Hall of Fame

by Rev Halofan on Jan 9, 2007 5:20 PM PST in Angels News

Congratulations to Tony Gwynn and Cal Ripken Junior on their induction.

I predict that next season will see Goose Gossage and Tim Raines elected (but keep the faith, Bert).

My predictions on the new additions to the ballot for next season:

Will Get in on the First Ballot:
Tim Raines

Will stay on the ballot at least five years:
David Justice

Will surpass 5% of the vote at least once:
Darryl Kile
Rob Nen

Once and Out:
Brady Anderson, Andy Benes, Dennis Cook,
Delino DeShields, Shawon Dunston, Chuck Finley,
Travis Fryman, Dave Hollins, Chuck Knoblauch,
Jose Rijo, Henry Rodriguez, Lee Stevens,
Todd Stottlemyre, Gregg Swindell,
John Valentin, Randy Velarde, Mark Wohlers.

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Jim Rice

Why doesn't Jim Rice get any love?

by Bilko 420 on Jan 9, 2007 7:25 PM PST reply actions

Because

he was a total dick to the media (think Barry Bonds without the homeruns) and he grounded into more double plays than anyone could count.

by Rev Halofan on Jan 9, 2007 7:30 PM PST up reply actions

Oh,

Thanks for clearing that up...

by Bilko 420 on Jan 9, 2007 7:33 PM PST up reply actions

From the New York Sun:

Jim Rice -- a player who was, to be blunt about it, comparable to Luis Gonzalez without the defense, longevity, World Series ring, or 57-home run campaign.

OUCH!

by Rev Halofan on Jan 10, 2007 12:13 PM PST up reply actions

From the Shanghai Star:

Dude, I am completely unqualified to argue statistically here, but that is just ridiculous. Jim Rice, one of the great mustaches of the game...

Fish-wrap that, Halofan.

by Bilko 420 on Jan 10, 2007 12:55 PM PST up reply actions

Actually

it is 315 GiDP's. I'm not a smart man, but I can count that high.

It's the Chinese water torture method of hitting

by ineptituderunsamok on Jan 9, 2007 11:03 PM PST up reply actions

But could you sit through them?

by Rev Halofan on Jan 9, 2007 11:51 PM PST up reply actions

I agree

that he doesn't belong in the HoF, but I think I've made my stance on the HoF subject fairly clear.

As for sitting through it. I think we did. His name was Bengie Molina. They GiDP at about the same rate.

It's the Chinese water torture method of hitting

by ineptituderunsamok on Jan 10, 2007 3:59 AM PST up reply actions

Raines

I hope you're right and the writers don't F this one up.

by RallyMonkey5 on Jan 10, 2007 7:14 AM PST reply actions

Huh?

Who decides who even gets on the ballot? Because if that's an official list in the Once and Out section, the Hall of Fame is utterly worthless. If it's not official, um, nevermind. :-)

Brady Anderson?!? Is that a joke? One good season, totally juice-enhanced, and he's even being mentioned for the Hall?

Dennis Cook? Shawon Dunston? Lee Stevens? The Hall is supposed to be for players who dominated their position in the era they played in, not journeymen mediocrities.

That list makes the Baby Jesus cry.

by Jim @ Halos Heaven on Jan 10, 2007 1:30 PM PST reply actions

Qualifications

The only qualification to be on the ballot is to have played ten seasons in the Major Leagues and to have been retired for five seasons.

That is just the list of who will qualify next season:
Players whose last season was 2002 and who had played in the Major Leagues a minimum of ten seasons.

by Rev Halofan on Jan 10, 2007 1:42 PM PST up reply actions

And .....

I think they cut the list down from that just a little to remove the utility infielders and part-time relivers and such.

Don't worry stiffs have been appearing on the HOF ballot for years and they rarely get more than 1 vote, so you never hear about it.

by elricsi on Jan 10, 2007 3:16 PM PST up reply actions

Yes

I took the liberty of editing out Hippolito Pichardo from the list based on his ten seasons having many part-time campaigns ... despite his having one the greatest NAMES in the history of the game...

I also ditched Luis Alicea for the same reason...

by Rev Halofan on Jan 10, 2007 3:43 PM PST up reply actions

Thanks

I thought that was the case, Rev. I knew they seriously couldn't be considering Dennis Cook.

by Jim @ Halos Heaven on Jan 10, 2007 1:52 PM PST reply actions

GREAT ARTICLE

Posits that Dwight Evans was BETTER THAN Jim Rice.

Thorough research...

by Rev Halofan on Jan 10, 2007 11:49 PM PST reply actions

Thanks for the link!

I followed the Sox in 77-78. Rice made a huge initial impression, but then went downhill. Evens was very good for a long time, but never seemed HOF caliber. But I do cast my ballot the Goose.
P.S. Will someone explain why Cal and Tony were not unanimous?
What more could they have done?

by catfish on Jan 11, 2007 8:29 AM PST reply actions

The Era

Since your mancrushes The Bash-BooFoo Brothers tainted the entire era, some sportswriters are leaving their ballots blank to show that nobody is above suspicion.

Stupid ?? Yes - thanks to the Evil Oakland Steroid Problem.

by Rev Halofan on Jan 11, 2007 3:14 PM PST up reply actions

Tony Gwynn and Andy Benes

I met both back at Jack Murphy Stadium when I was 8 years old. My brother and I were the honorary Bat Boy and Bat Girl at a Padres game and, among our perks, we were able to stand outside the club house to meet all the players as they were exiting.

Tony Gwynn and Andy Benes have stood out in my memory since that day. They were so genuine and gracious, offered multiple autographs and posed for photos... Unfortunately, the photo lab lost those pictures but the memories remain of one of the best days of my life.

by HeyLegacy on Jan 11, 2007 12:04 PM PST reply actions

Ha!

Thanks for the laugh, Rev.
Steroids may have started with Jose, but remember, the A's got rid of him on LaRussa's insistence. He then spread the poison around baseball. Think of all the Texas players on his team who showed up positive. Do I have to name them?
Anyway, that is off topic. Some sportswriters left their cards empty--a stupid protest, I think, but others voted, and did not include Tony or Cal.
So I repeat my question--what where they thinking?

by catfish on Jan 12, 2007 8:43 AM PST reply actions