Tagged: HOF
The BBWAA Is Making Our Hall of Fame a Joke
The Baseball Writer’s Association of America are responsible for voting in the members of the Hall of Fame. I know that being a writer is probably a very difficult job and that they probably receive a lot more criticism than they deserve. Sometimes you have to write things that just get a reaction out of people. However, when voting for the HOF, these writers should not be looking to get a reaction, to make a point, or to be pushing some sort of personal agenda. The BBWAA needs to be looking at a ball player’s body of work and judging whether or not that player is deseving of enshrinement.
I find it incredibly odd that Alomar is judged to be unworthy of enshrinement at this time due to his unfortunate spitting incident. Being, quite possibly, the greatest player to man second base EVER should guarantee being a shoe in for first ballot success. Apparently not.
I find it distressing that the man who sits in 8th place on the all time homerun list can’t find his way to the podium to make his acceptance speech for his enshrinement because the BBWAA has decided to become judge and jury on whether or not McGwire broke any of the (at the time) non-existent rules of baseball and the use of hgh.
Most of all I find it frustrating that Bert Blyleven, a man who didn’t have any issues with spitting on umpires or using banned substances, is entering into his 14th year of HOF eligibility. For whatever reason the writers figure that being 5th all time in strikeouts, 27th all time in wins, and 9th all time in shutouts just makes him a good ball player.
The BBWAA is wrong on all accounts. 5th all time in Ks, 27th all time in victories, and 9th all time in shutouts makes you a HOFer. 583 dongs makes you a HOFer. Being the best (or at least being in the conversation as one of the best) at your position makes you a HOFer.
It’s funny because in order to get into the Hall you have to overcome all obstacles and make the big leagues. Then you have to crack the starting lineup or rotation. After that you need excel at your position to the point where people actually think that you are one of the best that has ever played the game. In order to vote someone into the Hall all you have to do is be a member of the BBWAA for ten years. I am sure that there is a process to becoming a member and you probably have to be a respected member of the press but I hardly think that gives the right to keep obvious choices out of the HOF, especially if the reasons revolve around personal biases.
On a complete side note. I understand that there has never been a unanimous Hall of Famer. That got me to thinking…who would be most likely to be the first unanimous HOFer? It wouldn’t be Bonds…he is linked to the ‘roids like no one else. It won’t be A-Rod…he had to come clean for his PED usage. Who could it be? It would have to be someone who is one of the greatest of all time. It would need to be a person who is universally well liked. This player would have to be loved by his teammates and those who played against him.
The first unanimous HOFer will be none other than Junior (five years after he retires, of course.) Unless the BBWAA completely drops the ball….AGAIN.
Hopefully, this will be my last blog about this year’s Hall of Fame vote. There are only 88 more days until the season begins. I am more than ready.