SO NOW IT STARTS

***THE BALLOTS ARE OUT***
The Hall of Fame has sent out the ballots to the voters for the 2013 class. For some reason, the roster of voters is not published. Various writers willingly admit that they have a vote, but overall, the list is secret.

Supposedly, some of the players that may have a problem with PED thing,  are hoping the stance against them will soften over time, but that doesn't seem to be happening. There is a lot of discussion as to whether or not the banned substances should have a bearing on the election. Every year, the criterion for election is sent along with the ballot:
 Voting shall be based upon the player's record, playing ability, integrity, sportsmanship, character and contribution to the team(s) on which the player played.
 I've highlighted two important words in that sentence - integrity and character.  As I've said before, it does not seem right that the achievements of some ballplayers are aided artificially and still get compared to the achievements of those who did not use PEDs. 
For example: The career numbers for Ted Williams include 521 home runs, 1839 RBIs and a .344 batting average. Manny Ramirez (you remember him) has 555 homers, 1831 RBIs and a .312 average.  Very similar numbers, right? If Ted Williams is in the Hall, wouldn't this mean Manny belongs, if you go strictly by the numbers?  Do you really think a guy who has been suspended twice for banned substances and has been accused of tanking games because he didn't want to play for a team, really belong in there next to Williams? I didn't think so.
By the way, there are those people who offer this argument: "What's with this integrity and character distinction? What about Babe Ruth who never met a beer or a woman he didn't like? Or Ty Cobb who never met anyone he didn't want to beat up?"  Interesting argument, but I will point out that the above criteria was adopted in 1945, and those two players were elected in 1936. Oh, it's a technicality all right, but a valid one, nonetheless.

Some interesting names are appearing for the first time, besides Clemens, Piazza, Sosa and Bonds. David Wells and Curt Schilling make their first appearance. So do Sandy Alomar, Jr., Craig Biggio and Steve Finley. 

As Vod has pointed out, one of baseball biggest names is missing - that of Marvin Miller, a name that struck fear in the hearts of every front office person in baseball for many years. Miller was responsible for getting players the money they always deserved. In fact, the pendulum may have swung too far in the other direction, but that never would have happened if the owners hadn't been so horrifically greedy for so long a time. Actually, the people who vote for induction are really just 'suggesting,' since the Hall of Fame can induct anyone they want. Maybe this would be a good time to just impose their will and install him. I would go for that.

***AROUND THE HORN***
Andy Pettitte has signed with the Yanks for 2013 for $12 million. Next on the Yankee radar is Mariano Rivera. They hope that deal will be completed by the end of the week. Then, Cashman says the Yanks will look at players like Russell Martin, Ichiro Suzuki and Raul Ibanez.

The Red Sox have made their first big move. It's Jonny Gomes, whose biggest claim to fame so far, is a misspelled first name.

B.J. Upton has signed a multi-year deal with the Atlanta Braves. That's just what Tampa Bay needed - losing another good hitter.

Do the names Casey Close, Dan Lozano, Larry Reynolds and  Brian Greiper ring any bells? How about if I add the name Scott Boras?  That's right, they're all sports agents and according to former GM Jim Bowden, agents have become the most important figures in the winter meetings. The first five agents have the reputation for being fair, honest and professional. Scott Boras, on the other hand, has a reputation for being...well, Scott Boras. 

***BRAD DICKSON'S BOTTOM TEN***
1. Akron (1-11)  The Zips lost 35-23 to Toledo in a game that would’ve been “The Battle for Ohio” if it weren’t for the fact that all the other teams in the state that are better.
 
2. Eastern Michigan (2-10)  Lost 49-7 to Northern Illinois in a contest that was the equivalent of two-week-old Thanksgiving leftovers.
 
6. UNLV (2-11)  Got drubbed 48-10 by Hawaii, a school with one win going into the game and whose season has made local football fans miss the competitiveness of the Hula Bowl

CP-