Bert Blyleven

Some people seem to think that because I am now focusing so much attention on Tim Raines that I have in some way forgotten about my outrage over Bert Blyleven still not being in the Hall of Fame. Well, I have not.

Last week, the Hall of Fame ballot was announced, offering an opportunity for immortality to 15 new candidates as well as providing hope to several old faces who have perennially been on the outside looking in.

NEW YORK (AP) -- Roberto Alomar is among 15 first-time candidates of this year's Hall of Fame ballot, joining holdovers Mark McGwire, Andre Dawson and Bert Blyleven.

Hall of Fame voting is a tricky thing.

We hold these truths to be self-evident. The Florida Marlins Toronto Blue Jays are this year's Tampa Bay Rays. David Wright is a bum. Yankee Stadium is the new Coors Field.