MLB

Will MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred’s Tone Allow Mike Piazza, Jeff Bagwell Entrance Into HOF?

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By @Brad_Faber

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Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

On Thursday, MLB‘s new commissioner, Rob Manfred, reportedly told ESPN.com that he would advise Hall of Fame voters not to “surmise” that “certain players” used performance-enhancing drugs without the presence of “credible evidence.” Although he did not name them specifically, Mike Piazza and Jeff Bagwell would each fall into this category.

Commissioner Manfred also spoke of the 2007 Mitchell Report, which he suggested did provide legitimate evidence that players used PEDs. Neither Piazza nor Bagwell were among the 89 players listed in the report.

Despite the lack of any direct or definitive links to PED use for that matter, Piazza and Bagwell have each been followed by a certain amount of speculation that may help to explain why they have been denied entrance into Cooperstown up to this point.

Piazza did, however, receive 69.9 percent of the vote this year. Many have already speculated that 2016 will finally be the year that Piazza receives the 75 percent needed for induction. Next year will mark his fourth year on the ballot, and given his credentials, one could easily make the case that he should have already been in by now.

After all, 396 of Piazza’s 427 home runs came as a catcher, giving him the most homers by a backstop in the history of the game. Plus, his 51.2 JAWS places him fifth on the all-time list, trailing only Carlton Fisk, Ivan Rodriguez, Gary Carter and Johnny Bench.

When it comes to Bagwell, he ranks sixth among all first basemen in history with a 63.9 JAWS. Considering all of the great first basemen to have played this game, that is a pretty impressive feat. Bagwell didn’t quite reach the magical milestones of 3,000 hits or 500 home runs, checking in at 2,314 and 449 in those departments respectively, but one could certainly make a credible case that he should be in the HOF as well.

Bagwell appears to be a little bit further behind Piazza, however, receiving just 55.7 percent of the vote this year. Next year will already mark his sixth time on the ballot.

Obviously, the issue of whether or not steroid era players should be elected to the Hall of Fame remains a debate that can stir up strong feelings, but you cannot paint everyone with the same brush. Given the lack of evidence that surrounds these two players, it seems unfair to keep them out of Cooperstown based on what is, essentially, pure speculation.

Perhaps the commissioner’s words are a sign that Piazza and Bagwell will both have their day before too long.

Brad Faber is a Senior Writer and Sabermetrics Columnist for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @Brad_Faber, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on LinkedIn or Google.

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