If he wasn't good enough the first nine times, why did he suddenly become good enough this time? I've never understood the voting for this.

I agree. You are either a HOF'er or you aren't. I'm not sure what has changed in 15 years, other than the Susan Lucci factor

Actually, it was the first 14 times. And I've wondered the same thing myself. A very good player to be certain, but if not good enough to garner induction in his first 14 attempts, what - other than a sympathy vote - propelled him in on this vote? He didn't have a .300+ career average, didn't have 400 HR's, didn't have 1500 RBI, never won a Gold Glove. I think he's a marginal entry. If he goes, then Dawson has to be next.

 

I agree. You are either a HOF'er or you aren't. I'm not sure what has changed in 15 years, other than the Susan Lucci factor

 

No doubt, I hate MLB HOF voting. Plus the fact there has never been one player to be unanimously voted in. This goes back to people like Hank Aaron people. Seriously? What idiot would not vote for Hank Aaron on the first ballot?

 

I would knock voting down to less than five years (2 years in my perfect world). Year 1 is for the sure fire greats, Mays, Aaron, Ruth, etc. 2nd year is the next group of players.

 

If you have to make an argument for a player, they are not a HOFer. You know it when you see it.

Rice would be the perfect candidate to the "Hall of Very Good Players". I just don't think he was one of the game's very best.

 

Interesting that McGwire's tally decreased. Seems the passage of time is not helping his cause. I would think this does not bode well for one Mr. Roger Clemens. Neither does the ongoing grand jury investigation into perjury charges against him. :sssh:

Count me as one who is very happy to see Jim Rice get his due. The most feared power hitter in the AL for about a decade; only his relative lack of longevity and lukewarm (at best) relationship with the media kept him out this long.

 

Someone said, I believe on the new MLB network, that among Rice's contemporaries, only Schmidt and Brett put up better numbers; and they were no-brainer first-round inductees.

No doubt, I hate MLB HOF voting. Plus the fact there has never been one player to be unanimously voted in. This goes back to people like Hank Aaron people. Seriously? What idiot would not vote for Hank Aaron on the first ballot?

 

 

And the problem is that because Hank Aaron didn't get a unanimous vote, someone says "Well, Ricky Henderson shouldn't get in unanimously, so I'm not going to vote for him" I'm already angry about Greg Maddux's vote total, and it's five years away. I just know on that day he won't be unanimous despite the fact there is no justification to why he wouldn't be.

I'm extremely happy to see Rice get in finally. It was a long time coming. Rickey was a no-brainer.

Glad to see Jim Rice finally get in. I Can't wait to hear Rickey's acceptance apeech.

And the problem is that because Hank Aaron didn't get a unanimous vote, someone says "Well, Ricky Henderson shouldn't get in unanimously, so I'm not going to vote for him" I'm already angry about Greg Maddux's vote total, and it's five years away. I just know on that day he won't be unanimous despite the fact there is no justification to why he wouldn't be.

 

Dude, you're going to die of an ulcer if you let it get to you this early! :lol:

And the problem is that because Hank Aaron didn't get a unanimous vote, someone says "Well, Ricky Henderson shouldn't get in unanimously, so I'm not going to vote for him" I'm already angry about Greg Maddux's vote total, and it's five years away. I just know on that day he won't be unanimous despite the fact there is no justification to why he wouldn't be.

Bill Conlin, the fat slob who used to spit out opinions on the Sports Reporters, did not vote for Nolan Ryan for the HOF because he said Hank Aaron was a unanimous pick and he didn't think Ryan should be the first one.

 

THAT is what is wrong with the process.

Interesting that McGwire's tally decreased. Seems the passage of time is not helping his cause. I would think this does not bode well for one Mr. Roger Clemens. Neither does the ongoing grand jury investigation into perjury charges against him. :sssh:

 

No, it does not bode well. Although that would not stop me from voting from him. While a lot of Clemens' numbers came during the steroid days, he was a sure fire first balloter before any of that took place... same for Barry Bonds, imo. McGwire on the other hand, it can be argued his entire body of work was because of performance enhancing drugs and I can much more justify him not being voted in. McGwire hit HRs and a lot of meaningless ones. Sosa hit HRs and a lot of meaningless ones. That is about all either one of them ever did during their careers.

Can't wait to see Rickey at the podium. Should be the best induction speech ever...

"Rickey wants to thank all of those who supported Rickey and made it possible for Rickey to be standing up here alongside all of Rickey's heros."

No, it does not bode well. Although that would not stop me from voting from him. While a lot of Clemens' numbers came during the steroid days, he was a sure fire first balloter before any of that took place... same for Barry Bonds, imo. McGwire on the other hand, it can be argued his entire body of work was because of performance enhancing drugs and I can much more justify him not being voted in. McGwire hit HRs and a lot of meaningless ones. Sosa hit HRs and a lot of meaningless ones. That is about all either one of them ever did during their careers.

 

I agree, but . . . . in the eyes of many voters, it would be like saying that McGwire beat his wife during their entire marriage, while Clemens only beat her during the latter half of his marriage. Both carry some serious stigma. And Clemens added on to his baggage with that wonderful performance before Congress, the final act of which has yet to play out. At this point, I would think Clemens will have a very hard time getting in - certainly not on the first ballot.

Can't wait to see Rickey at the podium. Should be the best induction speech ever...

 

"Rickey wants to thank all of those who supported Rickey and made it possible for Rickey to be standing up here alongside all of Rickey's heros."

 

On ESPN Radio this afternoon they were talking about who they could get to present Rickey and they pretty much decided that it might be appropriate to have him be the first person to present himself. :lol::lol:

Congrats to both...too long a wait for Jim Rice and Rickey was the greatest lead-off guy I ever saw.