This post is for voting and discussion in the 137th round of balloting for the Circle of Greats (COG). This round of balloting adds to the list of candidates eligible to receive your votes those players born in 1978. Rules and lists are after the jump.
The new group of 1978-born players, in order to join the eligible list, must, as usual, have played at least 10 seasons in the major leagues or generated at least 20 Wins Above Replacement (“WAR”, as calculated by baseball-reference.com, and for this purpose meaning 20 total WAR for everyday players and 20 pitching WAR for pitchers). This group of 1978-born candidates joins the eligible holdovers from previous rounds to comprise the full list of players eligible to appear on your ballots.
In addition to voting for COG election among players on the main ballot, there will be also be voting for elevation to the main ballot among players on the secondary ballot. For the main ballot election, voters must select three and only three eligible players, with the one player appearing on the most ballots cast in the round inducted into the Circle of Greats. For the secondary ballot election, voters may select up to three eligible players, with the one player appearing on the most ballots cast elevated to the main ballot for the next COG election round. In the case of ties, a runoff election round will be held for COG election, while a tie-breaking process will be followed to determine the secondary ballot winner.
Players who fail to win either ballot but appear on half or more of the ballots that are cast win four added future rounds of ballot eligibility. Players who appear on 25% or more of the ballots cast, but less than 50%, earn two added future rounds of ballot eligibility. One additional round of eligibility is earned by any player who appears on at least 10% of the ballots cast or, for the main ballot only, any player finishing in the top 9 (including ties) in ballot appearances. Holdover candidates on the main ballot who exhaust their eligibility will drop to the secondary ballot for the next COG election round, as will first time main ballot candidates who attract one or more votes but do not earn additional main ballot eligibility. Secondary ballot candidates who exhaust their eligibility will drop from that ballot, but will become eligible for possible reinstatement in a future Redemption round election.
All voting for this round closes at 11:59 PM EST Sunday, February 5th, while changes to previously cast ballots are allowed until 11:59 PM EST Friday, February 3rd.
If you’d like to follow the vote tally, and/or check to make sure I’ve recorded your vote correctly, you can see my ballot-counting spreadsheet for this round here: COG 1978 Vote Tally. I’ll be updating the spreadsheet periodically with the latest votes. Initially, there is a row in the spreadsheet for every voter who has cast a ballot in any of the past rounds, but new voters are entirely welcome — new voters will be added to the spreadsheet as their ballots are submitted. Also in the spreadsheet is a column for each of the holdover candidates; additional player columns from the new born-in-1978 group will be added to the spreadsheet as votes are cast for them.
Choose your three players, for both the main and secondary ballots, from the lists below of eligible players. The current holdovers are listed in order of the number of future rounds (including this one) through which they are assured eligibility, and alphabetically when the future eligibility number is the same. The 1978 birth-year players are listed below in order of the number of seasons each played in the majors, and alphabetically among players with the same number of seasons played.
