Oh right. Also Derek Somethingorother.

It figures the day after my birthday, Jeter would be elected to the Hall of Fame. The only present I got from the Baseball Writers Association of America is that unlike teammate Mariano Rivera last year he didn't go in unanimously. He came one vote shy. Bravo, one member of the BBWAA. He still goes in with the second-most votes ever. His 99.7% is a tidge better than Ken Griffey Jr.'s 99.32%. Because Yankees. Suck. 

Meanwhile, Larry Walker, in his 10th and final year on the ballot, pulled an Edgar: he eked in with 76.6%. Good for him. I believe he's the first guy to go in wearing a Colorado Rockies uni.

Overall, 32 guys were on the ballot and half of those didn't get the 5% necessary to stay on next year. And of those, four were ex-Mariners: Cliff Lee (half a season with the Ms); Raul Ibanez (three stints, about seven full seasons); J.J. Putz (five seasons) and Chone Figgins (three disastrous seasons). I'm surprised Lee didn't last longer, to be hoenst; he was a helluva pitcher. The only ex-Mariner to remain on the ballot is Omar Vizquel, who, in his third year, nudged over 50% of the vote for the first time. Advanced stats guys are probably howling in protest but I‘ve got a fondness: He’s still the most beautiful-fielding shortstop I‘ve ever seen. Plus this. 

Here’s the totals, along with career WAR numbers:

* Ex-Mariners

I assume Schilling gets in next year, when the newbie candidates aren't first-ballot guys: Tim Hudson, Torii Hunter, Mark Buehrle. Do Clemens and Bonds finally get in as well, despite everything? A year later, in 2022, A-Rod becomes eligible. Interesting times.