DOWNTOWN — Early Wednesday, the Baseball Writers Association of America took a vote  that could be a trend across the major sports landscape: If a player can receive a financial bonus for winning an award voted on by the writers, that player is no longer eligible for that award.

The rule goes into effect in 2013, so it won’t change any current Cardinals’ contracts, but consider the ramifications for a player who just signed.

Like,…

TOWER GROVE — The National Baseball Hall of Fame’s ballot for its Veterans Committee was announced this afternoon, and the names on the ballot are only slightly more notable than the names of the voters who receive the ballot.

Cardinal managers Whitey Herzog and Billy Southworth are on the ballot.

Bob Gibson, for example, is on a select committee that gets to vote on that ballot.

The ballot hints at how the Hall is trying…

TOWER GROVE — When Rafael Palmeiro rides his numbers into the Hall of Fame, his plaque should read:

RAFAEL CORRALES PALMEIRO

Chicago, NL, 1986-89

Texas, AL, 1989-93, 99-03

Baltimore, AL, 1994-98, 04-05

One of the game’s steadiest hitters during his career, Palmeiro became the fourth player in history to collect 3,000 hits and 500 home runs, finishing his career with 3,020 hits and 569 home runs. The lefthanded-hitting Cuban was a four-time All-Star and won three Gold Gloves –…

TOWER GROVE — Any other year, Cardinals outfielder Chris Duncan and his 22 home runs would have an exceptional shot at winning the NL Rookie of the Year. Last year, with his numbers he could have given the Cardinals an award sweep and would have even been the favorite.

Yes, even against the winner, Philadelphia’s Ryan Howard.

But not this  year.

The ballot the BBWAA sent me this  year was for the NL Rookie of…