Dec 3, 2012; Nashville, TN, USA; MLB hall of fame president Jeff Idelson addresses the media during the Major League Baseball winter meetings at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel. Mandatory credit: Don McPeak-USA Today Sports

New comer Biggio led the 2013 edition with 68.2% of the votes, while Morris, Raines, and Bagwell crept closer to the 75% selection marker. Among the names taking a slight step back on their vote totals were Edgar Martinez, Larry Walker, and former Cubs coach Alan Trammell.

Unfortunately for Lee Smith and Cubs fans, the former closer was also among those who took a step back in votes received. Smith registered 47.8% in the 2013 go around, this after cracking the 50% mark in voting at this time last year. With fellow closers Goose Gossage and Bruce Sutter leading the way in the years prior, another year of progress in terms of vote total would have made more sense than the decrease that actually came about, considering the former Cub is third all time with 478 career saves. Smith’s resume also includes seven All Star game selections, back to back NL Rolaids Relief man of the Year awards in 1991 and 1992, as well as a third honor in 1994.

Fans drawn to controversy will want to know how Sammy Sosa fared in his ballot debut. Slammin’ Sammy registered a meager 12.5% of the vote. On the stat sheet, Sosa’s prolific career home run numbers certainly warrant consideration, but there will always be the cloud of performance enhancing drugs hovering over Sosa. To compare with his fellow Steroid Era sluggers, Sosa’s vote total also falls short. Barry Bonds registered 36.2% and Mark McGwire came in at 16.9%, which the former Oakland and St. Louis power hitter seeing a decrease from 2012.

Sosa’s chances of getting in one day does not appear bright based on the initial returns. How the voters and the public eventually judge players like Roger Clemens and Barry Bonds from the Steroids Era will further impact the former Cub right fielders hopes. Until then, closer Smith figures to have the best chance to be the next former Cub to be enshrined in the Hall of Fame.

According to Baseball-Reference.com, the list of eligible players that spent some time on the North Side include Todd Walker (first time), Rondell White (first time), Kenny Lofton (first time), Rafael Palmeiro (third time), and Fred McGriff (fourth time). Lofton’s short time as a Cub was a memorable one, as he was part of the 2003 NLCS team. McGriff had a 30 HR, 100 RBI season as a Cub in 2002. But overall, none of these players would figure to be cast in bronze with a Cubs hat if elected.

The remaining name that does stand out is Lee Smith. The big reliever came up with the Cubs in 1980 and handled the closers role from 1982 to 1987, collecting 179 saves during that span. On the 1983 NL East Division champ squad Smith tallied 33 saves with a 3.65 ERA and 7.7 strikeouts per nine innings. It would not be a stretch to say that Smith laid the foundation for a successful career during his time on the North Side.

Unfortunately for Cubs fans hoping to see another bust in Cooperstown with a Cubs hat on, Smith also went on to have solid years at a few other Major League stops in his career. Those stops included the Red Sox, Orioles, and Angels. But arguably his best year came with the division rival Cardinals. In 1991 Smith led the league in saves with 47 while posting a 2.34 ERA and 8.3 strikeouts per nine. Those numbers were good enough to earn an All Star Game roster spot and come in second in the Cy Young Award voting. As a result, Smith could just as easily go into the Hall with a St Louis cap on.

But for Smith, it is first things first, and that is getting the call to Cooperstown. Thankfully for the closer, Bruce Sutter’s induction will help pave the way for Smith and other closers. Old number 46 for the Cubs also broke the 50% vote benchmark last year. Players on the ballot that have reached that mark have typically been successful in getting the eventual invite to immorality. With Jack Morris and Jeff Bagwell the only leading vote getters ahead of him, January 9^th, 2013 is definitely a date Smith will set aside to sit at home and wait by the phone.