5 Dumbest Baseball Hall of Fame Justifications Ever

This year’s Hall of Fame voting resulted in former Cincinnati Reds’ shortstop Barry Larkin receiving the necessary amount of votes to receive induction into the Hall of Fame.  But this year’s voting may also be the last voting that takes place without a number of interesting cases on the ballot for a few years.

Beginning with the 2013 ballot, a significant number of star players who have either tested positive for or were rumored to have taken performance-enhancing drugs will be eligible for Hall of Fame induction. 

But declining to vote for a player because of their use of performance-enhancing drugs is only one justification for not voting for a player.

And while this justification may make sense to a number of voters, other justifications for either voting for a player or declining to vote for a player may not be as crystal clear.

Not Voting for a Player Because of Their Appearance

Jeff Bagwell finished his career with 449 home runs, 1,529 RBI, and 488 doubles.

Among current Hall of Famers, Bagwell would rank in the top 25 in home runs, top 35 in RBI, and top 40 in doubles.

He also was a four-time All-Star, Rookie of the Year, Gold Glove winner and MVP.

However, following this year’s voting, Bagwell received 56 percent of the vote, less than the 75 percent required for induction.  It seems as if the main reason voters have chosen not to vote for Bagwell is simply because of his muscular build, similar to players who have tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs.

If voters decide that Bagwell’s career statistics are not Hall of Fame-worthy, that’s one thing.  But not voting for a player because of his physique is another.

Hitting Less Than 500 Home Runs

Out of the 237 players in the Hall of Fame, only 15 have hit at least 500 home runs.

Out of 24 players who collected at least 3,000 hits, only three also hit over 500 home runs.

Out of the players in the Hall of Fame in the top 25 in batting average, only two hit over 500 home runs.

500 career home runs may help a player’s candidacy and solidify their Hall of Fame case, but it may not be fair to keep a player out of the Hall of Fame simply because he fell short of the mystical mark.

Players Receive More Votes the Longer They're Retired

Jack Morris won 254 games during his career, was a five-time All-Star and finished in the top 10 in the American League in strikeouts eight times.  He also received just 22.2 percent of voting on his first year on the Hall of Fame ballot.

However, this year, his 13th year on the ballot, Morris received 66.7 percent of voting, narrowly missing the 75 percent needed for induction.

Morris may soon be inducted into the Hall of Fame, but what is not as clear is how he received more votes 18 years after he retired as opposed to six years after he retired.  Morris saw his voting percentage increase each year from 2001-2006 and again from 2008 through this year’s vote, despite the fact that he hasn’t pitched since 1994.

Morris may become a member of the Hall of Fame, but what makes him a Hall of Famer in his 14th or 15th year on the ballot instead of on his first or second remains a mystery.

Starting Pitchers Who Don't Have 300 Career Wins

Currently, 20 pitchers in the Hall of Fame have at least 300 career wins.  Currently, only one active starting pitcher has at least 200 career wins.

As seeing starting pitchers throw complete games have become rare occurrences, the chances of active starting pitchers reaching 300 career wins may also have taken a hit.

Tim Lincecum had a 2.74 ERA and 220 strikeouts last season for the San Francisco Giants, and finished with a 13-14 record.  However, Lincecum also received one run or fewer 16 times, and no runs ten times last season.  He was also one of 31 pitchers who won at least 13 games but threw three or fewer complete games.

In addition, several excellent starting pitchers who will soon be on the Hall of Fame ballot—including Curt Schilling, Mike Mussina, and Pedro Martinez—all have less than 300 career wins.

Between little run support and the increased usage of bullpens, a number of today’s starting pitchers may not reach 300 career wins, but that shouldn’t prevent them from one day being inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Not Allowing a Player on the Ballot Because of Their Actions as a Manager

A number of players who have either admitted to using, or are rumored to have used performance-enhancing drugs, are set to appear on the Hall of Fame ballot in 2013.  However, one player may still not appear on the ballot.

Pete Rose has been banned from baseball for over 20 years after betting on baseball while manager of the Cincinnati Reds.

However, as a player, Rose batted .303 for his career and holds the major league record with 4,256 career hits.  He was also a 17-time All-Star and former World Series and league MVP.

Due to his lifetime ban, Rose cannot appear on the Hall of Fame ballot.  Players who have admitted to using (or who are rumored to have used) banned performance-enhancing drugs can appear on the ballot, but Rose, whose actions as a manager led to his lifetime ban, cannot appear as a player.

Hall of Fame voters could still choose not vote for Rose if he was on the ballot, but as performance-enhancing drug users are allowed to be on it, Rose’s name should at least appear on the ballot, as well.