tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7977200350584599243.post4909984504586260297..comments2008-04-24T17:05:12.068-04:00Comments on Bird Brain: Gossage Makes the Hall of Fame... And That’s It?!Ryan Hallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08440397663536341414noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7977200350584599243.post-13777146056955644282008-01-15T12:18:00.000-05:002008-01-15T12:18:00.000-05:00I think Jason Stark can get a little too caught up...I think Jason Stark can get a little too caught up in comparing the players to others in their era, forsaking how they compare to Hall of Fame standards (you’ve got to look at both), but in general, this is a good article looking at the players on this year’s ballot (including Tim Raines). It was written before the voting results were announced.<BR/><BR/>http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/hof08/columns/story?columnist=stark_jayson&id=3171509<BR/><BR/>I'm not sure how to make a link in the comment section, so you'll have to cut and paste.Ryan Hallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08440397663536341414noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7977200350584599243.post-43776091839613089332008-01-14T12:54:00.000-05:002008-01-14T12:54:00.000-05:00On a separate note, shame on Mike Mussina for pick...On a separate note, shame on Mike Mussina for picking the Yankees, but shame on Peter Angelos for making him leave. Angelos pretty much left no choice for Mussina as far as his future with the O's. Mussina was one of the best pitchers in the game at that time and all Angelos did was give him a last minute low ball offer, probably to "save face" with the fans. Mussina was leaving because of Angelos, but, I agree, shame on him for picking the Yankees.Ryan Hallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08440397663536341414noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7977200350584599243.post-71786937522534505382008-01-14T12:48:00.000-05:002008-01-14T12:48:00.000-05:00First off, Brock never played a game at second bas...First off, Brock never played a game at second base. He spent his entire career in the outfield.<BR/><BR/>Now that that's out of the way...Brock was a great player, and he WAS "THE base stealer" of his time, like you said. In fact, when he retired, he was the all-time stolen base leader. That coupled with 3,000 hits explain why Brock was a first ballot HOF'er. I'm not saying that he shouldn't have been, or that Tim Raines should have been in on the first ballot, but with only 24.3% of the vote, Raines has a steep up-hill climb to get inducted. I don't think it should be that steep. With no research, nothing more than gut instinct, I'm going to say I would've been happy to see something in the 40-50% range.<BR/><BR/>I don't know how many All-Star appearances you have to have to be a perenial all-star, but Brock had 6 All-Star appearances. Tim Raines had 7. Brock never won a batting title. Raines won 1. They both led their leagues in runs scored twice. Now back to the stolen bases thing. Brock does have more, and did retire the all-time leader, but 5th all time ain't too shabby either (Raines). Also, studies have shown that you have to be successful in at least 70% (some have argued for 75%) of your steal attempts before it starts to add runs to your team. This comes from the fact that being caught stealing is more detrimental to your team's chances of scoring, than a successful stolen base is advantageous. Lou Brock's career success rate is 75.3%. Tim Raines' career percentage is 84.7%. Like I said before, Raines' success rate is the highest of anyone with over 300 attempts. I think that counts for something.<BR/><BR/>It all comes down to how much of an elitest you are. If you believe that the HOF is only for the most elite players to ever play the game, that they have to walk on water, and be able to go toe-to-toe with Ruth, Ted Williams and such, then that's your belief. I believe that there are too many non-elite players already in the HOF to still hold this stance. Therefore, you should take into consideration not just how they stack up all time, but also how a player compares to his peers at the time. Raines' only superior as a leadoff hitter and offensive catalyst was Rickey Henderson. Henderson was the best of all time, so if his superiority over Raines is enough to keep Raines out of the HOF, then we're back to the elitest mentality.Ryan Hallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08440397663536341414noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7977200350584599243.post-70560936695665394202008-01-12T14:06:00.000-05:002008-01-12T14:06:00.000-05:00I think HOF induction should be reserved for those...I think HOF induction should be reserved for those who dominate the game, or atleast their position, during their time. They should have a lengthy career of consistent high performance, and for atleast a number of their playing years be known as the unquestioned best. Lou Brock was THE base stealer during his time, and I believe a perennial all-star (no, I didn't bother to verify that) at 2nd base. Statistics are often misleading when looking back over a career. When you compare Brooks Robinson's career statistics they might not be that impressive, but during his long career he was the unquestioned best 3rd baseman... a natural HOF'er.<BR/>For these reasons, and no matter what career statistics Mike Mussina accumulates before he's done, I will not believe he belongs in the HOF. He's never won a Cy Young, never won 20 games, never won a world series (hah!). He was very good for many years, but never THE best in his time. Besides, he deserted the O's for the Yankees. Shame on him.Popshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11950785352252539666noreply@blogger.com