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gt2590

Super Moderator
Aug 17, 2008
39,839
4,732
Near Philly
Huge Billy Wags fan here, but he's not a HOFer IMO.

Or is CC, although he's closer.

I was a huge Harold Baines fan too, but he ain't a HOFer either...
 

WizardofOz1982

Well-known member
Sep 30, 2017
1,819
1,707
Oklahoma
Huge Billy Wags fan here, but he's not a HOFer IMO.

Or is CC, although he's closer.

I was a huge Harold Baines fan too, but he ain't a HOFer either...
Wagner is statistically the most dominant closer of all time. He should have been in a long time ago. On talent and rate performance he's quite a bit better than Rivera. He just didn't have tons of Yankee induced 3 run cushion saves to convert.
 

dano7

Well-known member
Aug 7, 2008
13,931
4,958
Roanoke, VA
Glad Wagner got in! I've met him a couple of times and he didn't want to talk about his chances of getting in, but the video of him getting the news is great, as he is very tearful and appreciative. I have gotten him to sign over half a dozen cards for me. I will probably see him again this spring.
Checked and have autographs of all 5 of the 2025 inductees
 
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mrmopar

Member
Jan 19, 2010
6,643
5,328
Huge Billy Wags fan here, but he's not a HOFer IMO.

Or is CC, although he's closer.

I was a huge Harold Baines fan too, but he ain't a HOFer either...
Try not to take this personally, as you represent many 1000s of similar minded people, but it sounds like you need to recalibrate your understanding of what makes/who is a Hall of Famer these days. This subject is hotly debated each year around election time and all year in between at the drop of a hat whenever anyone posts or speaks a comment about someone being in that doesn't deserve to be or who isn't in and does. Then cue all the back seat managers/quarterbacks who passionately express their opinions on who belongs and who doesn't, yet somehow it never affects the reality of the situation. All of them are in fact Hall of Famers despite anyone's feelings or opinions. Those that are not in yet may have a chance or they may not, but they are not yet Hall of Famers for this exercise, regardless of their resume. I know the debate will never cease, but it has gotten extremely old to see the same worn out arguments as to why Player A or B doesn't belong or why Player X or Y does and has been shunned.

I continue to enjoy and appreciate how my Hall of Fame autograph collection grows by a few names each year, even if I don't buy a single one. I recognize and welcome each new enshrinee with the respect they rightfully and officially deserve.
 

mrmopar

Member
Jan 19, 2010
6,643
5,328
I did also want to add that my first reaction was to suggest the 1 voter who didn't vote for Ichiro should be stripped of their right to vote like many are saying, but in the end it is something that we can't control either. For every Baines, Wagner or Al Lopez, there is a Mays, Aaron or Ruth who was surely shorted by not being unanimously voted themselves, since they are the highest standard. its actually quite ridiculous that only 1 player of all time was able to garner the unanimous vote despite all the greats who have faced the vote and yet a player who may likely have been the most prolific professional hitter of all time still gets shunned by one person. I would love to hear the reason why this voted felt Ichiro doesn't even belong in the Hall of Fame.
 

gt2590

Super Moderator
Aug 17, 2008
39,839
4,732
Near Philly
I did also want to add that my first reaction was to suggest the 1 voter who didn't vote for Ichiro should be stripped of their right to vote like many are saying, but in the end it is something that we can't control either. For every Baines, Wagner or Al Lopez, there is a Mays, Aaron or Ruth who was surely shorted by not being unanimously voted themselves, since they are the highest standard. its actually quite ridiculous that only 1 player of all time was able to garner the unanimous vote despite all the greats who have faced the vote and yet a player who may likely have been the most prolific professional hitter of all time still gets shunned by one person. I would love to hear the reason why this voted felt Ichiro doesn't even belong in the Hall of Fame.
I don't know the details about this person, but previously, some writers said that NO player was worthy of unanimous entry. That's what the one guy who voted against Schmidt had said. Another guy said that since Ruth, Mays, etc. hadn't gotten in unanimously, then no one should.

Others have said that IF someone is a lock to get in, they use their vote to help a player with a lesser chance to get in.

