Potential baseball Hall of Famers strike out

(CBS News) For only the eighth time since voting began in 1936 -- and for the first time since 1996 -- the voting members for baseball's Hall of Fame, did not elect anyone this year. Baseball Writers Association of America nominated no one despite the new eligibility of two baseball greats for consideration -- career home run leader Barry Bonds and seven-time Cy Young award winner Roger Clemens.

Sports analysts claim the move is an attempt to punish Clemens and Bonds, who were both implicated but never charged in an investigation into the use of steroids. Both players have strong ties to baseball's so-called "steroid era," although neither was ever proven to use the performance enhancing drug."

"These guys and women took it up themselves to what the court system could not do and punish them," New York Times sports columnist Bill Rhoden told CBS News' Bill Whitaker. "And that's just complete nonsense."

Bonds, Clemens and Sosa snubbed as no players are elected to Hall of Fame

Bonds and Clemens fell considerably short of the 75 percent vote necessary to make the Hall of Fame -- Bonds receiving just 36.2 percent and Clemens 37.6 percent. Sammy Sosa, who was reported to have tested positive in 2003, received 12.5 percent.

Rhoden insists this is an injustice. "The job of a guy that is voting for the Hall of Fame is basically to look at the numbers. Look at who was worthy. It's not to bring my personal prejudice into the voting," he said.

For his part, Clemens reacted by thanking fans and friends on his Twitter page, saying "To those who took the time to look at the fact, we very much appreciate it."

Clemens, Bonds, and Sosa can all be considered for the Hall of Fame again next year.