It's going to be a rough summer for Coopertown merchants who count on an influx of fans attending the Baseball Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in July.
No players on the ballot of the Baseball Writers' Association of America garnered the necessary 75 percent of the votes required for induction today. This is only the second time in four decades that no players were found worthy.
Suspicion of steroid use was the reason Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens and Sammy Sosa were denied, and probably figured in the rejection of Mike Piazza, as well.
Bonds, baseball's career home run leader, received just 36.2 percent of the vote, Clemens 37.6 and Sosa 12.5. Piazza received 57.8 percent. This is the first year on the ballor for all four players.
Craig Biggiio, 20th on the career list with 3,060 hits, topped the 37 candidates with 68.2 percent of the 569 ballots, 39 shy of the 75 percent needed. Curt Shilling got 38.8 percent.
Jack Morris led holdovers on the ballot with 67.7 percent. He will make his final ballot appearance next year, when Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine are eligible for the first time.
Ohio Woman Accuses 3 of Holding Her Captive
Hunt for Ex-Teamster Boss Hoffa's Remains Ends
Aug. Trial Set for Ohio Man in Triple Kidnapping
Car Crash in NYC's East Village Injures 8
Obama Renews Call for Nuclear Reductions
Raw: Car Jumps Curb in NYC, Injures 8
Unusual Heat Wave Bakes Alaska
Raw: German President Welcomes President Obama
Raw: Arizona Wildfire Scorches 8 Square Miles
Raw: Huge Fire Near Yosemite National Park
Kid Couture: Spending Big Bucks on Babies
