Major League Baseball, the MLB. In the storied sport, coined “America’s Pastime,” lies a hallowed land, the Hall of Fame. Home to those who have succeeded, who have passed the gates of baseball with flying colors and those that should be an example to us all. This year, two players were elected into the Hall: Longtime Red Sock, Jim Rice, and the famous base thief Ricky Henderson. They’re cast in bronze and emblazoned with cheer and respect. We should consider that those in the Hall are the cream of the crop, the top of the tier, the story of success. Though now, we are in a time when suspicion lurks around every corner
and some can’t be trusted, all due to one thing: Steroids. This is a time where players have been found guilty of steroid use and screamed out their innocence only to bow down at
the feet of the media and hope for forgiveness. Then, who can forget the tale of Mark McGuire, who, when called to talk about steroids, went to not talk about steroids. I think he got the wrong memo. Anyhow, there are many players on the brink of the Hall of Fame with only accusations and cheating separating them.

Curt Schilling
(1988-2008)

Curt Schilling, a Major League Pitcher for five major league teams, could be considered the most prolific postseason pitcher in the history of baseball. An 11-2 win/loss record is the best of all time, and coupled with 3 World Series wins, that may be enough to get him in. But without any other evidence, his famous bloody sock will be the only remnant of Curt Schilling in the Hall of Fame. Let’s take a look at his other season stats. His 216 wins puts him in the top section of present day pitchers, as the lack of finesse pitchers puts the Hall guarantee of
300 wins far, far away. 216 wins is definitely a solid mark. Add to that the 114 losses, and a good 2-1 win/loss ratio keeps him afloat. Schilling has an amazing 3,116 strikeouts, good for 15th on the career strikeouts list. He not only shows power but finesse, having a 3.46 ERA. Schilling has had an overall excellent career. His lifetime awards include 6 All-Star Selections, 3 World Series wins, as well as a World Series MVP. This, in my book, is worthy of the elusive Hall of Fame. Verdict: He goes down into the Hall as a bloody Red Sock.

Mark McGuire
(1987-2001)

Oh, Mark McGuire. Clouded by controversy and disparaged by rumor, McGuire has been the prime example for an antisteroid poster, along with someone who will be mentioned later on. McGuire may be solely responsible for saving baseball and leading to the eventual demise. He has the stats for the supporters and the shortcomings for the detractors. Let’s check them out. McGuire was a man of power. In Oakland, he and Jose Canseco (remember him?) formed the Bash Brothers and their huge homers were of national legend. The problem was, he was like a McDonald’s snack wrap. Once in a while it will be amazing, but the rest of the time it is just a complete failure. While McGuire could slam the ball for power when he was healthy, contact was not the name of his game. His .263 career batting average calls for investigation into his other stats to see if they support his cause. While he did break the 500-homerun mark, a symbol of power hitting, many are now doing that, as it becomes a less and less sacred mark. Like I said before, power but no contact. He has fewer than 2,000 career hits. 3,000 career hits is the mark of glory; he wasn’t even close. I don’t think one-sided players should be in the Hall. We need balanced players. Now, I am not asking for every player to be a Willie Mays or another 5 tool player, but how about some consistency. I say it’s a no go. Verdict: No fame for him, only infamy. Not because of steroids, he just wasn’t that good.

Roger Clemens
(1984-2007)

Roger Clemens, if talked about five years ago, was a sure lock for the Hall of Fame. His statistics certainly showed that he was one of the best pitchers on the era, if not of the MLB’s history. Now, though, like many others, the air of allegations has gotten to his once reputable reputation and turned it inside out, causing many to question his Hall of Fame candidacy. The records and the miles and miles of statistics would completely agree that Roger Clemens should be in the Hall of Fame. I concur that the stats would make him a lock, but it is the alleged steroid use that may keep him out. If there is record or a mark of a great pitcher, though, Clemens has achieved it. He has gotten over 300 wins, with 354 win. Not only did he achieve the record 3,000 strikeouts, he smashed that with 4,672. Clemens is 3rd on the all-time list, with such figures as Nolan Ryan and Randy Johnson ahead of him. The awards he has amassed in his career may even top his statistical prowess. Clemens has been awarded seven Cy Young Awards, an immense amount. He was in six World Series and has gotten rings for two of them. He was a two-time pitching crown champion and has gotten an MVP award, a surprise for a pitcher. This man was an eleven time All-Star. The only thing keeping him from the Hall is the alleged steroid use. But unlike other players, where certain evidence has come out of investigation, there are only allegations here. That is why I think that he completely deserves a spot in the Hall. In this day and age, I want proof of steroid use before I deem him a user. Verdict: He goes in, with speculation, but nonetheless as one of the best pitchers of all time, and he goes down as a Yankee.

Barry Bonds
(1986-2007)

Here we are. Barry Bonds may be the most prolific and controversial player we have ever seen. The Home Run Champion, steroid user, overall jerk and womanizer. So many things cloud his career it is hard to separate fact from fiction. I am going to keep this one short and sweet, as we all know the rumors, legends, and his numbers. Bonds has hit the most home runs, ever. 762 home runs, with the record for most in one season, at 73 home runs. Over 2,500 total hits and a career .298 batting average. He was the most feared hitter, being 1st in the league in intentional walks. He would smash those home runs into McCovey Cove.
The problem is his steroid use. He says he never knew he took steroids, but he did. His trainer gave him what he thought were supplements, but in fact were steroids. That is the extent we know. I go by facts, not rumors. The only fact is that he took some
things he was not supposed to. There was no testing then for those types of steroids. Personally, for the greatest home run, and maybe even overall, hitter in history, I do not think we can deny him the Hall of Fame. There is not enough evidence of prolonged use that would have contributed to this. Yes, I know he took steroids. I knew his head got huge and other parts got small. But in this time of baseball history, many did a lot of things. For the record holder in so many categories, I say yes. Verdict: He goes in, with many griping, but he goes in as a Giant.