Point Spreads - NCAA, Final Four, College Basketball, NBA, MLB, World Series, NFL, College Football, BCS & Super Bowl Point Spreads

On Tuesday, we will all know the answer we’ve been looking for. Will Mark McGwire have enough votes to get into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown? Of course we all know McGwire or Big Mac, as he was often called, would be an automatic first-timer if it wasn’t for this question -- Did he take steroids?

McGwire has the numbers required for enshrinement with 583 home runs over a 16-year career with the Oakland Athletic and the Saint Louis Cardinals. Six players have accomplished that feat, Hank Aaron, Barry Bonds, Babe Ruth, Willie Mays, Sammy Sosa and Frank Robinson. Also, McGwire toppled the 37-year record of most home runs in a season held by Roger Maris. McGwire surged pass Maris’ mark of 61 home runs and went on to hit 70 in the 1998 season.

If it wasn’t for the steroid question, McGwire would be a shoo-in to reach Cooperstown in his first year of eligibility along with Cal Ripken Jr., who played 21 seasons with the Baltimore Orioles and was the “Iron Man of Baseball” by playing in 2,632 consecutive games, breaking what was considered an unbreakable record of 2,130 held by Lou Gehrig. Also expected to have enough votes for first year enshrinement is Tony Gwynn who played 20 seasons with the San Diego Padres. Players must be on 75% of the ballots to be elected.  

Bet on whether Mark McGwire will make the Baseball Hall of Fame at BetUS.com

Jose Canseco and Ken Caminiti are also on the Hall of Fame ballot this year. Both Canseco and Caminiti admitted they took steroids where McGwire hasn’t.

Players are elected to the Hall of Fame by members of the Baseball Writers Association of America (BWAA) who are bound to elect members to the Hall based on these requirements. Voting shall be based up the player’s record, playing ability, integrity, sportsmanship, character, and contributions to the team or teams on which the player played.

---