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Another mock Hall of Fame ballot: Do any former Atlanta Braves make it?

By James Kunkle

22 Oct 1996: Andruw Jones of the Atlanta Braves catches a ball during Game Three of the World Series against the New York Yankees at Fulton County Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. The Yankees won the game, 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Dunn /Allsport
22 Oct 1996: Andruw Jones of the Atlanta Braves catches a ball during Game Three of the World Series against the New York Yankees at Fulton County Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. The Yankees won the game, 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Dunn /Allsport /
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DENVER, CO – SEPTEMBER 25: Todd Helton #17 (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – SEPTEMBER 25: Todd Helton #17 (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) /

The Steroid users

The following players are the ones that I gave a good amount of consideration too but still elected not to vote for them for various reasons.

Any player that has been proven to use a steroid of any sort and cheat the game will not get my vote.

I also do not necessarily agree that they should have their own hall in Cooperstown, either. A cheater should not be rewarded for disgracing the game, especially when Pete Rose (who should be in the Hall of Fame) is banned for life for something that was not cheating the game that has been portrayed it did.

So for those reasons, the following players will not get a vote at least in this column.

  • Barry Bonds– Despite the fact I believe he could have been one of the greatest without the stuff
  • Roger Clemens– The same could be said for Clemens
  • Manny Ramirez– The sad part is I loved watching “Manny just being Manny”
  • Gary Sheffield– I do not think I would have voted for him regardless despite him being a former Atlanta Braves hitter
  • Sammy Sosa– Despite being one of the two players who rejuvenated baseball in 1998, he will not earn my vote.

Keeping on, the following players fall just short as well

  • Todd Helton– A fantastic player for a long time, but a part of me wonders just how much he was a Coors Field product? I try to keep that argument out of it (as you will see later) but here I simply cannot
  • Jeff Kent– A good solid player, and I would not argue if he did get in. But again, I’m a tough one to please when it comes to the grand hall
  • Andy Pettitte– If there was a postseason only Hall of Fame, Andy Pettitte would no doubt be in
  • Scott Rolen– I have to admit I forgot just how good Rolen was, but it’s still a no here
  • Omar Vizquel– His defense was fantastic, but unfortunately, you also have to have good offensive numbers to be included in the hall, and Vizquel does not.
  • Billy Wagner– One of the most dominant closers of all time, and he would probably be the next player that gets my vote, but not this time. Another former Atlanta Braves player

So now there are only four players left and they will all get my vote. You probably already know, but let’s see who they are.

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