Let's talk about Hall of Fame candidates who have been "neglected"

[Peter_Spaeth]

To the fan, the ninth inning seems more dramatic and important. But the reality is that the team that scores the most runs over all nine innings wins. Therefore, all runs count the same, as do all runs prevented. Therefore, a rational team should want its best pitchers throwing the most innings, not limiting them to specialized innings which is a fallacy.

[Peter_Spaeth]

The popular line about Rivera was that he made it an 8 inning game. Why wouldn't that have been equally true (if it was) had he pitched the first inning of the same games?

[packs]

The team that scores the most runs wins, but games are decided in the 9th inning. That's when you need to win the game. You can't win the game with 7 strong.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by packs

The team that scores the most runs wins, but games are decided in the 9th inning. That's when you need to win the game. You can't win the game with 7 strong.

A run scored is a run scored. A run prevented is a run prevented. If you didn't give up the 2 in the first, you would be in a dramatically different place heading into the 9th.

[packs]

No. If you score 3 in the first and the score is 3-2 in the 9th, you don't win for scoring 3 in the first. You win when the 9th inning is over and you're still ahead.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by packs

No. If you score 3 in the first and the score is 3-2 in the 9th, you don't win for scoring 3 in the first. You win when the 9th inning is over and you're still ahead.

Disagree fundamentally.

Is there any other team sport with specialists who play only at the end of the game?

[packs]

IF you're a football fan you're probably familiar with your kicker.

[perezfan]

Originally Posted by packs

IF you're a football fan you're probably familiar with your kicker.

Only a handful of Kickers are in the HOF. I do agree there should be more.

But Kickers and Punters play the entire game. I have seen missed field goals that occur in the first half, which undoubtedly cost their respective teams many many games.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by packs

IF you're a football fan you're probably familiar with your kicker.

Kickers kick the whole game.

[abothebear]

Asserting that the game is decided or won in the 9th doesn’t make it true.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by abothebear

Asserting that the game is decided or won in the 9th doesn’t make it true.

It's a truism just like saying golf is won on the 18th hole because the game ends there, but it isn't meaningful because in golf every stroke counts and in baseball every run counts equally.

[Peter_Spaeth]

If a golfer misses a birdie putt on 1, and then misses a birdie putt on 18 that would have tied him for the lead, both shots are of equal consequence, although of course to the observer the miss on 18 might seem more critical.

[packs]

I don't think things are as philosophical as that. Sports are practical. Best score wins. Your score is not recorded until the game is complete. The game cannot be completed until it's finished.

[JollyElm]

And round and round the arguments still go...

Peoplewithhulahoops.jpg

[perezfan]

Then let the pinch hitters in.... Manny Mota, Smoky Burgess and Lenny Harris belong in the Hall of Fame!