Hall of Fame pitcher Jim Palmer said: “I suppose it’s always possible that it could be unanimous. I know this much: If he doesn’t get at least 77 percent of the vote, they will have to administer a drug test to all the writers.”

Palmer, a three-time Cy Young Award winner with the Orioles, gained entry to the Hall in 1990 with 92.6 percent (411 of 444 ballots). Robinson got 91.98 percent (344-374).

“We are very pleased with the job the BBWAA has done over the years,” said Jeff Idelson, Hall of Fame vice president for communications and education. “Why has there never been a unanimous selection? Because it is inherently a democratic process in which each participant has to make an arbitrary decision.”

Joe DiMaggio didn’t even get in on the first ballot. So how can Ripken possibly garner 100 percent?

“The voting has evolved, which explains why Tom Seaver is the highest vote-getter by percentage,” Schmuck said. “I don’t think that anyone would say that Tom Seaver is the No. 1 greatest pitcher that ever lived. It’s a function of how the voting has changed. So if anybody has a chance to be unanimous or close to it — or for that matter just to exceed Tom Seaver’s vote total — I think it’s Cal Ripken.”

Seaver won 311 games, three Cy Young Awards and finished with a 2.86 ERA. Decent numbers, but not nearly as impressive as Ripken’s — beginning with 2,632.

Ripken often has said he doesn’t care how many votes he receives. What matters is being a part of the Hall.

“The beauty of the game, in my opinion, is its players and its former players. That tells the story and that celebrates the game,” Ripken said in August. “And if you can add to that, if you can join that group, that’s a very special honor.”

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