Post by Craig Cumberland on Jan 13, 2006 22:18:51 GMT -8
Speaking of the HOF - Goosage was more deserving IMO than Sutter. I think Goosage should go. I thinhe was THE dominant closer in his time. I think only the dominant ones belong. Goosage, Eck, Mariano. Numbers often are given too much creedence. Lee Smith? Big numbers but not a hall of famer in my book. You never knew if he would be on or not. Too me closers that belong are the ones who you knew it was a done deal 98% of the time when they came in. For a closer intimidation is key too I think. Fingers is the only one from his era that is in. Do others belong? I think one, maybe two, closers from an era should go. If you start basing it on numbers alot of ungreats will go. Look at starters. Does Kaat belong? No way. Blyleven? I don't think so. They were good and played alot of years - HOF? No way. Sant BELONGS. Other than the World Series his numbers were as good or BETTER than Brooks - and they BOTH belong. What other third sacker from the era is in? I think you need to look at the dominant players from an era, not necessarily the numbers. First basemen from the 70s? Stargell is in, tho much of what he accomplished began in the 60s. Garv didn't make the 3,000 plateau - if he did he'd be in. Just b/c he didn't should he not get in? No way. He was the most consistent first baseman of his era... and he could field. Tony Oliva had about as many hits as Garvey... but does Tony O belong. Not IMO. I think you can make an argument for Reggie Smith, who is way over-looked. Greatest switch hitters of all-time? Mantle, Murray, Rose - but Rose didn't put up the power numbers. i think arguably Smith is the third best switch hitter of all time. Should he go? Rose should no doubt. Don't put him in as a manager b/c that's when he screwed up... but as a players? It's a disgrace he's not there. Other who comiited more hanous crimes are there. Marichal ( and I think the world of the man), Cepeda... What about the Cocaine kids of the 70s & 80s - do we banish them? The juicers? The vote on McGwire next year will be interesting. Rose belongs. The Juicers? I agree with Robinson - banish there records. And I was a huge Palmeiro fan. What Bonds, McWire and Palmeiro did will diminish the accomplishments of a consistenly great player like McGriff. No word of him juicing, yet he may not make it and Sosa certainly will... You think he shot up? I do! McGriff belongs. Had the others not juiced what would their career totals have been? Would they have outdistance McGriff? Perhaps (most likely) not - so what he did naturally would have looked BIGGER. Yeah, yeah... Roids don't help you hit a baseball - but it helps you hit 'em consideraby further! Where would Bonds 73rd landed if he weren't on juice??? Probably in the centerfielders mitt or at least off the wall. The juice adds another 40 feet - or more, enough to turn alot of long flies into dingers. Canseco belongs before McGwire does (and I like Mac) - but Jose was more of a complete ball player (both had defesive woes... but man could Jose pitch! LMAO). Caseco sewpt the roid era in - and he ended it. Talk about a history maker... The dude was brash but at least he didn't dodge questions (ever in his career).
OK, wanna really stir the pot??? Greatest player of all time? Ruth is the most important figure in baseball history... best player? I love the big guy, but no way. Mays? You can have him as your first pick - I'll take Aaron. Steady, quite, unassuming... and a fire in his belly. I'll take Mantle in CF and Clemente in RF (Aaron would play LF). Third is George Brett. SS = Ripkem. First base gimme Gehrig, at second, Pete. Catcher - I'll take Campy. My staff would be Ryan, Seaver, Clemens, Carlton, and Knucksie. I'll take Eck iin the bullpen. Middle reliever is... the Babe!
Any takers? Bring it on!
OK, wanna really stir the pot??? Greatest player of all time? Ruth is the most important figure in baseball history... best player? I love the big guy, but no way. Mays? You can have him as your first pick - I'll take Aaron. Steady, quite, unassuming... and a fire in his belly. I'll take Mantle in CF and Clemente in RF (Aaron would play LF). Third is George Brett. SS = Ripkem. First base gimme Gehrig, at second, Pete. Catcher - I'll take Campy. My staff would be Ryan, Seaver, Clemens, Carlton, and Knucksie. I'll take Eck iin the bullpen. Middle reliever is... the Babe!
Any takers? Bring it on!