I don't agree with them but that's what others have justified their NO votes with.
 

gt2590

Super Moderator
Aug 17, 2008
39,839
4,732
Near Philly
Try not to take this personally, as you represent many 1000s of similar minded people, but it sounds like you need to recalibrate your understanding of what makes/who is a Hall of Famer these days. This subject is hotly debated each year around election time and all year in between at the drop of a hat whenever anyone posts or speaks a comment about someone being in that doesn't deserve to be or who isn't in and does. Then cue all the back seat managers/quarterbacks who passionately express their opinions on who belongs and who doesn't, yet somehow it never affects the reality of the situation. All of them are in fact Hall of Famers despite anyone's feelings or opinions. Those that are not in yet may have a chance or they may not, but they are not yet Hall of Famers for this exercise, regardless of their resume. I know the debate will never cease, but it has gotten extremely old to see the same worn out arguments as to why Player A or B doesn't belong or why Player X or Y does and has been shunned.

I continue to enjoy and appreciate how my Hall of Fame autograph collection grows by a few names each year, even if I don't buy a single one. I recognize and welcome each new enshrinee with the respect they rightfully and officially deserve.
Your use of the words "these days" are exactly what I was talking about.

IMO, the standard shouldn't change from year to year or even decade to decade.

You're either a HOFer or you're not.

As a previous A's fan, who lives near Philly and Baltimore, I LOVED Wags, Baines and Mussina but to me, they're not HOFers.

IMO, neither are Hamels, who's up next year, Rollins and Utley.
 

gt2590

Super Moderator
Aug 17, 2008
39,839
4,732
Near Philly
I do sometimes wonder if the Committee is too worried about a year with no inductions.

And that leads to changes in the standard.

For instance, I don't see anyone even close to a HOFer on this list.

A lot of players I enjoyed watching, EE, Gio, Hamels and even Wieters (GT and O's!) but not HOFers.

It will help Utley and maybe the Steroid guys but I think the standard for HOF shouldn't change with the vote counts.

IMO, IF you're a HOFer, you're a HOFer, no matter who the competitors that year are...

474765301_1171736184311131_6192292486447258013_n.jpg
 

mrmopar

Member
Jan 19, 2010
6,643
5,328
None of the next year ballot first timers look like HOF names off the top of my head, but I have not looked deeper at their stats lately either. This may be a class that gives a few more guys like Jones and Beltran an even better chance. I don't think there is anything wrong with no HOFers in a class if none are clearly or even closely deserving. Hopefully the committee that comes up this year will have a few good names so that it isn't a complete 0 year.
 

WizardofOz1982

Well-known member
Sep 30, 2017
1,819
1,707
Oklahoma
I do sometimes wonder if the Committee is too worried about a year with no inductions.

And that leads to changes in the standard.

For instance, I don't see anyone even close to a HOFer on this list.

A lot of players I enjoyed watching, EE, Gio, Hamels and even Wieters (GT and O's!) but not HOFers.

It will help Utley and maybe the Steroid guys but I think the standard for HOF shouldn't change with the vote counts.

IMO, IF you're a HOFer, you're a HOFer, no matter who the competitors that year are...

View attachment 361530
Having no HOF worthy 1st timers in 2026 should raise the chances for Beltran and Jones in particular next year. I think it probably takes Utley an extra year but he should see a substantial bounce next year.

2027 really only has Posey that has a reasonable chance of being 1st Ballot so I could see Utley getting in then. Lester is the only other first timer with any real kind of narrative and I still think he's short.

2026 is a Modern Era Committee year so I don't really see anyone being inducted though it might be the best shot for guys like Belle, Mattingly, Whitaker, or Murphy. Whitaker is the only one worthy of the Hall in that group in my opinion and should have been in a long time ago. Kenny Lofton and Jim Edmonds would also both meet the criteria for voting but I don't know that either is put on the list. Steroid Era guys like Bonds, McGwire, and Clemens are all also eligible but they gained no traction last time they were on the ballot in 2023.
 
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gt2590

Super Moderator
Aug 17, 2008
39,839
4,732
Near Philly
I wouldn't have a big problem with Murphy but to me, Mattingly is the only HOFer in that group.

Beltran yes, Andruw no for me...
 

chadgwynn

Member
Jun 13, 2011
289
4
I wouldn't have a big problem with Murphy but to me, Mattingly is the only HOFer in that group.

Beltran yes, Andruw no for me...

Mattingly is not a hall of famer. Not a chance. Omar vizquel should be in to me and gets no love. Best shortstop glove ever. Mattingly was the best PLAYER in game for 5 years but unfortunately back killed him.


Sent from my iPhone using Freedom Card Board mobile app
 

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