You heard me right. “Just.” You only need 75% of the vote from the BBWAA to be enshrined in Coopeerstown, but it is downright criminal that the greatest thief ever didn’t get nominated on 100% of the 539 current ballots.

Check out these stats real quick:

• 1,406 stolen bases (Lou Brock is in second place with 938)
• 2,295 runs scored (Ty Cobb is right behind him in second with 2,246)
• 21st all-time in doubles (3,055)
• 873 extra base hits (64th all-time, and most of any full-time leadoff hitter)
• OBP over .400

Slick Rickey is often considered the best leadoff hitter of all time and, at the very least, has to be considered in the top 5 in that spot. To think that there are 28 baseball writers out there who don’t think that he should be in the Hall of Fame is just ridiculous. When Call Ripken gets more votes despite being one of the most overrated players ever, there’s a problem. Think about it, Cal won his MVPs in relatively down years, never hit for much power, never had enough time to put the crutches down to actually steal bases, played little-league level defense at shortstop and hurt his team by playing injured in order to keep his “streak” going. I digress. (Note: I definitely think Ripken is a great player and deserves to be in the HoF, but my point is that there’s no way he’s more worthy that Rickey.)

Maybe I’m making a mountain out of a molehill, but when a truly great player doesn’t get all the respect he deserves, it just frustrates me.

Regardless of vote counts, congratulations to Rickey Henderson and Jim Rice (who finally drummed up enough sympathy to overcome his average play throughout his career) for being given baseball’s highest honor: entering the Hall of Fame. You’ll be remembered forever. By most of us.