Is his return imminent? Will he join a team of which he once was an integral part? Will he end his storied career on a team that defeated the New York Yankees in one of the most exciting post-season series in MLB history? Or is this just a sham? Will he simply fade away into obscurity until it comes time to consider him for the Hall of Fame? Please don't misunderstand me. His presence 9 years later will most likely be a token presence. Good for a few more homeruns to tack onto his 611. Not to mention an excellent psychological boost to a team that has been less than mediocre during the past few seasons. What will junior do?
Michael Jordan, John Stockton, David Robinson, Chris Mullin all Hall of Fame finalists. Honestly, which one of these hasn't earned his way into the Springfield, MA museum? That's when I used to watch the NBA.
Now, I don't care. And I can't say exactly why. I could only tell you a few of the better than average players out there. Bryant, Wade, Garnett. Sure, I know a few of the college guys. Especially those from UCONN. Okafor. Gay. And Allen, of course. Brandon Roy from the other Huskies too. But, eh. Just eh.
In case anyone didn't know, the Boston 'Why Do They Call Them' Bruins (because the first GM in Bruins history, Art Ross, was directed by owner Charles Adams - odd, an Adams associated with Boston - to choose 'a nickname that would portray an untamed animal displaying speed, agility, and cunning') of the now defunct Adams Division are at the top of the NHL standings.
The New York 'What Have You Done Since the 1980s' Islanders of the now defunct Patrick Division still haven't done anything lately. They sit at 16-32-6.
For all of you who follow this blog, the problem with yesterday's math problem is that a = b. So, if you divide each side by a-b, the fourth step in the problem, you are actually dividing by zero since necessarily a-b = 0. Thus, 1
The UCONN Huskies men's basketball team was dealt a significant blow this past week as it was announced that Mr. Jerome Dyson could miss the rest of the season with a torn lateral meniscus in his right knee. Although UCONN continues to be a powerhouse, this absence could be significant when it comes time for the real Huskies to match wits with the best in the league.
I bet none of you are wondering the origin of the word meniscus. Latin, obviously. But modern, not ancient. Modern being late 17th century, which is indeed more modern than, say, 200 BC. As some of you might know, many modern Latin words come directly from another language or from some other more ancient Latin word. This word happens to originate in the former way, that is from the Greek word 'meniskos' meaning 'lunar crescent'. And 'meniskos' comes from the word 'mene' which means 'moon'.
It could therefore be considered a play on words if I stated that Dyson will be unable to play for many moons because of his torn meniscus.
Thankfully, the New York Football Giants have tagged Mr. Brandon Jacobs as a franchise player. Goodbye, I suppose, to Mr. Derrick Ward. I'm still fine if they keep Mr. Ahmad Bradshaw. And find a new go-to receiver...
Will Michelle Wie finally win one? I mean she's only been competing for 7 years in LPGA competitions. And after 7 years, she really should win the big one. I mean, people were wondering if Peyton could win the big one after 8 years. So, I'm starting to wonder. Yes, I know she's 19. But you can't say only. Only applies only when someone's been doing something for a brief period. She's been playing since she was 4. So, she should have it down by now.
And if any of you think I'm serious, then I have a bridge or two to sell you...
And finally... When I made the argument against Mark McGwire being in Cooperstown, I did so based solely on baseball merit, that is hitting, fielding, and importance to the teams for which he played. But in a comment, the old man stated that I neglected to address the fact that McGwire cheated. In addition, he wondered what my take on Pete Rose would be. Today, I answer those questions and more...
This isn't a baseball issue, per se. It's a sports issue. What type of people belong in halls of fame for any sport? It seems to me that these people should have lent something to the game whether with excellent game play or superior coaching, pioneering ideas or consistently outstanding moderation (referees, umpires, and the like). That has to be the main consideration; the person has to be relatively great as compared to his or her peers not to mention as compared to those great players of the past. There, of course, we run into issues. How do you compare a pitcher like Curt Schilling, for instance, to Cy Young? Cy pitched more innings in a shorter season with a dead ball. Schilling pitches fewer innings in a longer season with a 'live' ball and has the advantage of middle relief and closers. Or in another instance, how do you compare Sammy Baugh and Peyton Manning? The technology between 1947 and 2007 is unbelievably different, which affects football significantly. Not to mention that Baugh was a quarterback, punter, and defensive back while Manning is but a quarterback. But I've read that the voters take this into account. And so, I'll let it alone.
