2012 MLB Hall of Fame Ballot: Are They Hall Worthy or Not?

2009 was Jim Rice's 15th and final shot at being voted in to the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame, and finally the Red Sox great made it in.

This is the time of year when the Baseball Writers of America cast their votes for players that they feel are deserving of being admitted into the most sacred hallways of America's past time.  It is also time for great debate among fans and writers alike who will argue over what players are worthy of getting in and who is not.

On Jan. 9, 2012, we will find out who gets in.

Rather than write a piece that focused on who I believe will be in the Hall in 2012, I've decided to take a look at all of those on the ballot this year and give their stats and my opinion at the end, are they Hall of Fame worthy, or not?

So, with that in mind, let's get cracking! 

Brad Radke, P

Brad Radke spent 12 seasons in Major League Baseball, all in the Twins organization from 1995-2006.

This will be his first time on the Hall of Fame Ballot.

During his career he went 148-139 for a .516 winning percentage.  He pitched 37 career complete games and 10 career shutouts.  His career ERA is 4.22 with a WHIP of 1.260 with a 5.40 K/9 ratio.

He was an All-Star once in his career in 1998.  He lead the league in home runs allowed in 1995 and 1996.

Is he Hall of Fame worthy?  No.

Terry Mulholland,

Terry Mulholland spent 20 seasons in Major League Baseball for 11 different teams from 1986-2006.

2012 will be the first time he has appeared on Hall of Fame ballots.

His career record is 124-142 for a .466 winning percentage.  He threw for 46 complete games and 10 shutouts.  His career ERA is 4.41 with a 1.364 WHIP and a 4.6 K/9 ratio.

Mulholland made the All-Star team once in 1993.

Is he Hall of Fame worthy?  No.

Bill Mueller, 3B & 2B

Bill Mueller played in the majors for 11 seasons and four different teams from 1996 to 2006.

2012 will be his first time on the Hall of Fame ballot.

Mueller is a career .291/.373/.425/.797 hitter with 1229 career hits.  He drove in 493 RBI and scored 663 runs during his career.  He is a career .955 fielder.

While never an All-Star, Mueller won a Silver Slugger award in 2003 as well as the batting title, posting a .326 batting average, finishing 12th in MVP voting.

Is he Hall of Fame worthy?  No.

Eric Young, 2B & LF

Eric Young played for seven teams during his 15 year Major League Baseball career from 1992-2006.

2012 is his first time on the Hall of Fame Ballot.

He is a career .283/.359/.390/.749 batter with 1731 career hits to his name.  Young has 465 career stolen bases.  He is a career .976 fielder.

Young was an All-Star in 1996.  He also won a Silver Slugger award in 1996 and lead the National League in stolen bases with 56.  In 1995 he lead the NL with 9 triples.  In 1996 he lead the NL in range factor at 2B with 5.55.

Is he Hall of Fame worthy?  No.

Brian Jordan, Outfielder

Brian Jordan played 15 seasons for four different teams from 1992-2006.

2012 will be his first time appearing on the Hall of Fame ballot.

He is a career .282/.333/.455/.788 batter with 1454 career hits and 821 career RBI.  He is a career .988 fielder.

Jordan was an All-Star once in his career in 1999 and finished in the top 20 MVP voting three times during his career.  Defensively, in 1996 he lead the league in W.A.R. with a 2.6.

Is he Hall of Fame worthy?  No.

Phil Nevin, 3B, 1B and Outfielder

Phil Nevin spent 12 seasons in MLB with seven different teams from 1995-2006.

2012 will be his first time appearing on the Hall of Fame ballot.

Nevin is a career .270/.343/.472/.814 batter with 1131 career hits and 743 career RBI to his name.  He was a career .977 fielder.

Nevin was an All-Star in 2001 after posting his finest statistical season.

Is he Hall of Fame worthy?  No.

Tony Womack, 2B, SS and Outfield

Tony Womack played 13 seasons in the big leagues for seven different ball clubs between 1993-2006.

