Proud Day In Puerto Rico

BY SCOTT MORGANROTH

Today's Baseball Hall Of Fame Inductions in Cooperstown, NY will be another Proud Day in Puerto Rico and the future looks bright.

When Roberto Alomar completes his Journey to Legendary Status, he'll be the third player from Puerto Rico to be enshrined into the Hall Of Fame.  He'll join Roberto Clemente and Orlando Cepeda.

Alomar will take his 12 All-Star Selections, two World Series Rings, 10 Gold Gloves, a lifetime batting average of .300, 2,724 Hits, 474 Stolen Bases, 210 Home Runs and 1,134 RBI to Upstate, NY. Alomar earned 90% of the vote in 2011 by amassing 523 which was a 17.3% increase from 2010 during his first year of eligibility.

But I have a strong feeling that the fourth player from Puerto Rico could be inducted as early as 2012.

The best newcomers on next years ballot will be Bernie Williams and Vinny Castillo.

Williams, a native of San Juan, Puerto Rico, played all 16 of his MLB seasons with the New York Yankees. With the Bronx Bombers, he had a lifetime career average of .297, 2,336 hits, 287 Home Runs, 1,257 RBI, had five All-Star Selections and owns four World Series Rings.

Williams will face stiff competition from Barry Larkin, Jack Morris, Lee Smith, Jeff Bagwell and Tim Raines. His biggest advantage is being in the New York Metropolitan area where there are plenty of writers that should give him support.

But even if Williams doesn't get in next year, I do predict he will within five years.

The Class of 2013 will be where we really find out the impact of the Steroid Superstars. Will Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens and Sammy Sosa get even 25% of the vote? Other players that should gain by these individuals dishonesty include Curt Schilling, Craig Biggio, Mike Piazza, Kenny Lofton, Sandy Alomar Jr., Todd Walker and David Wells.

The Process of Elimination will get the Center Fielder Williams in the Hall of Fame sooner or later and he can celebrate his accomplishment by taking a beautiful Boat Ride on Lake Otsego.

Scott Morganroth can be reached at scottsports33@aol.com and his blog can be seen at www.scottsports33.com.