My favorite baseball player of all-time is Cal Ripken, Jr.  With 2007 being his first year of eligibilty to the Hall of Fame, I was certain he'd get in.  What I didn't expect was that he'd garner a 98.53% of the vote which was third best in history -- behind Tom Seaver (98.83% in 1992) and Nolan Ryan (98.79% in 1999).  Over the past couple of weeks I'd read articles from so-called sports columnists who'd claim that Ripken wasn't all that deserving to be a hall of famer while they defended slugger Mark McGwire.  Those guys were idiots, but enough about them....

What Cal Ripken accomplished will most likely never be matched.  Sure, we all thought the Iron Horse's record would stand forever, but that just further proves why Ripken deserves to be in the Hall of Fame -- not to mention his World Series title and two MVP awards.  Ripken is also a class-act as well.

Speaking of nice guys, could there be any nicer a guy than Tony Gwynn?  He, too, will be inducted into Cooperstown along with Ripken.  Gwynn received a 97.6%, which is seventh all-time.  With eight National League batting titles, there was no denying Tony Gwynn would get in.

Unfortunately, "Goose" Gossage will have to wait another year.  He fell short by 21 votes, but most sports writers say 2008 will be his year....finally!  McGwire somehow managed to get 23.5% and Jose Canseco got a 1.1%.  Who's the idiot who gave Canseco a vote?!

Congrats to RIPKEN and GWYNN!!!