whats your HOF philosophy???

[T2069bk]

My thoughts are this is a hall of fame and museum. The players that should be elected should best represent the best players of the era (you know, when that team came to town you paid to go see a game just because they were coming).

Eras change, otherwise only people pitching 400+ innings a year, starting 50-60 games (and completing most of them), caught bare handed, hit less than 27 Hr, - essentially the 1800's. So to that I say:

Relief pitchers are now a part of the game and they should be in (Smith Rivera Hoffman).
Disclosure: I have only known baseball with relievers

Ped - ok if you did not fail a test. If you failed then you are with Joe Jax Pete Rose etc for breaking the rules and getting caught.
Disclosure: knew both pre and post PED and don't care

DH- occupies a roster spot right? Welcome to the hall (Edgar Baines etc)
Disclosure: HATE the DH but they are players and part of the game.

SABR - Let the SABR guys have their say in the vote etc Welcome in all you WAR leaders.
Disclosure: Apologies in advance - I hate SABRmetrics!!! Is it useful as a tool yes! Is it the ultimate end all be all - not in my opinion.

[ctownboy]

In my opinion, PED users should not only be banned from the HOF but they should also be banned from EVERY part of MLB.

Here is why:

In 1991, Commissioner Fay Vincent was going to implement a drug abuse policy which included steroids and drug testing (Google Fay Vincent steroids and you can read the whole memo). He had already sent out a memo to teams and the MLBPA about illegal drug use and steroids and what he wanted to do. So, as of 1991, teams and players BOTH knew that steroid use was going to be a no-no.

However, because of Bud Selig and Jerry Reinsdorf, a power struggle came about and Vincent was forced to resign as Commissioner. Then, Selig became Commish and the whole steroid thing was swept under the rug.

My point is, in 1991, steroids WERE KNOWN ABOUT and the Commissioner's Office WAS going to do something about them, i.e. steroid testing and punishment for failing tests. So ANYBODY who took steroids AFTER that time is a cheater and shouldn't be allowed into the HOF.

If Selig didn't get hsi way, Vincent would have implemented a steroid policy 10 years before one was put into place and things wouldn't be so cloudy now.

Also, as far as Selig goes, if I were an owner, I would NOT allow him to be a Commissioner Emeritus, allow him to get paid $6 million a year OR allow him to be eligible for the HOF. His meddling caused the steroid mess (along with a messed up All Star game and other problems) so HE shouldn't be allowed to be inducted either.

David

[glynparson]

It is a museum there to tell the story of the history of the game. Therefore I am for inclusion over exclusion and would induct a fairly decent number of players. The best of the best should be recognized with some sort of room within the room status. Maybe a top 100 or 250 or something all-time and when someone is added to that group one is removed to the regular hall of fame. The types I would include in the general population would be the remaining best of the best, as well as compilers those very good/good for a rather long time, those with great stories, as well as those with a shorter but rather brilliant career, as well as those who helped change the game. I would also include Managers, Executives and in a very rare instance Umpires.

[Touch'EmAll]

Evilking00 makes some good, and logical, points. The HOF is in part a history and museum of the game, and games best players.

Let the PED guys in, but tell the story or put an asterisk, or something. Same for Pete Rose. Ban him from baseball, yes, but put him in HOF - there is a difference.

And same for Bo Jackson, perhaps also Roger Maris. Some of the "on the fence players" couldn't hold Bo's jockstrap for crying out loud. Would you rather watch highlight clips of Craig Biggio, or watch highlight clips of Bo?

I liked the couple quotes, "you know, when that team came to town you paid to go see a game because they were coming." And "...not only show him Ty Cobb and Mickey Mantle, but also the amazing players that played when I was a kid."

Not so sure I would go to a game just because a borderline HOFer was playing. But I would give you my right arm to go see Bo in person!

Come on Baseball Hall and Football Hall. Heck, he was actually an even greater football player! You are playing the he didn't play long enough card on Bo. Not fair to the history - the greatness that was Bo Jackson.

I am a tax guy. There are a lot of rules. There are also sometimes exceptions to the rules. Its not always, 'Ach Tung!" Black and white. Bo is an exception.