Holdovers:
| MAIN BALLOT | ELIGIBILITY | SECONDARY BALLOT | ELIGIBILITY |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bill Dahlen | 9 rounds | Todd Helton | 13 rounds |
| Dick Allen | 7 rounds | Minnie Minoso | 7 rounds |
| Luis Tiant | 5 rounds | Bobby Abreu | 5 rounds |
| Carlos Beltran | 4 rounds | Ken Boyer | 5 rounds |
| Vladimir Guerrero | 2 rounds | Billy Williams | 4 rounds |
| David Ortiz | 2 rounds | Reggie Smith | 3 rounds |
| Scott Rolen | 2 rounds | Monte Irvin | 2 rounds |
| Gary Sheffield | 2 rounds | Richie Ashburn | this round ONLY |
| Ted Simmons | 2 rounds | Lance Berkman | this round ONLY |
| Don Sutton | 2 rounds | Stan Coveleski | this round ONLY |
| Bobby Wallace | 2 rounds | Andre Dawson | this round ONLY |
| Andruw Jones | this round ONLY | Don Drysdale | this round ONLY |
| Ted Lyons | this round ONLY | ||
| Graig Nettles | this round ONLY | ||
| Willie Randolph | this round ONLY | ||
| Rick Reuschel | this round ONLY |
Everyday Players (born in 1978, ten or more seasons played in the major leagues or at least 20 WAR):
Aramis Ramírez
Jimmy Rollins
Victor Martinez
Chase Utley
Vernon Wells
Carlos Peña
Endy Chávez
Miguel Olivo
Yorvit Torrealba
Milton Bradley
Chone Figgins
Willie Harris
Ryan Ludwick
Xavier Nady
Juan Rivera
Jason Bay
Matt Diaz
Greg Dobbs
Cristian Guzmán
Dewayne Wise
Josh Bard
Joe Crede
Esteban Germán
Nick Johnson
Pitchers (born in 1978, ten or more seasons played in the major leagues or at least 20 WAR):
Kyle Lohse
John Lackey
Jason Marquis
Barry Zito
Aaron Harang
Brad Penny
Chad Qualls
Kevin Gregg
Cliff Lee
Chris Capuano
Juan Cruz
Peter Moylan
Joel Piñeiro
José Valverde
Mike González
Matt Guerrier
Jon Rauch
Mike Adams
Tony Armas
Gil Meche
Odalis Pérez
Ben Sheets
As is our custom with first time candidates, here is a factoid and related quiz question on each of the new players on the ballot. Unless specified otherwise, references in the quiz questions are to modern era (since 1901) seasons in the AL and NL.
| 1 | Aramis Ramírez recorded 1000+ games at 3B for the Cubs, and 1000+ games at 3B for other teams. Which other two players recorded 1000+ games at 3B for one club, and another |
| 2 | Jimmy Rollins is the third player to post a season (2007) with 30+ home runs and 20+ triples. Which two Hall of Famers matched that feat? Jim Bottomley (1928), Willie Mays (1957) |
| 3 | Kyle Lohse led his league with an .842 W-L% in a season (2012) with decisions in fewer than 58% of his starts. Which pitcher led his league with a higher W-L% in such a season? Aaron Sanchez (2016) |
| 4 | Victor Martinez recorded 900+ hits for both the Tigers and Indians. Which other player recorded 900+ hits for the Tigers and for another franchise? Magglio Ordonez (Tigers and White Sox) |
| 5 | Chase Utley’s 1453 games at 2B is a Phillie franchise record. Whose record did Utley break? Tony Taylor |
| 6 | Vernon Wells led the majors with a Blue Jay franchise record 215 hits in 2003, while also leading the AL in doubles and total bases. Which other two Blue Jays posted seasons leading the AL in both doubles and total bases? Shawn Green (1999), Carlos Delgado (2000) |
| 7 | Jason Marquis’ 6.02 ERA in 2006 is a Cardinal franchise worst in a qualified season since 1901. Whose record did Marquis break? Bill Sherdel (1929) |
| 8 | Barry Zito posted a career W-L% of .618 in the AL, but only .441 in the NL. Since 1901, which pitcher has the only larger difference in career W-L% between leagues, among pitchers with 1000+ IP and 125+ decisions in both the AL and NL? Zack Greinke |
| 9 | John Lackey led the AL with a 3.01 ERA for the 2007 Angels. Which Angel pitcher led his league in ERA and won the CYA in the same season? Dean Chance (1964) |
| 10 | Brad Penny, at age 25 for the 2003 Marlins, started and won the first two World Series games of his career, allowing no more than two runs in each contest. Which two pitchers as young as Penny matched his feat, while playing for teams that did not win the World Series? Waite Hoyt (1921), Jim Lonborg (1967) |
