The choice for the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame was easy

The Cincinnati Reds released a list of former players nominated to be elected in the Reds Hall of Fame last week. Voting by fans will be held during the month of September and can be done at their website.

Players nominated were:

• Bronson Arroyo
• Aaron Boone
• Francisco Cordero
• Aaron Harang
• Scott Rolen

At first glance, I knew who I was voting for. But I wanted to some research. The Reds Hall of Fame website has a summation of each player and a minimum of playing three years for Cincinnati is one of the standards.

So I checked that out and the players own statistics with the Reds. I then further thought about the impact each player had on the Reds as a team and their statistics compared to other Reds in history. I reviewed what other players were in the Reds Hall of Fame as well.

My pick, upon seeing the nominations and after doing the research didn’t change. My choice was Bronson Arroyo.

Arroyo was durable as a starting pitcher and an innings-eater. He pitched for both good and bad Reds teams. He had a few awful starts as I recall but more often than not, he kept the Reds in the game. His Game 2 start in the 2012 playoffs was not only a “quality start”, but dominant. His win gave the Reds a commanding 2-0 lead but the Reds managed to give that up and ultimately lose to San Francisco.

Bronson Arroyo also connected with Reds fans. His personality fit in with the city and with the fans. While not an ironclad rule for election, I considered this as well. The only time I met Arroyo was at a Cincinnati pub across from Great American Ballpark.

And, of course, we all remember how the Reds got him in a trade with Boston for five-tool superstar Wily Mo Pena. What a steal that was.

He won 108 games for the Reds and has the seventh most starts in their long history. I only wish he could have pitched in a World Series for the Reds but it didn’t happen.

Here’s how I ranked the five nominations in order of preference:

1. Bronson Arroyo
2. Francisco Cordero
3. Aaron Harang
4. Aaron Boone
5. Scott Rolen

And, in closing, I would only say this about two other things:

Dave Concepcion, Vada Pinson and Dave Parker should be in Cooperstown.

The Reds should retire Vada Pinson’s number.