The 2014 BBWAA Hall of Fame Ballots Are Out

                                                Courtesy of BBWAA.com

Here we go again! The 2014 BBWAA Hall of Fame ballot has come upon us and what shocking development will we witness from our fickle baseball writers this go around? Just a year ago our qualified members of the BBWAA made a humongous statement by not allowing a single living ballplayer into the HOF mostly because of the tainted P.E.D accusers that existed on the ballot (Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa among others). With roughly 600 voters out there you would think they put someone ALIVE who warranted the induction. Someone like Craig Biggio, who received 68.2% of the votes! Biggio's resume speaks for itself as he is a member of the 3,000 hit club and not link to any P.E.D.s. So why was he punished?

 Now that Tom Glavine, Greg Maddux and Frank Thomas headline an impressive group of star-studded ball players; is it possible that these three get shutout of the Hall? The BBWAA certainly seems to enjoy the headlines as of late and what better way to do so again by leaving out a 4-time Cy Young Award winner in Greg Maddux and his partner Tom Glavine, who holds two Cy Young Awards himself. Did I mention that they have a combined 660 career wins between them? What about the 2-time AL MVP Frank Thomas, could he be the one next in line getting snubbed by the writers?  

The Hall of Fame ballot holds 36 members who need 75% of the BBWAA votes. As for the returning names, the players with the best chance to be inducted are Craig Biggio (68.2 percent of the vote last season), Jack Morris (67.7 percent -- and this is his last chance), Jeff Bagwell (59.6 percent), Mike Piazza (57.8 percent) and Tim Raines (52.2 percent).  

The other returnees, including the percentage of the vote received last season: Lee Smith (47.8) Curt Schilling (38.8) Roger Clemens (37.6) Barry Bonds (36.2) Edgar Martinez (35.9) Alan Trammell (33.6) Larry Walker (21.6) Fred McGriff (20.7) Mark McGwire (16.9) Don Mattingly (13.2) Sammy Sosa (12.5) Rafael Palmeiro (8.8) Jeff Kent, Mike Mussina, Moises Alou, Armando Benitez, Sean Casey, Ray Durham, Eric Gagne, Luis Gonzalez, Jacque Jones, Todd Jones, Paul Lo Duca, Hideo Nomo, Kenny Rogers, J.T. Snow, Richie Sexson and Mike Timlin.

Ballots are due by Dec. 31, and the results will be announced January 8.

I mentioned how fickle the BBWAA members were earlier in this article. Take a good look at the 2014 candidates and don't be surprised if only two members on the list get voted in. Since 1980, only one time did the BBWAA vote in at least three members. That was the year 1999, when Nolan Ryan, George Brett and Robin Yount were all inducted into the HOF together. So expect the chattering to continue as the BBWAA strategically place a new crop of players into the Hall.

If the BBWAA really want controversy going into the 2014 HOF induction then maybe its time to throw a player with P.E.Ds into the Hall.

-LeRoy McConnell III
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Asmir Begovic scores a goal from his own penalty box

All it took was twelve seconds and about 104 feet as the Stoke City goal keeper Asmir Begovic scores the first goal of the game against Soughampton in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon. The amusing part about the goal was Begovic scored from his own penalty box. The twelve seconds goal was the fastest score in the Premier League and Begovic was the fifth goalie to ever in the Premier League Era. Take a look: Southampton and Stoke City ended in a 1-1 tie.

5 - Asmir Begovic is the fifth goalkeeper to score a goal in the Premier League (Schmeichel, Howard, Friedel, Robinson). Elite. — OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) November 2, 2013

 

And yes, it's a cool feeling to score my first ever goal for the club!

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The New York Yankees and their captain, Derek Jeter agreed on a one year deal,$12M dollars for the 2014 season. Jeter, who is entering his 19th season, all with the Yankees, only played 17 games this past year due to multiple leg and ankle injuries. The 13-time All-Star is the only active Major League player with at least 3,000 hits (3316). Jeter, who has a career batting average of .312 is 10th all-time on the hits list and only 129 hits away from standing in 6th place.

Just filed a news story: Raise appeases Jeter, while lowering his AAV # for $189M from $15.125M to $12M — Andrew Marchand (@AndrewMarchand) November 1, 2013

After batting a dismal .190 (12 for 63) with one homer and seven RBIs this season in 17 games I will going out on a limb and predict Derek Jeter will be in the running for Comeback Player Of The Year!

