Marvin Miller passed away on Tuesday at the age of 95. Former MLB Comissioner Fay Vincent called Miller the game's most important figure of the last 50 years. Current comissioner Bud Selig stated five years ago Miller belonged in the hall of fame.

   Miller served as the player's union chief from 1966-1982. He won free agency for players in 1975.  When Miller first formed the union, the major league minimum salary was $6,000. Today it’s $480,000. He also pushed for salary arbitration. Today's average is $3.4 million in 2012.

   Miller, who led the union through three strikes and two lockouts, missed out on enshrinement in 2003, 2007, and 2011.

   Speaking of the hall of fame, Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens and Sammy Sosa are set to appear on the ballot for the first time. The Baseball Writers' Association of America will vote  through next month. The results will be announced January 9th, with  players needing to be listed on 75 percent of the ballots to gain induction.

   My personal thoughts are if baseball allows alleged ped users to appear on the Hall of Fame ballot then Pete Rose needs to be pardoned or at least allowed on the ballot. Rose's accomplishments between the lines are undeniable. I would never want him to manage or coach again, but the game's all-time hits leader needs to take his place in Cooperstown.

 

 For the record I would vote Bonds and Clemens in.