January 08, 2002
Ozzie Smith was the only player elected by the BBWAA this year to the Hall Of Fame, with Gary Carter missing by 11 votes (one for each of his All-Star Game appearances). Ozzie Smith is definitely a deserving choice, of course for his defense, and also for his better-than-you-remember hitting (at least from 1985 onward). The Hall of Fame elections are kind of a big deal around the Goldstein house, as my dad and I collect autographs (with an emphasis of HOFers), and I plan to make it up to Cooperstown again this year for Induction Weekend (it's huge amount of fun). The Carter miss was especially disappointing to me, as I've always liked him and was sure he'd have gotten in by now. With a B-List group of first-timers coming up next year (Eddie Murray, Ryne Sandberg, and Lee Smith are the best bets), it's looking good for Carter in 2003, though that year-long wait must be a killer.
Some notes on the balloting (besides the fact that I'm now officially old, since there are now HOFers whose entire careers I witnessed):
Steve Garvey and Dale Murphy, both considered by many to be sure HOFers during their playing days, are earning little respect, with 28% and 15% respectively (75% needed for election).
Speaking of Murphy, is the consensus really that Jim Rice was that much better a player? Rice received over 55% and will probably get in within a couple of years. Though I always thought the two had an equally decent chance at election, I guess Murphy's almost instantaneous collapse at the end of his career has stuck in voters' minds, as opposed to the two MVP's.
One player who should be getting more support is Bert Blyleven (third all-time in K's, 287 wins, 3.31 career ERA), a damn good pitcher for some bad teams.
Very disappointing to see Lenny Dykstra only get one vote (hell, Mike Greenwell got two!). I know he isn't anywhere near the HOF, but he was one of my favorite players back in his Phillies days, and was hoping he'd at least stay on the ballot for a year or two.
Here's Rob Neyer's take on the voting, as well as the very unofficial Baseball Prospectus voting.
Some notes on the balloting (besides the fact that I'm now officially old, since there are now HOFers whose entire careers I witnessed):
Steve Garvey and Dale Murphy, both considered by many to be sure HOFers during their playing days, are earning little respect, with 28% and 15% respectively (75% needed for election).
Speaking of Murphy, is the consensus really that Jim Rice was that much better a player? Rice received over 55% and will probably get in within a couple of years. Though I always thought the two had an equally decent chance at election, I guess Murphy's almost instantaneous collapse at the end of his career has stuck in voters' minds, as opposed to the two MVP's.
One player who should be getting more support is Bert Blyleven (third all-time in K's, 287 wins, 3.31 career ERA), a damn good pitcher for some bad teams.
Very disappointing to see Lenny Dykstra only get one vote (hell, Mike Greenwell got two!). I know he isn't anywhere near the HOF, but he was one of my favorite players back in his Phillies days, and was hoping he'd at least stay on the ballot for a year or two.
Here's Rob Neyer's take on the voting, as well as the very unofficial Baseball Prospectus voting.
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