Hall of Shame?

A few thoughts on yesterday's vote on the Hall of Fame by members of the Baseball Writers of America:

Tony Gwynn and Cal Ripken: Two great players who were justifiably voted in on the first ballot. The only question is why a few malcontents decided not to make them unanimous selections. If these two aren't certified Hall of Famers, who is?

Mark McGwire: Garnering just 25 percent of the vote, the steroid-powered slugger fell far short of Cooperstown. Good. There's a reason they call steroids "performance-enhancing." Cheaters should not receive this honor.

Goose Gossage, Jim Rice, Lee Smith, and Andre Dawson: Four great players deemed unworthy by the writers. Relievers never get any respect from the writers, no matter how dominant, but just how dominant do you have to be to get in? Making obvious candidates wait until they are too old to enjoy the honor is unjust.

It's time to remove some of the writers from this responsibility, since they obviously have their own agendas.