Major Baseball Hall of Fame voting flaws only intensify debate of who is deserving

news alex rodriguez andruw jones baseball hall of fame billy wagner gary sheffield jose bautista manny ramirez mark buehrle Bonus Code

This is no scoop: We stink at Hall of Fame voting.

Its not just because one numbskull voter omitted Derek Jeter from his ballot, although that was especially dumb.

The real issues are bigger than that, and they arent going away.

We the baseball writers still havent a clue how to treat steroid guys. How else to explain why David Ortiz, Sammy Sosa and Gary Sheffield, who are all probably Hall worthy based on their on-field accomplishments but credibly linked to steroids, and their wildly divergent voting results?

Ortiz is in, Sheffield is trending positively and has an outside chance to make it on his final ballot when the results are announced next month hes currently above the needed 75 percent threshold in very early voting, according to @NotMrTibbs while comparable steroid-linked players like Sosa, who had three years with 60-plus homers and 609 for his career, got only a small smattering of support?

Whats more, how to explain how even better, much more accomplished PED players like Manny Ramirez and even all-time greats also linked to steroids such as Alex Rodriguez (and Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens before that) are dead in the water while Sheffield continues to progress?

Major_Baseball_Hall_of_Fame_voting_flaws_only_intensify_debate_of_who_is_deserving 5Gary Sheffield is gaining Hall of Fame momentum. Anthony J CausiThe other issue is this: We are weak.

We are way too easily swayed by what we see from experts on social media, causing a ridiculous number of vote switches and an even more ridiculous number of many near-great players going from 10 percent in their first year on the ballot to election.

Major_Baseball_Hall_of_Fame_voting_flaws_only_intensify_debate_of_who_is_deserving 5Atlanta Braves Andruw Jones throws the ceremonial first pitch during Game One of the Division Series at Truist Park. Getty ImagesVote switches are allowed, but why would two-thirds of the electorate come to the very same conclusion without influence? Its groupthink (or groupfear as Post colleague Joel Sherman calls it) gone wild. Hot candidates like Billy Wagner go from barely enough votes to remain on the ballot (10.5 percent in his first year, 11.1 percent as recently as 2018) to almost certain coronation while more impactful players like Mark Buehrle (59 WAR) languish.

Without further ado, heres how I see this years ballot.

My yes votes

1. Adrian Beltre: With 3,166 hits, 477 home runs and impeccable defense, the one no-brainer on the ballot

2. Carlos Beltran: Postseason performance (1.021 OPS in 65 games) puts him over the top. I omitted him last year for the Astros cheating scandal and feel a little guilty about it.

3. Andruw Jones: One of the greatest defensive center fielders ever (10 straight Gold Gloves) also had 434 home runs.

4. Joe Mauer: Before the concussions, he was the best catcher in the game who happened to win three of the five batting titles ever won by catchers.

5. Chase Utley: Great defense, clutch hitting supersedes the lowish lifetime hit total (1,885) for a Hall of Famer. Sorry, Mets fans.

6. Jimmy Rollins: Great defense and real impact (Phillies all-time hit leader).

Very near misses

7. Todd Helton: Nothing against overheated Coors Field, but the bulk numbers arent quite there for a first baseman in that atmosphere.

8. Matt Holliday: We shouldnt forget that in addition to being a power hitter, he hit .299 lifetime.

9. David Wright: Was on a Hall of Fame path before the back injury curtailed a fabulous career.

10. Torii Hunter: Great defense should mean something. Very close.

Major_Baseball_Hall_of_Fame_voting_flaws_only_intensify_debate_of_who_is_deserving 5David Wright speaks to the media before hosting the Battle of the Badges charity baseball game at Citi Field. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST11. Mark Buehrle: Incredible consistency (14 straight years with 200 IP, 15 straight with double-digit wins) and major highlights (a no-hitter and a perfect game) mean hes closer than you think. Or should be.

12. Omar Vizquel: One of the best defensive shortstops ever but I cant quite get past the 82 OPS-plus.

13. Billy Wagner: Spectacular regular-season dominance but postseason failures and a little short on bulk numbers. Internet darling for gaudy strikeout rate (11.9 K/9) and WHIP (0.998), but who had greater impact on his team: Wagner or Buehrle?

Major_Baseball_Hall_of_Fame_voting_flaws_only_intensify_debate_of_who_is_deserving 5Former Mets pitcher Billy Wagner Charles Wenzelberg14. Bobby Abreu: A case can be made if you look at the numbers a certain way. It wont be made here.

Great but not great enough

15. Jose Bautista: Hell be recalled for one moment but he was truly great in Toronto.

16. Adrian Gonzalez: A force, even in early Petco.

17. Francisco Rodriguez: He burst onto the scene with the Angels lone title and put together a very nice career.

18. James Shields: That rare consistent innings-eater.

Major_Baseball_Hall_of_Fame_voting_flaws_only_intensify_debate_of_who_is_deserving 5Francisco Rodriguez (57) reacting on the field in a game against the Boston Red Sox played on June 4, 2004. Icon Sportswire via Getty Images19. Jose Reyes: Had some great years in Queens.

20. Victor Martinez: A terrific hitter who could also catch.

21. Brandon Phillips: Versatile and nice player.

Great PED cases

22. Alex Rodriguez: One of the greatest players ever but just couldnt help himself.

23. Manny Ramirez: Prodigy from Upper Manhattan really didnt have to do it.

24. Gary Sheffield: Made the Mitchell Report for his Balco involvement (including the cash he sent Victor Conte people, look at the evidence!), but somehow after starting with a 11.7 percent in Year 1, a majority of voters are now giving him a pass even better players arent getting.

25. Andy Pettitte: His postseason numbers just might have gotten him there (at least for me).

26. Bartolo Colon: Big Sexy had big moments and a very nice career. Not quite there, even without steroid brush. But still a lot of fun.

How many decks are used in poker?

In most popular poker variants, such as Texas Hold'em and Omaha, a standard deck of 52 playing cards is used. Each deck contains four suits (hearts, diamonds, clubs, and spades) and consists of 13 ranks (Ace, 2 through 10, and the face cards: Jack, Queen, and King).

What is the bonus code for WPT Global Poker 2023?

The best bonus code for WPT Global is WPT777. By entering the bonus code, players will get a welcome bonus 100% up to $1,200 on the first deposit. The minimum deposit is $20.