Considering the Hall candidates - Bert Blyleven

Bert Blyleven

Pro - he has nearly 300 wins and over 3,000 strikeouts in his resume. 

By his account - he's probably the most deserving of all eligible candidates and should have been inducted already.

Blyleven made 685 starts in 692 games pitched in the Major Leagues - he was a durable workhorse who took the ball and pitched 242 complete games, including 60 shutouts in the process.

It boggles mind to consider his innings workload during his prime in the 1970s to be 'normal' for a pitcher - which all the more impressive considering Blyleven statistics as it relates to how good a pitcher he was, regardless of any negative sentiment i.e. he pitched for bad teams, was more of a compiler, wasn't really ever great in one particular season, etc.

Aside from Blyleven's numbers, Blyleven was considered to be a good natured, fan-friendly player - who was a notorious, prankster in Major League clubhouses.

Con - what makes him so different from other comparable hurlers? However, he may come off as a little too smug and a little too ardent in campaigning for his spot in the Hall of Fame, particularly in the last four or five years, where he has gained more support.  

He has the numbers, but maybe those who don't vote for him were exposed to Blyleven - as some sort of clown who was a better clubhouse prankster, than a Hall of Fame caliber pitcher.

Yes/No - I'd lean towards 'yes.' 

He's waited long enough to be honored maybe he should be recognized for his accomplishments and not his humility - circle me, Bert.