The imperfect science of the perfect ballot. (Insider: Baseball).

In my fifth year of voting, I again tried to fill out the perfect Hall of Fame ballot. I failed. I always fail. I make my living writing about baseball and learn more about the game each year, but still I get frustrated by how much I don't know--and how much I vacillate with my Cooperstown selections.

Of the first-time candidates, the only sure choice to be announced for induction on Tuesday is Eddie Murray, whose 500-homer, 3,000-hit package is matched only by Hank Aaron and Willie Mays. I also am voting for first-timers Ryne Sandberg and Lee Smith; correcting my past snub of Alan Trammell and continuing to back Gary Carter, Andre Dawson, Rich Gossage and Bruce ...