IMO: Steroids in the HOF Pt. 4/4

Here we are, friends, part 4. We are going to look at the last few big names of players who are tied to PEDs. For today's post, players are based on stats and who he was was on and off the field. Quick shoutout to Stash-It: Self Storage. These guys are fantastic! They offer an incredible service to help you store or making money being storage for others. Using the code "YOUNG" lets them know I sent you. You can make your terms for storage with your empty garage, empty carport, shed, or wherever you have space to store other stuff. Go to www.stashitselfstorage.com to create your listing today and start earning now! Andy Pettitte is the next case. Pettitte was implicated in the Mitchell Report in 2007 and did admit to using HGH in 2002. Part of his confession was that he only used HGH for two days to heal an elbow injury. He did own up to it and said it was an "error in judgment." Information like this does make me think, is there a line between performance-enhancing and performance allowing? Pettitte's real thing is for 18 years in the MLB; he was never the best pitcher in baseball. He never won a CY Young and was only a 3x All-Star. When you look at his postseason stats alone, that's where his case for the HOF shines brightest. The ALL_TIME leader for playoff wins and innings and won 5/8 World Series he pitched in. 60.7 career WAR, which is 12th all-time among LHP. The rest of his career was solid 256-153 record, 3.85ERA, 3316 IP, and 1 ALCS MVP. Only 2 years on the ballot so far only getting to 11.3% of the vote. This guy deserves more love than that, and by the end of his eligibility, I sure do hope he makes it into the HOF. Gary Sheffield is up next to bat. In 2004 he admitted to using a PED known as "the cream" while training with Barry Bonds during the 01-02 offseason. However, he did go the route of "I didn't know what it was when I used it," then says he was upset when he found out. I give the benefit of the doubt in these situations. BUT, the more significant blemish on his HOF resume is his awful defensive numbers. He does, however, have a great resume with his bat alone. He has more care WAR at 60.5, then fellow RF Vladimir Guerrero, who has a 59.5 career WAR who got in the ballot in 2018 to the HOF, is also part of the 500HR club with 21 other players. Overall in his career, he had 2689H, 509HR, 292BA, 1676RBI, 9x All-Star, one WS title, 5x Silver Slugger, 1 Batting Title, and 1 ML PoY. After six years on the ballot, e got 30.5# of the vote. I think he will get into the HOF when its all said and done. He deserves to get in. David Ortiz, aka Big Papi, only has one connection to PED was a failed test in 2003. But he did play about 70% of his career post-2005 era of testing and punishments. He was not ever left alone, though. Bob Nightengale of USA Today said in 2019, "Let me tell you, there's not one player in baseball, not one player, that has been drug-tested more than David Ortiz. I guarantee you that." Ortiz is a legend for so many reasons. His comments after the Boston Bombing are iconic. He then carried the Red Sox to a WS that year. He is one of those guys that was just incredible off the field. To look back at some of his career stats to support his case over 20 years 541HR, 17 postseason HR, his .455BA in 3 world series, all of which he won is incredible. He did all this from being a DH as he has the record for most games at the position with 2027. 10x All-Star, 7x Silver Slugger, WS MVP, ALCS MVP. 286 BA, 55.3WAR, 1768RBI. When he gets on the ballot in 2022, it will be his first and last. Roger Clemens, aka The Rocket alone on his career numbers, is probably the greatest pitcher of All-Time. 24 season between 1984-2007 4916.2IP, 4672SO(3rd on the time list), 138.7WAR. 11x All-Star, SEVEN CY Young awards, and 2 WS rings, two 20K games. Clemens's name was a main on the Mitchel Report though he never tested positive and was acquitted in 2012. At this same time, even Conseco was skeptical that Clemens ever used. His career stats only PED or not are HOF worthy and should have gotten him in 8 years ago. To add on to his stats 354-184 record, 3.12ERA, 2x Triple Crown, 7x ERA Title, All-Star game MVP. How he has only gotten 61% of the vote after eight years is beyond me. It probably will be the most unfair vote to happen if Clemens doesn't end up in the HOF. But I think it is bound to happen. The Rocket deserves his spot in the HOF. Lastly, the guy we all think of when we start this conversation of PEDs and HOF. Barry Bonds himself. Take the context of the situation out of the discussion. Bonds in the GOAT. 7x MVP, single-season HR record with 73, career HR record of 762, all-time walks leader with 2558, the time leader in intentional walks with 688. his 182oPS+ is 3rd to only Babe Ruth and Ted Williams yet NO one can even think to compete with his 162.8WAR. Let's add in his 2935H, career 298BA, 1996RBI, 514SB, 14x All-Star, 8x Gold Glove, 12x Silver Slugger, 2x Batting Title just an incredible career. Bonds did admit in 2004 using steroids provided by his trainer Greg Anderson and took the route of ignorance. Bonds also realized he wasn't the best character in the clubhouse and dugout saying, "I'm to blame for the way I was[portrayed] because I was a dumba**." Never testing positive after 2005 or failing a test. After 8 years on the ballot getting up to 60.7% of the vote. He and Clemens are two of the best we have and will ever see that their respective positions. Getting to 75% over the next two years is a big jump, but he deserves it. His records will never be broken, at least in my lifetime. Thanks for reading!