Sam Reich, baseball evaluator, sports law attorney and author, has a mission: making sure only the best veteran candidates are inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. He’s argued the case for each candidate on his new website, www.waitingforcooperstown.com , a prelude to his forthcoming book, Waiting for Cooperstown: Baseball’s Veterans (1901-1972) and the Hall of Fame.

Both the website and book include Reich’s unique framework for selecting candidates and the “Reich Top 10,” based on his analysis of who should be inducted in the Hall of Fame by the Veterans Committee. Former Chicago Cubs third baseman Ron Santo is listed No. 1 on Reich's Top 10. It also illuminates why some candidates, favored by some (the “Reich Runners-up”) should not be ranked as highly for induction. The book will also include detailed discussions of all the players.

“With more years of research than most fans, I wanted to circulate my list of candidates whom I feel are most deserving of this prestigious honor,” Reich said. “Hopefully, through the website and book, I can accomplish that goal.”

The website features an active media component for fans to view and download web-only programming such as a Podcast featuring legendary Pittsburgh broadcaster Stan Savran, [host of FSN Pittsburgh’s Savran on SportsBeat], interviewing Reich. Webgoers can participate in an online community discussion to rate players and vote for their inductee. Also unique to the website version is Sam’s Blog which will showcase ongoing baseball articles by Reich, where fans can argue their own case on Sam’s Blog. They can preorder the book on the website.