By Jack Broughton — Correspondent

This year the BBWAA, Baseball Writers Association of America, only decided to send one candidate on a star-studded ballot to the MLB Hall of Fame in Cooperstown New York. On the ballot were such names as Barry Bonds, David Ortiz, Curt Schilling, Roger Clemens, Alex Rodreguez, and many more. Due to the ruling 9 years ago to cut eligibility from 15 years to 10 years, both Bonds and Clemens were in their last year of eligibility.

Once all the ballots were collected and checked, Boston Red Sox legend and former Minnesota Twin, David Ortiz was voted into the hall of fame as a First ballot Hall of Famer. Clemmens with his MLB record 7 Cy Young awards and Bonds with his record of 762 home runs both failed to make it into Cooperstown in the initial voting process.

The MLB should lower the percentage vote required to induct a player into the hall of fame, says Sharon High Senior Amjad Kordab. “Even though guys like Bonds used steroids later in his career it only truly helps him hit the ball. Steroids benefit your ability to hit the ball that comes from the talent and the time put into practice.” 

There was recent news that the MLB will finally stop testing their players for steroids, says Sharon High Senior Connor Blaney. “I thought that Bonds would make it this year especially with the reputation that he has. Using steroids didn’t help his chances to get into Cooperstown. Bonds also put up better numbers than Ortiz but people disliked him because he used steroids.”

“Even with the career that Ortiz had, he didn’t hold the record for the most home runs hit ever as Bonds does. To keep someone like that out of the Hall of Fame is just unjust. Those other guys that are on the ballot who didn’t get in also deserve a spot in Cooperstown. Those guys put up amazing numbers and were a part of a whole generation of baseball and it just doesn’t sit right to know that they will never make it into the Hall of Fame,” added Blaney.

Baseball should allow for a longer period of time that players are eligible for so they have a higher chance of getting into the Hall of Fame, says  Sharon High Senior Justin Chan. “If they extend the period then Bonds might have had a chance to get into the Hall of Fame. Guys from that generation were the face of baseball and for them to not be in the fall of fame is unjust.”

“Being admitted in the hall of fame on the first ballot must be an incredible feeling. After having a great career it makes sense why Ortiz was on the first ballot,” added Chan.

For guys like Bonds and Clemens who’ve been in consideration for a long time and to go up against Ortiz is kind of unfair, says Sharon High Senor David Aminov. “Ortiz has always been considered a first-ballot hall of fame post-retirement.”