'Election' sparks lively debate

There was a mountain of debate last week over recent election results.

You could find ranting posts on Facebook, attacks and criticism on Twitter and an abundance of comments and complaints posted across your choice of websites. Objections were lodged, while others posted support of their winning candidate.

Televisions were abuzz with coverage. Talk show hosts, pundits and guests bantered and argued and tried to weigh in on the ramifications of the latest ballot results. In a nutshell, the analysts and the average Joes were trying to figure out just what this meant for the future.

I mean, after all, a guy won on the very first time he appeared on the ballot. I won’t say that’s extremely rare, but it always sparks conversation whenever it occurs.

Cheaters, or at least some whose reputations were semi-tarnished with accusations of breaking the rules, have been elected before. It just didn’t happen this time — but it was closer than when the outcomes of previous ballots had been tallied.

To recap the election results and pass along kudos where they’re deserved, congratulations to the trio of “Bags,” “The Rock” and “Pudge.” That’s the trio — Jeff Bagwell, Tim Raines and Ivan Rodriguez — who comprise this year’s class headed into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

Wait, I’m sorry. Did you think I was referencing the transition of power in Washington with the inauguration of Donald Trump as commander in chief No. 45?

Come on, man.

No, I’m alluding to the “other” big announcement of election results this week. The one in which Rodriguez, a stalwart catcher for the Rangers and Tigers (and a few other teams not worth mentioning), landed a spot in the Hall during his first year of eligibility.

One of the other two inductees — Raines — managed to eke out a plaque in his 10th and final year of eligibility. Bagwell, a career-long Houston Astro, grabbed the most votes of the bunch in his seventh go-round on the ballot.

Two players who didn’t get in grabbed at least a share of the headlines though. That’s Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens, two guys who had at least part of their careers land during the steroid era. Both gained consideration ground in the voting tallies from a year ago, despite the black cloud hanging over at least a part of their playing days.

I already can’t wait until next year. That’s when the debate will continue around guys named Chipper, Omar and Thome, and the hot topic of guys like Bonds and Clemens will be rejuvenated. And then there are always the cases of Pete Rose and “Shoeless” Joe Jackson.

I love elections and the debate they bring.

Rob Langrell is the publisher of The Eastern New Mexico News. Contact him at: [email protected]