Now, to the real point. Halls of fame generally include a clause regarding integrity, character, and sportsmanship. Here, I remember a profound quotation from the old man: 'It is good to be a great man, but how much greater it is to be a good man.' It is my understanding that the clauses in hall of fame qualifications associated with integrity, character, and sportsmanship can be summed up in two words, namely 'good person'. To be eligible for a hall of fame, you have to be a good person. You might ask me to define 'good', and I'd point you to Plato's Republic.
Now without the coy response, let us examine the likes of McGwire, Rose, Shoeless Joe, and a few others both in and out of baseball's Hall of Fame.
Mark McGwire: Took steroids. Wouldn't admit it to Congress. Didn't abide by baseball's rules. Thought he needed drugs to make him a better player. Hall of Fame? Exclude.
Pete Rose: Great hitter. Great fielder. Hard nosed and gritty. Bet on his own team while coaching them. At first denied involvement. Then switched his story. Has now shown remorse and has cooperated with MLB. Hall of Fame? Include after death.
Joe Jackson: Great hitter. Great fielder. One of the most graceful and talented players in history. Took money to throw the 1919 World Series. Didn't play like he was throwing the series. Fully cooperated with MLB after the scheme was discovered. Kicked out of baseball my Kennesaw Mountain Landis along with the rest of the Black Sox. Showed remorse. Hall of Fame? Include
Barry Bonds: Great hitter. Average fielder. Hit 73 in one season. Home run king with a asterisk. Has stated that he did not purposely take steroids. Ready to go to trial for lying to Congress. Hall of Fame? Hell no.
Now, for a few surprises:
Ty Cobb: Best batting average of all time. Great player all around. One of the 5 originals in the Hall. One of the meanest baseball players ever to have lived. Sharpened his cleats. Beat people with bats. Hall of Fame? Kick out.
Rogers Hornsby: Best right handed hitter in baseball's history which means he's arguably better than Cobb since he faced right handed pitchers 70% of the time and was thus at a disadvantage. Also arguably the best hitting infielder in history. Confessed member of the Ku Klux Klan and compulsive gambler. Hall of Fame? Kick out.
Andy Pettitte: With a .629 winning average, 3.89 ERA, 2002 strike outs, and 215 wins Andy compares with the likes of Randy Johnson, Tom Glavine, and Pedro Martinez, all arguably Hall of Fame pitchers in their own right. Andy took performance enhancing drugs to heal an injury in 2002. Showed remorse for his usage of the drugs. Hall of Fame? If he has the stats, Include.
Alex Rodriguez: On track to being one of the premier players of his generation. Great hitter. Fair fielder. Recently admitted to taking steroids. Was remorseful. Hall of Fame? If he has the stats (including importance to his team), include.
Babe Ruth: Baseball's savior. One of the games greatest sluggers (if not the greatest). Not to mention one of its premier pitchers too. A boozer. Cheated on his wife. Great with kids and made the fans love him. Hall of Fame? ...
Right, like I'd go there.
My point? If the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame - or any hall of fame for that matter - is going to have that clause regarding integrity, character, and sportsmanship, then there can be no double standard. Ty Cobb doesn't deserve to be in the Hall of Fame, period. And Joe Jackson does. Why Joe Jackson? Because it takes humility and integrity to apologize, to show remorse. If I truly have consistent beliefs, then I must accept contrite apologies for what they are.
The final question: is there any room for that clause of integrity, character, and sportsmanship in the qualification for halls of fame? Or are halls of fame for those who have in fact excelled in the game, exclusively? If the latter, then there's no question about Rose, Jackson, Ruth, Cobb, Hornsby, or Bonds. But that doesn't feel quite right either, does it?
There you have it sports fans. Happy Valentine's Day. And I bid you adieu. Until next I write or you read, happy sporting.
1 comment:
It has actually become a big joke. As far as I'm concerned. Well written piece...
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