The Class of 2009

Once again, it is time for us to pause and reflect on those players
who truly stood out from their peers as the greatest of the greatest.

Each year, we ask the league's owners to vote on players eligible for induction into the Diamond Mind Baseball League Hall of Fame.

Players are eligible if they have played at least five years in the DMBL, have at least 2,500 career at-bats, 150 career starts or 250 career appearances, have not played in the DMBL for the previous five seasons, and have retired from baseball. In exceptional cases, the commissioner may decree that a specific player is eligible. A player who does not receive any votes in two consecutive years will be removed from the ballot. A player needs to receive two-thirds of the votes cast in order to be inducted.

Last year, three players received enough votes to be elected to the Diamond Mind Baseball Hall of Fame: Vancouver's Dennis Eckersley (88 percent), Tampa Bay Sweat Sox's Dennis Martinez (88 percent) and Austin's Ryne Sandberg (75 percent). Vancouver's David Cone just missed with 62 percent.

In 2007, our first year of voting, four players received enough votes to be elected as the inaugural class of the Diamond Mind Baseball Hall of Fame: Austin's Tony Gwynn (unanimous selection), Newark's Mark McGwire (86 percent), Austin's Albert Belle (71 percent) and Newark's John Wetteland (71 percent).

Note: Is your favorite player from the early years of the league missing from the ballot? Don't worry -- we have dedicated a special wing of the Hall of Fame to those pioneers who came first: The Stars of the Microleague Era! These players, nominated by the Commissioner, were judged to have made significant contributions to the early years of the league. These players will be discussed in a future article.

Eliminated!

Players who don't receive any votes after two years on the ballot are no longer eligible to be voted into the Hall of Fame. Their only hope is to be inducted into the Stars of the Microleague Era wing, or to be elevated to Hall of Fame status by special decree of the Commissioner himself. Maybe they can make it as broadcasters or managers!

The following players were eliminated from the ballot after not receiving any votes in 2007 or 2008: batters Harold Baines; Bobby Bonilla; Ken Caminiti; Will Clark; Delino DeShields; Tony Fernandez; Travis Fryman; Lance Johnson; Otis Nixon; and Terry Steinbach; and pitchers Rick Aguilera; Stan Belinda; Scott Erickson; Mark Gardner; Juan Guzman; Pete Harnisch; Mike Jackson; Jeff Montgomery; Randy Myers; Denny Neagle; Gregg Olson; Jesse Orosco; Todd Stottlemyre; and Greg Swindell.

The Batters

The following 23 batters are eligible for induction. Eight are eligible for the first time this year; nine return from last year's ballot; and six are on the ballot for a third year. As noted above, 10 batters were eliminated from the ballot after not receiving any votes in 2007 or 2008.

Noted below the player's name is the position, or positions, he was eligible at during his career. "Cap" is which team's cap the player would wear on his bust if inducted into the Hall of Fame, as determined by playing time, success and general public perception. "Best Season" is decided by a poll of major sportswriters. "Ballot" indicates when the player first became eligible to appear on a Hall of Fame ballot, and how many votes he received that year.


