Rice hoping for the Hall call: Former Boston Red Sox great Jim Rice is praying to receive a very important call on Monday, January 12th. He’s hoping that the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY will be calling him to tell him that he is part of the 2009 Hall of Fame class. His fate lies in the hands of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America, people he didn’t quite get along with back in the day. This is his 15th and final season on the ballot. Last year, he received 72.2% of  the vote and 75% is required for induction. No one has not made it the next year after receiving 70% of the vote the year before. [Providence Journal]