On Wednesday, the Baseball Writers Association of America Hall of Fame voting results will be announced.
The latest class for induction into Baseball's Hall of Fame will be revealed. And for sure, the debate will continue. Not about the players voted in, but the ones left out.
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Friends and family members will mostly curse the writers who didn't pick their favorite players from their childhoods.
In Detroit, most will lament about how Alan Trammell was snubbed for the 15th and final time. That's right, the former Tigers' shortstop won't make it to Cooperstown, N.Y.
Worse for Tigers' fans, no one from the 35-5, 1984 World Champion Tigers will make it to the Hall of Fame via the writers' selection. No Kirk Gibson. No Lou Whitaker. No Jack Morris. Now, officially, no Tram. All are done, off the ballot forever.
It is, without question, my most-prized possession - the privilege to vote players into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
To me this time around, there was just one lock - Ken Griffey Jr. There should be two. Closer Trevor Hoffman should be voted in as well on his first try, too. But relievers have not been always respected by voters.
For sure, this columnist is in the minority. And not just about voting for closers, but controversial figures in Steroid Era. I'm willing to vote for great players who were caught up in the performance enhancing drug scandal that rocked MLB, while most of my brethren aren't.
Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa and Gary Sheffield all belong.
My way of voting is simple: If there's a debate, based on your numbers, about you being in the Hall of Fame, you AREN'T a Hall of Famer.
Go ahead. Debate me on Hank Aaron, Babe Ruth, Willie Mays, Ted Williams or even Tom Seaver.
You can't. There is no argument. Their careers weren't very good. They were great.
It's not the Hall of the Very Good. But that's where some voters have taken it.
The Steroid Era can't be ignored or treated as if it didn't happen. It did.
Check the record book. Bonds is the all-time home run hitter with 762. He also won seven MVPs. Clemens won seven Cy Youngs.
A skinny McGwire still has the rookie record for home runs with 49. The same McGwire who once hit 32 HRs in 67 games in a single college season. Yes, he was a slugger long before he bulked up.
Some writers want to be judge and jury. They want to vote on suspicion, not based on facts. It's not our job.
Our job is to vote on the stats presented to us.
I voted for eight players this year.
1. Ken Griffey Jr. - Talk about a layup, a shoo-in. If Junior's 630 home runs isn't enough for you, there's 10 straight American League Gold Gloves in centerfield. He also made 13 All-Star Games in 22 seasons. Easily, one of the greatest players we saw in our generation.
2. Trevor Hoffman - Was the second most successful closer in MLB history. Only Mariano Rivera did the job better.
In 18 seasons, Hoffman was the first closer to record both 500 and 600 career saves. He recorded at least 30 saves in 14 out of 15 seasons from 1995-2009. Case closed.
3. Barry Bonds - All-time HR leader. Never tested positive for PEDS. Why? Because they didn't test for it before 2006.
4. Mark McGwire - Has magic number, a whopping 583 HRs. Didn't test positive, just like Bonds.
5. Sammy Sosa - Again, a magic number like 609 homers should get you in. Also didn't test positive, just like Bonds and McGwire.
6. Roger Clemens - His career record of 354-184 with a 3.12 ERA speaks for itself. And he also never tested positive.
7. Gary Sheffield - Sheff has a magic number. He hit over 500 homers in his career, 509 to be exact. Played 22 seasons, won a batting title. Also never test positive.
8. Lee Smith - Was all-time save leader when he retired. Another example of disrespect for closers. He will get my vote until he falls off the ballot next year.
I can hear fans now: No Jeff Bagwell. No Mike Piazza. No Mike Mussina. No way, no how.
Let the debate begin - again.