I listed Eckersley as a probable because his resume as a reliever is from the LaRussa 1-inning-3-run-lead era. Sure he had a couple of dominant seasons, but when you look at the numbers that Gossage and Sutter put up as multi-inning relievers, it diminishes the work that Eckersley did. In my world, Eckersley DOES get in the HOF (hence probable), but not because of his starting resume or his relieving resume, but because he was one of the best to do both for a long period of time. He wouldn't be a lock if there were more deserving candidates on the ballot (check out the weak 2006 list vs the strong 2007 list!). In hindsight, I'd like to move Blyleven into the Probables list as well. I've been swept up in the arguments in favour of him getting in recently, and overevaluated his position on the list. And put Morris (since I missed him) on the "Nope" list. He may have had the most wins in the 80s, but I'm not sure he was the best pitcher (Stieb was better but on bad teams in the early 80s, and Clemens was almost untouchable in the late 80s). Morris gets FAR too much hype for his 10-inning World Series appearance, much like Carter getting too much hype about his World Series winnning home run. As for yahoos like Darwin and Eisenreich being on the ballot, it doesn't take too much to be eligible: 3. Eligible Candidates Candidates to be eligible must meet the following requirements: A baseball player must have been active as a player in the Major Leagues at some time during a period beginning twenty (20) years before and ending five (5) years prior to election. Player must have played in each of ten (10) Major League championship seasons, some part of which must have been within the period described in 3 (A). Player shall have ceased to be an active player in the Major Leagues at least five (5) calendar years preceding the election but may be otherwise connected with baseball. In case of the death of an active player or a player who has been retired for less than five (5) full years, a candidate who is otherwise eligible shall be eligible in the next regular election held at least six (6) months after the date of death or after the end of the five (5) year period, whichever occurs first. Any player on Baseball's ineligible list shall not be an eligible candidate.
