I Have Questions
Today was the annual day for the BBWAA to look foolish and they didn't disappoint. Exhibit A is Roberto Alomar, if you don't think he was a Hall of Famer, you really weren't paying attention. I suspect it was about the spitting incident more than anything, a chance for the voters to "punish" him, which makes me even angrier. You can make plenty of other cases for players like Raines, Blyleven, Morris, Larkin, etc..
I have argued for a change in the voting process, but I think the biggest change should be public ballots. Strip away the secrecy and you might find some interesting things.
For instance, did the one voter who cast a ballot for David Segui, mentioned in the Mitchell Report, not vote for Mark McGwire? I have no idea, but wouldn't it be fascinating to find out?
How about if we knew if the guy who voted for Kevin Appier didn't vote for Jack Morris or Bert Blyleven?
Two people deemed Eric Karros worthy of induction, who else did they vote for?
But, the writers get to bask in their anonymity which seems grossly unfair. The better ones, guys like Heyman, Sherman, Gammons, etc., tell you who they voted for, but most just keep quiet.
It's a sad process and one unworthy of baseball's ultimate honor.
And to the five people who sent in blank ballots, I hope you come forward and explain them.
Comments
I would rather know who is responsible for some of the hacks being eligible like David Segui.
C'MON! David freak'n Segui? If you play 15 seasons and have only 2145 total bases (boggles the mind) and the "similar players" are:
1. Sean Casey (949)
2. Dmitri Young (929)
3. Kevin Millar (927)
4. Wally Moon (921)
5. Mike Greenwell (912)
6. Donn Clendenon (905)
7. Bruce Bochte (902)
8. Pete O'Brien (901)
9. Alvin Davis (899)
10. Roberto Kelly (897)
you should not be on the ballot, period. Heck, I like Diego Segui as much, why isn't he in the hall?
wow, nice vent bl, yeah, but at least Todd Zeile wasn't on the ballot...you know, Zeiles baseball reference page is completely devoid of BOLDS, you know, the thing on the page that tells you he led a category for that year, not one lousy BOLD. He also never appeared in a single all-star game or received a single MVP vote or gold glove or nothin'.
I'm with you Peter, throw the stupid system completely away, start over.
Posted by: blmeanie![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://yankeesredsox.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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January 6, 2010 07:09 PM
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2145 total bases and he was juicing!
Posted by: Peter![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://yankeesredsox.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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January 6, 2010 07:20 PM
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Not saying I agree with it but a reason some writers might have trouble with Alomar was how quickly he declined when he moved to the Mets. One of the worst deals Phillips ever made and that big NY failure might stick in the minds more than it should.
Posted by: tim | January 6, 2010 09:35 PM |
Good point Tim, I bet that definitely swayed a couple of voters.
Posted by: Peter![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://yankeesredsox.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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January 6, 2010 11:12 PM
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Peter, I don't have anything concrete to support this, but I think many of the writers (as well as the public) see a difference between a HOFer and a "first ballot" HOFer. I don't think the spitting incident (which was disgusting) or his bad ending will keep him out of the hall, it may have just made some writers think he wasn't SO automatic that he should be put in on his first ballot.
Posted by: Evan | January 7, 2010 10:55 AM |
Evan- Good point and another reason why no one has ever gotten 100% of the vote.
Posted by: Peter![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://yankeesredsox.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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January 7, 2010 01:12 PM
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Peter, I'm sure this has been addressed in the past but since this is a (half) yankees site I thought I'd ask... what are Donnie's chances of ever getting in the HOF? My thoughts are none, which are sad. There's a few stats in his favor, >.300 AVG, >1000 RBI and I think something like 9 gold gloves. However, the writers don't seem to consider him a dominant player. Somewhat young retirement probably didn't help.
Posted by: Evan | January 8, 2010 11:11 AM |
Evan
I think you are right. I have read comments from several voters who basically say that he didn't have enough great years. It bums me out as Donnie was my favorite player, he just lost his power to a bad back.
Posted by: Peter![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://yankeesredsox.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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January 8, 2010 02:31 PM
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I have read that too! The funny thing is, though, for every writer I have heard say that, I've also heard a major league player say that Donnie was his idol growing up. At least nobody will ever wear the number 23 in the bronx again.
Posted by: Evan | January 8, 2010 02:59 PM |