Mel Antonen, USA Today, on HOF on XM

Mel's HUNCH as to how the numbers of votes will rank this year:

• Bruce Sutter
• Bert Blyleven
• Jim Rice
• Andre Dawson

Mel's own rankings would be:

• Bert Blyleven
• Bruce Sutter
• Goose Gossage
• Jack Morris

Doesn't think Morris has all the usual numbers to get in, but had a lot of post season accomplishment that should be considered. Goose Gossage had a number of 2&3 inning saves, a lot of high stakes situations, so should get more credit than just "total saves" as someone like Lee Smith. Says you can't have hundreds of closers on the HOF, you have to set standards. (See Alan Schwarz statement that Eckersley's enrollment hurt chances of present crop of so-called "closers").

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