New HOFers

Forgot to make this post back on Monday. They almost got it right but there are still 3 names missing that should go, Blyleven, Dawson and Morris. Rice should not have taken this long to get in. He was simply the most feared hitter in the game almost 10 years.

Not sure what it will take to get the other 3 in. Blyleven spent most of his career in very hitter friendly parks on bad teams, so his numbers suffered. When adjusted for park and league, his numbers are right there with the best ever and his 1973 season is rated one of best ever by Bill James and Pete Palmer. Morris was simply THE dominant pitcher of his era. How do you not put the best pitcher of his time in? Dawson, I'm a bit more iffy on. He's Tony Oliva that managed to hang on long enough to build some decent career numbers.

Jay

I'd probably have a different perspective if I lived in Minnesota, but I don't get the pro-Blyleven arguments. Guy had a long, solid career, but at some point it becomes absurd to reduce Hall of Fame arguments to just numbers. I love stats, but I need something more visceral from my Hall of Famers. The "Son, you should've seen this guy play" kinda player, not the "Son, I'll never forget the year this guy led the league in adjusted win shares" player.

Blyleven had the nastiest curve the game has ever seen. True, he wasn't a "you should have seen him pitch" type player a la Ryan, etc, but he was still great. He just suffered from being on bad teams in hitters ballparks.

Jay

The one I really feel is getting no respect is Lee Smith. The all time saves record was more of a compilation thing (see Trevor Hoffman for further evidence), but He came in game over. It was that simple. The blazing fastball and that aura when he came in. If Goose/Sutter/Eckersley got in why not Lee?

I forgot about him. He gets even less respect than Blyleven and Smith had a few records to bolster his credentials. Blyleven can't make those claims.

Jay

I think Blyleven should be in...if only for the reason I was at a game once and he took off his pants and gave them to a fan in the crowd and said the best line ever by an announcer live on tv.

Maybe voting criteria should be clarified- Best all time or best of their generation. Gordon best second baseman all time? Mazeroski? - Their generation is a hard enough call but Blyleven & Morris & Smith dominated their generation...