First and foremost, the 2018 IBWAA HOF Class:
- Chipper Jones 98%
- Jim Thome 90%
- Mike Mussina 85%
- Roger Clemens 78%
- Barry Bonds 76%
- Trevor Hoffman 75%
With Edgar Martinez (2016) and Vladimir Guerrero (2017) already being inducted into the IBWAA HOF, the voting contingent was able to focus efforts elsewhere this season. That boost appears to have given Clemens, Bonds, and Hoffman just enough to get over the hump. Both Jones and Thome end up being enshrined on their first ballot garnering at least 90% of the vote.
Although the BBWAA doesn't recognize the IBWAA, the IBWAA's voting contingent is similar to that of those now being granted access to vote on the Official BBWAA HOF ballot. With that privilege being handed out to younger and newer writers, as well as those on the team beat writing for MLB.com, a shift towards a more progressive ballot has to become apparent.
We have seen more sound reasoning be applied to players like Edgar Martinez and Larry Walker, while also seeing slightly more support for PED-tied players like Bonds and Clemens. Although the BBWAA still lags behind when it comes to rocking the boat and forward thinking, there's been drastic changes proposed (and some accepted) in recent years. As we continue to move forward, it will be interesting to see how the two outlets compare against one another.
As things stand today, and as a voting member of the IBWAA, I couldn't be more proud to see Jones and Thome get their due. Mike Mussina joining them is a treat, and Trevor Hoffman has a place in Cooperstown. Bonds and Clemens are two of the greatest to ever play the game, and it's on their induction that this vote will be remembered.
