The Hall of Fame ballot is out, with the following names (an “x” means first time eligible):
x-Jim Abbott, Bert Blyleven, x-Wade Boggs, x-Tom Candiotti, Dave Concepcion, x-Chili Davis, Andre Dawson, Steve Garvey, Rich Gossage, Tommy John, x-Mark Langston, Don Mattingly, x-Jack McDowell, x-Willie McGee, x-Jeff Montgomery, Jack Morris, Dale Murphy, x-Otis Nixon, Dave Parker, x-Tony Phillips, Jim Rice, Ryne Sandberg, Lee Smith, x-Terry Steinbach, x-Darryl Strawberry, Bruce Sutter, Alan Trammell.
My personal take, based on who’s already in by the fairly generous HoF standards, is that Boggs, Sandberg, Blyleven, and Trammell should be voted in. My guess on what actually happens is that Boggs makes it and Sandberg just ekes in, and Blyleven is unfairly deprived, leaving him atop my “should-be-but-won’t-be” list along with Ron Santo.