There is a saying here in Japan: "Better to have been remembered as a great Ozeki than as a disappointing Yokozuna."
Yokozuna is the highest rank in sumo and it basically means its better not to promote marginal wrestlers to the top rank since they'll be remembered only as disappointments in that rank, while if you had left them as Ozeki (2nd highest rank) they'd be fondly remembered as really solid Ozeki.
This applies perfectly to Baines. Until now I had thought of him approvingly as a really solid "Hall of Very Gooder".
Now he is just going to be remembered as the most undeserving post-war player in the Hall.
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