| 11 | Carlos Peña batted .227 with a league-leading 39 HR in 2009, the fourth lowest BA by a league home run champ. Which player posted the lowest batting average while leading his league in homers? Dave Kingman (1982) |
| 12 | Aaron Harang led the NL in wins, complete games and strikeouts for the 2006 Reds. Which pitcher did Harang edge out to become the tallest Red with that trifecta? Ewell Blackwell (1947) |
| 13 | Chad Qualls recorded four straight seasons (2005-08) of 70+ games with 115+ ERA+ and BB/9 under 3. Which pitcher has the only longer streak of such seasons? Tony Watson (2014-18) |
| 14 | Yorvit Torrealba came off the bench to stroke a run scoring triple in the first AB of his career. Which other catcher had the same career debut? (Hint: it was the only game of his career) Charlie Lindstrom (son of HOFer Freddie Lindstrom) |
| 15 | Endy Chávez posted consecutive seasons (2003-04) of 5+ HR, 5+ triples and three times as many stolen bases as triples. Which other Expo or National centerfielder matched this feat? Marquis Grissom (1991-92) |
| 16 | Miguel Olivo posted the lone qualified season of his career as a 32 year-old catcher for the 2011 Mariners. Who is the oldest catcher to record a lone qualified season in a career of 10 or more seasons? Gregg Zaun (2005) age 34 |
| 17 | Cliff Lee led the AL in wins, W-L% and ERA for the 2008 Indians. Which other Cleveland pitchers have matched that feat? Corey Kluber (2017), Shane Bieber (2020) |
| 18 | Kevin Gregg recorded consecutive seasons (2014-15) of 10+ games with ERA reaching 10. Which other pitcher has matched that feat? (Hint: he was also born in 1978) Chris Bootcheck (2008-09) |
| 19 | Joel Piñeiro posted a career worst 6.36 ERA as a swingman for the 2006 Mariners. Which pitcher recorded the highest ERA in a season, like Pineiro’s, with 15+ starts and 15+ relief appearances? Todd Van Poppel (1996) 9.06 ERA |
| 20 | Xavier Nady’s best season came in 2008 with 35+ doubles, 25+ HR and 90+ RBI in a campaign split between the Pirates and Yankees. Who was the first player to post those same totals in an expansion era season split between two or more franchises? Bobby Bonilla (1995) |
| 21 | Milton Bradley led his league in 2008 in OBP, OPS and OPS+, despite fewer than 25 HR and more than 100 strikeouts. Which other player did the same? Dick Allen (1967) |
| 22 | Juan Rivera’s 2006 season included 20+ doubles, 20+ HR and a .300+ BA, while playing 20+ games at each outfield position. Who was the first player to record such a season? Babe Ruth (1920) |
| 23 | Willie Harris hit fewer than 50 home runs in a 1000+ game career, including 200+ games at 2B, LF and CF. Which other player recorded such a career? Cesar Tovar |
| 24 | Juan Cruz recorded consecutive seasons (2007-08) with an .850+ W/L% and 150+ ERA+ in 50+ games, all in relief. Which other pitcher did the same? Brad Ziegler (2012-13) |
| 25 | Ryan Ludwick’s best season came in 2008, one of 16 seasons by Cardinals with 35+ 2B, 35+ HR, 100+ R and 100+ RBI. Which of those Cardinals reached those marks with more whiffs than Ludwick’s total of 146? Jim Edmonds (2004) |
| 26 | Chone Figgins led his league in walks and times caught stealing at age 31 in 2009. Who is the oldest player to match that feat? Brett Butler (1991) age 34 |
| 27 | José Valverde recorded 3 seasons finishing more than 90% of 70+ relief appearances. Who is the only pitcher with more such seasons? Dan Quisenberry (1980, 1982, 1984-85) |
| 28 | Chris Capuano recorded the final shutout of his career for the 2011 Mets while also posting a career worst qualified ERA+ of 81. Which Met pitcher recorded consecutive seasons with one or more shutouts and qualified ERA+ under 85? Al Jackson (1964-65) |
| 29 | Peter Moylan led the majors in appearances in 2017, but recorded nary a decision. Which pitcher matched that feat with more appearances than Moylan’s total of 79? Randy Choate (2012) |