2012 will be his first time appearing on the Hall of Fame ballot.

His career batting line looks like this: .273/.317/.356/.673  with 1353 career hits, 739 runs and 368 RBI.  He added 363 career stolen bases.  Womack is a career .973 fielder.

In 1997 he made his only All-Star appearance.  Womack lead the National League in stolen bases in 1997, 1998 and 1999.  He lead the NL in triples in 2000.  In 1998, he lead the NL in singles.

Is he Hall of Fame Worthy?  No.

Tim Salmon, RF

Tim Salmon (Mr. Angel, Kingfish) played his entire 14 season career with the Angels from 1992-2006.

2012 will be his first time appearing on the Hall of Fame ballot.

Salmon is a career .282/.385/.498/.884 batter with 1674 hits, 1016 RBI, 299 HR and 339 doubles.  He is a career .978 fielder.

Tim Salmon won the 1993 AL Rookie of the Year and 2002 ML Hutch Award.  He won a Silver Slugger award in 1995.

Is he Hall of Fame worthy?  No.

Jeromy Burnitz, RF

Jeromy Burnitz played 14 seasons in the big leagues for seven different teams between 1993-2006.

2012 will be his first time appearing on the Hall of Fame ballot.

Burnitz hosts a .253/.341/.481/.826 batting line with 1447 hits, 315 HR, 981 RBI with a career .977 fielding percentage.

He was an All-Star in 1999 and finished in the top 30 MVP voting three times in his career.

Is he Hall of Fame worthy?  No.

Javy Lopez, C

Javy Lopez played 15 seasons in the big leagues for three different ball clubs from 1992-2006.

2012 will be his first appearance on a Hall of Fame ballot.

Lopez is a career .287/.337/.491/.828 batter with 1527 hits, 260 HR, 864 RBI and is a career .992 fielder behind the plate.

Lopez is a three-time All-Star and was the 1996 NLCS MVP.  He placed 10th in the 1994 NL Rookie of the Year voting.  Lopez took home a Silver Slugger award in 2003 and finished in the top 30 MVP voting twice, once in the top five.

Is he Hall of Fame Worthy?  Borderline.  Lopez, in my opinion, was one of the finer catchers of his generation.

Vinny Castilla, 3B and SS

Vinny Castilla played 16 seasons in the big leagues with six different ball clubs from 1991-2006.

2012 is his first time on the Hall of Fame ballot.

Castilla is a career .276/.321/.476/.797 batter with 1884 hits, 320 HR, 1105 RBI and 349 doubles.  He is a career .967 fielder.

Castilla is a two-time All-Star and a three-time Silver Slugger award winner.  He lead the league in RBI in 2004 with 131.  He also lead the league defensively with putouts at 3B in 2002 and 2004.

Is he Hall of Fame worthy?  No.

Bernie Williams, CF

Bernie Williams spent his entire 16-year career with the New York Yankees from 1991-2006.

2012 is his first time on the Hall of Fame ballot.

Williams is a career .297/.381/.477/.858 batter with 2336 hits, 449 doubles, 1257 RBI and 287 HR.  He is a career .990 fielder.

Bernie Williams is a five-time All-Star and was the 1996 ALCS MVP.  He has finished in the top 20 MVP voting six times in his career.  Williams has four Gold Gloves and one Silver Slugger to his credit.  In 1998 he lead the American League in BA with .339.  

Is he Hall of Fame worthy?  Borderline.  His numbers are very nice, and I would be okay with him being in the Hall one day, but I wouldn't be devastated if he was not voted in.

Rafael Palmeiro, 1B and LF

Rafael Palmeiro played for three teams during his 20-year career from 1986-2005.

This will be his second year on the Hall of Fame ballot.  He earned 11.0% of the vote in 2011.

Palmeiro is career .288/.371/.515/.885 batter with 3020 hits, 585 doubles, 569 HR, 1835 RBI and is a career .994 fielder.

