Maddux, Glavine, and the Big Hurt in the HOF

[h2oya311]

I'm not surprised that Thomas got in, but expected it to be a few years. I guess I'm just surprised that this is really the first "DH" to get in, and to do it in "first ballot" style is shocking.

As for 2nd basemen, I'd take Biggio over Kent almost any time. Both benefitted from having awesome players batting behind them, but Kent REALLY benefitted from having Bonds batting behind him. And I'm sure his association w/ Bonds (at least by being on the same team) hurt him in voting as well. Guilty by association.

I can't tell, but it was either 1 or 2 votes more that Biggio needed in order to get in. Disgusting!

[howard38]

Originally Posted by h2oya311

I'm not surprised that Thomas got in, but expected it to be a few years. I guess I'm just surprised that this is really the first "DH" to get in, and to do it in "first ballot" style is shocking.

As for 2nd basemen, I'd take Biggio over Kent almost any time. Both benefitted from having awesome players batting behind them, but Kent REALLY benefitted from having Bonds batting behind him. And I'm sure his association w/ Bonds (at least by being on the same team) hurt him in voting as well. Guilty by association.

I can't tell, but it was either 1 or 2 votes more that Biggio needed in order to get in. Disgusting!

Bonds didn't hit behind Kent. The usual batting order had Bonds third and Kent fourth. It was still a benefit to Kent but not the kind you might see if pitchers grooved pitches to him because they were afraid to walk him.

[ls7plus]

Originally Posted by h2oya311

I'm not surprised that Thomas got in, but expected it to be a few years. I guess I'm just surprised that this is really the first "DH" to get in, and to do it in "first ballot" style is shocking...

Along with his 521 homers (which he hit without any artificial help), Big Frank had the third highest OBP among right-handed hitters of all time, and the 14th highest OPS period! Early in his prime, virtually all of the Sox's games were on WGN, and I watched everyone of his at bats. This guy had the consistency and all-fields power of Cabrera, and walked like Mantle and Williams! One of only seven players to have more than 1500 RBI and 1000 BB (and one of those was Bonds, who is in an altogether different category). What would have been shocking is if he wouldn't have gotten in on the first ballot!

Regards,

Larry

[gman]

Originally Posted by ls7plus

Big Frank... had the consistency and all-fields power of Cabrera, and walked like Mantle and Williams! One of only seven players to have more than 1500 RBI and 1000 BB

As did Jeff Bagwell have the hot to all field consistency until his right shoulder became bone on bone. He, too, is one of the seven with 1500 RBI and 1000 BB. Bagwell was also one of the smartest base runners during his time in the big leagues. He also played an exceptional first base.

This was in the Houston Chronicle this morning, "Bobby Cox, the Braves manager who is entering the Hall of Fame this year alongside his two former pitchers, said on Wednesday that he’s bothered “a lot” by the accusations toward Biggio and his absence from the Hall class.

“There’s two guys in this game, opposing players, that I fell in love with,” Cox told MLB Network Radio. “(Jeff) Bagwell was one, and Biggio was the other. Just the way they conducted themselves on the field, they were leaders and great ballplayers.”"

Both were respected by their piers because of the way they played the game and the respect that had towards the game.

Bagwell should also be in the Hall.

In my opinion, the Hall of Fame needs to revamp the entire election process. They need to thin out the number of individuals allowed to vote.