I didn't want to start using the L-word, I really didn't.
The L-word is logjam.
But that's where the BBWAA was at with Hall of Fame voting in recent years. And that's why I'm typing a big BRAVO to the voting body today for sending the largest class to The Hall since 1955.
The logjam is beginning to break up.
Hall of Fame voting has been under increased scrutiny in recent years as members of the BBWAA (who have been a member for at least 10 consecutive years) have struggled with how to treat players from the so-called steroid era. That, plus archaic views like separating first-ballot HOFers from `regular' HOFers - or withholding a vote for other reasons - has created a traffic jam toward the exit to Cooperstown.
The logjam was never more evident than 2013, when 75 percent of us could not reach an agreement on anyone on that ballot.
Predictably, there was blowback. I will defend the BBWAA to the end of time. We want to get this right. And, I argue, that we have gotten it right for the most part.
But we're aren't afraid of change. That's why a committee was formed a year ago to examine Hall of Fame voting and make recommendations to the folks in Cooperstown. I personally contacted several people to be on the committee (I was the president at the time) while others eagerly volunteered. It was an opportunity to meet people like Jay Jaffe, who does fascinating work on Hall of Fame candidates for Sports Illustrated.
