Hall of Fame?

So do Morris and Trammell belong in the HOF? What say you?


Jack Morris, Alan Trammell remain on Hall of Fame ballot

NEW YORK — Career steals leader Rickey Henderson heads 10 first-time candidates on this year’s Hall of Fame ballot, joining holdovers Mark McGwire and Jim Rice — eligible for the final time.
Other newcomers are Jay Bell, David Cone, Ron Gant, Mark Grace, Jesse Orosco, Dan Plesac, Greg Vaughn, Mo Vaughn and Matt Williams.
Just 23 players are on the ballot, the smallest group ever. Holdovers include Harold Baines, Bert Blyleven, Andre Dawson. Tommy John, Don Mattingly, Jack Morris, Dale Murphy, Dave Parker, Tim Raines, Lee Smith and Alan Trammell.
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8 comments:

  1. Gregg Shields, The CommissionerDecember 2, 2008 at 11:25 AM

    Yes to both. Great ball players.
    Hey, Jeff, were you going to give us an inside look into the voting booth?

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  2. Chuck PiotrowskiDecember 3, 2008 at 4:54 AM

    One of my biggest problems with MOrris was (is) his arrogance. Not that there are not other arrogant players in the venerable Hall. But Jack was just too arrogant from my perspective. He did post some great numbers in his career.

    Another perennial question for the Hall of Fame -- what about Pete Rose. My opinion was that he did belong due to an outstanding career BUT then I read HIS AUTOBIOGRAPHY in which he admitted that he knowingly bet on those games. No defense other than he thought he was bigger than the game so now I say NO! What say all of you?

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  3. Tom HagertyDecember 3, 2008 at 5:11 AM

    About Rose I say if he bet on games as a player, then he should be banned from the HOF. If he bet on games as a manager then he merits the HOF for what he did as a player. I never liked Rose but, to me, this seems fair.

    Yes Morris seemed arrogant but he performed admirably on the field and I'd vote for him to be in the HOF.

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  4. Gregg Shields, The CommissionerDecember 3, 2008 at 6:34 AM

    Morris belongs in the hall regardless of his attitude. Consider Ty Cobb (next week's nominee for Greatest Tiger Centerfielder.) He was arrogant, hornery, maybe downright evil, but he was the first man in the HOF.

    I agree with Tom on Rose. If he bet on games during his playing career, particularly in game he participated, no way he gets in. That's why I wouldn't vote for Mark McGwire--he cheated.

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  5. Tom HagertyDecember 3, 2008 at 9:02 AM

    Did McGwire violate any laws or baseball rules? (I'm not sure.) If not, then I'd reluctantly vote for him.

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  6. Jeff PeekDecember 3, 2008 at 11:52 AM

    Whether or not you agree with what has happened with Pete Rose, this much is absolutely indisputable: EVERY SINGLE CLUBHOUSE has HUGE signs near the entrance of the clubhouse (in English and Spanish) clearly stating that betting on baseball, either as a player or manager, is STRICTLY PROHIBITED and is punishable by fines, suspensions and even banishment from the game. Rose knew that, but he did it anyway. I believe his accomplishments deserve to be celebrated in the Hall of Fame, but has only himself to blame for being on the outside looking in.

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  7. Jeff PeekDecember 3, 2008 at 12:16 PM

    And yes, if you'd like me to, I'd be happy to let you get inside my head when I fill out my HOF ballot (there's plenty of room in there because my brain is so small). I'll get you started with this: I vowed that I wouldn't be one of those voters who changes his vote depending on how strong the field is. So, for better or worse, I've stuck with the same core group of guys every year since I marked my first ballot in 2004. I voted for these guys who got in: Eckersley, Molitor, Sandberg, Ripken, Gwynn and Gossage. And with the exception of Bert Blyleven, who I regretted not voting for initially, I've hung with these guys who still haven't made it: Trammell, Morris, Blyleven and Dawson. Obviously, no McGwire, no Rice, no Lee Smith. I'll offer agruments later, but in the meantime I'd love to hear your thoughts.

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  8. Tom HagertyDecember 4, 2008 at 6:01 AM

    Thanks for clarifying, Jeff. I have revised my opinion and now say Pete Rose does not belong in the HOF.

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