Bert Blyleven — Hall of Famer?

We’ll soon find out if the 13th time is the charm for Bert Blyleven. On January 6th, the 2010 Baseball Hall of Fame class will be announced.

For a guy who was retired well before steroids took over baseball, there’s still a lot of debate on whether Blyleven deserves to be elected to the Hall of Fame. After looking over his career stats, I’d have to say it’s a pretty easy decision. He deserves a plaque in Cooperstown.

Bert Blyleven is one of only 16 pitchers with over 3000 strikeouts, and one of only 9 pitchers with more than 3500 strikeouts.

In fact, Blyleven is fifth all-time with 3701 strikeouts, which is the most of any Hall of Fame eligible player.

He ranks 27th all-time with 287 wins. This is second most among eligible Hall of Famers, one win behind Tommy John.

He threw 60 shutouts, which is 9th all-time, again the most of any eligible Hall of Famer. That’s 14 more shutouts than next person on the list…Tommy John again.

On September 22, 1977, Blyleven threw a no-hitter against the California Angels as a member of the Texas Rangers.

In 1985, he led the American League with 206 strikeouts. And in 1987 was Member of Minnesota Twins 1987 World Series Championship team.

Nolan Ryan is the only pitcher in the history of baseball who has more wins, strikeouts, and shutouts than Bert Blyleven.

Blyleven is still known for having one of the best curveballs by any pitcher in history. We can only imagine what he could do with a wiffleball, even now, and he’s been retired since 1992.

The subject of one of Chris Berman’s best nicknames, Bert “Be Home” Blyleven now announces for the Minnesota Twins. Depending on where you live, you might not get to hear him broadcast live, but perhaps you’re familiar with his vulgar slip-up before a game at Yankee Stadium.

The man known for circling his fans with his telestrator, or Circle Machine, during Twins games wants his name circled on Baseball Hall of Fame ballots. He’s been on the ballot since 1998, but he’s running out of time. If he doesn’t get elected by 2012, he’ll no longer be eligible to be voted in by the Baseball Writers Association of America. After that, he’d have to be voted in by the Veteran’s Committee.

He may not have the magic number of 300 wins, but he’s close. However, his 3701 strikeouts, 60 shutouts, World Series Championship, and 287 wins, make him a well-deserved Hall of Famer.

In 2009, he got 62.7% of votes. 75% is needed to get inducted. He still has a way to go, but if the writers would take a minute to see where Blyleven ranks in some of the most important career pitching categories, they’d realize he deserves a plaque in Cooperstown too.