[Truth]

If he does not get in next year, which is the best chance that I see in the foreseeable future, he will not get in in the eligible years he can be on the ballot. Below, I highlighted the guys I think have a better chance of getting the votes, or taking votes away from Barry, who either get elected over him that won't get penalized for Steroid controversy.

2012: Edgardo Alfonzo, Pedro Astacio, David Bell, Jeromy Burnitz, Vinny Castilla, Scott Erickson, Carl Everett, Jeff Fassero, Alex S. Gonzalez, Danny Graves, Rick Helling, Dustin Hermanson, Jose Hernandez, Brian Jordan, Matt Lawton, Javy Lopez, Bill Mueller, Terry Mulholland, Jeff Nelson, Phil Nevin, Brad Radke, Joe Randa, Tim Salmon, Ruben Sierra, Jose Vizcaino, Bernie Williams, Eric Young

2013: Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Craig Biggio, Curt Schilling, Sammy Sosa, Mike Piazza, Kenny Lofton, David Wells, Julio Franco, Shawn Green, Steve Finley, Roberto Hernandez, Jeff Cirillo, Jose Valentin, Reggie Sanders, Jeff Conine, Jose Mesa, Royce Clayton, Bob Wickman, Ryan Klesko, Aaron Sele, Woody Williams, Rondell White, Mike Lieberthal, Tony Batista, Mike Stanton, Sandy Alomar Jr., Damian Miller, Todd Walker

2014: Moises Alou, Armando Benitez, Sean Casey, Jose Cruz Jr., Ray Durham, Damion Easley, Jim Edmonds, Keith Foulke, Eric Gagne, Tom Glavine, Luis Gonzalez, Mark Grudzielanek, Scott Hatteberg, Jacque Jones, Todd Jones, Jeff Kent, Jon Lieber, Esteban Loaiza, Paul Lo Duca, Greg Maddux, Matt Morris, Mike Mussina, Trot Nixon, Hideo Nomo, Jay Payton, Kenny Rogers, Richie Sexson, J.T. Snow, Shannon Stewart, Frank Thomas, Mike Timlin, Steve Trachsel, Jose Vidro

2015: Nomar Garciaparra, Randy Johnson, Pedro Martinez, John Smoltz

2016: Brad Ausmus, Ken Griffey Jr.

I would agree that Larkin needs to get the votes next year or he could wait for a while. As I stated in another thread, I hope the voters get a lot more selective in the future. The Hall should be for only the absolute best.

Using that standard, I don't think any of those becoming eligible in 2012 should ever be elected. That opens the door for Larkin.

For those becoming eligible in 2013, Piazza and Biggio stand out. Bonds and Clemens also stand out but the voters may exclude them because of drugs which is fine with me. I personally like Schilling but he isn't in the same class with the pitchers (other than Martinez) who should and will be elected in 2014 and 2015.

As for 2014, Glavine and Maddux (one of the six best pitchers of all time) are obvious Hall of Famers. Only Kent of the rest deserves serious consideration. He will get in sooner or later with my preference being much later.

Smoltz, Johnson, and Martinez (least of the three) should be elected in 2015.

Griffey is obvious in 2016.

I am a traditionalist. I think first year election should be limited to only the exceptional. Remember, the great Denton True Young wasn't elected until his second year on the ballot. And, surely we all can agree that the greatest record in all of sport is his career 511 wins.