COoperstown, New York: Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens, who starred during the so-called “steroid era”, were both shutout yesterday in their attempt to get voted into Major League Baseball’s Hall of Fame.
This is the first time since 1996 that the Baseball Writers’ Association of America will not be electing anyone to the Hall of Fame, including Bonds or Clemens who both had their careers tarnished by their alleged use of performance-enhancing drugs.
All-time home run king Bonds and seven-time Cy Young Award winner as the top pitcher Clemens were on the ballot for the first time.
“The standards for earning election to the Hall of Fame have been very high ever since the rules were created in 1936,” said Hall of Fame president Jeff Idelson.
“We realize the challenges voters are faced with in this era.”
Eligible candidates needed to be named on 75 percent of the 569 ballots submitted by members of the BBWAA.
Houston Astros second baseman Craig Biggio came closest by nabbing 68 percent of the vote, finishing just 39 votes short of election.
This is the eighth election by the BBWAA that did not produce a Hall of Famer.AFP