BATTER TEAMS
BALLOT
CAREER STATS BEST SEASON AWARDS/RECORDS
Carlos Baerga
Second Base
Cap: Louisiana Lightning
Austin ('92); Scranton/Lousiana ('92-'94, '98); Arkansas ('94, '96); Phoenix ('97); Keystone ('99) 2007
(1 vote)
2008
(4 votes)
.304 BA, .344 OBP, .439 SLG
.783 OPS, 3118 AB, 948 H
167 2B, 81 HR, 393 RBI
1993: .326/.357/.489
.846 OPS, 233 H, 45 2B,
23 HR, 104 RBI
World Series MVP ('96)
4-time All-Star
('93-'94, '96-'97)
Highest career BA
for a 2B (min. 2500 PA)
Jay Bell
SS/2B/3B
Cap: Waikiki
Keys
Columbia ('92); Waikiki ('93-'94); Toledo ('96);
Honolulu ('97); Vancouver ('98); Newark ('99-'00); Kentucky ('01); Arkansas ('01); Wanaque ('02);
Philly ('02)
2008
(0 votes)
.241 BA, .311 OBP, .379 SLG
.690 OPS, 3189 AB, 769 H
141 2B, 82 HR, 376 RBI
1994: ..285/.382/.383
.765 OPS, 181 H, 36 2B,
63 RBI, 14 SB
Played for 10 franchises
(DMBL record)
Dante Bichette
Outfield
Cap: Columbia
Crusaders
Columbia ('92-'99, '02); Arizona ('00); Vancouver ('01); Carolina ('01)
2008
(0 votes)
.289 BA, .336 OBP, .475 SLG
.811 OPS, 4142 AB, 1197 H
246 2B, 166 HR, 596 RBI
1996: .352/.375/.627
1.003 OPS, 258 H, 55 2B,
48 HR, 168 RBI
All-Star ('96)
Wade Boggs
Third Base
Cap: Sacramento Seahawks
Maine ('91); San Antonio ('92); Sacramento ('93-'97); New York ('98); Hawaii ('99); Arkansas ('99)
2007
(0 votes)
2008
(2 votes)
.286 BA, .379 OBP, .362 SLG
.740 OPS, 3206 AB, 916 H
170 2B, 351 RBI, 481 BB
1992: .324/.442/.462
.904 OPS, 203 H, 55 2B
9 HR, 67 RBI, 132 BB
All-Star ('92)
2B leader ('92)
BA leader ('92)
OBP leader ('92)
Ellis Burks
OF/DH
Cap: Toledo
Mutthens
Maine ('91); Louisiana ('94); Toledo ('97-'99); Kentucky ('00-'01); Tijuana ('02); Arkansas ('03)
First
Time
.284 BA, .359 OBP, .492 SLG
.851 OPS, 4025 AB, 1144 H
238 2B, 181 HR, 601 RBI
1997: .336/.417/.607
1.024 OPS, 213 H, 52 2B
33 HR, 36 SB, 106 RBI
3-time All-Star
('97, '01, '03)
Jose Canseco
OF/DH
Cap: Hillsborough
Destroyers
Maine ('91); San Antonio ('92); Sacramento ('93); Austin ('96); Arkansas ('97); Hillsborough ('98-'00); Newark ('02); Carolina ('02)
2008
(0 votes)
.244 BA, .327 OBP, .485 SLG
.812 OPS, 2648 AB, 646 H
  174 HR, 487 RBI, 51 SB
1997: .264/.367/.558
.925 OPS, 138 H, 34 2B
38 HR, 98 R, 119 RBI

Joe Girardi
Catcher
Cap: Norfolk Ewes
Newark ('91); Cheyenne ('93-'94); Norfolk ('96-'97);
Columbia ('98); Newark ('98); Honolulu ('99); Arkansas ('00, '03); Stanhope ('01); Wanaque ('02)
First
Time
.274 BA, .309 OBP, .340 SLG
.649 OPS, 2977 AB, 816 H
102 2B, 27 HR, 299 RBI
1996: .271/.307/.348
.655 OPS, 189 H, 17 2B
11 HR, 61 RBI

Mark Grace
First Base
Cap: Austin
Outlaws
Arkansas ('91);
Vancouver ('91);
Austin ('92-'99); Arizona ('00);
Brooklyn ('01-'02)
2008
(1 vote)
.290 BA, .369 OBP, .414 SLG
.783 OPS, 5265 AB, 1528 H
294 2B, 106 HR, 719 RBI
1994: .303/.379/.432
.812 OPS, 203 H, 38 2B
15 HR, 98 RBI

Rickey Henderson
Outfield
Cap: Cheyenne Warhawks
Austin ('91); Cheyenne ('93-94); Norfolk ('96-'97); Newark ('98); Arkansas ('99-'00)
2007
(1 vote)
2008
(2 votes)
.274 BA, .416 OBP, .384 SLG
.800 OPS, 2645 AB, 726 H
110 2B, 317 RBI, 87 SB
1993: .304/.448/.419
.867 OPS, 195 H, 15 HR
168 BB, 20 SB
2nd highest career
OBP (.416)
Bobby Higginson
Outfield
Cap: Brooklyn
Beancounters
Jerusalem ('97-'99);
Brooklyn ('01-'02, '03);
Newark ('03);
Vancouver ('03)
First
Time
.268 BA, .347 OBP, .438 SLG
.785 OPS, 2714 AB, 728 H
151 2B, 91 HR, 400 RBI
2001: .281/.353/.519
.872 OPS, 173 H, 41 2B
33 HR, 93 R, 125 RBI

