Injustices

[BlackAgnes]

...many in our world.

Maybe not the least of these is that...


Roger Maris is STILL not in the Hall of Fame.

I know, I know--you just assumed that he was.

Well, he's not and may never be.

I visit Cooperstown fairly often, and when I pass the HOF, I always ask the folks sitting out front if Roger is there.


I get the strangest looks.

I don't go in.

 

[conn ak]

Only played like 12 years. His 61 HRs was an incredible accomplishment, without steroids, but he really doesn't have particularly impressive lifetime stats for the Hall of Fame.

 

[BlackAgnes]

Only played like 12 years. His 61 HRs was an incredible accomplishment, without steroids, but he really doesn't have particularly impressive lifetime stats for the Hall of Fame.

AL MVP two years running, played in four All Star games, AL Golden Glove Award, hit 61 homers in FEWER at-bats that Ruth, held the home run record longer than Ruth.

Jeez, what do you guys want???

Have you seen the stats of other players who are in the Hall?

I think Maris ought to be in the Hall for the reasons stated above.

And remember, he accomplished this while neither taking steroids or betting on games!

 

[BlackAgnes]

Yes Tim, I understand what you are saying. But, in 1962 or so, he was playing the Twins and we were watching the game on tv. His at-bat was crucial to the game and he popped up to the infield for an easy out. Well, what did Mr. Majestic do? On his way back to the dugout he held up his middle finger for the camera and the twins fans.
Dude, you can't do that sh*t in the sixties. Not a good Catholic boy like Roger.
So, that is why he will never be in the Hall of Fame...

bdGreen

Yes, Bruce, but remember, he was under so much stress at that time after the endless debate over his breaking Ruth's record that his hair was falling out. I'd probably give him a pass on that--especially in view of his accomplishments. He was no ruder, certainly, than my own favorite hitter, Ted Williams!

He actually was a decent farm boy who never mastered public relations, unlike his pal and admirer, Mickey Mantle, whom I personally witnessed flaying the hide off a nine-year-old girl for asking for his autograph in a restaurant in Syracuse.

i think it's time for his inclusion, but I have no illusions that media types whose colleagues deify creeps like Michael Jackson will ever do the right thing.

Roger Maris was an excellent player whose defensive and offensive records certainly surpass those of media whores like Pee Wee Reese and Phil Rizzuto.

Vote him in!!

 

[Jim in Wisconsin]

Can't get too excited-Gil Hodges is still not in the HOF...

 

[USAF385]

You know who REALLY belongs there....

Barry Bonds!

 

[berto]

Maris was great for a few years but his overall career numbers aren't outstanding. The HOF is for the all-time greats, those with superior performance for more than a few years. That some HOF members don't meet the highest standard is not a reason to open the floodgates for others who don't meet the standard. If Maris hit 59 homers instead of 61 homers in '61 we're not even having this discussion.

The Hall of Very Good might have a place for Maris but he'll have to line up behind guys like Andre Dawson, Dwight Evans, and Dale Murphy.

 

[em-man]

I don't care who gets in as long as Pete Rose is kept out.

 

[sceva]

I don't care who gets in as long as Pete Rose is kept out.

I was just going to say that Pete Rose belongs in there too. There is nothing that points to Pete Rose ever doing anything to change the outgcome of a game and he always played to win. The only thing Pete Rose did that was unforgivable (to the Baseball Commision) was fight back instead of accepting their ruling (For the good of the game you know to never question thier decisions).
When others like Darryl Strawberry etc can be given chance after chance after being caught with drugs etc. what Pete did, alledgedly associating with gamblers, pales in comparison.

can you tell I fondly remember the "Big Red Machine" days.

 

[em-man]

I was just going to say that Pete Rose belongs in there too. There is nothing that points to Pete Rose ever doing anything to change the outgcome of a game and he always played to win. The only thing Pete Rose did that was unforgivable (to the Baseball Commision) was fight back instead of accepting their ruling (For the good of the game you know to never question thier decisions).
When others like Darryl Strawberry etc can be given chance after chance after being caught with drugs etc. what Pete did, alledgedly associating with gamblers, pales in comparison.

can you tell I fondly remember the "Big Red Machine" days.

Rose bet on the outcome of the game. That's the whole idea behind gambling. With his bookie breathing down his neck, if you believe he didn't, you're at best, very naive...

I believe Rose's gambling problems became public when he couldn't or wouldn't pay his tab. Probably hurt him more than a broken thumb or kneecap...

 

[Farmer17]

How can you tell if someone has never in their life taken steroids?

 

[redlevel]

Bert Blyleven

won 287 lost 250

lifetime era 3.31

career shutouts 60 9th all-time

struck out 3701 5th all-time

 

[4406v]

I believe Pete Rose has paid the price for gambling on the game long enough.I feel he did way more to promote baseball than to hurt it.He was a great player who always gave his all.I FORGIVE PETE ROSE!!!

 

[BlackAgnes]

I hear what you guys are saying, and I have heard the arguments before.

OK, in my opinion, if Maris had done NOTHING MORE than beat Ruth's HR record,

especially with fewer at-bats, he should be in the Hall.

..and you're right, had he hit 59 homers, we wouldn't be having this argument.

But he hit 61.

There are many in the Hall who contributed less to the game.

Tim

 

[dkees]

Right or wrong I place a great deal on the character and public attitude of the player.

Roger Maris was a nice guy.

Pete Rose is not.

Like I said I know this criteria is far from objective and flawed on many levels.

 

[USAF385]

How can you tell if someone has never in their life taken steroids?

Can you tell if they have EVER taken them? I don't believe so.

On a similar topic... I was the recipient of a LOT of "random" drug tests while on active duty. I think they thought if they tested me enough they'd catch me. But the only problem was the only drug I take is a lot of egg whites and protein!

 

[Centenniel]

I think Roger Maris belongs in the MLB Hall of Fame. I agree, his absense is an injustice.

 

[wuluf]

I remember when Maris was traded to the Cards. They promised him a Budweiser distributorship when he retired. Players didn't make enough to be set for life in those days...
Wonder if they played harder back then?