2009 Baseball Hall of Fame Nominees - Part II

Here is Part II of a look at the Hall of Fame nominees list for 2009:

Mark Grace:

Grace's profile, much like his career, is pretty unassuming and boring, I almost fell asleep trying to find something to write about him. The most interesting thing I found was that his ex-wife married Ray Liotta after he met her at one of his games. He can't even keep his wife interested in him during his games. Never finished in the Top 10 of any MVP vote.

Chances of Election: 1.4%
Chances of remaining on the Ballot: 91%
Should he be in the Hall: No

Rickey Henderson:

I can't do this justice, so lets just let Rickey explain why he deserves to be in the Hall. "Rickey deserves to be in the Hall because Rickey is the greatest base stealer of all time and Rickey is the greatest lead off hitter of all time. Rickey can also hit home runs. Rickey also has over .400 OBP." All of this is true. But my fear is that Rickey will refuse election to the Hall since he hasn't officially retired yet.

Chances of Election: 98.9% (could be some jack-ass writers who didn't like him personally)
Chances of remaining on the Ballot: 100%
Should be in the Hall: Absolutely

Tommy John:

Now if this was the American Medical Association's Hall of Fame, he would be a shoo in. The Tommy John surgery is one of the most famous every. How he played baseball at such a high level and was a top notch surgeon at the same time, i have no idea. Either way, the highest percentage of votes he has received was last year with 29.1%.

Chances of Election: 3.5%
Chances of staying on the Ballot: 0% (He is in his last year of eligibility to be voted in by the writers)
Should be in the Hall: Maybe (Having two careers like that is similar to Bo Jackson or Deion Sanders, except with a degree)

Don Mattingly:

"Donnie Baseball" was a feared hitter in the 80's, not necessarily for HR's but for getting big hits late in the game. His detractors say his numbers don't add up to other 1st baseman in the Hall, and they would be correct. His supporters say his numbers are comparable to Kirby Puckett's, which is true, but he played a different position. He also set a bunch of records in 1987 that are so discreet that no one will ever remember them unless you are a Yankee fan who became homeless in the winter of 1988 and repeat them on the step of the library for everyone to hear. In the end can you keep out someone who has this roaming around his lips, that would create a sweet HOF bust. In his 9th year of eligibility he hasn't received more than 28% of the vote.

Chances of Election: 3.7%
Chances of staying on the Ballot: 96%
Should he be in the Hall: No

Mark McGwire:

Probably the most controversial player on the ballot for his alleged use of steroids. I will let you decide: Here he is during his playing days. And here he is after he retired.

Chances of Election: 0.004%
Chances of staying on the Ballot: 79%
Should he be in the Hall: Stats (Yes), Ethics (No). I am going to go with No.

Jack Morris:

Now i might be a little bit of a homer on this selection since he had the greatest pitching performance in a game 7 of the World Series when he pitched a 10 inning complete game in game 7 of the '91 World Series for the Twins and was born in St Paul. But his 3.90 career ERA concerns me, Since that is only a few points less than the Twins Allan Anderson's career ERA (who happens to be the worst pitcher to ever win the ERA title). I am torn.

Chances of Election: 13% (his totals have been going up lately, but still not close)
Chances of staying on the Ballot: 96%
Should be in the Hall: Yes (Homer pick maybe, but he did have the most wins in the 1980's of any pitcher)

Part III coming soon as i believe the results are announced on the 12th...