Comments on: And now for a little Hall of Fame perspective

By: Bochy's Head/Timmy's Bong

Bochy's Head/Timmy's Bong — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 20:59:42 +0000

@ diamondduq: “If you can’t get 75% of the vote the first year you’re on the ballot, were you really a HOFer? ”

Paging Mel Ott, Eddie Mathews, Jimmie Foxx, Lefty Grove, Phil Niekro, Joe DiMaggio! We ain’t dusting your busts no more. Hit the streets, boys.

By: Utley's Hair

Utley's Hair — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 18:45:49 +0000

Some things never change.

By: Panda Claus

Panda Claus — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 18:31:13 +0000

Yeah, that’s just the way it is. Whoops, confused my Hornsbys. I was thinking about Bruce.

By: diamondduq

diamondduq — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 18:28:00 +0000

Is there anything wrong with that? That’s the way it should be. Actually, there should only be “first ballot” guys in there. Honestly, it’s not like you need 90% to be in. If you can’t get 75% of the vote the first year you’re on the ballot, were you really a HOFer?

I mean, being among the greatest of all-time is no small accolade, which is why we have so many of these ridiculous debates, and it should be fairly clear cut. Sure, a guy probably rubbed a few guys the wrong way, may have had a few down years here and there that put people off but 3 out of 4 for a REAL HOFer should be a slam dunk, and yes, in year 1! And really, guys who “hang on long enough to gather momentum and eventually get in at the last possible moment”? Give me a break! There’s no way they should be in. And to go a step further, look at the guys for whom the veterans committee has opened the door, embarrassing!

Additionally, no one should ever be inducted unanimously! The precedent has been set when the greatest player of all-time, hands down, not only wasn’t inducted unanimously, but didn’t even have the highest percentage for induction. There has never been, nor will there ever be, another player with even 1 season with a .300+ batting average and 40+ homeruns and another with a sub 3.00 ERA and 10+ wins as a pitcher, let alone 11 seasons with a .300+ batting average and 40+ homeruns and 4 seasons with a sub 3.00 ERA and 10+ wins as a pitcher. Babe Ruth, in case there was a doubt.

By: Detroit Michael

Detroit Michael — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 18:27:41 +0000

Another reason why Cy Young didn’t make the original 5 Hall of Famers is because the balloting was for 1900-onward, which excluded a significant portion of Young’s career.

By: Jason @ IIATMS

Jason @ IIATMS — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 18:20:39 +0000

Cy Young and Hornsby didn’t get in because too many writers lacked the requisite “you had to be there/see him” perspective. Damn lack of TV.

By: Jonny 5

Jonny 5 — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 17:56:16 +0000

Well, play me some notes then Charley, and you’re in….

By: Utley's Hair

Utley's Hair — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 17:45:51 +0000

Yeah…”I’m with her” doesn’t work either.

By: BC

BC — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 17:24:00 +0000

Yeah, I suppose. Where are you going to leave off anyway? Rogers Hornsby didn’t get in either.

By: clydeserra

clydeserra — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 17:17:27 +0000

Didn’t they limit it to 5? So, its hard to go wrong with those.

By: BC

BC — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 17:12:36 +0000

I’m sorry sir, you’re not on the list.

By: Charles Gates

Charles Gates — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 17:02:27 +0000

But but but…I’m with the band!

By: larryhockett

larryhockett — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 16:48:17 +0000

Because merely being a Hall of Famer or not being a Hall of Famer is apparently not a clear enough distinction. There must also be “first ballot” guys and “not first ballot” guys and I guess even “hang on long enough to gather momentum and eventually get in at the last possible moment” guys.

By: Jonny 5

Jonny 5 — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 16:43:04 +0000

The HOF is an exclusive club, and just like all exclusive clubs the entrance criteria tends to be flawed. We don’t have to like it, so let’s not get too upset over it either. Ya know unless you’re in the running to get in and all…

By: BC

BC — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 16:39:51 +0000

Moving forward a few decades, Willie Mays and Hank Aaron weren’t unanimous. Nor Seaver, Koufax, Carlton, Schmidt…..
You have a sure-fire HOF’er, but you’ll always have some loonies out there that are on the sauce or have an axe to grind with the player. No one will ever be unanimous.
I do find it interesting that it seems that many players get below 50% on their first try, and then gravitate upward and eventually get in. What, did they suddenly become HOF’ers? They’re not playing any more, so what happened?

By: larryhockett

larryhockett — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 16:37:15 +0000

There will be anarchy in the streets if Bagwell doesn’t get in and it will be every bit as bad as in 2000 when all the computers crashed!

By: Matthew Flint

Matthew Flint — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 16:37:01 +0000

I have to tell you, Craig, I am a huge baseball fan and could care less about the Hall. Don’t get me wrong, I understand the importance of it, but I just don’t care because there are too many opinions involved and that takes away from every single person inducted. I’m sure the people voting are qualified, but they’re also human and have biases…conscience ones or not. That makes it not worth getting upset about.