Todd Hundley
Catcher
Cap: Toledo
Mutthens
Toledo ('96-'98);
Hillsborough ('00);
Vatican City ('01);
Carolina ('02);
Vancouver ('02);
Harrison ('03)
First
Time
.248 BA, .331 OBP, .490 SLG
.820 OPS, 2522 AB, 626 H
86 2B, 173 HR, 426 RBI
1998: .291/.385/.644
1.029 OPS, 103 H, 10 2B
37 HR, 69 R, 71 RBI
3-time All-Star
('96, '97, '98)
David Justice
Outfield
Cap: Honolulu
Sharks
Maine ('91); San Antonio ('92); Sacramento ('93-96); Honolulu ('98-'01); Brooklyn ('02)
2008
(0 votes)
.262 BA, .356 OBP, .471 SLG
.827 OPS, 3664 AB, 961 H
158 2B, 188 HR, 686 RBI
2001: .258/.329/.546
.875 OPS, 37 2B, 42 HR
95 R, 145 RBI
3-time All-Star
('94, '98, '01)
Chuck Knoblauch
Second Base
Cap: Louisiana
Lightning
Scranton/Louisiana ('92-96); Arkansas ('97-'98, '01-'02); Columbia ('99-00); Philadelphia ('01)
2008
(1 vote)
.285 BA, .367 OBP, .393 SLG
.760 OPS, 4656 AB, 1326 H
231 2B, 47 3B, 199 SB
1997: .339/.421/.504
.925 OPS, 49 2B, 14 3B
163 R, 85 RBI, 43 SB
Set season record for runs
scored (now tied for 2nd)
2-time All-Star
('96, '97)
Ranks 5th in
career SB
Fred McGriff
First Base
Cap: Columbia
Crusaders
Columbia ('91-'97);
Austin ('98-'00);
Harrison ('01-'03)
First
Time
.273 BA, .362 OBP, .476 SLG
.838 OPS, 5230 AB, 1426 H
236 2B, 271 HR, 915 RBI
1994: .317/.408/.584
.992 OPS, 192 H, 28 2B
44 HR, 126 RBI, 93 BB)
All-Star ('96)
Paul O'Neill
Outfield
Cap: Columbia Crusaders
Columbia ('92-'01); Tijuana ('02)
2008
(1 vote)
.288 BA, .365 OBP, .452 SLG
.817 OPS, 4170 AB, 1201 H
246 2B, 137 HR, 552 RBI
1994: .328/.393/.544
.937 OPS, 175 H, 47 2B
22 HR, 88 RBI
3-time All-Star
('94, '98, '00)
Kirby Puckett
Outfield
Cap: Arkansas
Golden Falcons
Columbia ('91-'92);
Arkansas ('92-'93);
Waikiki ('94);
Toledo ('96)
2007
(1 vote)
2008
(2 votes)
.305 BA, .356 OBP, .446 SLG
.802 OPS, 2917 AB, 889 H
185 2B, 68 HR, 412 RBI
1996: .332/.391/.499
.890 OPS, 244 H, 47 2B
24 HR, 105 RBI
3-time All-Star
('91-'93)
All-Star MVP ('92)
Tim Raines
Outfield
Cap: Waikiki
Keys
Vancouver ('91-'92);
Waikiki ('93-'94);
Newark ('96, '98-'99)
2007
(1 vote)
2008
(0 votes)
.286 BA, .369 OBP, .390 SLG
.759 OPS, 3303 AB, 945 H
148 2B, 345 RBI, 82 SB
