Former Giants Mullholland, Mueller on Hall of Fame ballot

Mueller (left) and Mulholland are the only two Giants players on this year's HOF ballot.

Talk about slim pickin’s.

This year’s Hall of Fame class is a who’s who of who’s thats. Seriously, if you’re looking for a Jackie Robinson around here, search elsewhere.

The 2012 Hall of Fame ballot must be completed by voting members of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America by Dec. 31, but it shouldn’t take more than a few seconds for the writers to make up their minds about whom to vote for.

Because, the truth is, there aren’t a whole lot of Hall-worthy players to choose from.

Former Giants Terry Mullholland and Bill Mueller are on the ballot for the first time, along with 11 other first-timers: Jeromy Burnitz, Vinny Castilla, Brian Jordan, Javy Lopez, Phil Nevin, Brad Radke, Tim Salmon, Ruben Sierra, Bernie Williams, Tony Womack and Eric Young.

Mueller played for the Giants from 1996-2000 (and again very briefly in 2002). He’s a career .291 hitter, who won the AL batting title in 2003 when he hit .326 for the Red Sox. He was a key member of the 2004 Boston team that won its first World Series title in 86 years.

Mulholland, who was a first-round draft pick by the Giants in 1984, played for the G-men from 1986-’89 (and again in 1995 and 1997). He went 124-142 in 20 seasons and is best remembered for throwing a no-hitter at his former mates on Aug. 15, 1990. His best years were in Philadelphia, where he went 62-57 with a 3.81 ERA in six seasons with the Phillies.

Truth be told, neither Mulholland or Mueller really have an iceberg’s chance in hell of making it to Cooperstown.

They also have to compete with fourteen “holdovers” from the 2011 ballot who will have another shot this year, including Jeff Bagwell (2nd year on the ballot), Juan Gonzalez (2nd year), Barry Larkin (3rd year), Edgar Martinez (3rd year), Don Mattingly (12th year), Fred McGriff (3rd year), Mark McGwire (6th year), Jack Morris (13th year), Dale Murphy (14th year), Rafael Palmeiro (2nd year), Tim Raines (5th year), Lee Smith (10th year), Alan Trammell (11th year) and Larry Walker (2nd year).

Not exactly your grandfather’s Hall of Fame ballot of Ted Williams, Babe Ruth or Willie Mays, that’s for sure.

If I were a voting member, I guess I’d give consideration to Larkin, Morris, Smith and Bagwell. And that’s about it.