Perhaps the most poignant is this: If not for Barry Bonds, Jeff Kent -- the only one of the eight players under consideration selected Sunday -- might not be bound for Cooperstown. While Kent is the all-time home run hitter among second basemen, he was on the same ballot as Bonds -- who hit more homers than anyone, at any position.

Kent, who had 377 home runs, including a record 351 while playing second base, was named on 14 of 16 ballots and was the only candidate to reach the 75% threshold necessary for election.

Responding to the pitcher's comments, Cashman says Gray lied behind-the-scenes about wanting to play for the team before it traded for him.