1994: .318/.412/.458
.870 OPS, 207 H, 30 2B
19 HR, 76 RBI, 20 SB
All-Star ('91)
SB leader ('91)
Cal Ripken
SS/3B
Cap: Tampa Bay
Sweat Sox
Newark/Tampa Bay ('91-'94); Arkansas ('96); Vancouver ('96-'97); Jerusalem ('98); Hawaii ('99); Arizona ('00); Hoboken ('01); Brooklyn ('02)
2008
(0 votes)
.257 BA, .321 OBP, .417 SLG
.738 OPS, 2729 AB, 701 H
145 2B, 95 HR, 391 RBI
2000: .318/.344/.534
.878 OPS, 182 H, 46 2B
26 HR, 80 R, 101 RBI
All-Star ('92)
Bip Roberts
2B/3B/SS/OF
Cap: Arkansas
Golden Falcons
Arkansas ('91-'93); Austin ('96); Phoenix ('97-'98)
2007
(2 votes)
2008
(3 votes)
.311 BA, .364 OBP, .396 SLG
.760 OPS, 3595 AB, 1118 H
206 2B, 353 RBI, 86 SB
1993: .334/.401/.431
.832 OPS, 251 H, 43 2B
12 3B, 82 RBI, 14 SB
set the single-season record
for plate appearances (837)
2-time All-Star
('91, '93)
Tim Salmon
Outfield
Cap: Hillsborough
Destroyers
Cheyenne ('94);
Norfolk ('96-'97);
Hillsborough ('98-'00);
Vatican City ('01);
Carolina ('02);
Stanhope ('03)
First
Time
.278 BA, .375 OBP, .496 SLG
.871 OPS, 4707 AB, 1310 H
271 2B, 241 HR, 826 RBI
1994: .311/.417/.576
.994 OPS, 187 H, 40 2B
40 HR, 135 RBI, 110 BB
4-time All-Star
('94, '96, '97, '03)
All-Star MVP ('03)
Mo Vaughn
First Base
Cap: Sacramento
Seahawks
Arkansas ('93);
Sacramento ('94-97);
New York ('98);
Philly ('99-01);
Tijuana ('03)
First
Time
.283 BA, .356 OBP, .489 SLG
.845 OPS, 4359 AB, 1235 H
187 2B, 234 HR, 773 RBI
1996: .309/.377/.586
.963 OPS, 208 H, 43 2B
48 HR, 178 RBI
3-time All-Star
('97, '98, '99)
Matt Williams
Third Base
Cap: Charleston
Chiefs
Arkansas ('91, '99);
Vancouver ('91);
Scranton ('92);
Charleston ('93-94);
Toledo ('97); Jersualem ('98);
Austin ('00);
Harrison ('01-'02)
2008
(0 votes)
.268 BA, .299 OBP, .467 SLG
.766 OPS, 3467 AB, 929 H
157 2B, 169 HR, 566 RBI
1994: .296/.314/.548
.862 OPS, 219 H, 41 2B
44 HR, 134 RBI
All-Star ('94)
Todd Zeile
1B/3B
Cap: Hawaii
Volcanoes
Waikiki ('94);
Toledo ('97-'98);
Hawaii ('99, '00);
Vancouver ('00);
Newark ('01-'02);
Brooklyn ('02-'03)
First
Time
.244 BA, .319 OBP, .407 SLG
.725 OPS, 2559 AB, 624 H
106 2B, 97 HR, 341 RBI
1999: .267/.335/.460
.795 OPS, 151 H, 24 2B
25 HR, 77 R, 71 RBI

