I'll admit around this time of year, I become a very sensitive guy. The Ghosts of Christmas past and future haunt. Certain stories are hitting harder than others these days.

So, with great interest, I read about David Ortiz generously helping those in need in his native Dominican Republic.

This is not the first, nor will it be the last, time we'll hear about Ortiz helping children in some form. He has been a standup guy in Boston and his ability to aid charities is far reaching. I was touched.

Not so much by his generosity, instead by his humanity. Here is a guy with a heart, no pun intended. And he's not afraid to show his feelings in a public forum.

Big Papi has become one of my favorite players. That's saying something. In a sports era when it appears players are all about Me, Me, Me, his winning spirit and undeniable charm shine.

Though he'll probably never enter the Hall of Fame, he has other credentials that make him one of the greats.

Speaking of the The Hall of Fame...

Ballots have gone out to a number of sports writers and the voting deadline is Dec. 31.

I checked the mail several times over the last month or so, I still have not received one. Yet, another year that bloggers are left off the list. Bummer.

Dan Shaughnessey got his. Although I generally do not agree with much he has to say, his picks, I reluctantly agree with. Ripken, Gwynn, Blyleven and Rice seem worthy of votes.

Each year I feel compelled to defend Jim Rice. He was the most feared hitter of his era. He posted some monterous numbers in that brief span and, as the Boston Globe writer acknowledged, was not aided by the use of steriods.

I found a site (last year) making a push on the outfielder's behalf. The points are valid.

But he probably will not make the cut. No respect.

Another guy who gets no respect - Bert Blyleven. I have had to defend Blyleven in the past also...Don't forget he struck out 3701 guys - fifth all-time, had 60 shutouts, a career ERA of 3.31 and 287 wins. Not too shabby for a guy that played on some pretty marginal teams (Twins and Indians come to mind).

Blyleven makes his own case on his personal Web site and another site, Bertbelongs.com has been dedicated to lobbying for the pitcher's induction.

Cal Ripken and Tony Gwynn need no help. They are automatics. Both have the necessary credentials.

Ripken's a class act. Although he was only a career .276 hitter, he never missed a game, setting a record that will surely not be broken. But that is not the reason he's getting the call. His 3,184 hits make him a first-ballot winner. He also has two MVP Awards, a Rookie of the Year Award and 19 consecutive All Star games to back those hits up.

Gwynn too collected over 3,000 hits to go with his eight batting titles and 15 All Star appearances. Gwynn was always a favorite to top Williams .406 (another record not to be broken). He was a great ambassador for the game of baseball with an Ortiz-like smile.

This is the fist time that Mark McGwire's name will appear on the ballot. It would also be the first time that baseball writers will take a stand against the use of enhancement drugs. This will be the first time a player with 500+ homeruns will not make the cut. The debate continues.

The Arizona Republic states that the majority of its readers believe that McGwire should not make the cut. And at least two writers agree (Shaughnessey and Mark Faller).
Some compare McGwire's plight with that of Pete Rose. Some think his admitted use of Andro should keep him out forever. I'm on the fence.

The summer of 1998, was special. I was glued to the television for every one of Sammy Sosa and McGwire's at-bats (Thank God for ESPN). Each blast brought fans back to the stands, back to the televisions, back to baseball.

Everyone benefited.

He was the nice guy of baseball, a beloved darling. We watched him cry during celebrations, related to his quest and sat in awe as towering shots left ballyards.

He was Rookie of the Year in 1987, smashing 49 home runs and 118 RBIs, but that was so long ago most don't remember.

His association with Jose Canseco and Andro may and should hurt his chances. But if not this year, when? They can't really keep him out forever.

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