Top News:
Nate Silver / FiveThirtyEight:
Is The Hall of Fame Too Small? — Roberto Alomar and Bert Blyleven were inducted into baseball's Hall of Fame this afternoon, becoming the 234th and 235th players so honored. — Others were left on the sidelines, however. Jeff Bagwell, the Astros slugger who according …
Discussion:
HardballTalk, King Kaufman, baseballmusings.com, Associated Press, ESPN, Sports Illustrated, Mariners blog, OMGreds, Tedquarters and Hardball Times
RELATED:
Kuiperfan / Joe Posnanski:
The Hall of Fame Recap — Bert Blyleven ranks fifth all time in strikeouts (3,701) and ninth in shutouts (60). (AP) — Well, for the most part, Hall of Fame day went as expected. Roberto Alomar didn't just go into the Hall of Fame, he received 90% of the vote, a higher percentage than Jackie Robinson …
Discussion:
The Platoon Advantage, Boston Globe, Baseball Analysts and BBTF's Baseball Primer …
Craig Calcaterra / HardballTalk:
The Hall of Fame gives voters a clear signal: moralize about steroids even more — In the past couple of weeks many Hall of Fame voters expressed dismay at the dilemma they faced regarding PED users and the character clause in their voting instructions. Some — including Ken Rosenthal …
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com, Crashburn Alley and It's About The Money
John Romano / St. Petersburg Times:
Fred McGriff at a disadvantage with Hall of Fame voters because numbers don't rival steroid users' — ST. PETERSBURG — There are a number of ways of looking at the steroid era when filling out a Hall of Fame ballot. — For instance, you can choose to believe steroid users were cheaters …
Discussion:
Bats and New York Times
Sports Illustrated:
Palmeiro on Hall of Fame snub: ‘I feel like the forgotten man’
Palmeiro on Hall of Fame snub: ‘I feel like the forgotten man’
Discussion:
HardballTalk and Fanhouse MLB Blog
Michael Silverman / Boston Herald:
Blyleven, Alomar elected to Hall of Fame
Blyleven, Alomar elected to Hall of Fame
Discussion:
Boston Globe and Lookout Landing
Barry M. Bloom / MLB.com:
Cooperstown calls for Alomar, Blyleven — NEW YORK — Roberto Alomar and Bert Blyleven were elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Wednesday as part of the Class of 2011, ending a year of anxiety and trepidation for the pair of stellar players. — Alomar was named on 90 percent …
RELATED:
AaronGleeman.com:
Bert Blyleven, Hall of Famer — In his 14th year and second-to-last chance on the ballot Bert Blyleven is finally a Hall of Famer and on July 24 will officially take his rightful place in Cooperstown (alongside Roberto Alomar and Pat Gillick) after receiving 79.7 percent of the votes …
Discussion:
Baseball Prospectus, Lone Star Ball, Minor League Ball and True Blue LA
Associated Press:
Roberto Alomar, Bert Blyleven in Hall
Roberto Alomar, Bert Blyleven in Hall
Discussion:
Faith and Fear in Flushing, MLB Daily Dish, Halos Heaven and River Avenue Blues
Baseball Hall of Fame:
Alomar, Blyleven Elected to the Hall of Fame
Alomar, Blyleven Elected to the Hall of Fame
Discussion:
Baseball Prospectus, Sox Machine and Baseball-Reference Blog
Chris Jaffe / Hardball Times:
Me vs. reality: 2011 Cooperstown
Me vs. reality: 2011 Cooperstown
Discussion:
HardballTalk and Red Reporter
Dallas Morning News:
Why Gold Glove 3B Adrian Beltre is a Ranger: ‘I want to win’ — ARLINGTON - The Rangers satisfied the vast majority of the items on Adrian Beltre's wish list as he looked for a new place to play in 2011. — Above all, the free agent wanted to play for a playoff contender …
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
RELATED:
T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com:
Rangers land Beltre with six-year deal — ARLINGTON — The Rangers have called a news conference for Wednesday afternoon to officially announce the signing of free-agent third baseman Adrian Beltre. — Beltre, a two-time American League Gold Glove Award winner who was an All-Star …
Discussion:
Boston Globe and Over the Monster
Evan Grant / Dallas Morning News:
Michael Young to work out at first base and other important stuff …
Michael Young to work out at first base and other important stuff …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Jon Paul Morosi / Fox Sports:
Sources: Rangers to sign Beltre for $96M
Sources: Rangers to sign Beltre for $96M
Discussion:
sox1fan.com, Lookout Landing, Lone Star Ball and baseballmusings.com
Susan Slusser / San Francisco Chronicle:
eric chavez — Ex-A's infielder to hold workouts — Eric Chavez will work out for the Dodgers on Jan. 20, the longtime A's third baseman told The Chronicle, and his agent said that Chavez will hold private workouts this month for two American League teams (not the A's) as well.
Discussion:
HardballTalk, MLB Rumors and ESPN
Marty Noble / MLB.com:
Franco disappointed by lack of Hall support — NEW YORK — After he had taken the first couple of hundred flights in his 21-year big league career, John Franco understood what little control he had over at least one critical factor in his life. He put it into words Wednesday evening.
Discussion:
Can't Stop The Bleeding
MLB.com:
Coonelly discusses contracts with fans — Pirates president Frank Coonelly participated in his monthly live online chat with Pirates fans on Wednesday. During the chat, Coonelly answered questions about possible contract extensions, the club's top prospects, any more potential moves …
Discussion:
Bucs Dugout
Chad Jennings / The LoHud Yankees Blog:
Yankees claim RHP Brian Schlitter — The Yankees have claimed right-hander Brian Schlitter off waivers from the Cubs. — Schlitter is a 25 year old who pitched out of the Cubs bullpen seven times last year. He spent most of the season with Triple-A Iowa, going 2-1 with 13 saves and a 3.15 ERA …
Discussion:
BronxBanterBlog.com, It's About The Money and The Sommer Frieze
Michael O'Keeffe / NY Daily News:
Fraud charges for Victor Baez after he allegedly lies about ages of players from Dominican Republic — An influential baseball scout who was arrested in the Dominican Republic on Tuesday allegedly gave new identities to his players to make them appear younger - and therefore more appealing …
Discussion:
Baseball America and HardballTalk
Joe Strauss / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cardinals Wednesday chat transcript — Joe Strauss: Happy New Year from atop the big wave. As promised, 2011 has ushered in greater urgency regarding Albert Pujols' uncertain status beyond the upcoming season. The team has entered talks with Pujols' agent and we'll see where things go from here.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Rob Bradford / Full Count:
Red Sox won't be moving in the right-field fence — According to a source familiar with the situation, the Red Sox have withdrawn their request to the office of the Massachusetts Secretary of State to undergo construction that would bring in the right field fence at Fenway Park as much as nine feet.
Discussion:
NESN.com