Nail in the coffin for PED abusers chances at HOF induction?

http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/46310780

"The Baseball Hall of Fame is starting a drug education program for students and young adults - in the same year Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens and Sammy Sosa will appear on ballot for the first time after careers tainted by steroid accusations."

Although they claim this has nothing to do with past players with ties to PEDs making or not making the Hall, it would seem very counterproductive to me to create a program teaching kids the dangers and lack of ethics of PED abuse while in the same breath heaping praise upon players with ties to such abuse.

Re: Nail in the coffin of PED abusers chances at HOF induction?

While its certainly coming out against PEDs, the HOF seems to be saying the PED issue is *not* black and white (like gambling). As the quote from the article below says, PEDs may still be voted upon/judged in the context of character, sportsmanship and integrity.

"Hall of Fame voting has been a part of this nation's fabric since 1936, and has touted the virtues of character, sportsmanship and integrity, along with the contributions to the game, as integral qualifications for earning election," Idelson said.

Re: Nail in the coffin of PED abusers chances at HOF induction?

uniquebaseballcards said:

While its certainly coming out against PEDs, the HOF seems to be saying the PED issue is *not* black and white (like gambling). As the quote from the article below says, PEDs may still be voted upon/judged in the context of character, sportsmanship and integrity.

"Hall of Fame voting has been a part of this nation's fabric since 1936, and has touted the virtues of character, sportsmanship and integrity, along with the contributions to the game, as integral qualifications for earning election," Idelson said.

Click to expand...

That's why this seems to me like more of an "unspoken" way of publicly telling voters not to vote in PED abusers.

Re: Nail in the coffin of PED abusers chances at HOF induction?

the Hall of Fame is becoming a bigger joke every year anyway so who cares...

to me it would be great if some of the PED guys that have a chance came out and said they don't care about the HOF because its not the one that paid them millions to set them up for life.. the PED's did.

Re: Nail in the coffin of PED abusers chances at HOF induction?

sportscardtheory said:

uniquebaseballcards said:

While its certainly coming out against PEDs, the HOF seems to be saying the PED issue is *not* black and white (like gambling). As the quote from the article below says, PEDs may still be voted upon/judged in the context of character, sportsmanship and integrity.

"Hall of Fame voting has been a part of this nation's fabric since 1936, and has touted the virtues of character, sportsmanship and integrity, along with the contributions to the game, as integral qualifications for earning election," Idelson said.

Click to expand...

That's why this seems to me like more of an "unspoken" way of publicly telling voters not to vote in PED abusers.

Click to expand...

Its tough to say. But just by having this education program the HOF is admitting that PEDs were/are part of the game. I really think the HOF is taking a pragmatic approach to this and saying some users are worse than others and that HOF candidates known/assumed to have used PEDs still need to be judged against HOF criteria...but that PEDs make it tougher for a candidate to get in depending on his level of offense.

After all, the HOF itself would be in a tough spot if something PED-related were exposed about a current HOFer.

Re: Nail in the coffin of PED abusers chances at HOF induction?

I've always thought the HOF in any sport was more for the marginal HOF players anyway. If you are a true clear-cut HOF player you know it. No one has to induct Jordan into the basketball HOF to justify his career. Same goes with any of the true stars in any sport.

It's like what just happened with the Super Bowl. No one was discussing if Brady would be a HOF one day. There's no discussion. However, with Eli Manning it's a discussion that's now started.

Re: Nail in the coffin of PED abusers chances at HOF induction?

I think a few will get in.

Re: Nail in the coffin of PED abusers chances at HOF induction?

uniquebaseballcards said:

sportscardtheory said:

uniquebaseballcards said:

While its certainly coming out against PEDs, the HOF seems to be saying the PED issue is *not* black and white (like gambling). As the quote from the article below says, PEDs may still be voted upon/judged in the context of character, sportsmanship and integrity.

"Hall of Fame voting has been a part of this nation's fabric since 1936, and has touted the virtues of character, sportsmanship and integrity, along with the contributions to the game, as integral qualifications for earning election," Idelson said.

Click to expand...

That's why this seems to me like more of an "unspoken" way of publicly telling voters not to vote in PED abusers.

Click to expand...

Its tough to say. But just by having this education program the HOF is admitting that PEDs were/are part of the game. I really think the HOF is taking a pragmatic approach to this and saying some users are worse than others and that HOF candidates known/assumed to have used PEDs still need to be judged against HOF criteria...but that PEDs make it tougher for a candidate to get in depending on his level of offense.

After all, the HOF itself would be in a tough spot if something PED-related were exposed about a current HOFer.

Click to expand...

That's already happened. Ever heard of Hank Aaron?