Theo Epstein Belongs in Cooperstown; Robinson Cano Doesn't

Earlier this week, I discussed what my 2021 BBWAA Hall of Fame ballot would look like if I were a voting member.

Let me make an addendum of sorts. Although not eligible to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame until 2022 when the Today's Game Era Subcommittee of the Veterans Committee convenes, I think Theo Epstein will soon have a plaque in Cooperstown.

Yesterday, Epstein stepped down as President of Baseball Operations for the Chicago Cubs. Speculation abounds that Epstein, who turns 47 next month, will join the New York Mets' front office under new owner Steve Cohen. 

If Epstein never works another day in MLB he has earned enshrinement into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Epstein was in the driver's seat when not one, but two franchises earned World Series glory after prolonged droughts. Epstein, scarcely in his 30's, was the General Manager of the Boston Red Sox when in 2004 they won their first World Series title in 86 years. Epstein would earn a second World Series ring with the Bosox three years later. Fast forward nearly a decade, the Cubs win their first World Series in 108 years with Epstein at the helm of the front office. 

To have broken the drought with one of these teams would have been a remarkable feat, but to do so with both of the teams is without precedent. Simply put, Epstein is in a class by himself. It is only a matter of time before Epstein is part of a Hall of Fame class.

The same cannot be said for New York Mets second baseman Robinson Cano. For the second time in just over two years, Cano has been suspended for PED use. Cano, 38, was suspended for 80 games after his first positive test while a member of the Seattle Mariners during the 2018 season. The Mariners subsequently traded Cano to the Mets prior to the 2019 season. Because of this second positive test, Cano will miss the entire 2021 season. Cano is under contract with the Mets through 2023. A third positive test would result in a lifetime ban from MLB.

Cano is pretty much in the same boat as his Dominican countryman Manny Ramirez who was also twice suspended by MLB for PED use. While both have Hall of Fame credentials the fact they flagrantly broke the rules on multiple occasions casts a pall on their achievements. After four years on the BBWAA ballot, Ramirez has failed to exceed 30% of the vote (75% is required for enshrinement). 

Of course, Cano has a chance at induction should Ramirez be inducted. The likelihood of Ramirez's enshrinement is dependent on whether Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens are enshrined either this year or next year. But even if Bonds and Clemens are inducted it should be kept in mind that their alleged PED infractions came about before MLB imposed its disciplinary regime. Given these circumstances, Cano (and Ramirez before him) have flaunted the rules and I doubt the BBWAA will be inclined to reward his foolishness and nor should they do so.