Five Writers Submit Blank Ballots for HOF

The Baseball Writers Association of America failed to elect anyone into the National Baseball Hall of Fame for 2013. Craig Biggio finished with the highest percentage, 68.2% (75% needed). Jack Morris finished second (67.7%), Jeff Bagwell third (59.6%), Mike Piazza fourth (57.8%), and Tim Raines fifth (52.2%).  There was much speculation among the writers that no one would be elected this year, and it turned out that they were right. 

The issue of performance enhancing drugs and who used, who didn't use, was obviously a divisive topic amongst the writers.  Some writers took the stance against not voting for Bonds, Clemens, Sosa, McGwire, etc, while other writers did vote for them.  I'm not going to say either side is right or wrong on their stance of why they voted for someone and didn't vote for others.  As long as they do their research and have solid reasons why, it's their opinion and are obviously entitled to it.  What really makes me mad though is the five writers that turned in a blank ballot...as in not voting for ANYBODY.  That to me is unacceptable.

Four of the five writers have made themselves known - Howard Bryant of ESPN, Chris Jenkins of the UT-San Diego, Jorge Ebro of El Nuevo Herald in Miami and Mark Faller of the Arizona Republic.

By submitting a blank ballot, you are punishing everyone on the ballot, not just the steroid era players.  They may think they are sending a message to the steroid era, however, they are essentially saying nobody belongs, even non-steroid era players.  If you want to send a message, only vote for guys outside of that era.  Guys like Jack Morris, Tim Raines, Lee Smith, Alan Trammell, Dale Murphy, who played most of their careers just outside of the era. 

My question to these five would be, are you going to submit another blank ballot next year? Why would doing it one time make any difference.  If you don't like what is going on, the strongest message they could make would be to just stop voting period and writing about your reasons why and call attention to the process and what needs to be changed.  If more writers did that, that could make a difference.  I would hope that wouldn't happen though.  Not voting for anyone doesn't change anything.