Cooperstown, You Are Hereby Circled

Image via WikipediaBert Blyleven, the former major league pitcher who waited 13 years to get into the Baseball Hall of Fame, finally got in on the 14th try Wednesday. 

He joins Roberto Alomar, a 12-time All-Star second baseman, as the only candidates who got enough votes from members of the Baseball Writers' Association of America for induction.  What's noteworthy is that Rafael Palmeiro and Mark McGwire, who were accused of using performance enhancing drugs during what we now call the Steroid Era, were passed over this time.

The statistics indicate Blyleven should have been inducted sooner than he was.  In 22 seasons, beginning with the Minnesota Twins and ending with the California (now Los Angeles) Angels from 1970 to 1993, his record was 287-250.  He had 3,701 strikeouts, 60 shutouts, and a lifetime ERA of 3.31.  He was part of two World Series championship teams with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1979 and the Twins in 1987.

What gave the baseball writers pause was that Blyleven won no Cy Young awards, had one 20-win season (1973), and that much of his career was spent playing for mediocre teams.

Since retiring as a player, Blyleven has been a TV analyst for Twins games on Fox Sports North.  He has mastered the art of using the telestrator, which he employs for circling sign-waving Twins fans during games.  He is also known for reminding viewers that his birthday is in April.

Come July 24, when the Hall of Fame induction ceremonies are held, Blyleven can stop campaigning for the one thing he's waited so long for.  It's his turn to get circled.