Wednesday was Hall of Fame Election Day for baseball, with infielder Roberto Alomar and pitcher Bert Blyleven receiving the necessary 75 percent of the vote to be inducted. Alomar received votes on 90 percent of the ballots cast, while Blyleven received 79.7 percent. Both players fell just short of being elected last year.
↵(Executive Pat Gillick and broadcaster Dave Van Horne were elected by the Veterans Committee last month.)
↵However, the Hall of Fame election was once again a disappointing day for Detroit Tigers fans. Pitcher Jack Morris was named on only 53.5 percent of the ballots, while shortstop Alan Trammell received 24.3 percent. Both players saw a slight increase in their voting totals from a year ago, but the chances of them ever being voted in don't look very good.
↵Morris will remain on the Hall of Fame ballot for three more years before his eligibility expires. As the Detroit News' Tom Gage points out, if Morris doesn't receive at least 60 percent of the vote next year, it's unlikely that he'll continue the upward trend necessary to reach 75 percent.
↵The prospects look even bleaker for Trammell, as he didn't even crack 25 percent. He has five more years of eligibility, but has to make a big jump among voters.
↵What makes Trammell's low percentage more baffling is the amount of votes fellow shortstop Barry Larkin received. Larkin was named on 62.1 percent of ballots, the third-highest total this year. That makes it pretty likely that he'll gain induction in next year's vote. Yet his numbers are very similar to Trammell's.
↵But perhaps Blyleven's election should provide some hope to Morris and Trammell. He had to wait 14 years before he finally received enough votes.
↵And if you were wondering, former Tigers outfielder Bobby Higginson received zero percent of the vote, one of six eligible players who received no support.
↵You can see the complete voting results at MLB.com or the BBWAA website.