Cowlishaw: Rookie voter wants Raines in Baseball Hall of Fame’s forecast

I voted for five players, although the only one I know is going to make it for sure is first-year eligible Rickey Henderson. The greatest leadoff hitter of all time is an automatic choice to get more than the necessary 75 percent of the votes. The results will be announced Monday.

The funny thing is that I voted for three others who will either make it or come very close – outfielders Andre Dawson and Jim Rice and pitcher Bert Blyleven – and one other who won’t come close but deserves it more than anyone other than Henderson.

In fact, if Henderson had spent his career batting second or third, then we might recognize Tim Raines as the greatest leadoff hitter of all time.

...But let’s get to Tim Raines. The man had 2,605 career hits, and 3,000 hits always has been Hall worthy. Why didn’t Raines get there? Oh, perhaps because he led the National League in walks seven straight years from 1982 through 1988. He also led the NL in singles, doubles and triples those seven seasons.

Jeez…Raines must be dripping more Black Ink than Koko the Clown!

Thanks to Rich L.