Cooperstown has become a joke.
It may not be the baseball Hall of Fame’s fault, but nonetheless it’s a joke.
You can’t have a Hall of Fame without the all-time leaders in all the offensive categories.
I’m sorry that some of these men were mean to sports writers, or took anabolic steroids, or bet on games, their numbers are what they are.
Maybe “Infamy” is unfair to some of the people I will list on the first ever ballot. Let’s call them the “Hall of Men With Great Stats” or the Hall of Famous or something.
This hall only worries about stats baby. It doesn’t matter if you spit on the ball or corked your bat or bribed the ump or took steroids. Stats get you in, and that’s it. Unlike other halls you only need to sit out one full season to be enshrined
It’s time to take the Hall back from the sportswriters and back into the hands of fans. I invite you to vote, or even nominate, and we’ll publish the results in a month or so. This is your chance to stick up for Gil Hodges, Steve Garvey, Don Mattingly or anyone else you’d like to see enshrined. Some day I’m sure Alex Rodriguez will wind up in our building. Before we get to those folks, there’s some others to nominate:
Ladies and gentlemen, the nominees for the 2009 Hall of Famous Baseball Players.
Joe Jackson. You may know him as “shoeless.” He even has his own virtual Hall. Jackson has the third highest batting average of all-time, with 1700 hits in ten full seasons (Ichiro type numbers!) His .408 in 1911 was the highest of the century and hasn’t even been approached here in Century 21. You’ve surely heard of him, hence his nomination for the Hall of Famous.
Pete Rose. Pete is baseball’s hit king with 4256. Six World Series and a main part of the history of not just the Reds, but also the Phillies. Hard to ignore Charlie Hustle’s credentials on the field.
Barry Bonds. The Home Run King. Two numbers that stand without explanation: 73 and the most famous number of them all 762. How could you even consider a hall without the King?
Roger Maris. As hard as it is for anyone under thirty to believe, 60 home runs was once very uncommon in baseball. Roger was the only one to do it between Ruth and McGwire. A two time MVP who played in seven World Series and was a leader with the Yankees and Cardinals.
Mark McGwire. The man who saved baseball. The man who returned the power game to a game that had become boring with 10 run games a rarity. A 12 time all-star who played in three consecutive World Series and has 583 home runs. Hard credentials for someone to ignore.
Sammy Sosa. The other smiling face of the legendary summer of 1998. A man so beloved by all that even New York City threw a tickertape parade for a Chicago Cub. A 7 time All-Star, an MVP and of course609 home runs including three seasons over 60.
Jack Morris. What, you thought I was only going to list bad guys? 254 wins and the best pitcher of his decade. He deserves a look.
Bert Blyleven. 287 wins, 3701 strikeouts. Nobody will win 287 games again.
Tommy John. 288 wins. You can’t win 288 if you don’t win 287, and nobody will.
Roger Clemens. When he was playing he was considered one of the great pitchers of all time. 354 wins and 4672 strike outs. Let me know who is pitching today that will even hit half those numbers.
Rafael Palmeiro. Before the writers found righteousness there were two numbers that got you into any Hall: 3,000 and 500. Raffy has them both.
Did I miss someone? Hit comments and add your nominations or votes!
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