The IBWAA conducted a poll of it’s members for the Hall of Fame and elected Bert Blyleven. From the press release:
Los Angeles – The Internet Baseball Writers Association of America (IBWAA) has selected pitcher Bert Blyleven in its inaugural Hall of Fame election.
Blyleven, a 287-game winner, who pitched for five teams in a 22-year major league career, was named on 88% of IBWAA ballots, and was the only player to receive 75% of the vote, the same threshold required by the Base Ball Writers Association of America (BBWAA), in the election which determines the actual inductees.
IBWAA ballots listed the same 26 nominees as did the traditional writers’, used the same December 31, 2009 deadline for votes to be valid, with no rounding up of percentages permitted for selection (i.e., a 74.85 count would not suffice).
Blyleven’s 287-250 lifetime mark places him 27th on baseball’s all-time list, his 4970 innings pitched is the 14th highest total in the sport’s history, and his 3701 strikeouts ranks fifth all-time, behind Nolan Ryan (5714), Randy Johnson (4875), Roger Clemens (4672) and Steve Carlton (4136).
Blyleven started 685 games during his career, which puts him at 11th all-time. Of the top 15 players on the career starts list, only Blyleven, Tommy John (700 starts) and the not-yet-eligible Tom Glavine (682) are not members of the Hall of Fame. Blyleven is one of only nine men to throw 60 shutouts in a career, and of the top 20 in the category, he is the only man not in the Hall.
SBNation’s poll also saw only Blyleven get the required 75% of the vote. Maybe that’s good news for Burt come Wednesday.
If the BBWAA doesn’t induct him this year, I think it’ll embarrass them in the media… ’cause bunches of smart baseball fans are all saying they think he should be in.
Interesting that Alomar didn’t quite make it–I wonder if the spitting incident will cost him first ballot induction when the “real” vote is announced Wednesday?
Raines’ total remains disgracefully low–I’ve defended Dawson as a (borderline) HoF candidate, but Raines was far, far better.
Alomar might make it because of a week class… I never really considered him a First Ballot kinda guy though. Certainly a HOF’er, though. Can’t argue that.