Barry Bonds or Roger Clemens? Mark McGwire or Sammy Sosa? Craig Biggio or Jeff Bagwell?
Here's how the voting took place among the three News-Democrat staff member with a Hall of Fame ballot in 2013:
Joe Ostermeier
BBWAA: Has written about the St. Louis Cardinals for the News-Democrat since 1985, BBWAA member since 1991, officer in the St. Louis Chapter of BBWAA.
Players chosen on his 2013 ballot: Jeff Bagwell, Craig Biggio, Fred McGriff, Jack Morris, Dale Murphy, Mike Piazza, Tim Raines, Lee Smith, Alan Trammell.
Why he voted as he did: "Since there's an 'integrity, sportsmanship, character' element in the rules -- and there is -- I couldn't bring myself to vote for Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, or Sammy Sosa. Or Mark McGwire for that matter; his name has never been checked on a ballot I've filled out, and it's because of the taint of steroids attached to him and the new players on the ballot for 2013.
"This is not an easy decision to make, and it's one we voters wrestle with each year. It doesn't matter what side of the steroid divide you come down on -- there will always be questions about what constitutes a Hall of Famer, whether these players will someday be voted in, and -- once that happens, if it does -- whether it was right to do so."
David Wilhelm
BBWAA: Active in BBWAA and St. Louis Chapter, has covered the St. Louis Cardinals for the BND since 1995.
Players chosen on his 2013 ballot: Craig Biggio, Jeff Bagwell, Fred McGriff, Jack Morris, Tim Raines, Lee Smith.
Why he voted as he did: "I decided not to vote for any of the players directly linked to steroids. In the last two months, I heard people argue that Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens and other candidates were Hall of Fame-caliber players before they began using PEDs.
"However, I don't believe it would be fair to vote for them, given that their career statistics -- many of them accomplished with the assistance of steroids -- would ultimately be compared with other Hall of Fame players who didn't participate in drugs.
" I am disappointed no players were elected this year, particularly Craig Biggio, who recorded 3,060 hits, won four Gold Gloves, was an ambassador for the game and showed utmost integrity in his 20-year career."
Warren Mayes
BBWAA: Hall of Fame voter since 1990, active in St. Louis Chapter of BBWAA, member of writers association since he covered Kansas City Royals in 1980.
Players chosen on his 2013 ballot: Craig Biggio, Edgar Martinez, Fred McGriff, Jack Morris, Lee Smith, Tim Raines.
Why he voted as he did: "The appearance of Bonds, Clemens, Sosa and Mike Piazza alone makes this ballot contentious, divisive, and somewhat bitter for voters. It brings the aptly called steroid era into focus. Obviously, Mark McGwire and Rafael Palmeiro have been on the ballot in recent years.
"They did not receive my vote nor did these newcomers. I don't like being put in the position of being a judge, jury and executioner but I take to heart the part of the ballot that lists the integrity of the game in the instructions."