| 30 | Cristian Guzmán matched a Senator/Twin franchise record with three seasons leading the AL in triples. Which player shares that record with Guzman? Zoilo Versalles (1963-65) |
| 31 | Dewayne Wise recorded 30+ HR and 100+ RBI in a 575 game career including 100+ games at each outfield position. Who was the first player to post such a career while playing fewer career games than Wise? (Hint: he recorded more than twice as many HR and RBI as Wise, and almost twice as many strikeouts) Pat Seerey (1943-49) 561 games |
| 32 | Jon Rauch recorded 21 wins in fewer than 300 IP for the Expos and Nationals. Which pitcher posted more wins in as short a tenure with the franchise? Bill Sampen (1990-92) 22 wins |
| 33 | Mike González’s two 40+ IP seasons with 200+ ERA+ are tied for the most by a Pirate. Who was the first pitcher to record two such seasons for Pittsburgh? Carmen Hill (1915, 1918) |
| 34 | Matt Diaz‘s three non-qualified seasons (less than 3.1 PA per team game) of 120+ games with a .300+ BA and .800+ OPS are tied for the most in a career. Using the same qualification standard, which player shares that record with Diaz? Ernie Lombardi (1935-37) |
| 35 | Jason Bay‘s 97 home runs over his first four seasons (2003-06) were then the most by a Canadian-born player to begin a career. Which player holds that distinction today? Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (104 HR) |
| 36 | Matt Guerrier’s 4 seasons (2007-10) for the Twins with 70+ games pitched is a franchise record. Who was the first Twin to pitch 70+ games in a season? Ron Perranoski (1969) |
| 37 | Greg Dobbs’s career totals of 959 games and 2272 PA are by far the most among players with 45% of games as a pinch-hitter and negative career oWAR and dWAR. Who was the first player with such a career of 500+ games and 1000+ PA? Cap Peterson (1962-69) |
| 38 | Odalis Pérez recorded 4 complete games in his career, all of them in the 2002 season, the most CG by a player having all of his CG in one season of a 10+ season career as a pitcher. Which player had the most CG with all of them in one season of an 8+ season career as a pitcher? (Hint: the awkward wording is intended to exclude players who pitched in only a small part of their careers; ergo, Johnny Lindell is not the answer) George Zuverink (9 CG in 1954) |
| 39 | Gil Meche is the only pitcher with 100+ games for the Royals and Mariners. His six .500 or better seasons of 15+ starts for Seattle are the most among pitchers to never post a losing record for the Mariners in such a season. Whose Mariner record did Meche break? John Halama (3 seasons, 1999-2001) |
| 40 | Tony Armas was used exclusively as a starting pitcher in eight seasons as an Expo and National. Moving to Pittsburgh, Armas posted a 6.03 ERA as a swingman in 2007, the worst ERA by a Pirate pitcher in a season of 15+ starts and 15+ relief appearances. Whose Pirate record did Armas break? Hal Carlson (1922) |
| 41 | Joe Crede swatted 140 home runs with a 92 OPS+ in a career including 800+ games at 3B. Which other third baseman posted those identical totals in a career with as many games at the hot corner? Terry Pendleton |
| 42 | Ben Sheets’ 250 career starts is the 3rd highest total of the expansion era among retired pitchers used exclusively as starters. Which active pitcher has more starts than Sheets and has yet to pitch in relief in the regular season or post-season? Gerrit Cole |
| 43 | Nick Johnson’s two qualified seasons (2005-06) with 135+ OPS+ are the most by an Expo/National first baseman. Who was the first Expo/National first baseman to record one such season? Al Oliver (1982) |
| 44 | Esteban Germán played 75+ games at 2B and 3B for the Royals. Which teammate of Germán’s did the same? Alberto Callaspo |
| 45 | Josh Bard caught 100+ games for the Indians and Padres. Who was the first catcher to do this? Fred Kendall |
| 46 | Mike Adams’ 1.66 ERA is a Padre franchise best in 200+ career IP for the Friars. Whose Padre record did Adams break? Kevin Brown |
