The Baseball Hall of Fame announced its class of 2018 on Wednesday. Chipper Jones, Vladimir Guerrero, Jim Thome, and Trevor Hoffman will be inducted in Cooperstown on July 29.
Cooperstown, party of 4. #HOF2018 pic.twitter.com/8cV9rGcvGc
— MLB (@MLB) January 24, 2018
There were plenty of reactions to those who did made it, as well as those who did not (Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Curt Schilling and Edgar Martinez, just to name a few). These were some of the best reactions out there.
We start with a positive one. Guerrero was quite thankful for his induction.
Thank you Baseball. pic.twitter.com/u6sUvlgiNu
— Vladimir Guerrero (@VladGuerrero27) January 24, 2018
The only problem here is that Guerrero shouldn’t have been a part of the class of 2018. He should have been a first ballot Hall of Famer in 2017. But better late than never for one of the most complete offensive players that baseball has ever seen.
.@VladGuerrero27 is one of just three @baseballhall players with multiple 30/30 seasons (Jeff Bagwell, Willie Mays). #HOF2018 pic.twitter.com/rNfS7rmZha
— MLB Stats (@MLBStats) January 24, 2018
Of course, another member of that 30/30 club is Bonds. Bonds topped 30/30 five times (one of those being a 40/40), and is the first and still only member of the career 400/400 and 500/500 clubs.
Yet, unquestionably due to his suspected steroid use, Bonds was omitted. That news left some rather miffed.
Barry Bonds is still not in the Hall of Fame, and it’s still stupid https://t.co/4XxbRXCPbX
— Grant Brisbee (@GrantBrisbee) January 24, 2018
https://twitter.com/JRAM_91/status/956306721428856832
One person even anticipated baseball’s single season and career Home Run King getting snubbed.
https://twitter.com/Cassidy_Rob/status/956141427838345217
In his career, Bonds won a record seven MVP awards. His omission does leave him in good company. Clemens, who himself won a record seven Cy Young Awards during his career, was also kept out of Cooperstown.
There shouldn't be a baseball HOF if Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens aren't in it
— Nick Kostos (@TheKostos) January 24, 2018
It's going to feel really awkward and conflicting when we someday, inevitably, learn that some of those who are already in the Hall of Fame used PEDs in one form or another. Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens are quite possibly the best hitter and pitcher ever. Ever. Not complicated.
— Alden González (@Alden_Gonzalez) January 24, 2018
https://twitter.com/kingshaundiz/status/956308117331042307
https://twitter.com/kingshaundiz/status/956308452015575040
Another elite pitcher from that era not included was Schilling. Schilling has become a controversial figure in recent years for some strong and outlandish political stances. But in the eyes of many, that’s not enough to omit him from the Hall of Fame.
https://twitter.com/CharlieWisco/status/956312447098478592
https://twitter.com/chris_gaine/status/956310514975506432
https://twitter.com/BullpenwithDA/status/956315111718903808
To be fair, Mike Mussina didn’t get in, either. But the point is well taken. Time and time again, Schilling proved himself to be the last pitcher you’d ever want to face in a big game and has a decorated career record, especially when we consider the offense heavy era that he pitched in.
Martinez makes for one of the more interesting Hall of Fame cases. Is it right to induct a designated hitter? After all, they never play the field. It’s not a terrible argument. But on the other hand, being one dimensional has never kept a pitcher out of the Hall of Fame.
Regardless, Martinez will not be in the class of 2018. He took his omission in stride.
Thank you to all the fans out there that supported my #HOF candidacy. We are trending up, next year may be the year. Thank you @Mariners and the best fans in baseball
— Edgar Martinez (@11EdgarMartinez) January 24, 2018
Indeed, Martinez is trending in the right direction.
Edgar Martinez is up to 70.4%. The last nine players to break 70% on a ballot, without breaking 75%, were inducted the following year. The player who breaks that streak, Orlando Cepeda, didn't break 70% until his final year on the ballot
— Baseball Reference (@baseball_ref) January 24, 2018
https://twitter.com/jareddiamond/status/956307906047201281
Edgar Martinez hit .579 (11 for 19) vs. Mariano Rivera. .579!!!!! They should be able to walk into Cooperstown together on next year’s ballot. Edgar on the ballot for the 10th and final time, Mariano for the first. #HOF
— Sweeny Murti (@SweenyMurti) January 24, 2018
The good news for the players not inducted in 2018 is that the upcoming ballots figure to be wide open. Mariano Rivera is the only slam dunk first ballot Hall of Famer in 2019, although Todd Helton the late Roy Halladay could join him. The only obvious choice for the following year will be Derek Jeter.
That will leave plenty of open spots for the writers to induct these players who couldn’t quite get over the hump in 2018.