Baseball’s shameful steroid era allowed for blown-up numbers of home runs hit by blown-up (physically) players. Now that they are retired and eligible for the Hall of Fame, the shame continues.

Many of the baseball writers who vote on the Hall candidates have said they will never consider some of the game’s most prominent, but tainted, players. Hence the lack of support for Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa and Roger Clemens.

The Baseball Writers Association of American elected no players in 2013 and this year enshrined two top pitchers, Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine. Expect the same in 2015.

The ballot list released on Monday again features some outstanding pitchers. You can forget most of the holdovers, especially Bonds, McGwire et. al.

Randy Johnson should be the lock of the class. The Big Unit won 303 games and collected five Cy Young Awards. His 4,785 strikeouts are second all-time to Nolan Ryan’s.

Pedro Martinez will be right behind him. Twice the Cy Young Award winner, Martinez led the major leagues in earned run average five times while winning 219 games.

John Smoltz could garner support as well. He’s the only pitcher with 200 wins and 150 saves, his pitching career arcing gracefully from starter to reliever.

Some others on the ballot: Jeff Kent, Don Mattingly, Mike Mussina, Mike Piazza, Tim Raines, Lee Smith.

Today’s Question

Place your bets. Who will be elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame?

Answers in the comment box, please.
 
 
Post By: Larry Weisman, a longtime sportswriter for USA TODAY, blogs for Twistity.com. Follow him on Twitter @MrLarryWeisman .