd keep them both out.

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Anybody here seen my old friend Bobby?
Can you tell me where he's gone?
I thought I saw him walkin' up to The Hill
With Elon, Tulsi, and Don

Griffey and Piazza.

Really wish Bonds was in there because his pre-roid career was on a path to the HOF.

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Sherman remarked, "Well, Grant, we've had the devil's own day, haven't we?" Grant looked up. "Yes," he replied, followed by a puff. "Yes. Lick 'em tomorrow, though."

Until the hysteria and hardliners/enablers in the media die out, so would I.

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There are only two examples of infinity: The universe and human stupidity and I'm not sure about the universe.

Griffey and some old guy we never heard of from the veterans committee.

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Edgar Martinez is an interesting case. He had some incredible OBP/OPS years. 21st all-time with a career .418 OBP. 33rd all-time in OPS. Then he had a career year in 2000 at age 37. 37 HR/145 RBI.

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Soccer 1,2,3
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"Smiles with Nostrils"

"...no Hmong, go find some blacks"

Outside of Junior, a whole bunch of nope in there.

I'm not sure Edmonds deserves to get in before Larry Walker, much less Tim Raines.

Of that whole group, the only four I think deserve HOF are Griffey, Piazza, Raines, and Edgar Martinez. I think Piazza gets in this year, because upcoming classes are pretty stacked and folks are going to coalesce behind a couple of guys to get them in before it is too late.

Does Griffey break the 98% mark?

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"When people want their version of the truth, they go find it, no matter how baseless their beliefs." -- Ken Rosenthal

With the years in Cincinnati where Ken Griffey Jr. was more of an abstract concept than a living breathing ballplayer, I'm not sure he breaks 95%. He was a no-doubt Hall of Famer on the Seattle years alone, of course.

Griffey is the only one I feel certain about. Edmonds and Anderson are HOVG to the max, Hoffman was a compiler, Mike Hampton, Troy Glaus, David Eckstein, Mike Sweeney, getdafookahttaheeeuh.

I don't see why Alan Trammell isn't in.

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Theres is no fucking way Jim Edmonds should even be considered for the HoF.

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Proud member of the white guy grievance committee

It aint the six minutes. Its what happens in those six minutes.

I think JR., Piazza, and Raines should get in...but it is up to ornery writers......

Griff and nobody else is worthy.

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If I had a vote it would be Griff, Raines, Bonds.

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Griffey is in for sure.


Hoffman I think gets in eventually

why isn't vlad on until 2017? his last season was 2011, unless they're counting that up-to-AAA comeback attempt in 2012 in the blue jays system against him. i checked and he aint showing up til 2017, so there's at least one year b4 i get to go all hawk and bust out a "YES!!!! HELL YES!!!!!!" like i have any say in the matter.

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Clock starts once papers are filed.

I think Bonds and Clemens will start creeping up. Not saying they make it this year, but maybe down the road.

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