Disgraced Rog closer to Hall
Bill Ballou likely received coal in his stocking three days after penning a bogus 1,500-word manifesto taking aim at Mariano Rivera's quest to become the first unanimous Baseball Hall of Famer.
Take a deep breath, though, Yankees fans.
The Red Sox scribe also said he was abstaining, keeping the legendary closer's chase for history alive.
“I think I'm right about closers, but not so much that I would deny Rivera a chance to be the first unanimous Hall of Famer,” Ballou wrote. “Thus, I'm not voting this year. A submitted blank ballot is 'no' vote for every candidate, so I'm doing a Switzerland and not sending one at all."
So let's get to the ballots that matter.
Rivera has received a check next to his name on all 93 ballots made public by voters so far, this according to Hall of Fame tracker Ryan Thibodaux's tally, last updated on Dec. 25. There are an estimated 412 ballots out there — 35 candidates are vying for a spot in the Hall this time around, and at least 75% of the vote is needed to get in.
Voters have until Dec. 31 to cast their ballots and the class will be announced on Jan. 22.
Quick caveat: Less than 25% of ballots have been seen by the public, so A LOT can change from here on out. But in the meantime… The poster boys of MLB's steroid era, the disgraced Roger Clemens and Barry Bonds, have collected 74.2% and 73.1% of votes, respectively, up to this point.
But both are far from a lock due to the gigantic asterisk accompanying their names.
The two are making their seventh appearance on the ballot — candidates can appear on a ballot for up to 10 years, so long as they receive five percent of the vote each time.
The late Roy Halladay, also in his first year of eligibility, has received 93.5% of votes cast so far and is a solid bet to join Rivera. Edgar Martinez, in his final year of eligibility, is at the 91.4% threshold.
Another former Yankee, Mike Mussina, has collected 83.9% of the vote in his sixth appearance, while Andy Pettitte (9.7%) isn't doing so hot on his first try.
Again, just remember, a lot will change between now and the Cooperstown induction.