Atlanta Braves Chipper Jones and Greg Maddux to vote on Hall of Fame

A shot in the dark

Rafael Palmeiro is an odd case. Statistically, he belongs, but he wagged his finger at Congress, and it later came out that he used PEDS. The problem with that report is the source, and I never bought into it.

The stats didn’t show a surge in numbers, and Palmeiro wasn’t a dummy. I didn’t believe he was stupid enough to go before Congress and lie as others clearly did.

Then I found a post by John Perrotto on Baseball Prospectus (not behind a paywall now) that said I wasn’t the only one who believed Raffy.

"An extremely reliable source—with no ties to Palmeiro—told me an off-the-record story at the Winter Meetings that convinced me that Palmeiro was indeed a clean player and was tricked into using the steroid when he thought he was taking a shot of vitamin B-12 that led to his suspension and end of his career in 2005. Unfortunately, there would be too many legal ramifications to make the story public."

The last sentence holds true today unless the individual who spoke with Perrotto comes forward, Palmeiro won’t enter the Hall.

That’s a wrap

The 75% rule still applies; each member may vote for up to three candidates but isn’t required to vote for any of them. Unlike the voting by the BBWAA, the committee sits in a room and discusses each player.

I know Chipper and Maddux will push McGriff hard and expect Theo to make a case for Schilling. I don’t know where Susan Slusser stands on Bonds, but I don’t want to believe either PED cheats makes it.

When the smoke clears, I expect McGriff and Schilling to sit on the stage in Cooperstown next year. If they kick open the door for Big PED and “my- wife-used-them-not-me PED,” they might as well put all of them in.