1990 Hall of Fame

 The Hall of Fame ballot can get pretty cutthroat when you're jockeying for position in search of that 75%. Voters have a limit of 10 names they can check off on, and sometimes they will leave a name off their list either because they simply don't believe the guy is a Hall of Famer, or because they feel the man is getting enough support already and he'd rather give one of his final available votes to a personal favorite to try to help them along (or keep them over the 5% mark to stay on the ballot).

A big name that debuts in their first year and finishes juuuuust a bit short of 75% usually has the luxury of knowing it's a matter of time. Fergie Jenkins and Gaylord Perry had good showings in their 1st attempts in 1989, but 1990 saw a new crop of talent to compete with, including Jim Palmer and Joe Morgan. The Orioles and Reds legends wouldn't be denied in their debuts, but while Jenkins and Perry both saw an increase in support, they still fell short. Either support was assumed by some voters while they fought to keep names like Sparky Lyle and Curt Flood on next years ballot, or they straight up just didn't feel like they were worthy.