VETERANS VOTE

I just heard that, I would suspect that this confirms that they will not get in. I think Hodges has just been gone too long for consideration....I think he died in the early 70's....(not that that should keep him out, its just that his memory has dimmed). Stat wise he and Santo are marginal HOF considerations. But that does not take consideration of heart or their importance to sucess of the team they played for.

Santo was a player I saw as a kid, and have heard many people support him for the hall, but it seems that he and Hodges will always come up short for election.

Then sad part of the voting is that they do not seem to look at overall things--defense, heart, team player etc--they are simply stats oriented

Tr,

Friendly disagreement with your last comment about stats. Ozzie Smith comes immediately to mind that is in the hall because of his defensive abilities and developed his offensive game later in his career. I am sure I will get some disagreement, but I believe Omar Visquel
is deserving someday for pretty much the same reasons as Ozzie. Omar is the best defensive fielder I have ever seen on a regular basis.

With respect to Santo, I admired him as a kid and saw a few of his games later in his career. I really cannot comment whether either player is deserving.

Cleveland

How many Ozzies are there in the HOF?

Great question Tr. Obviously, I came up with the exception rather than the rule. Is Luis Appracio in the Hall? Brooks Robinson had decent offensive stats but I believe that his glove played a part in putting him in the hall.

Cleveland

Not arguing--I think a lot of baseball fans would agree with you-- they kept Rizzuto out for years because they did not "like " his attitude and Ted williams said he was the Yankees catalyst

Excellent point. A recent player who may fit this mold is Paul O'Neil. How many rings does that guy have and how many have the Yankees won since he left (5,0)? I never liked watching my team play against O'Neil and didn't really care for his attitude - all he did was win. O'Neil has put up some fine numbers but, I think his production in big games puts him in - at least if I was voting.

The Yankees need a leader with Paulies attitude now. He was a true leader and an old school type of player.

I had really hoped Roger Maris would have got in. Many say that he had a season not a career, but I disagree. He won World series titles in both leagues, was an MVP, and I believe, a World series MVP. Factor in breaking Babe Ruth's record and I feel he should be in. What bugs me most, is they will welcome Barry Bonds with open arms on the first ballot. Maris wasn't great, but he certainly had character and courage.

Many fans feel that in light of the steroids, Maris is the true single season HR King.

Just my slant.

I voted for Jim Kaat with 289 wins and 14 gold gloves.

Kaat is a very interesting example. The stats say he should be in - 11 wins shy of 300??? and the gold gloves?? Maybe there is more than just stats. Maybe a certain pinash or charisma or dominance is also required. I guess Early Winn barely got his 300th with a 5 inning win at the end of his career. Bob Feller had 275 but he gets credit for his years in the service and one of the most devistating hard throwers of all time. I know this question has been asked many times on this site, but does Koufax get in on his stats alone?

If Brooks Robinson is in then Santo should be in. Santo was a 9 time all-star and 5 time gold glove and did all that while fighting diabetes.