It's Hall of Fame day for the MLB. The Baseball Writers Association of America will announce the 2016 HOF Class this evening. It'll be interesting to see what happens with the many players from the steroid era, as they've been under severe scrutiny during the voting process in recent years.
Speaking of which, former MLB pitcher Roy Halladay revealed his stance on such players associated with steroids early this morning on Twitter.
When you use PEDs you admit your not good enough to compete fairly! Our nations past time should have higher standards! No Clemens no Bonds!
— Roy Halladay (@RoyHalladay) January 6, 2016
Bonds is the MLB's all-time home run and walks leader while Clemens is one of the best pitchers in history, but both were taken to court and involved in legal battles over their alleged use of steroids during their playing careers. This is the fourth time each player will be on the HOF ballot, but they've never received more than 37.6% of the vote.
The two first appeared on the ballot back in 2013 when the BBWAA famously did not induct a player into the Hall of Fame for the first time since 1996, and just the third time since 1960. That year Clemens received 37.6% of the vote and Bonds got 36.2%. In 2014, the two dropped off a bit with Clemens getting 35.4% to Bonds' 34.7%.
However, last year both players saw a small spike in their votes. Clemens received 37.5% and Bonds saw his highest total at 36.8%.
Will it be different today? It's hard to tell with so many new and enticing names on the ballot.
Still, it's understandable why Halladay feels so strongly about PED use. The right-hander, who was never linked to steroids, had an illustrious 16-year MLB career with the Toronto Blue Jays and Philadelphia Phillies. The two-time Cy Young winner will have a good case for Cooperstown himself when his time comes.
In 416 career games (390 starts), Halladay posted a 203-105 record with a 3.38 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 2,117 strikeouts before he was forced to retire after the 2013 season due to injuries.
Nonetheless, Bonds and Clemens should be thankful "Doc" Halladay isn't a member of the BBWAA because their chances of getting in would be slimmer.
