Phillies: Thome among 10 named to personal Hall of Fame ballot

How many Phillies could be enshrined into the Baseball Hall of Fame this year?

Voting for the Baseball Hall of Fame is now open with several intriguing players available for the Baseball Writers of America to select from. I’ve compiled my own ballot and an explanation as to why I believe that player should be inducted.

First off, I will not support Barry Bonds or Roger Clemens when it comes to the Hall of Fame. If using performance-enhancing drugs is not an issue then both should be public about their usage.

Second, the Hall of Fame needs to look into expanding their voting procedures to allow more than 10 players per ballot. It may be a bit too far to have a yes/no box next to each name, but perhaps expanding the list to 15 players per writer’s ballot could help the chances of some of the great players missing their shot.

Philadelphia Phillies /

Philadelphia Phillies

In no particular order, here are the 10 players I would devote a Hall of Fame vote toward.

Chipper Jones
Jim Thome
Trevor Hoffman
Vlad Guerrero
Larry Walker
Curt Schilling
Billy Wagner
Fred McGriff
Johan Santana
Edgar Martinez

Now, here are four names that just missed the list for me, once again, in no particular order.

Omar Vizquel
Mike Mussina
Scott Rolen
Andruw Jones

I fully believe Vizquel and Mussina will someday get into the Hall of Fame, and Rolen’s chances are better than not.

Among the first ballot Hall of Famers Thome and Jones are as close to a lock as voters will find. Their home run numbers are impressive, while Jones was a more pure hitter with a .303 career batting average.

SAN DIEGO – AUGUST 5: Closer Trevor Hoffman /

Then the leftovers from the 2017 ballot are going to be as close to shoo-ins as Jones and Thome. Hoffman is one of the greatest relief pitchers of all-time and fell one percent short of induction last year. Guerrero was less than four percent short of induction last year with 449 home runs and a .318 career batting average.

The knock on Edgar Martinez will be that he primarily played as a designated hitter and only has 309 home runs. His 514 doubles, a .312 batting average, and two batting titles can’t be ignored, and while I don’t see him being selected this year, the 2019 ballot will pave way for him on his final chance at induction.

PHILADELPHIA – AUGUST 2: Former Philadelphia Phillie Curt Schilling is congratulated by the Phillie Phanatic after his induction into the Phillies ‘Wall of Fame’ before a game against the Atlanta Braves at Citizens Bank Park on August 2, 2013 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Braves won 6-4. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images) /

If the world could look at candidates solely for their performances on the field, Curt Schilling would already be in the Hall of Fame. His outspoken political views have soured his candidacy for many, but voters have to look past that. Schilling has over 3,000 strikeouts in his career, pitched in six all-star games, and won three World Series rings. He has more wins and strikeouts than Sandy Kofax and had Mitch Williams not blown the 1993 World Series Schilling’s career with four rings would be even more impressive.

Wagner will have a steep trek towards the Hall of Fame, but I can not ignore 422 saves, nearly 1,200 strikeouts, and a career ERA of 2.31 over 16 seasons.