HOF Early Baseball Era Ballots are out

[scotgreb]

As a HOF collector, I probably scrutinize the process more than most but it certainly seems flawed.

I went back and reviewed the pre-integration ballot from 2016 (the closest comparison to this year's "Early Baseball" vote) and the only holdover from that ballot is Dahlen. He received a 50% (8 of 16) vote. Doc Adams received the highest percentage at 62.5% (10 of 16). Somehow he didn't make this ballot.

Regarding the Era Committees in general -- because of the screening process, it would seem that all nominees are somewhat worthy -- or, at least, relatively worthy. Layering the 4-vote limit over the screening process forces the voting members to collude (my conjecture).

Of course, it should be difficult to get elected but great screening / strong fields can lead to no one getting elected (without collusion). Further, poor screening / weak fields can lead to sub-standard inductees (with collusion; see Harold Baines). Heck, Lou Piniella almost made it in that same vote -- one vote short.