The not-so-early returns speak to a possibly unprecedented Hall of Fame election next month. You need 75 percent, and no less than four players are coming up just short.
With 105 ballots revealed by 12/25 (25.2 percent of those issued), well, we'll let the numbers speak for themselves:
Chipper - 98.1%
Thome - 95.2%
Vlad - 94.3%
Edgar 81%
Hoffman - 79%
Clemens - 71.4%
Mussina - 70.5%
Bonds - 70.5%
Schilling - 68%
Walker - 41%
Vizquel - 28.6%
Manny - 28.6%
McGriff - 15.2%
Wagner - 10.5%
Rolen - 10.5%
Sosa - 10.5%
-----
Andruw - 7.6%
Sheffield - 10.5%
Johnny Damon has one vote!
I don't get all the Edgar love. If you look at the top 10 most similar players you see Moises Alou, Magglio Ordonez, John Olerud, Will Clark, Bob Johnson, Bernie Williams, Paul O'Neill, Lance Berkman, Matt Holliday, Ellis Burks, et al. In other words, guys who won't make the HoF--some of whom actually knew which end of the glove to hold.