He is a four-time All-Star.  Palmeiro was the 1999 ML Major League Player of the Year.  He has 10 top 20 finishes for MVP.  He is a three-time Gold Glove winner with a pair of Silver Slugger awards as well.  He lead the league in both hits and singles in 1990, run scored in 1993, doubles in 1991, putouts in 1993, 1996 and 1998 to name a few.

Is he Hall of Fame worthy?  Yes, statistically.  I'm not opening up the steroid flood gates right now.

Dale Murphy, Outfield, 1B and C

Dale Murphy played for three clubs over his 18 seasons in the Majors from 1976-1993.

2012 will be his 14th ballot appearance for the Hall of Fame.  He obtained 12.6% of the vote in 2011.

Murphy is a career .265/.346/.469/.815 batter with 2111 hits, 350 doubles, 398 home runs, 1266 RBI and is a career .982 fielder.

Murphy won the 1982 NL MVP, 1983 NL MVP, 1985 ML Lou Gehrig Memorial Award, 1988 ML Roberto Clemente Award and was a seven-time All-Star.  He racked up five Gold Gloves and four Silver Slugger Awards.  He lead the NL in SLG in 1983 and 1984 and OBP in 1983.  He lead the NL in runs during the 1985 season and total bases in 1984.  He lead the league in home runs in 1984 and 1985 while leading the NL in RBI in 1982 and 1983.

Is he Hall of Fame worthy?  Yes, absolutely.

Don Mattingly, 1B and Outfield

Don Mattingly, Donnie Baseball, spent his entire 14-year career with the New York Yankees from 1982-1995.

2012 will be his 12th appearance on the Hall of Fame ballot.  He received 13.6% of the vote in 2011.

Mattingly is a career .307/.358/.471/.830 batter with 2153 hits, 442 doubles, 222 home runs, 1099 RBI and 1007 runs scored.  He is a career .996 fielder.

Don Mattingly won the 1985 ML Major League Player of the Year, 1985 AL MVP and 1993 ML Lou Gehrig Memorial Award.  He is a six-time All-Star.  Other than his MVP in 1985, he finished in the top 20 voting six more times as well.  He owns nine Gold Gloves and three Silver Sluggers.  He won the 1984 batting title, lead the league in slugging and OPS in 1986.  In 1985 he lead the league in RBI and in 1984, 1985, 1986 he lead the league in doubles.  He lead the league in fielding percentage four times as well.

Is he Hall of Fame worthy?  Yes, and its a shame that he has not been voted in as of yet.

Fred McGriff, 1B

Fred McGriff, the Crime Dog, spent his 19-year career with six clubs from 1986-2004.

2012 will be his third time on the Hall of Fame ballot, earning 17.9% of the vote in 2011.

McGriff is a career .284/.377/.509/.886 batter with 2490 hits, 441 doubles, 493 home runs, 1550 RBI and posted a .992 career fielding percentage.

He was the 1994 ML AS MVP and appeared in five total All-Star games.  He finished in the top 20 MVP voting eight times, six of which in the top 10.  McGriff has three silver slugger awards.  He lead the league in OPS in 1989, home runs in 1989 and 1992 and putouts in 1994.

Is he Hall of Fame worthy?  Borderline.

Mark McGwire, 1B

Mark McGwire, Big Mac, spent his 16 seasons in MLB with two different clubs from 1986-2001.

2012 will be his sixth appearance on a Hall of Fame ballot.  He earned 19.8% of the vote in 2011.

Big Mac is a career .263/.394/.588/982 batter with 1626 hits, 583 home runs, 1414 RBI and 1317 walks.  He is a career .993 fielder as well.

McGwire won the 1987 AL Rookie of the Year and 1999 ML Lou Gehrig Memorial Award.  He is a 12-time All-Star with one Gold Glove and three Silver Slugger Awards to his credit.  He finished in the top 30 MVP voting 10 times, of which nine were in the top twenty, five were in the top ten.  He lead the league in OBP in 1996 and 1998.  He lead the league in slugging four times, OPS twice, base on balls twice, intentional walks once, to name a few stats.