The Pitchers

The following 15 pitchers (9 starters, 5 relievers, and one swingman) are eligible for induction. Ten are eligible for the first time this year; three became eligible last year; and two are on the ballot for a second year. As noted above, 14 pitchers were eliminated from the ballot after not receiving a single vote in 2007 or 2008.

Noted below the player's name is if he was eligible as a starter or reliever, or both, during his career. "Cap" is which team's cap the player would wear on his bust if inducted into the Hall of Fame, as determined by playing time, success and general public perception. "Best Season" is determined by a poll of major sportswriters. "Ballot" indicates how many votes he received last year or if this is his first year on the ballot.


PITCHER TEAMS
BALLOT
CAREER STATS BEST SEASON AWARDS/RECORDS
Kevin Appier
Starting Pitcher
Cap: Newark
Sugar Bears
Austin ('91);
Arkansas ('91);
Tampa Bay ('92-'94);
Newark ('96-98);
Columbia ('00-'03)
First
Time
107-120, 4.90 ERA, 1.55 WHIP
1470 K, 757 BB, 1810.0 IP
300 GS, 35 CG, 5 SHO
1998: 19-6, 4.30 ERA
1.44 WHIP, 188 K, 82 BB
226.0 IP, .606 QS%
2-time All-Star
('93, '98)
Pedro Astacio
Starting Pitcher
Cap: Arkansas
Golden Falcons
Austin ('93);
Arkansas ('93-'96);
Lisbon ('97);
Philly ('98);
Kentucky ('00-'01);
Newark ('02);
Columbia ('03)
First
Time
56-48, 5.46 ERA, 1.57 WHIP
654 K, 345 BB, 922.2 IP
151 GS, 20 CG, 2 SHO
2000: 19-10, 4.30 ERA
1.39 WHIP, 182 K, 242.2 IP

Andy Benes
Starting Pitcher
Cap: Norfolk Ewes
Arkansas ('91-'92, '94);
Vancouver ('93, '98, '03); Norfolk ('96-'97); Hillsborough ('98); Hawaii ('99); Phoenix ('99-'00); Vatican City ('01); Hoboken ('03)
First
Time
75-107, 5.48 ERA, 1.57 WHIP
1109 K, 669 BB, 1589.1 IP
274 GS, 26 CG, 3 SHO
1998: 13-6, 3.28 ERA
1.23 WHIP, 202 K, 77 BB
214.0 IP, .690 QS%

David Cone
Starting Pitcher
Cap: Vancouver
Iron Fist
Vancouver ('91-'96);
Jerusalem ('97);
Newark ('98-'00)
2007
(3 votes)
2008
(5 votes)
109-81, 4.42 ERA, 1.50 WHIP
1601 K, 825 BB, 1636.0 IP
270 GS, 41 CG, 9 SHO
1997: 14-8, 3.95 ERA
1.34 WHIP, 202 K, 117 BB
219.0 IP, 2 SHO
4-time All-Star
('91, '94, '98-'99)
Chuck Finley
Starting Pitcher
Cap: Columbia
Crusaders
Columbia ('91, '00-'01); Arkansas ('91, '99); Sacramento ('94-'96); Lisbon ('97);
Philly ('98-'99);
Tijuana ('03)
First
Time
57-97, 4.99 ERA, 1.59 WHIP
1165 K, 642 BB, 1320.0 IP
227 GS, 21 CG, 2 SHO
2000: 8-14, 4.62 ERA
1.44 WHIP, 182 K, 94 BB
196.2 IP, .531 QS%

