As a lifelong Yankee fan who can remember almost the entire George Steinbrenner Ownership Era, we think we have the fan's perspective of what will be going on this week in Cooperstown. We all know that Baseball has the most stringent qualifications for induction into the Hall of Fame: 75% of all writers and members must vote for you, or you don't get in. Is it fair? Maybe not, but it is what it is. As John Bender said in The Breakfast Club, 'Doors slam shut - the world is an Imperfect Place'. Quite appropriate in our view....
For those players who don't make it after 15 years, they are eligible to be voted in by the Veterans Committee, a smaller group perhaps more knowledgable about the older players. We'll for those who think that one or two players a year is unfair (liberals who also think that every kid deserves a trophy in soccer as well), Baseball has something you'll love...
It's called the Expansion Era Committee. Yes, since baseball expanded in 1970, the rules did not follow. So, they've decided to make a special panel of writers and HOF players from the era to pick others. Qualifying is the same - 75%, but the panel only has 12 members. So, as long as you get the OK from NINE PEOPLE (as opposed to 300 plus for regular induction), you're in.
Even as a Yankee fan, the list doesn't leave much to argue for: Tommy John, who won an assload of games, but lost a lot as well. Ron Guidry, who was without a doubt the best pitcher in his prime, but didn't string enough years for a HOF induction, and The Boss himself, George Steinbrenner. In fact, three of the 12 eligible inductees didn't play the game . That is our problem...
Yes, Steinbrenner's impact on the business side of baseball was unmatched by any owner, but to us, to get into the Hall, you need to have stepped foot between the white lines during the nine innings. No offense to Steinbrenner, he didn't play, thus his honor should be limited to Monument Park in left field at Yankee Stadium. As for the players, there are sensible reason for each of them not to be in Cooperstown. Al Oliver and Ted Simmons were very good players, but the 'elite tag' didn't quite apply, thus a Hall induction this way is like the dreaded asterisk that insults players so much...
Just like expansion diluted the talent pool on the field, Expansion Era Committee induction dilutes the membership of the honorees there as well. Baseball is a tough business, and the Hall is especially tough. It is what it is .... and it should stay that way. Perfectly imperfect, in our view.
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2 comments:
I don't know that I agree with your assessment that to get in the Hall of Fame you had to have played Major League ball. There's more than 30 individuals in the Hall who never played in the majors, or only played very briefly. But I agree Steinbrenner should not be inducted. I put Tommy John or Ron Guidry in before Steinbrenner.
Mike--with the whole Boston/Atlanta baseball thing I have, I couldn't agree more. I'm just wondering which level of the Dante's Inferno ole' George wound up in?...teg
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