Today at two pm the Hall of Fame class of 2013 will be announced. It is without question the most “controversial” ballot in the history of this hallowed institution and one would like to think that it will put an end to the discussion of all the “roiders” of the past two and half decade. But it won’t!

I have written it before and will write it again it is the Hall of Fame itself which should grab the steroid bull by the horns, formally declare a “Steroid Era” and set about their criteria for dealing with the best of players of the worst era. But they won’t! They sit in silence, claim they are powerless and at the mercy of the decisions of the BBWAA.

The official policy on steroid use of the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

The debate has raged all over the MLB Network about who should get in, who will get in and why. It is always interesting fodder for the mill and it always reestablishes the unmistakable fact that baseball remains America’s Pastime.

There is no doubt that this year’s class should be the greatest class since the original five of Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, Honus Wagner, Walter Johnson and Christy Mathewson were inducted in 1936. But it won’t be!

I have chosen not to enter the debate this year about who should and shouldn’t get in. Rather I will render a few predictions on what I think will occur at two today.

1. Jack Morris will FINALLY get in, his 14th year on the ballot. He led all of baseball in wins and complete games for the decade of the 1980s and was one of the most clutch pitchers of his or any other era.
2. The three-time World Champ will wear a Tigers cap on his plaque.

Jeff Bagwell received 56% of the vote in 2012.

Lee Smith received 50.6% of the vote in 2012.

Tim Raines received 48.7% of the vote in 2012.

Allan Trammell received 36.8% of the vote in 2012.

3. Jeff Bagwell, Lee Smith, Tim Raines and Allan Trammell will all receive a higher percentage of this years vote but still fall short of the 75% required for induction.

4. Dale Murphy will make his 15th and last appearance on the ballot and depart inexplicably having never exceeded 23% of the vote.

5. Sammy Sosa will not receive 25% of the vote.

Barry the Pirate and Bonds the Giant.

Roger the Red Sox, and Clemens the Yankee.

6. Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens will receive more votes than any other confirmed first time”Roiders”, ( McGwire and Palmiero) but they will not get in.

Curt Schilling, one of the top five post season pitchers in baseball history.

7. Curt Schilling will not receive 50% of the vote.

Piazza.

8. Mike Piazza will come close, maybe 70% of the vote but fall just short of induction.

Craig Biggio a seven time All Star, four time Gold Glove winner at second base and one of only 28 players in history to crack the 3000 hit barrier. His 3060 hits places him 21st on the all time list.

9. Craig Biggio will join the elite elected to the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.

10. The “Roid” discussion will rage on!

I will leave for work this morning, Tevo the MLB Network to watch the Hall of Fame show from noon to three and then check to see if I am a pundit, a prognosticator or just another big mouth who thinks he knows stuff. Perhaps even all of the above.

I do know for a fact that I will be absolutely right on the mark with prediction number 10!

I also know that come February I will visit that sleepy little town and revel in the magic that only winter can bring to it. It will be a magical, mystical visit and for a brief time, the world will be mine.

And I will return again in July to welcome the class of 2013, Craig Biggio, Jack Morris, Deacon White, Hank O’Day and Jake Ruppert. I think.

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad.