Good news for all you steroid users who were outted in the Mitchell report and elsewhere: Instead of waiting five years for the sanctimonious members of the Baseball Writers Association of America to deny you entry into Cooperstown, you may only have to wait three years for the bad news. Meanwhile, players who didn’t use performance-enhancing drugs will receive their good news earlier.
Kevin Kernan of The New York Post says the Hall is considering the change, though nothing is imminent.
One reason Hall officials would want to shorten the waiting period is to make it a more “immediate” event. There is a lot to be said for that because, why should sure-fire, first-ballot Hall of Famers have to wait five years?
AdvertisementWe’re much more of a quick-response world, and a three-year waiting period would fit the bill. This five-year waiting period was first enacted in the 1950s. Times have changed.
If only this rule were already in effect. The 2013 class — Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens and Sammy Sosa — would already know for certain that the BBWAA has no intention of ever electing them.