Will Hall of Fame doors open for any candidates in 2006?(Warm Up Tosses)

IN DECEMBER, MEMBERS OF THE BASEBALL WRITERS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA will receive ballots that list candidates eligible for induction into the Hall of Fame in 2006.

With statistical data furnished them and with their own perception of greatness to back up their collective judgment, the writers will consider such new candidates as Albert Belle, Will Clark, Dwight Gooden and Orel Hershiser, none of whom, according to the "experts," figure to receive the 75 percent of the vote total required to be elected.

On the other hand, greater attention will undoubtedly be focused on some of the leading candidates who fell short in the 2005 election, including relievers Bruce Sutter and Rich Gossage, starter Bert Blyleven, and outfielders Jim Rice and Andre Dawson.

While they are expected to receive a sizeable number of votes again, there still remains the possibility they also will fail to be inducted next year.

If that happens, it should be noted that such shutouts have occurred in the past. In 1960, 1958, 1950, 1943, 1941 and 1940, neither the writers nor the Veterans Committee elected anyone to the Hall of Fame.

This forthcoming election, which provides quite a few less-than-certain choices, will not be like the one in 2007 when the names of Tony Gwynn and Cal Ripken appear on the ballot.

Gwynn won eight National League batting titles while spending his entire career with the Padres, and Ripken played in 2,632 consecutive games, all with the Orioles.