We All Know That Ty Cobb Is In the HOF...

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Posted By: peter chao

I'm curious, does anybody have a sports page from the 1930's was their any discussion about whether Cobb met the character standards for the Hall of Fame.

Peter

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Posted By: Rob

And on the 1st ballot too. Murphy was an exemplary citizen and best power hitter of the 1980's, and compares well with McGwire. Murphy was 1st or 2nd in HR's in the league 5 times, McGwire made that achievement 6 times. Murphy was in the top 2 in RBI's 3 times, McGwire just 2 times. Murphy v McGwire on MVP's awards: 2-0. Murphy v McGwire on Gold Gloves: 5-1. The edge goes to Murphy.

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Posted By: jay behrens

Character really wasn't much of an issue back then. Basically, if you didn't get banned from the sport, then you got in on your abilities.

As for Mac being more than a one trick pony....PUHLEEZ!!! I watched him from the day he came up with As, having season tickets and living in the Bay Area at the time. He was an absolute butcher at 1B. About the only major leaguer I saw slower than him was Tim Wallach. I never saw Ernie Lombardi play, but he had a reputation as being the slowest player in the game. He had on freak year where he hit over .300. He is slower version, worse fielding version of Dave Kingman on steroids. Just imagine how many HRs Kingman could have hit if steroids were around in his day. He would have really lived up to his nickname King Kong.

So no, Mac doesn't belong in the HOF based on his stats. Everyone says that HOFers are supposed to be the best of the best. Mac wasn't, plain and simple. He was horrific in all categories except hitting HRs, which is incredibly overrated.

Jay

I love pinatas. You get to beat the crap of something and get rewarded with candy.

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Posted By: Dylan

Before everyone's so quick to say Mcgwire hit all those homeruns because of the roids let not forget that a much thinner Mcgwire in his rookie season hit 49 home runs. Its not like Bonds case who came into the league as a mildly powerful hitter and then became THE power hitter.

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Posted By: Ed

Mere character is NOT the issue. I appreciate good character as much as anyone.

But for HOF purposes, character is relevant only as it relates to the integrity of the game itself. Perhaps the Cobb-Speaker affair should have been investigated and disciplined more thoroughly. But the fact that he had a loathsome personality, often evidenced by off the field antics, should NOT be a reason to question his admission to the hall. Twenty four years of .367 speaks for itself.

Rose crossed the line. Steroid users crossed the line. These actions threaten the integrity of the game.
That said, give me 8 Pete Roses and a solid pitcher against ANY all-time team anyone can compose. Still, Bart Giamatti did the right thing.