ON THE MARK.

WHO DESERVES INDUCTION TO THE BASEBALL HALL OF FAME?
   Tomorrow at 2 p.m., the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum will announce their 2013 inductees, and there's quite a bit of drama expected.  You see, with the exception of broadcaster Tom Cheek, writer Paul Hagen and three men voted in by the Veterans committee (all deceased), it's possible NOBODY gets voted in by the Baseball Writers of America this year.  In what should've been a lock cinch for Roger Clemens and Barry Bonds, 2013 might end up being the year of the underdog....or the nobody.   Early polling suggested that neither Clemens nor Bonds would get in this year, despite their incredible numbers.  The looming presence of Performance Enhancing Drugs casts quite a dark shadow over these men, and that could turn out to be beneficial for the likes of Jack Morris, Mike Piazza and possibly Tim Raines.  A player must receive votes on at least 75% of the ballots cast, which makes the Baseball H.O.F. the toughest Hall to gain entry to.  Back in 2002, Ozzie Smith was the only player to be voted in.  In 1996, no eligible player received a three-quarters majority from the voters.  In 1988, only Willie Stargell was inducted.  My prediction:  Jack Morris will sneak in with just over 75% of the votes and nobody else will reach that lofty mark. 
    And it doesn't get any easier next year as Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine and Frank Thomas join the ballot for the first time.   If you think Bonds, Clemens, Sammy Sosa and the rest of the 2013 eligibles are in tough this year, wait until 2014.   Maddux gets in for sure next year, and Glavine might well join him.  I mean, how often do you get two 300 game winners on the same ballot? (Don't answer that, I haven't checked)
     Today on Facebook, I posted a little something about the Toronto Maple Leafs and their quest for an elite goaltender.  Perhaps they should make a serious bid for Roberto Luongo.  Within minutes of the posting, dozens of responses flowed in.   It's as if hockey fans in general and Leafs fans specifically, have been in hiding for the past four months.  Of course, nobody was talking hockey unless it was lockout talk.   Now, the shackles have been removed and folks can predict trades, signings, line combinations, minor league call-ups, all the good stuff that's been missing.   Some people say that hockey defines us as Canadians.  This is a pretty good indicator that they're right.  The amount of work still to be done prior to the start of the NHL season is incredible.  It's a mad dash to get everything done at all levels of an organization.   For Leaf fans, it's a 48 game sprint to see if they can make the playoffs.   Even if they do, it won't be an accurate measuring stick as to how the organization is doing.  We'll still need to see how they perform over a FULL season, taking injuries, slumps, etc. into consideration.    With James Reimer and Ben Scrivens as their starting goalies, the Leafs will need an awful lot of help to make it to the post season.  Bobby Lou might be just the guy they need to get them there.   It doesn't matter how much they'll spend on him, the Leafs HAVE to improve their goaltending.
       Outside of Pittsburgh, there hasn't been much talk surrounding Sidney Crosby.   I for one am dying to see how he's recovered from his concussion problems.  Having not played for quite some time, Crosby is fully recovered and, if you believe the TV commercials for Sport Chek, has been working out like a madman as he attempts to come back and regain the form that made him the BEST player in the game.   Call it a blessing in disguise, but had the season started on time, all eyes would've been on Crosby's every shift.  As for now, there are other things to focus on.   I predict Crosby will have a breakout season.   Over 100 points while showing flashes of the Crosby of old (37 points in 22 games last year).   And don't forget.  He's only 25 years old.   Here's hoping he's got another 10 years in this game.