I see 5, maybe 6, on the 2015 ballot that I think are HOFers.     Piazza, Clemens, Bonds, Johnson, Martinez and Smoltz is the borderline guy.  I'd love to hear how many BL sees.   Vegas has the over/under at 13.5.

I'd go 13.

Bonds
Clemens
Johnson
Pedro Martinez
Schilling
Bagwell
Mussina
Trammell
Edgar Martinez
Raines
Biggio
McGwire
PIazza

Schilling was better than Smoltz. To me, it's not even close.

Smoltz is borderline for me.

Actually, it's closer than I thought. I'd put Schilling in the top 20-25, Smoltz in the top 30-40.

I'd consider voting for Smoltz.

He also believes that Kenny Lofton and Scott Rolen should be in HOF conversations.

In short, it's because he's an idiot with respect to baseball.

Posted by The Taint on 7/30/2014 11:01:00 AM (view original):
Curious as to why you think Schilling was better.

Their raw numbers are pretty similar, I think it comes down to peak. Schilling had a higher and longer peak. I think the years spent as a reliever is an argument against Smoltz, not in his favor.

Schilling: 3261 IP; 3.46 ERA; 3116 K; 127 ERA+; 1.14 WHIP; 80 WAR
Smoltz :   3473 IP; 3.33 ERA; 3084 K; 125 ERA+; 1.18 WHIP; 66 WAR

Schilling: 4 seasons as a starter with an ERA+ over 150
Smoltz: 0

Schilling: 7 seasons SP over 140 ERA+
Smoltz: 4

Schilling: 13 SP over 120 ERA+
Smoltz: 10 

Smoltz had some really great years as a reliever, specifically 2003, and I'm not ignoring that. But I don't believe that a relief pitcher throwing 65 IP is as valuable as a starter throwing 220.

Posted by tecwrg on 7/30/2014 11:31:00 AM (view original):
He also believes that Kenny Lofton and Scott Rolen should be in HOF conversations.

In short, it's because he's an idiot with respect to baseball.

I don't see why you would automatically eliminate someone from the discussion. Rolen had a great career. I wouldn't necessarily vote for him, but I'd have to take a long look.

Posted by bad_luck on 7/30/2014 11:47:00 AM (view original):

Posted by The Taint on 7/30/2014 11:01:00 AM (view original):
Curious as to why you think Schilling was better.

Their raw numbers are pretty similar, I think it comes down to peak. Schilling had a higher and longer peak. I think the years spent as a reliever is an argument against Smoltz, not in his favor.

Schilling: 3261 IP; 3.46 ERA; 3116 K; 127 ERA+; 1.14 WHIP; 80 WAR
Smoltz :   3473 IP; 3.33 ERA; 3084 K; 125 ERA+; 1.18 WHIP; 66 WAR

Schilling: 4 seasons as a starter with an ERA+ over 150
Smoltz: 0

Schilling: 7 seasons SP over 140 ERA+
Smoltz: 4

Schilling: 13 SP over 120 ERA+
Smoltz: 10 

Smoltz had some really great years as a reliever, specifically 2003, and I'm not ignoring that. But I don't believe that a relief pitcher throwing 65 IP is as valuable as a starter throwing 220.

For reference:

Blyleven:4970 IP; 3.31. ERA; 3701 K; 118 ERA+; 1.20 WHIP; 96 WAR 
Glavine: 4413 IP; 3.54 ERA; 2607 K; 118 ERA+; 1.31 WHIP; 74 WAR

Anyone watch NYY/TEX last night?  They ran a clip of Beltre freaking out any time someone touch his head.  Funny stuff.

You've never seen those clips before? That's a running gag. I'm starting to think you're the one who doesn't watch non-Yankee baseball.