This is the beginning of a blog I will be continuing over the next 8 days. Grouping by a division every day, I will break down all future hall of fame candidates for every team, making a case and giving my final verdict on their hall future. Today's division will be the American League East.

Future Hall Of Fame Candidates for the American League East.

Baltimore Orioles

It seems the Orioles roster, as of now, has only one potential hall of famer. Erik Bedard looks like he started too late, Brian Roberts hasn't been dominant enough, and it's too early to predict anything for Nick Markakis. That being said, there leaves only one to consider.

Miguel Tejada, SS: Playing in his 9th full season, and 11th overall, Tejada has produced effectively for years now. He won the American League MVP award in 2002, when he hit .308 with 34 homers, 131 rbi's, and 204 hits. He also has had a 150 rbi season, and when he broke a bone earlier this year, saw his streak of 1152 consecutive games played ended, good enough for fifth all time. Looking at his career numbers, Miguel has 938 runs, 1730 hits, 258 home runs, 1029 rbi's, a .344 obp, .477 slg. pct, and a .287 batting average. It doesnt look like hall of fame type numbers yet, but he is only 31, so 7 or 8 more productive years could give him the credentials he needs. However, his play has slowly started to decline, and barring a big pickup in production, I dont see him making it. Final Verdict: OUT

Boston Red Sox

The Red Sox have a lot of good young players who may one day end up in hall of fame discussions, but it is just too early to tell. I also exclude Josh Beckett from the discussion, he just hasnt put up the numbers to even consider for hall of fame worthiness yet. They still have three players on their roster you could make an argument for.

Curt Schilling, SP- It's the big mouth, big ego starting pitcher. This guy thinks he can win championships all by himself, and I personally can't stand him. But it's not attitude that gets you in or out of the hall of fame(or is it????). Schilling has been a part of two world series winners, and was co-mvp of the 01 series, splitting the honor with Randy Johnson. It seems playing second fiddle to Johnson his whole tenure in Arizona held him back, as he surprisingly has never won a Cy Young award(finished twice three times, and finished in the top 10 of mvp voting twice). Looking at his career stats, however, it is very hard to tell his future on the ballot. He has played mediocre at times, and like a legend at others. He has a career record of 215-146, with a 3.46 era, 83 complete games, 3255.0 innings pitched, 3110 strikeouts, and a 1.14 career whip. He has also amassed three 300 strikeout seasons, and 5 of at least 200. Final Verdict: It may take a few years, but he is definitely IN

David Ortiz- Big Papi, possibly one of the most clutch(if such a thing exists) hitters in baseball history. Everyone loves this guy, he's a Boston icon, and the face of the franchise. Despite those great things, their are two things holding him back. One, he does not play in the field. Two, and more importantly, he may have got started on being a superstar just a bit too late. Ortiz is already 32 years old, and only in his 5th producitve season. What does help him, however, is during those 5 years he has been one of the best hitters in the game. He's finished in the top five in the mvp voting the past 4 years, and top three the last 2. This is also his fifth year in a row of 30+ homers, 100+ rbi's, two of voters favorite statistics. Looking at his career stats, 730 runs, 1208 hits, 263 home runs, 875 rbi's, a .382 obp, .556 slg, and .288 average, suggest he doesnt have the numbers to get in. Final Verdict: Maybe if he has 7 or eight more years like he has had lately, but unless thats the case, this lovable slugger is OUT!

Manny Ramirez- It's the high drama power hitter, who mans possibly the most famous position in baseball history(left field for the Boston Red Sox). One thing I know, is this guy can play. He finished in the top ten in mvp voting 8 straight years at one point, and is one of the best hitters of this era. His career numbers are pretty astounding. 1337 runs, 2202 hits, 470 doubles, 490 home runs, 1602 rbi's, 1122 walks, a .409 obp, .593 slg. pct., and a .313 batting average. Final Verdict: Surefire, first ballot hall of famer. IN

New York Yankees

Holy dick.I had to be extremely picky with the Yankees, there are so many great players on this team. Sorry to Andy Pettitte(1.35 whip), Jason Giambi(steroids make it obvious), Bobby Abreu(one of my favorite players), I had to cut this list short.

Mike Mussina- Mussina has made 5 all star teams, won 6 gold gloves, and finished top ten in cy young voting 8 different times. He has been consistent throughout his career. His career stats look like this, 250-144, 3.69 era, 3357.1 IP, 2661 strikeouts, and a 1.19 whip. Many sceptics base his getting in or not on his ability to get to 300 wins. Final Verdict- Not right away, but someday, he will be IN.

Mariano Rivera- Possibly the most dominating closer of all time. He has finished top ten in mvp voting twice, and top 5 in the Cy Young 4 times. He has also been a member of eight all star teams, and finished top 5 in saves 6 times. One other thing he has going for him, is that he ranks third all time in saves. Then you have his postseason stats. In 73 postseason games, he has a .80 era, with 87 strikeouts and only 15 walks in 112.2 innings pitched. Final Verdict: Without a doubt, IN

Jorge Posada- One of the top two hitting catchers of this era, Posada has been consistent throughout this decade. A five time all star, Posada has 218 home runs to go along with a .380 obp, .479 slb. pct, and a .277 average. Final Verdict: He may get a plaque with his face at the new Yankee Stadium, but when it comes to Cooperstown, he is OUT

Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez- INNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! In you fooools!!!!

You know what, I'd also like to apologize to Johnny Damon, you arent a hall of famer. I'm not even gonna bother writing about it.

Tampa Bay Devil Rays

The Devil Rays are such a young team, that we really can't predict the future for any of their good young players. Ten years from now, we may be disucssin Scott Kazmir, Carl Crawford, B.J. Upton, and Delmon Young. But right now, it's just too early in their careers to make those kind of decisions.

Toronto Blue Jays

Potential discussions for the future could involve Alex Rios, Vernon Wells, and Roy Halladay, but they are also too young to talk about in this blog, which I have now been writing for 35 minutes. So I will end it short and sweet for this first edition of Hall Of Famer??

Frank Thomas- Five time all star, two time mvp. Frank Thomas could very well have 650 home runs today if not for nagging injuries. That saying, he still has had an "allright" career. He has 1463 runs, 2401 hits, 512 home runs, 1670 rbi's, 1627 walks, a .421 obp, .560 slg pct, and a .303 average. Final Verdict: Without a doubt, IN