tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6926413038778731189.post2300228825397640350..comments2023-10-16T07:13:12.123-05:00Comments on A plain blog about politics: Friday Baseball PostJonathan Bernsteinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15931039630306253241noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6926413038778731189.post-75311999371436887042014-01-05T23:46:22.947-06:002014-01-05T23:46:22.947-06:00For maybe a somewhat different reason, I agree wit...For maybe a somewhat different reason, I agree with Morgan that Sosa, McGwire and (less so) Palmiero are the primary sources of the problems vexing the HOF voters. With Bonds and Clemens, we all pretty much "know" that they were both slam-dunk first ballot HOFers before they met the syringe. As Morgan notes, Sosa/McGwire/Palmeiro are still marginal even with all their (allegedly dirty) stats included. <br /><br />So if your HOF vote comes from your editing of <i>PED Scold Monthly</i>, you can easily cast a vote for Bonds or Clemens and justify it that you're only voting for "clean" Bonds or Clemens, either of which is undoubtedly deserving, pretty much wherever you make the "clean" cut. Sosa/McGwire/Palmeiro (and even Piazza) are quite a bit messier, which is what I think is paralyzing many voters.CSHnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6926413038778731189.post-72767370799052447532014-01-05T13:12:16.972-06:002014-01-05T13:12:16.972-06:00Guess I think your standards are too low. Even if...Guess I think your standards are too low. Even if they weren't steroid users I'd be dubious about McGwire and Palmiero. Their career WARs are adequate for induction, (62 and 72 respectively, while the average HOF 1B is 66) but "cheaters" should clearly exceed the bar. (er, the "WAR bar"!). And Sosa falls well short in career WAR. So drop those three.Morgan Conradhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08488994506896975339noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6926413038778731189.post-21788983457240804092014-01-05T00:26:14.865-06:002014-01-05T00:26:14.865-06:00So does the fact that several more candidates (rat...So does the fact that several more candidates (rather than one) have reputed steroid issues help Bonds get in this time? I'm prejudiced having seen him play in Pittsburgh as well as SF but to me he's the most deserving of the bunch, excluding pitchers.Captain Futurehttp://dreamingup.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6926413038778731189.post-35461029857718996472014-01-04T01:16:07.478-06:002014-01-04T01:16:07.478-06:00I am perplexed about the lack of support for Walke...I am perplexed about the lack of support for Walker. Going back through the previous posts, you say 'he never in the conversation for the best player in baseball.' But by that standard, what is the argument for Biggio? Or Trammell? Or several other guys you list as sure things?<br /><br />I mean, Walker DID win a (well deserved) MVP in 1997. <br /><br />His hitting numbers are comparable to Edgar's (who I agree is a deserving HOFer), but he was also an excellent defender. <br /><br />Yes, he missed 20 games a year. But even missing those games he accumulated as much value as Biggio could in a full season. Those two came up at the same time, and were roughly comparable up through 2001. Biggio played more games but Walker was better in the games he played. Then, Biggio stumbled over the line to some career marks while playing at a level marginally above replacement level. And Walker turned in a couple more EXCELLENT seasons. <br /><br />If you're seriously thinking about Jeff Kent, I cannot possibly imagine why Walker wouldn't count as a shoe-in. Take another look at the numbers - and seriously consider adding him back to your pretend ballot.Charleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09161915792608176267noreply@blogger.com