Re: Hall of Fame? big deal
I don't really like the way it's voted on either, especially when you see so many deserving players left out.
What really bothered me this year, was how the only thing covered was the McGwire story. I turned on SportsCenter and there was about a half hour round table discussion as to whether or not he should be in or not, and I think Gwynn and Ripken's achievement got 5 minutes of air time. It was a joke, but I guess I shouldn't expect too much from the likes of ESPN these days.
Re: Hall of Fame? big deal
Really doesn't interest me that much. Seems like a popularity contest as much as anything. A few years ago these media types were worshipping McGwire and following his every move. Now because he used steroids in an era when a bunch of players did he has become a pariah. Bunch of self-righteous ....
Maybe the real disdain for McGwire is that he is a constant reminder that they(the baseball writers) were all asleep at the wheel as they failed to uncover and report the story on steroids as it was actually happening or that he is a reminder of their complicity in pushing it under the rug.
Re: Hall of Fame? big deal
Quote:
I think one of the reasons I feel this way is because writers vote for it, and it was basically started by them.
Actually the writers didn't start it. It was created to coincide with the Faux 100th anniversary of the invention of baseball. It was also created out of the down time and need to create market buzz for the game and Cooperstown. Up until the early thirties baseball didn't spend too much time thinking about the past or what was going on prior to the 1900's.
Around this time more name players started to die and older folks longing for the simpler days of their youth started asking what has become of..... and things like that. Thus we have the Hall of Fame.
The voting for players has a long and soiled history, one that involves as much cronyism from baseball executives and old timers then stupid grandstand moves like the Chicago writer made this week. In fact the writers haven't always had a say at all about who gets in.
The election process is a mess, and Bill James attacks that in Politics of Glory, but it doesn't take away what a great place the HOF is. I've been there and it was great, and I plan on going back. Plus the back end of the place hold a plethora of stuff that any baseball historian would die to get their hands on. And they can if they ask.
Re: Hall of Fame? big deal
Let me clarify, the HOF and the history on display is awesome. The process of election causes me not to be interested as much in the players enshrined. The HOF is a great place for baseball history and would still be even if it didn't enshrine individual players.
Re: Hall of Fame? big deal
I'm just mad Blyleven got screwed again.
Re: Hall of Fame? big deal
Quote:
Originally Posted by
flyer85
Let me clarify, the HOF and the history on display is awesome. The process of election causes me not to be interested as much in the players enshrined. The HOF is a great place for baseball history and would still be even if it didn't enshrine individual players.
My feelings exactly. I hope it didn't come out that I don't like the physical place. Been there only once in my life (only 22), and I hope to make it back there soon, when I can take lots of pictures and remember more things.