January 9th, 2007 → 3:28 pm @ Seth Mnookin // No Comments
I would have voted for you. Even if I didn’t have a well-articulated reason to support my position.
Yes, folks, for the thirteenth straight year, Jim Rice was not voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, meaning he now has only two more shots to get a plaque at Cooperstown. (Or at least two more shots to be voted in by the writers — a surly bunch, to be sure. After that, he’ll be dependent on the Veterans Committee. For those who are interested, there are plenty of people who have laid out their reasons for why Rice should be in the Hall.)
Goose didn’t get in either — only Cal Ripken, Jr. and Tony Gwynn did. If it provides Rice any colsolation (and I’m sure it won’t) there were eight writers who felt that even Ripken didn’t deserve a spot in Cooperstown.
Oh, and Big Man? Not even close. Told you so.
Post Categories: Hall of Fame & Jim Rice & Mark McGwire
mybballbias
17 years ago
ESPN’s Jason Stark has a great article on the ‘surly bunch’ of HOF voters you speak of. Taking out the 2 voters who had protest ballots, how do 6 of them NOT vote for Ripken and 11 NOT vote for Gwynn. In the last 75 years Gwynn has the second highest lifetime batting avg. (.338) next to Ted Williams .344. If your not going to vote for either of these guys, who would you vote for? The BBWAA should find out who these yahoos are and have them tar and feathered.
HFXBOB
17 years ago
There’s something about the HOF rules that seems almost comical to me: you have to have 75% of the vote to get in, but only 5% to stay on the ballot. That’s a pretty large spread. What are the chances that Harold Baines, who got 5.3% this year, is going to make the leap to 75% someday?
jackmack
17 years ago
I think that next year will be Jim Ed’s year! Goose will go in with him (also much deserved). Can’t wait until next year! Never been to Cooperstown, but July 2008 will be the time to take it all in while we go see Jim get his due!
Nordberg
17 years ago
Paul Ladewski of the Daily Southtown of Chicago was one of the two BBWAA writers who returned an empty “protest” hall of fame ballot.
Here’s the link to the column:
http://www.dailysouthtown.com/sports/ladewski/201907,081LAD2.article
I sent him an email and told him his logic is weak and a cop out. I doubt he’s the first BBWAA voter to have to make a tough decision and he certainly won’t be the last. I suggested that he give up his BBWAA membership if that’s to be his tack.
Maybe I could buy this with a better argument, but not his.
Here’s his email: pladd@aol.com