Mention Jack Morris' name to Bert Blyleven, and within one second, out come the stats: "From 1979 to 1992, I think he was the best pitcher in baseball for that 14-year span," Blyleven said Wednesday night, Jan. 9, the day Hall of Fame voters denied Morris' election for a 14th time.

"Two-hundred thirty-three wins during that time. I thought for sure Jack was going to go in this time; I was really pulling for him. I think if the writers looked at his numbers a little deeper, which I did, he was a workhorse."

Blyleven, another workhorse who is the Twins' TV analyst, pitched during Morris' era. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2011, also on his 14th try.

"That's why I thought maybe 14 would be lucky for Jack, too," Blyleven said.

Steroid-tainted candidates Barry Bonds, Sammy Sosa and Roger Clemens -- despite brilliant statistics -- were overlooked on their first year of eligibility. That didn't bother Blyleven.

"I kind of like what the writers did with them," he said. "They made a statement. Will that same statement be there next year? I hope so. Even though Bonds and Clemens and Sosa have great numbers, there's integrity and character that came into play."