Chicks might did the long ball, but the BBWAA threw a shutout against the 37-player ballot of the 2013 MLB Hall of Fame induction class.
This is clearly an aberration due to the taint of the Steroid Era. However, the 2014 HOF class appears to be stacked with all-time great pitchers. Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, and Mike Mussina lead the way with holdover candidates in Jack Morris (final year of eligibility), post-season stalwart Curt Schilling, and the embattled 7-time Cy Young Award winner, Roger Clemens.
If I had a vote in 2014: Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine
Greg Maddux is arguably the most complete pitcher in MLB history. The 4-time Cy Young Award winner compiled a 355-227 record, 3.16 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 5008.33 IP, 3371 SO, 999 BB. Not to mention, 18 Rawlings Gold Glove Awards, 4 ERA titles, including the 1994-95 seasons when he combined for a 35-8 record and 1.60 ERA over 411.67 IP.
The accolades are astounding and the baseball acumen was off the charts. Maddux is the true definition of a pitcher and should receive 100% of the ballot (will never happen).
Tom Glavine is one of the best left-handed pitchers in baseball history. The southpaw compiled a 305-203 record, 3.54 ERA, 1.31 WHIP. Glavine captured 2-Cy Young Awards and delivered one of the best pitching performances in World Series history in Game 6 of the 1995 Fall Classic. The changeup specialist amassed 4413.33 IP and started 682 games over his 22-year career. The peripheral statistics are not overwhelming (3.1 BB/9, 5.3 K/9) but it is hard to overlook his sustained success.
It would be very appropriate if Maddux and Glavine are enshrined in Cooperstown next summer and reenact one of the greatest baseball commercials ever. I guess they will get the last laugh, Big Mac.
