Back to the Rays Report

Roger Mooney

Roger Mooney covers the Tampa Bay Rays for The Tampa Tribune, TBO.com and News Channel 8. He has covered the Rays since their first season in 1998, including 11 years for the Bradenton Herald. Roger has also covered Florida, South Florida and Florida State football, the Bucs and the Lightning.

 @RMooneyTrib
 TBO_Rays
Send us your questions

More Links:

• Schedule/Results
• Player Stats
• Team Stats

Most Recent Entries

• Robinson product Gibson advances to NCAA track finals
• Panini previews Gold Standard autographs
• UD unveils Military Machines inserts for 2012 Goodwin Champions set
• Rays @ BoSox: Guyer out for the season, Jennings close to returning and lineups
• USF softball: It’s game day
• Weekly Tampa Bay fishing report
• Rays at BoSox: Rivalry renewed
• Karen Cooley returns as Zephyrhills girls swimming coach
• USF beats Pitt, stays alive
• The Nerds head north
• Jeffrey Shank out as Gulf boys basketball coach
• Berkeley Prep captures Academic Team Champion Award - again
• This week’s signings and offers
• Berkeley Prep wins FHSAA Academic Award standings
• Shank out as Gulf boys hoops coach

More

• Bucs Report -Tribune staff
• Rays Report - Roger Mooney
• Bolts Report - Erik Erlendsson
• Bulls Report
• Prep Report - Hillsborough
• Prep Report - Pasco
• Prep Report - Region
• Prep Report - Recruiting Updates
• Prep Report - Football
• Go Fishing: On The Waterfront
• The Sports Bookie - Bob D'Angelo
• Gators Report - Tribune staff
• Youth Sports Report
• NFL Draft Report
• Go Ask: Frank's Tacklebox
• Bucified Bert Blog
• BUK Power - Bucs Fan Blog
• Pigskin Preacher - NFL Fan Blog
• Breakfast Bonus - Tom McEwen
• Highlands Sports

Monthly Archives

• May 2012
• April 2012
• March 2012
• February 2012
• January 2012
• December 2011

My Hall of Fame ballot

Posted Jan 9, 2012 by Roger Mooney

Updated Jan 9, 2012 at 11:35 AM

ROGER MOONEY

I base my Hall of Fame vote on a number of criteria. Statistic, sure, and also the formula that asks, Can you write the history of that era without including that player?

If the answer is no, well, he needs to be considered for the Hall.

I take into consideration the steroid mess, which is why I won’t vote for Mark McGwire or any player who failed a test or was mentioned in the Mitchell Report. I’m sorry. I like my Hall of Fame clean. Or, as clean as it can be.

I know rumors surround many players, including one whom I voted for this year. But with no proof, you have to make a decision. I decided Jeff Bagwell belongs in the Hall.

Yes, I know there are a lot of crumbs enshrined in Cooperstown, but I have only been voting for four years.

The players on my ballot are players whom I thought were having Hall of Fame careers while I watched them play, that they were among the class of their generation.

It’s not an easy task.

I look at the numbers, talk to other voters, talk to friends whose opinion on the game I value. I’ve even asked some former players for input.

I’m not saying I got it right. I’m not saying your opinion is wrong.

All I’m saying is I am one of the privileged to have a vote and this is how I voted:

Jeff Bagwell

Alan Trammell