2010 Hall of Fame

No need for lame introductions, these days I've been really short on time, so I'll jump right to the matter of the 2010 Hall of Fame vote.

I have something like 160 lifetime Pro Points, so yes I am Hall of Fame eligible. That itself is a huge honor for me to be on the same list of Magic the Gathering's all time greatest players. I wasn't inducted last year, very very far from it, I wasn't expecting to be. One time, Mike Turian told me I would probably need to win a Pro Tour to have a chance at being inducted, which I agree, but it's getting harder since I missed 9 of the last 10 PTs. So let's talk about the other candidates.

Who I will vote for:

Gabriel Nassif

Besides the Dragonstorm and the Cruel Ultimatum moments on PT Top 8, he also won the longest match in PT Top 8 history lasting more than 3 hours with his Martyr Proclamation deck. Must be.

Bram Snepvangers

It seems several communities are making a push to put Bram into the HOF, I couldn't agree more with them, its's about time.

Carlos Romão

I know what you're thinking.... "Tiago, so far you were being fair and unbiased but now you're turning to your friends"

Well, it doesn't matter my relationship with Carlos Romão, it doesn´t matter that he is one of the most respected players not only in South America, but also North America, Europe and Asia, or how good as player he is, etc.

His numbers are good enough for HOF, but here is how I see it, and why I will always vote for Carlos Romão: If Tsuyoshi Fujita was an auto vote for most of us because of being the pioneer of Japanese Magic, Carlos Romão is the Latin American Tsuyoshi Fujita, a community lacking the resources of Japanese Magic which has and keeps producing some of the finest players around.

Who I might vote for:

The following players have all good results, and I will be happy if any of them becomes inducted, so I will try and explain what I see different in them.

Patrick Chapin

I like his enthusiasm about Magic, how you can come up to him and talk about any Magic subject, he will listen to you and answer you back, no matter who you are or what you have to say. Plus all the writing, I think he's a good embassador of the game.

Antonino da Rosa

Last year we talked about the HOF, this year we haven't. When the conversation led to whether I was voting for him or not, I said: I won't say I will just because I'm face to face with you, but I'm also not saying I won't, if you want an honest answer, I will have you in consideration when I vote. I remember a time, when week after week it was Antonino's pictures holding trophies on the event coverage, so I was surprised his Pro Tour gold his somewhat short compared to other candidates. Last year I end up voting for him, this year I still don't know.

Willy Edel

Yes, now I'm being biased towards my friends. Willy has the numbers to back my hypothetical vote, 3 PT Top 8's in one year period. Willy is a more mature person than your average Magic player, but also insanely fun. He made the Pro Tour a much more enjoyable experience not only for me, but for all the other Latin speakers playing on the Pro Tour. Willy was the most supportive and influential person to a very young Magic player on his first Pro Tour, a kid which we all now know as "PV". When Willy Edel was accused, an entire community came on his defense, because they believed in him.

Anton Jonsson / Richard Hoaen

The two greatest drafters during my years on the gravy train. Never won a team draft against Rich, never lost a draft with Rich (ok, except that one time, can we please not talk about it). Unfortunately for Rich, Anton has much much better numbers, and is indeed a very serious candidate, or should be.

Tomoharu Saitou

Looking at the numbers, its undeniable that Tomoharu belongs in the HOF. He also happens to be a friend, a very funny and sociable person. He has welcomed me into Japan several times, I would do the same for him. The year he was POY, I conceded to him in the last round of a Grand Prix to give him an extra PT point, even tough I lost a PT point myself and money. Why am I unsureof voting for Tomoharu? Let's just stay I don't want to "buyback" old Pro Tour situations.

Shouta Yasooka

IN-SA-NE-LY good. When I was on the top of my game, Shouta was the best player in the World. A Player of the Year winner, both in real world and online, Shouta perhaps needs a little more charisma, or Top 8's to follow his Charleston win.

Who I won't be voting this year and why

Brian Kibler

I know nothing about Brian Kibler except his numbers, which are quite good by the way, but in the other candidates, I can see something else personal which makes me vote for them. However, the years which Kibler was absent of the PT happen to be the years where I was on the gravy train, and the years where I stopped playing happen to be the years where he made his comeback.

Chris Pikula

I never saw Chris Pikula in my life, except in a Meddling Mage. At least I played Kibler once so I know he exists, can't say the same of Chris.

Steve OMS

You see, the common point so far, is the time gap between gravy trainers of my generation and old timers, we weren't there to receive their influence.

To Brian, Chris and Steve: I recognize all of you as Hall of Fame caliber, if any of you gets inducted I will applaud, but as someone who had the previledge of personally knowing almost all the persons on the ballot, for some reasons other players I had a better acquaintance came before on my votes. I wish everyone mentioned here the best of luck, you are all some of Magic's greatest players ever.