Is he Hall of Fame worthy?  YES.

Read my full argument on it here: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/965546-has-the-time-to-let-mark-mcgwire-in-the-hall-of-fame

Larry Walker, 1B and RF

Larry Walker played for three clubs during his 17 year career from 1989 through 2005.

2012 will be his second time appearing on a Hall of Fame ballot.  In 2011 he received 20.3% of the vote.

During his career he was a .313/.400/.565/.965 batter with 2160 hits, 471 doubles, 383 home runs, 1311 RBI and 230 stolen bases.  He is a career .987 fielder.

Walker is a five-time All-Star and was the 1997 NL MVP.  He placed in the top 30 voting in the MVP race seven times in his career.  Walker has amassed seven Gold Gloves and three Silver Slugger awards.  He lead the league in batting average three times, OBP twice, slugging twice, OPS twice, doubles in 1994 and fielding percentage in 1997.

Is he Hall of Fame worthy?  Yes.

Alan Trammell, SS

Alan Trammell spent his entire 20 seasons with the Detroit Tigers from 1977-1996.

2012 will be his 11th time on the Hall of Fame ballot.  He received 24.3% of the vote in 2011.

Trammell is a career .285/.352/.415/.767 batter with 2365 hits, 412 doubles, and 1003 RBI.  He added 236 stolen bases to his resume as well.  His career fielding percentage is .977.

Alan Trammell was the 1982 World Series MVP.  He is a six time All-Star and was in the top 25 for MVP voting seven times in his career. He is the owner of four Gold Glove awards and three Silver Sluggers.

Is he Hall of Fame worthy?  I say borderline.  While his individual stats are good, I'm not sure they're good enough to be "hall" worthy.  I like Trammell a lot, but can't make an overwhelming argument for him.

Edgar Martinez, DH and 3B

Edgar Martinez spent his entire 18 seasons with the Seattle Mariners from 1987-2004.

2012 will be his third time appearing on a Hall of Fame ballot.  In 2011 he received 32.9% of the vote.

Martinez is a career .312/.418/.515/.933 batter with 2247 hits, 514 doubles and 1261 RBI.  While his time in the field was fairly limited, he was a career .952 fielder.

Edgar Martinez won the 2004 ML Roberto Clemente Award.  He is a seven time All-Star with five Silver Slugger awards to his name.  He lead the AL in batting average twice, OBP three times, OPS once, runs once, doubles twice and RBI once.

Is he Hall of Fame worthy?  Yes.  Martinez needs to pave the way for all DH's in the future.  Many consider him to be the best at the position, it is only fitting for him to be the first in the Hall.

Tim Raines, LF

Tim "Rock" Raines played for six teams over his 23 season career spanning from 1979-2002.

2012 will be his fifth time appearing on a Hall of Fame ballot.  In 2011 he received 37.5% of the vote.

Raines is a career .294/.385/.425/.810 batter with 2605 hits, 430 doubles, 113 triples, 980 RBI, 808 SB with a career .988 fielding percentage.

Rock won the 1987 ML All-Star game MVP.  He is a seven time All-Star, and finished within the top 30 seven times for the MVP award.  He has one Silver Slugger award to his name.  Raines lead the league in stolen bases four times and doubles once.

Is he Hall of Fame worthy?  I don't think so.  While his speed is impressive, overall I don't look at Raines as a dominant player.  Would I have loved to see him on my team, absolutely.  Is he one of the greatest of all time?  Nope.  

Jeff Bagwell, 1B

Jeff Bagwell spent his entire 15 season career with the Houston Astros from 1991-2005.

2012 will be his second time appearing on a Hall of Fame ballot.  In 2011 he received 41.7% of the vote.

Bagpipes posted a career .297/.408/.540/.948 batting line with 2314 hits, 488 doubles, 449  home runs and 1529 RBI.  His career fielding percentage was .993.

