Jim Rice and Rich "Goose" Gossage, who many thought had a chance this time around, garnered 64.8 percent and 64.6 percent, respectively. Andre Dawson, with 61 percent, was the only other player on the ballot who received 60 or more percent of the vote.
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Any possibility of Rice, Gossage or Dawson making it will dwindle in 2007, the year Tony Gwynn, Cal Ripken Jr. and Mark McGwire are eligible for the first time.
Too bad Gossage and Dawson didn't get in... but I'm glad Sutter did.
The longevity argument is a good point, but apparently sportswriters agreed that:
1. Sutter was dominant in the years he was good
2. he pioneered BOTH
a. a new role (closer, differently than the modern-day ones, of course) and
b. the splitter, which has massively changed pitching
All those 3 things seem to override the longevity concern. I agree with that judgement.
I think Goose will get in, eventually and deservedly, especially now that Sutter is in. Rice, Dawson -- I dunno. Blyleven, Smith -- looking like probably not.
Yeah, fuck McGwire. It'll be really interesting to see what happens considering how recently the steroid shit has blown up. I'd be kind of amazed if Ripken gets less than 97% and Gwynn gets less than 94% next year. McGwire will be lucky to get 75%. Maybe more like 60%.
Well, Big Mac only hit HRs! He hardly did anything else... small AVG, no speed, minimal defense... the steroid issue is bigger for him than say for Bonds... You could take away 300 of Barry's HR's and he is still a first ballot HOFer!
How can Sutter get in but not Lee Smith who is the career leader in Sutter's category. How does Goose Gossage not get in ? Well he probably never get in now with his whining about not getting in. Here's hoping Smith, Gooden, Jim Rice and my underdog fave Dale Murphy get in or at least a good number of votes in '08 ('07 is a wash). The Baseball Writers of America has to be the stodgiest and stuck up collection of people around.
Actually Peter... Big Mac was an above average 1st baseman for most of his career (pre- StL) with a career .993 and a GG in 1990. Only Mattingly was better for a number of years
AntMoOAK wrote:How can Sutter get in but not Lee Smith who is the career leader in Sutter's category. How does Goose Gossage not get in ?
Thank you!!!
And, thanks for the info on Big Mac. It's fair points, but the fact remains is that comparing him to Bonds is thin, at best. it's like comparing Eddie Grabell to Rickey Henderson for OBP!
i did NOT mean to compare their stats directly only that they are/ were two of the best power hitters in the game while bonds numbers are better. ihust meant that they both juiced clearly
big mac is a clear 1st ballot HOFer
with a career Avg of 263, obp 394, slg 588 hrs 583 rbis 1414
while 263 avg is decent of a power hitter 394 obp is really good
oh yeah 10 mvps and 12 allstars the ROY (only once duh!)
if you want more stats go to www.baseball-reference.com
really cool site with every players stats just enter mark mcgwire
