The famously well-guarded gates of the
NASBL Hall of Fame opened briefly today to a man bearing an unmatched
5 NASBL Cy Young awards and an undeniable “Admit One” ticket.
6’10” power pitcher Randy “Big
Unit” Johnson punched his HOF ticket in no small part due to his
ability to consistently punch out NASBL hitters. On his way to
accumulating a league record 3156 strikeouts (800 more than 2nd
place K-artist / fellow HOF’er Pedro Martinez,) Unit posted each of
the 5 highest single-season strikeout totals ever recorded.
Johnson also retired as the winningest
pitcher in NASBL history, both for his career (189 Ws, and for a
single season (27 in 2003.)
Completing his similarities to MLB’s
Walter “Big Train” Johnson, Big Unit wasn’t just the most
dominant and winningest pitcher of his era, he was also the most
durable. Randy Johnson retired as the all-time leader in innings
pitched (2783,) complete games (162) and shutouts (20.)
Others Receiving Votes:
-Jeff Bagwell, 68.75%. The 2000 MVP
gained from his 2012 total of 62.50%, but the career-long Texas
Thunderbird still fell one vote short of induction.
-Sammy Sosa, 50%. Fighting Sioux
slugger peaked in HRs with 73 in 2002, and may have peaked in HOF
vote% with 62.50% in 2012.
-Greg Maddux, 50%. The 2-time Cy Young
award winner for the Georgia Roadkill debuted strong in his first
year of eligibility.
-Roberto Alomar, 31.25%. On the ballot
for 4 years, the slick-fielding Robby hasn’t yet come within
spitting distance of induction. His support dropped from 37.50% in
2012.
-Carlos Delgado, 31.25%. Roadkill and
Sioux compiler (397 HR, 1090 RBI) still needs to compile a lot more
votes to attain entry to the Hall.
-Roger Clemens, 25.00%. Looking for a
new injection of votes after his 43.75% showing in 2012, the 2-time
Cy Young award winner instead saw his HOF chances burst like an
inflated balloon jabbed with a needle.
- John Smoltz, 18.75%. The 2-time Cy
Young / 1-time Fireman of the Year winner with Pocono was perhaps
harmed by his own versatility?
-Jeff Kent, 18.75%. 2003 MVP with the
Canyon Country Cannons swung a heavy bat, and an even heavier glove.
-Larry Walker, 18.75%. One of the
greatest players ever to sometimes play the game, the man who once
hit .383 over a (sort of) full season saw his vote count triple from
2012’s 6.25%.
-Edgar Martinez, 18.75%. Hampered by
his relatively short career and less than sterling defensive
reputation, Edgar extends his modest hit streak with NASBL HOF
voters.
-Frank Thomas, 12.50%. The Big Hurt
saw his vote total double from 2012, but still has a Big Climb ahead
of him.
Players receiving 1 vote (6.25%)
included: Mike Mussina (2002 Cy Young), Moises Alou (.302 career BA,
209 HR), Nomar Garciaparra (1998 ROY, .297 career BA), Bret Boone
(186HR), Rafael Palmeiro (2000 MVP), Mark McGwire (70HR / 164 RBI in
1999, .647 career SLG), Cliff Floyd (213HR), Brian Giles (.391 OBA /
.511 SLG), and Ray Durham (209 SB, scored 100 runs 3 times).
Lofton Drops Off the Ballot
Perhaps overshadowed by the arrival of
the PED power crowd, OJW speedster Kenny Lofton (.306 career BA, 250
SB, 100 runs scored 3 times) dropped from 18.75% in 2012 down to zero
votes, and will not appear on future ballots.
