What to do about the hall of fame.

I grow increasingly disgusted after each HOF article I read in this season of HOF voting. It seems that more and more stupid people have votes and they all seem to be taking the "Political correctness" stand. That is, the lets let everyone in stand. Look, just because people are stupid enough to put player X (cough Jim Rice cough) into the hall of fame doesn't mean you need to put player Y (Andre Dawson) in. Things are getting so watered down in recent years and I've been trying to think of a way to return mystique to Cooperstown.

As you know, I am a "Small Hall" guy meaning that I think it should be reserved for the truly deserving: guys who legitimately dominated the game for a number of years. Not guys who just accumulated counting stats, had a great moment, or were on great teams. I think I have come up with an idea. It's a modified version of Bill Simmons Pyramid Scheme.

Here's how it works: The hall consists of four levels each with their own requirements for enshrinement. The base would of course be the largest and least prestigious. Likewise the top would be reserved strictly for the best of the best of the best: basically the best pitcher for each generation.

The top level (level 4)
The top level of the Hall will be the most exclusive club in sports. One player can be elected every ten years and the player must pass through each of the three lower levels first. Baseball has been around for approximately 150 years which means we can put 15 players into the top level right now. Starting in 2010, we can put in one per decade. It doesn't matter which year the election is held, but elections must be 10 years apart and only one player can go in each time. Anyone in level 3 is eligible to be elected to level 4, and in the year of election everyone on the panel gets one vote, no more, no less.

Level 3
The third level will serve as a sort of waiting room for the top for some players and as a nice resting place for others. This is still an exclusive club, but not near to the level of #4. One player can be elected to this club every five years, and one additional player will be elected every ten years to replace the player headed to level 4. Therefore, the level will grow by one every five year and will start at 30 today. Players from level two are eligible here and committee members may vote for one player for each open spot during level 3 election years.

Level 2
A rung in the ladder for some, a final resting place for others. This is the level where most of the great players who were never at an all time great level will be. One player can be elected to this level every two years and an additional player every five years to replace the player departing to level 3. Anyone in level one is eligible for level two and committee members may vote for one player during each election year. This level will begin with 75 players

Level 1
The level where it is determined if a player is a Hall of Famer or not. This is the easiest level to gain addmitance, but is still limited in members. This level will admit one player per year as well as any other player getting at least 97% of the vote. Basically to get in, you had better be the best in your class or overwhelmingly good (8 players have gotten 97% or more). Level 1 is where all current hall of famers not in one of the upper levels will be dumped. My pick for this year: Bert Blyleven.