HALL OF FAME 2022

MLB insider tries to justify his controversial HOF ballot

Bonds is in and Clemens is out for Jon Heyman. Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images.

Monday on MLB Network, Jon Heyman shared his Hall of Fame ballot that had one head-scratching omission, Roger Clemens. While it's not that surprising that Clemens would be left off the ballot due to his alleged use of steroids, it is however curious that Heyman voted for Barry Bonds, who has also been linked to the same PED accusations as Clemens. In the video below, Heyman lays out why he voted for Bonds and not Clemens, and MLB Network's Brian Kenny jumps in to press Heyman on why one alleged "steroid guy" gets in, and the other doesn't.

Heyman's main reason for voting Bonds in over Clemens stems from his assessment that Bonds was already a Hall of Famer before he started using PEDs, which Heyman believes started in 2001. Clemens on the other hand, had his career rebirth posting Cy Young seasons with the Blue Jays in 1997 and 1998. This is when Heyman believes he started using, and Clemens wasn't Hall of Fame worthy before 1997, according to Heyman. Looking at the numbers, Clemens pitched 11 seasons that Heyman believes were fueled by PEDs. So if Heyman doesn't count those seasons as part of Clemens' HOF resume, an argument could be made.

Personally, I would vote both Clemens and Bonds in the HOF without a second thought. Whichever way this goes, we'll have our answer on Tuesday night. This is the last year both players are eligible to get in, so it's now or never.

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Jose Altuve is expected to miss significant time. Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images.

Astros second baseman Jose Altuve was hit by a pitch during Saturday's WBC game between Venezuela and the USA, which put a scare into Astros fans, and caused him to exit the game.

Now we're hearing Altuve with have to miss some time and won't be ready to start the season.

Bob Nightengale is reporting that the pitch broke Altuve's right thumb and he is expected to miss 8–10 weeks.

The Astros have not given an official update on the specifics of the injury.

Editor's note: The Astros have now given an update on Altuve's injury. He has a fractured thumb and will have surgery soon.

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