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Watch: Cameron Wake's walk-off sack

                                               AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee

 In light of the World Series being over with, Miami Dolphins defensive end Cameron Wake demonstrated his own walk-off sack to end a back-and-forth game between his Dolphins and the Cincinnati Bengals Thursday night at Sun Life Stadium. Wake was able to manhandle his way through a fatigued Bengal's offensive line to wrap up Andy Dalton for his third sack of the game. Take a look:
The game ending on a sack for a safety was the second time in NFL history. According to ESPN, there were two other times that a game ended on a safety.

The first was in 1989. The Minnesota Vikings beat the Los Angeles Rams 23-21 when Mike Merriweather blocked Dale Hatcher's punt and the ball rolled out of the end zone. The second time was in 2004. Alex Brown (Chicago Bears) sacked Billy Volek (Tennessee Titans) in the end zone and knocked the ball loose. Tennessee tackle Fred Miller recovered the ball, but was tackled by Adewale Ogunleye for a safety to give the Bears a 19-17 overtime win over the Titans.

Dolphins went on to erase their four game losing streak by beating Cincinnati Bengals 22-20. Not a good night if you are a Bengals fan.

Bengals lost on a safety in OT and they lost Geno Atkins to a torn ACL... Happy Halloween. — NFL Retweet (@NFLRT) November 1, 2013

 

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Watch: Cards win Game Three on a bizarre walk-off

                                          (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
 Baseball fans we have a series as game three ends on a bizarre play. Heading into the bottom half of the ninth inning with the Red Sox and Cardinals tied at four, Yadier Molina starts the inning with a one out single off of reliever Koji Uehara. Uehara was relieved by Brandon Workman who gave up a first pitch double to Allen Craig. With two aboard in scoring position and one out, John Jay hit a ground ball to Dustin Pedroia, who made a helluva diving stop. He was able to recover, throwing out Molina at home for the second out. Jarrod Saltalamacchia throws down to Will Middlebrooks at third trying to catch an advancing Allen Craig; but the ball gets away from Middlebrooks sailing into left field. Craig then makes an attempts toward home plate and trips over Middlebrooks legs. He gets back up and continues his route to home plate but was clearly thrown out by left fielder Daniel Nava. Home plate umpire Dana DeMuth signaled safe pointing to third base umpire Jim Joyce (I know ya heard that name before, after his blown call that cost Detroit pitcher Armando Galarraga a perfect game last year.) Joyce made the obstruction call on Middlebrooks which allowed Craig to score the winning run. Take a look at this bizarre walk-off!
As you can see there was plenty of action going on, good and bad. If you are Will Middlebrooks you have to remember: This is the World Series, you cannot allow that ball to pass you what-so-ever. Get off that bag and keep that ball in front of you! Tough way to lose game three. Cards win 5-4 and take a 2-1 lead in the best of seven. Game 4 is Sunday night.

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Watch: Rice Owls 4 foot 9 secret weapon take his first collegiate carry

                             photo by Matthew Postins

Okay, I lied! He's not a secret weapon but he is Jayson Carter who is a meager 4 foot 9 inch walk-on running back who has been stashed on the practice squad for the past three season who finally got his first action for the Rice Owls. Carter is currently the smallest player ever to play FBS game, take a look at his first carry:

“That young man is here ever day busting his tail on the scout team. He deserves it,” Rice coach David Bailiff said after the game. “I'm thrilled we got Jayson into a Division I football game.”

Mr. Carter may not have taken it to the house but this will certainly be a day he will never forget. Hats off to you Mr. Carter, I may have laugh; but you have one up on me. I never played a down at the Division I level so the joke is on me!

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Watch: Dominick Williams Razzle Dazzle Punt Return TD

Muskingum Muskies punt returner Dominick Williams displays how pitiful Division III tackling can be as he does his best Prime Time impersonation taking a 74 yard punt return to the house! Take a look: Wow, one miss tackle after another, and another one, and another one! Needless to say it was the first points for the Muskies as finally stop the bleeding! Their opponent Heidelberg had scored 42 unanswered points prior to the Muskingum score. You can imagine how many missed tackles occurred before this highlight!

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