The Hall Of Fame Vote

The Hall Of Fame Vote


I don’t have a Hall Of Fame Vote but if I did I would have taken it very seriously. I think there are some out there who don’t do that. I don’t think it is a majority though and most do take it very seriously. When you have to get 75 percent of anything it is going to draw a lot of debate, not everyone is going to agree and that is just fine. There is nothing wrong with debate over merit or non-merit but it should be kept civil. Everyone has a right to do what they feel is the right thing and they shouldn’t be killed for it.

There does need to be some change though, I think the 10-player limit should be taken away. I think you should be able to vote for whomever you want to vote for with no limit. If you feel someone is worthy you should be able to vote for that person. I think the BBWAA mostly does a good job but it should be opened up to more of the new age media like the bloggers, announcers and others in the baseball community. Why should just the card-carrying members of the BBWAA decide this? There are others out there who care just as much about the game. There are some out there who care more then some who are currently voting.

I don’t think the vote should be made as an example. Deadspin purchased a vote of a writer; I don’t think that is right. What did we learn in all of this today?? We learned that the PED issue is a very big issue and the writers are still struggling with how to handle it. Jeff Bagwell and Mike Piazza would be in the Hall already if it wasn’t for this issue. They both went upward, the only two on the ballot who did so. They clearly are being hurt by the suspicion of PED use even though there was never any evidence that these players have taken steroids. Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens are first ballot Hall Of Famers who can’t even crack 40 percent. The reason why is simple, it is because of the PED use or suspected use. I don’t think they are ever going to get in as they went backwards. Rafael Palmeiro didn’t pick up five percent and is off the ballot for good. Mark McGwire only got 11 percent and Sammy Sosa around seven percent. The point is that these steroid guys or suspected guys aren’t coming even close the Hall Of Fame. I do think that Piazza and probably Bagwell will get in soon but should they be punished on suspicion?? Should clean players from the so-called steroid era be singled out because of when they played?? I don’t think so but this is a very complex issue. It is hard to know who did and didn’t use. There are certain guys of course like Bonds and Clemens where the evidence is too great but really how do we know.

I wouldn’t be surprised if there is a guy already in the Hall who took something and if not I am sure there will be in the near future. The best thing of all of this is that baseball is in the spotlight again. There is no sport that draws so much attention to a hall of fame vote. The passion out there is real and the debate is real, this is a good thing for the sport of baseball. It will be interesting to see if anything changes going forward, in the mean time lets recognize the three very deserving members of the Hall Of Fame Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine and Frank Thomas. They will be the class of 2014 along with the three managers, Tony LaRussa, Bobby Cox and Joe Torre.

The New York Giants 2013 season

The New York Giants 2013 Season


The New York Giants had an awful 2013 season. They completed it last Sunday with a win at home against the Washington Redskins. They won their last two games and seven of their last ten games. That wasn’t a bad way to finish but after being 0-6 it was too little too late.

The Giants had many problems this season; most of it was on offense though. Eli Manning didn’t have a good year at all. He set the franchise record for interceptions in a single season with 27 but it wasn’t his entire fault. He had around half of them on tipped balls. The offensive line was in shambles, it wasn’t good at all and he was running for his life most of the season. There was virtually no running game, which is basically a product of the offensive line. Manning with these things to deal with also didn’t have receivers that were on the same page with him. It is hard for anyone to overcome all of this and still somehow they won seven of their last ten games.

The defense after the first few weeks was very good. Jon Beason came to the team later in the season and is a guy they have to resign. He became a leader on the defense and really turned it around for them. Antrelle Rolle is another leader and a guy who played really well this season. Justin Tuck started off slow but had a really good year. He is a free agent and it will be interesting to see what they do with him. Osi Uminyora was a guy who they really missed having. JPP was a guy who just wasn’t himself and was injured.

The Giants finished the season 7-9, which after their awful start is pretty amazing, but for the Giants it was a terrible year. It was their first losing season since Eli first year, which was ten years ago. Kevin Gilbride retired already and Perry Fewell is getting an interview with the Washington Redskins. I would expect major changes on offense. Hakeem Nicks is another player with all the talent but he just was terrible this year and I can see him not on the team next year. The Giants also desperately need a tight end. It will be an off-season of change for them and will be interesting to see exactly what they will do to address the offense. Stay tuned Giants fans but I expect better days ahead for the team.