Dugout Diary by Joe Boesch

-- Joe Boesch

Baseball or Politics? That's the question I've been asked many times. As a young struggling sportswriter, I had the opportunity to cover some of the 1992 Presidential Election and the race to The White House. As a young reporter, and a young struggling writer, interviewing former Second Lady Marilyn Quayle was the chance of a lifetime. I, must say, it was quite amazing as her appearance, and my mug shot, appeared on almost every local and national television network. There's one thing that sticks out in my mind: "Never ask someone close to the President about his/her feelings and what he does?" I was an inexperienced writer and asked the former Second Lady something about President George H.W. Bush (the father) and her response was: "I don't speak for the President." So, all the talk about the Balanced Budget Amendment and slinging of mud, ended my political writing career. I decided to continue my focus on sports, especially baseball. But, I was mor...

-- Joe Boesch

-- Joe Boesch

I just picked up the local papers from my travels and one thing I see that's the same with each sports section: the stories are the same. This past weeks Baseball Hall of Fame story about no one being voted into Cooperstown, was the main story on the back sports pages of newspapers. From The Oakland Tribune, to The Press of Atlantic City to The New York Times, they all write the same story but just in a different way. The same writers writing these stories are also the ones that vote baseball players into the Hall of Fame. Was it again a sign from them that this is America's Game and should be played naturally? I think so. However, voting for the Baseball Hall of Fame should be expanded to current members of the hall (just like the Veteran's Committee), broadcasters and, with the decline of newspapers, web writers. Changes have to be made to a system that down the road the voting population can be declining due to an industry in decline. As the saying goes, change is good. ...

-- Joe Boesch

As predicted by many, no one was voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. The stigma of steroids may have tainted this ballot, but the voters also made it known that Baseball is America's Game and won't be tarnished. Here's a look at some of the vote totals: Craig Biggio 68.2% Jack Morris 67.7% Jeff Bagwell 59.6% Mike Piazza 57.8% Tim Raines 52.2% Until then see ya at the park! -- Joe Boesch

The Hall of Fame inductees will be announced tomorrow with the word steriods written all over the ballot. One has to wonder who will get in and who will not? If you had the opportunity to vote, who would you vote into the Hall of Fame? Here's a look at players on the ballot for the first time: Sandy Alomar Craig Biggio Barry Bonds Jeff Cirillo Royce Clayton Roger Clemens Jeff Conine Steve Finley Julio Franco Shawn Green Roberto Hernandez Ryan Klesko Kenny Lofton Jose Mesa Mike Piazza Reggie Sanders Curt Schilling Aaron Sele Sammy Sosa Mike Stanton Todd Walker David Wells Rondell White Woody Williams Some familiar names already on the ballot and still waiting for the call: Jack Morris Jeff Bagwell Lee Smith Tim Raines Alan Trammell Edgar Martinez Fred McGriff Until then see ya at Cooperstown! -- Joe Boesch

-- Joe Boesch

-- Joe Boesch

-- Joe Boesch