The Potential MLB Hall of Fame Class of 2013: Star Studded?

Today Curt Schilling announced that he may very well have thrown his last pitch in the majors, which got me thinking about his potential Hall of Fame bid in 2013 when he first becomes eligible. Besides Schilling, a few other “greats” will become eligible in 2013 as well. The question is though: will these men make it to Cooperstown or will the steroid era claim even more victims? Let’s first take a look at the all important statistics.

-Mike Piazza (Catcher- LAD, FLA, NYM, SD, OAK): .308 BA, 2,127 Hits, 1,335 RBI, 427 HR, 1,113 SO, 1993 Rookie of the Year in 16 seasons.

-Roger Clemens (Pitcher- BOS, TOR, NYY, HOU): 354 wins, 4916.7 IP, 3.12 ERA, 4,672 K, 7 Cy Young Awards, 1 AL MVP in 24 seasons.

-Barry Bonds (Outfield- PITT, SF): .298 BA, 2,935 Hits, 1,996 RBI, 762 HR, 1,539 SO, 7 NL MVP Awards in 22 seasons.

-Sammy Sosa (Outfield- TEX, CHWS, CHC, BAL): .273 BA, 2,408 Hits, 1,667 RBI, 609 HR, 2,306 SO, 1 NL MVP in 18 seasons.

-Curt Schilling (Pitcher- BOS, AZ, PHIL, BAL, HOU): 216 wins, 3216 IP, 3.46 ERA, 3,116 K in 20 regular seasons; In 5 trips to the post seasons: 11-2, 2.23 ERA, 133.1 IP, 120 K, 1993 NLCS MVP, 2001 World Series MVP.

The first great question of this group is whether Curt Schilling is Hall of Fame material. Compared to many great starting pitchers already in the hall, Schilling’s regular season numbers do not exactly stack up. His numbers do not even stack up to some pitchers who have yet to make it to the hall. For example, Tommy John won 288 games in 26 seasons, but has yet to receive the nod to the hall. I included his post-season numbers, as they are the strongest part of his resume. The 11 wins to 2 losses is the highest winning percentage of any pitcher in history. However, the chances are that Schilling will not be a 1st ballot hall of famer, but rather, more like a 14th or 15th ballot hall of famer.

The two no brainers in this group (barring any “revealing information”) are Sammy Sosa and Mike Piazza. Sosa’s 609 home runs and 3 seasons of 60+ home runs are extraordinary and consistent. Granted, he has the second most strikeouts of all time, but Reggie Jackson made it in with less homeruns. In addition, he has yet to be linked to any steroid use. Piazza’s 427 homeruns are the most of any catcher in history. Combine that with a solid .308 career batting average, the hall might as well get out the red carpet now. On the downside, he was not exactly the best defensive catcher of all time, but I do not see that as a problem.

This of course all leads me to the two very questionable individuals on the above-mentioned list: Bonds and Clemens. Obviously, their numbers are mind blowing to say the least. If it wasn’t for the steroid controversy surrounding them, I would venture to call them the greatest hitter and pitcher of this generation, respectively. Their potential entrance to the hall will all boil down to what we find out about their steroid use in the coming years. If it is proven that either one or both used steroids, I highly doubt that they will inducted into the hall, especially if either one is in jail (perjury) or has been convicted by that time. If I were a know-it-all baseball writer who is able to vote on the matter and knew what I know now, it would be a definite thumbs down, especially if Mark McGwire does not get in by then.