John Franco
Relief Pitcher
Cap: Columbia
Crusaders
Vancouver ('91);
Arkansas ('91);
Columbia ('96-00);
Hoboken ('01);
Honolulu ('01-'02)
2008
(0 votes)
25-33, 5.07 ERA, 1.65 WHIP
410 K, 193 BB, 454.1 IP
340 G, 48 SV
1999: 5-2, 14 SV, 4 BSV
3.74 ERA, 1.41 WHIP
12 BB, 37 K, 43.1 IP
All-Star ('98)
Darren Holmes
Relief Pitcher
Cap: Philadelphia
Endzone Animals
Vancouver ('93-'94);
Columbia ('96);
Phoenix ('97-'98);
Philly ('00, '03)
First
Time
23-17, 4.90 ERA, 1.42 WHIP
371 K, 176 BB, 475.2 IP
264 G, 8 SV
2003: 3-1, 0 SV, 3 holds
2.43 ERA, 0.90 WHIP
20 BB, 85 K, 118.1 IP
All-Star ('93)
Ramiro Mendoza
Swing Man
Cap: Phoenix
Dragons
Phoenix ('98-'00);
Harrison ('02-'03);
Newark ('03)
First
Time
33-31, 5.30 ERA, 1.47 WHIP
470 K, 198 BB, 814.1 IP
281 G, 51 GS, 5 SV
2002: 3-3, 0 SV, 1 hold
3.91 ERA, 1.32 WHIP
90 K, 38 BB, 165.2 IP
Pitched 241.2 innings
(all in relief!) in 2000
Jose Mesa
Relief Pitcher
Cap: Carolina
Mudcats
Vancouver ('96);
Phoenix ('97-'98);
Philly ('01-'02);
Carolina ('03)
First
Time
27-34, 6.19 ERA, 1.79 WHIP
358 K, 236 BB, 413.0 IP
325 G, 87 SV, 32 BSV
2003: 6-8, 35 SV, 7 BSV
3.23 ERA, 1.26 WHIP
55 K, 28 BB, 69.2 IP
All-Star ('03)
Robb Nen
Relief Pitcher
Cap: Brooklyn
Beancounters
Jerusalem ('96-'99);
Brooklyn ('01-03)
First
Time
37-33, 3.63 ERA, 1.35 WHIP
677 K, 200 BB, 558.0 IP
391 G, 98 SV, 26 BSV
2003: 3-4, 41 SV, 4 BSV
1.72 ERA, 1.04 WHIP
78 K, 24 BB, 73.1 IP
2nd in SV, SV%, Relief Pts
2-time All-Star
('01, '03)
Ranks 2nd in Career
K/9 (10.92)
Rick Reed
Starting Pitcher
Cap: Toledo
Mutthens
Toledo ('98-'99);
Columbia ('00-'01);
Kentucky ('00);
Stanhope ('01-'02);
Brooklyn ('03)
First
Time
60-68, 4.67 ERA, 1.35 WHIP
612 K, 225 BB, 1138.0 IP
187 GS, 12 CG, 2 SHO
1998: 16-11, 32 GS
3.22 ERA, 1.13 WHIP
101 K, 40 BB, 240.0 IP
2 SHO, .656 QS%
All-Star ('98)
Tied for 4th in
Career BB/9 (1.78)
Shane Reynolds
Starting Pitcher
Cap: Columbia
Crusaders
Columbia ('96-00);
Harrison ('02)
2008
(0 votes)
57-78, 5.23 ERA, 1.51 WHIP
893 K, 259 BB, 1122.7 IP
181 GS, 21 CG, 5 SHO
1999: 10-13, 33 GS
4.53 ERA, 1.39 WHIP
188 K, 59 BB, 218.1 IP


Bret Saberhagen
Starting Pitcher
Cap: Arkansas
Golden Falcons
Arkansas ('92, '94);
Toledo ('96, '99);
Kentucky ('00)
2007
(2 votes)
2008
(3 votes)
58-48, 4.35 ERA, 1.36 WHIP
599 K, 196 BB, 927.1 IP, 151 GS
20 CG, 3 SHO
2000: 18-7,
3.90 ERA, 1.17 WHIP,
119 K, 22 BB, 189.1 IP
his 1.0 BB/9 was at that time
second-best in a season
(now 4th)
ranks 2nd in
career QS% (.661)
Jeff Shaw
Relief Pitcher
Cap: Austin
Outlaws
Arkansas ('97);
Austin ('98-'00);
Philly ('01);
Columbia ('01-'02)
2008
(1 vote)
31-38, 123 SV
3.37 ERA, 1.19 WHIP
246 K, 96 BB, 424.1 IP, 344 G
1999: 1-3, 11 SV, 0 BSV
2.30 ERA, 1.04 WHIP
39 K, 13 BB, 58.2 IP
All-Star ('98)
4th in career R/9
as RP (10.8);
4th in career SV%
(.801)
Ismael Valdes
Starting Pitcher
Cap: Arkansas
Golden Falcons
Arkansas ('96-'98);
Louisiana ('98);
Keystone ('99);
Arizona ('00);
Newark ('02-'03)
First
Time
70-61, 4.51 ERA, 1.44 WHIP
744 K, 361 BB, 1156.2 IP
182 GS, 20 CG, 8 SHO
2003: 13-5, 27 GS, 2 SHO
3.88 ERA, 1.22 WHIP,
73 K, 46 BB, 185.2 IP
All-Star ('99)