Blyleven Should Be a Hall of a Pitcher

Another year goes by, another Hall of Fame vote, and another noninduction for the great Bert Blyleven (287 wins, 3.31 ERA). Just what does it take? It’s mind-boggling that a man with nearly 300 wins who is third all-time with 3,701 strikeouts is omitted. Whatever grudge the voting writers have against Blyleven should never affect a vote of this importance.

With the exception of future inductees Roger Clemens (No. 7) and Randy Johnson (No. 12), every one of the top 13 strikeout pitchers is already in the Hall, except Blyleven. This makes the voting body look like idiots.

Steve Smith

San Gabriel