The Big Sort: And so it begins.

I talked a few days ago about the mess that I like to refer to as "my White Sox collection". I figured out what I could use for a table in my card room, so I began the long task of organizing. I figured during the sort I would find many gems, and it didn't take long to find two cards that finally answer a question that has bugged me for months.

Hopefully, you know my love of stirrups and high cuffs. Pajama pants look like total crap. Dress like a ballplayer, not like a bum.

Now pitching - ball player. Now batting - slob. 

While I have been searching and setting aside cards featuring properly attired players, one position has failed to appear - catcher. Now, if I was to determine the first position that would adopt longer pants, I would say the catcher. I'm sure the shin guards feel more comfortable without bloused pants. Yet, we all know a good 30 years ago, pajama pants were the exception and not the norm. Another known is that, up until he retired, Pudge Fisk always wore stirrups. 

Pictured - Hall of Fame ball player.

Now granted, I could Google image search and find a photo of Fisk with high cuffs while behind the plate. But those are not a baseball cards. I need to find a card that can put official scorer's position #2 in the high cuffs binder.

Pictured - greatest dressed Hall of Fame player.

Less than an hour in and paydirt. Many many stacks to go, but the sorting can only get better, right?

My poor eyes.

Deck the hall

The 2013 ballot is out and the writer's will get a chance to make their options heard when they cast votes for the players we have marveled over in past years. I've only been on this little stupidity of a blog for less than a year, so this is the first chance I have had to play god in regard to the Hall of Fame ballot (if any of you give a rat's behind of my thoughts). So - do any of you care who I would give the nod too for a plaque in Cooperstown? We'll soon find out of you do, cuz if you continue to read, either you are hoping that I will misspell something in epic fashion, or you have drunk enough wine that you think I would be an interesting read.

How does one misspell "and"? Where's that unfollow button?

 

So, here's a nice, long cut and paste of the ballot. If they get my vote, they get a highlight:

 

Sandy Alomar Jr.- Jeff Bagwell - Craig Biggio - Barry Bonds - Jeff Cirillo - Royce Clayton - Roger Clemens - Jeff Conine - Steve Finley - Julio Franco - Shawn Green - Roberto Hernandez - Ryan Klesko - Kenny Lofton - Edgar Martinez - Don Mattingly - Fred McGriff - Mark McGwire - Jose Mesa - Jack Morris - Dale Murphy - Rafael Palmeiro - Mike Piazza - Tim Raines - Reggie Sanders - Curt Schilling - Aaron Sele - Lee Smith - Sammy Sosa - Mike Stanton - Alan Trammell - Larry Walker - Todd Walker - David Wells - Rondell White - Bernie Williams - Woody Williams

Yes, I ignored everyone that used steroids. Some of those players may have had a decent chance to make the hall with normal numbers. But they chose to get an illegal advantage over a long period of time, so they get the rest of that time with no vote from me. Some of the others might get a vote for me in different years - just not this one. Maybe I'm cranky today.