Bagwell was the 1991 NL Rookie of the Year, 1994 ML Major League Player of the Year and 1994 NL MVP.  He was a four time All-Star and received MVP consideration 10 times during his career.  He owns one Gold Glove and three Silver Slugger awards.  He lead the NL is slugging once, OBP once, games played four times, runs scored three times, doubles once, RBI once and walks once.

Is Jeff Bagwell Hall of Fame worthy?  I say yes.

Lee Smith, P

Lee Smith spent his 18 seasons with eight different ball clubs from 1980-1997.

2012 will be his 10th appearance on a Hall of Fame ballot.  In 2011 he received 45.3% of the vote.

Smith posted a 71-92 record (.436) and had 478 saves during his career.  He posted an ERA of 3.03 with a 1.256 WHIP with an 8.7 K/9 ratio.

Smith won the 1991 NL Rolaids Relief,1992 NL Rolaids Relief and 1994 AL Rolaids Relief,  He s a seven time All-Star and four times finished a season with MVP consideration.  He lead the league in saves four times, games finished three times and fielding percentage once.

Lee Smith was a fine closer and finished his career never having won a Cy Young award, but was in the running four times.  Does this make him a Hall of Famer?  In my book, yes.

Juan Gonzalez, Outfielder

Juan Gonzalez, Juan Gone, Igor... played 17 seasons with four different Major League Teams from 1989-2005.

2012 marks his second time appearing on a Hall of Fame ballot.  He received 5.2% of the vote in 2011, just barely enough to keep him on the roster this year.

Gonzalez is a career .295/.343/.561/.904 batter with 1936 hits, 388 doubles, 434 home runs and 1404 RBI while adding a .983 fielding percentage.

Juan Gonzalez was the 1996 and 1998 AL MVP.  He is a three-time All-Star and five more times was considered in the MVP voting on top of his two wins.  He owns six Silver Slugger awards.  He lead the league in slugging once, home runs twice and RBI once.

On his numbers alone, I think Gonzalez is a borderline Hall of Famer.  The two MVP's may put him over the line, but apparently baseball writers don't feel the same way.

Jack Morris, P

Jack Morris spent 18 seasons with four different ball clubs from 1977-1994.

2012 will be his 13th appearance on the Hall of Fame ballot.  He received 53.5% of the vote in 2011.

Morris posts a career 254-186 (.577) record with a 3.90 ERA and 1.296 WHIP with a 5.9 K/9 ratio.  He pitched 175 complete games with 28 shutouts.

Jack Morris won the 1981 AL TSN Pitcher of the Year,1984 AL Babe Ruth Award, 1991 AL Babe Ruth Award and 1991 ML WS MVP.  He is a five-time All-Star and finished in the top 21 for MVP five times.  While having never won a Cy  Young award, Morris was in contention seven times.  He lead the league in wins twice, innings pitched once, strikeouts once, games started twice, complete games once and shutouts once.

Is Jack Morris Hall of Fame Worthy?  I think so, yes.  Read my full piece on it here: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1002475-mlb-hall-of-fame-voting-2012-should-be-the-year-for-jack-morris

Barry Larkin, SS

Barry Larkin spent his entire 19 season career with the Cincinnati Reds from 1986-2004.

2012 will be his third time appearing on a Hall of Fame Ballot.  He received 62.1% of the vote in 2011.

Larkin is a career .295/.371/.444/.815 batter with 2340 hits, 13296 runs, 441 doubles, 198 triples and 960 RBI.  He is a career .975 fielder.

Barry Larkin won the 1993 ML Roberto Clemente Award, 1994 ML Lou Gehrig Memorial Award and 1995 NL MVP.  He is a 12 time All-Star with three Gold Gloves and nine Silver Slugger awards.  In addition to his MVP award, he came in the top 25 MVP voting five additional times.  

Is Barry Larkin Hall of Fame worthy?  I think he's about as good of a lock as there is this year.