My primary objection is to the statement that “Whats stopping him is everyone knows he took steroirds, and everyone agrees that his numbers are inflated because of them.” While many voters may think that way and are voting accordingly (and stupidly in my view), there are plenty of people who do not think steroids account for his power surge, others who do not assume he was a juicer and obviously some who vote for him regardless of those issues. I do not like the extreme statements that “everyone knows” and “everyone agrees”.

I know you are right as to the motives many do not vote for him, but as you point out, most of the arguments focus on what the voters consider his one-dimensional performance. I think they are wrong there too, by the way.

And while I cannot and will not try to demonstrate that his performance before Congress is a key factor, I have often seen it referred to and even adduced as a reason for not supporting his candidacy. In fact one voter clearly said that if McGwire was not going to talk about the past he would not consider his past achievements. That has to be on the short list of most truly idiotic statements.

It is clear that many of the arguments used by voters are essentially emotional ones-he felt like a HOFer (or not), he played the game the right way, he brought credit to the game etc., etc., etc. Their contempt for what they consider his cowardice in the hearings (and what I consider one of the bravest and most honest performances I have ever witnessed) must, in my view, influence their vote whether they admit to it or not.

But Sosa? McGwire was clearly several step ahead of Sammy. Sammy is clearly the worest 600 dinger player ever (or even 500+). statistically, I’d put in Rafael Palmeiro before I put in Sosa, and a lot of people don’t consider Raffy a HOFer (statistically!)

Bonds on the other hand, if anyone need a statsical reasoning that he’s the best hitter ever, let alone a hall of fame one, deserve to legally classified as a retard.

for crying out loud, Bonds’ top 5 comp is Willy Mays, Hank Aaron, Babe Ruth, Frank Robinson and Mel Ott, that’s not 1, not 2, but 5 inner circle HOFer and 3 top 10 all time hitters.