The Hall of Fame directs voters to factor in the "player's record, playing ability, integrity, sportsmanship, character, and contributions to the team(s) on which the player played."
So you don't really have a cogent point RE: the parameters being clear.
Let's say the reliever Felipe Vazquez had a Hall of Fame career and then at the end of it he did what he did. Should he be voted for? You're going to say no unless you are a sociopath. Then the question becomes, where do you draw the "integrity and character" line.
A brief summary of some of the character points for the people who did not get in:
- Barry Bonds did extreme amounts of roids, cheated for years, bringing his actual talent and numbers into question. Perhaps worse, he has lied about it forever, never taken responsibility or owned up to it, been found guilty of perjury etc., and has essentially destroyed multiple lives through his arrogance and indignation.
- Omar Vizquel is under investigation for domestic violence.
- Curt Schilling once wore a shirt that said "Rope, Tree, Journalist... some assembly required". I could mention 46 other things but that alone is basically ASKING for voters to keep you out of the Hall.
- Clemens - I guess he's like Bonds lite when it comes to steroid stuff? If either of these guys had taken responsibility for what they did, apologized, and moved forward in a mature way they might be in the Hall right now.
On a ballot like this with so many no votes it is a complete travesty that a saint with enough WAR like Scott Rolen didn't get in.