Colorado Rockies and the Hall of Fame

The names on the 2013 Hall of Fame ballot are out and the big story is going to be the "steroid era" superstars like Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens on their first ballots and guys like Mike Piazza who were thought to be "clean" but who really knows. Though for this Rockies fan, the story is if this will be the year a Colorado Rockie gets into the Hall of Fame. Colorado remains the only active franchise to never have a Hall of Famer suit up for them, the expansion cousin Marlins had Andre Dawson in 1995 and 1996 and the younger Diamondbacks had Roberto Alomar for 38 games in 2004 and Tampa Bay had Wade Boggs in 1998 and 1999. The Nationals have only had manager Frank Robinson as Hall of Famer, but I am counting the Expos with Gary Carter, Andre Dawson and Tony Perez. There are eight former Rockies on the ballot this year with 6 new players and Larry Walker probably having the best chance, but only getting 22.9% of the vote last year.

Sandy Alomar Jr.: First Year Eligible 6 time All-Star, 1990 AL Rookie of the Year and 1990 Gold Glove winner. Catcher for the Indians who won the AL Central five years in row from 1995-1999, twice losing the World Series. Had his best year in 1997 with 21 home runs, 83 RBI and a .324 average. Finished his career with 1,324 games caught, 112 home runs, 588 RBI and a .273 average. Doesn't have great career numbers, and I don't really give him much of a chance, but I think he should get the 5% needed to stay on the ballot next year. I honestly thought he had more than one Gold Glove, would probably go in as an Indian.
Jeff Cirillo: First Year Eligible 2 time All-Star over 14 seasons, never received an MVP vote in his career, set career highs with the Rockies hitting 17 home runs in 2001 and driving in 115 runs in 2000. Career numbers of 112 home runs, 727 RBI and a .296 average. His career OPS+ of 102 suggests he was an average player for his career. Low power numbers and playing small markets will hurt any small chance he had, which is almost zero. would probably go in as a Brewer, doubtful he gets 5%.
Royce Clayton: First Year Eligible Made his lone All-Star appearance in 1997 with the Cardinals. A light hitting short-stop who was known for his glove more than his bat. Twice led the National League in Defensive WAR (1994-95). Never hit above .288 in his career and low walk numbers hurt his OBP. Played in 17 MLB seasons, with his first 5 seasons with the Giants being his longest stay with one team. Probably should not even get a single vote.
Steve Finley: First Year Eligible 2 Time All-Star and 5 time Gold Glover. Hit over 30 home runs 4 times while playing Gold Glove center-field. Finished 10th in MVP voting in 1996. Played in 2 World Series including winning the 2001 Series with Arizona. Hit 304 career home runs with 1,167 RBI, a .271 average and 320 stolen bases. Has decent number offensively and his Gold Gloves add defensive value, will get consideration and should stick on the ballot next year but has no chance of getting in on his first try.
Jose Mesa: First Year Eligible 2 Time All-Star, In his first season as a closer went 3-0 with a 1.13 ERA over 64 innings leading the A.L. with 46 saves, finishing second in the Cy Young voting and 4th in the 1995 MVP vote. Spent 19 seasons in the majors retiring with 321 saves. His career 80-109 record and a high 4.36 ERA are not really Hall of Fame worthy.
Dale Murphy: 15th Year Eligible 7 Time All-Star, back to back National League MVP in 1982-83, only Murphy, Roger Maris and Juan Gonzalez have won multiple MVP's and are not in the Hall. 5 time Gold Glover, 4 time Silver Slugger, led the National League in home runs with 36 in 1984 and 37 in 1985, led in RBI in 1982 with 109 and 1983 with 121 and runs in 185 with 118. Retired in 1993 with 398 home runs, 1,266 RBI and a .265 average. This will be the final time Murphy will be on the ballot, he reached a high of 23.2% in 2000, and received 14.5% last season. If Murphy can get at least 5% this year he be eligible for the veterans committee ballot keeping his chances alive.
Larry Walker: 3rd Year Eligible 5 Time All-Star, 7 time Gold Glover, 3 Time Batting Champ and 1997 National League MVP. Walker received 20.3% of the vote in 2011 and 22.9% last season, so it doesn't look promising, I really think Larry Walker should be in the Hall of Fame, but his chances are hurt by the Coors Field bias and games lost to injuries. There was really nothing Walker couldn't do on a baseball field, he hit for power, average, was the best base runner I had ever seen, had a great arm and enough range he was moved to center-field briefly until he broke his collar bone running into a wall.
Todd Walker: First Year Eligible This is not a joke, at least not one being made by me. Todd Walker is seriously on the Hall of Fame ballot. Never an All-Star. Walker led the National League in fielding percentage and put outs as a second baseman in 2002. He had a decent season in 1998 with 41 doubles, 12 home runs, 62 RBI and a .316 average but other than that he was an average major leaguer.