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| | Thursday, July 27 From the mailbag | |||||
| ESPN.com Who belongs in the Baseball Hall of Fame? ESPN.com asked the viewers to write in on this heated debate. Here is what they had to say: Thurman Munson belongs. It is high time that a lesser emphasis is placed on longevity and a greater emphasis on who the dominant players were when they played. The way they vote today, guys can play 20-25 years, rack up great career numbers but never even being close to being the dominant players of their time. Thurman Munson started his career about the same time as Fisk and was by far the better catcher of the two. Both offensively and defensively. Munson racks up there with some of the greatest clutch hitters of all time and his not being in the hall along with Pete Rose is starting to make the Hall out to be like the Academy awards, a Joke.
Mike Hauschild
Smokey Joe Wood. He had a Dizzy Dean type career, where he was the best until he got hurt. He had one of the greatest seasons ever in 1912, going 34-5. He even became a solid hitter after he couldn't pitch! I know his pitching career was short, but no one can deny his greatness. As as far as FAME goes, everyone knows who he is and how good he was.
James Potocki
Kirby Puckett. A phenomenal leader, plus an all-around strong player. More than just a great hitter, he was one of the best outfielders of his time. It's hard to imagine a man of his body shape being athletic or fleet of foot, but take a look at his catch in game 6 of the 1991 World Series. His feet are 42" off the great. His career was obviously cut short, he regularly had 200 hits and had a strong chance to reach 3,000 hits. Never an MVP (but always a candidate), he was a perennial All-Star and a post-season hero
Eric Hansen
To me, the most obvious choice for the Hall of Fame would be Jack Morris. He was possibly the American League's most consistent right-handed pitcher from 1980-1993. Although he did not win a Cy Young Award or have great strikeout numbers, he was a winner and an All-star. He led 3 different teams to World Championships as the ace on all three staffs. There reallty seems to be little question on whether or not he should be in the Hall of Fame.
Brian Reynolds
Davey Concepcion and Ken Griffey Sr. should be in! On any other team, they wouldn't be overshadowed. Concepcion was an outstanding defensive player and had pretty good offensive pop and Griffey was an excellent hitter who was the sparkplug to one of the greatest teams of all time. Without them, the Big Red Machine wouldn't have been as good.
Rob Flowers
Dwight Evans and Jim Rice. Dwight Evans may be one of the greatest defensive outfielders of all time and has offensive numbers that surpass the like of Brooks Robinson and some other Hall of Famers. Jim Rice may never get in because of his attitude toward the media in his time. But compare his numbers to Tony Perez (who was deservedly elected) and you'll see that,apart from longevity, Jim Rice was a much better hitter than Perez, Fisk, Yaz and many others who are in the hall.
Paul LeCain
Kent Hrbek remains a long shot to be inducted into Cooperstown, but the powerful first basemen remained a strong hold for a Minnesota Twins ball club that won two World Series championships in four years. "Pudge" Fisk was inducted on not so great stats but highly remembered for his Oct. 21, 1975 home run. Why doesn't Hrbek's 1987 grand slam (the loudest home run ever when Metrodome cheering broke the amp meter) obtain some recognition?
Jeremy Kasperson
The Veterans Committee wastes time on people like Phil Rizzutto when instead they should be inducting Ron Santo and Bill Mazeroski. C'mon!
Ron Echeverri
There is one person who will unfortunately always remain out of Cooperstown. That person is former Atlanta Brave Dale Murphy. Murphy had very solid numbers over his time in the major leagues. He finished his playing time with 398 homers, just short of that 400 mark which might make him a lock for selection. He won back-to-back MVP awards in 1982 and 1983. He hit at least 20 homers in every year of the 1980's except for 1981. He played in 740 consecutive games from 1982-1986. And although he won the MVP award in the early part of the decade, his best year was 1987, when he hit .295, with 40 homers and 105 RBI. That same year, he had a career high slugging percentage of .580.Murphy was one of the best people to ever play the game of baseball. If anyone has ever heard him say a profanity, they may be the only person alive to do so. Murphy was one of the classiest citizens the city of Atlanta has ever had, which more than anything is the reason that the Atlanta Braves retired his number. He never looked for the spotlight. He never wanted all the attention he got. He was never flashy. He was just there to do his job.
Jason Hanes
He isnt eligible yet but I sure hope Ryne Sandberg ends up in the Hall Of Fame. He was the best second baseman in the majors for several years and made 10 all star teams, won 9 gold gloves, a mvp award and lead the hapless Cubs to two pennants. He has the most homers ever for a 2nd baseman and is one of only a few second baseman to ever hit 40 homers.
Jeffrey
Pete Rose. Just Pete Rose.
Steve Nichols
I love your choice of Gary Carter. His offensive numbers for a catcher in the mid 70's and 80's were terrific. He was in the race for the MVP in 80 and 86, which suggests he played great baseball for a sustained period of time. Not to mention the 11 All-Star appearances.
Ross Muhleman
During his career, Ty Cobb was the most hated man in baseball. In one game he horribly beat a handicapped fan; he routinely spiked and fought his opponents, the umpires, and his teammates; he even allegedly pistol-whipped a man to death. Despite all this, Ty Cobb was a charter member of the Hall of Fame, for no other reason but for his excellence on the field of play. Pete Rose exceeded Cobb in several ways, and all he did was gamble his own money, hurting no one but himself. So why, oh why, isn't he in Cooperstown, too? And for that matter, I would like to see some statistical proof that Shoeless Joe Jackson and Buck Weaver threw the 1919 World Series. From the record, it seems like they swindled the gamblers: they took the money and then played their hearts out. They should be congratulated for being so daring and clever as to put one over on Arnold Rothstein and not pay for it with their lives. They both deserve Hall of Fame consideration, again for no other reason than for their excellence at playing the game.
Brandon T Sheumaker
Pete Rose should never be allowed into the Hall of Fame.
Brian Klishis
Mel Harder. This Cleveland Indians great deserves to be in based on his on the field performance, but also for his impact on the dozens of other great players he influenced over the years. A great pitcher, a great player, and a great teacher.
Jeff Johnston
Gil Hodges belongs in the Hall of Fame. You can't overlook the fact that he had almost 400 Homers, all those 100 RBI seasons, and he was superb Defensively. He needs to be in there. He was a good leader also.
Mark Candelaria
Goose Gossage should be in the Hall. His numbers are good enough alone, especially considering the ERA of pitching multiple innings for a single save. Then add the fact that he was the most feared closer in all of baseball for 5 years, he was the BEST. Greatness and longevity, what more do you need.
Sean T. Williams
Dale Murphy was the best player at his position in the 80's. Back-to-back MVP's in 1982 and 1983, 5 Gold Gloves, 740 consecutive games, 1266 RBI's,and 398 Homeruns are impressive stats for a player who only played on two Braves teams with winning records. A 7 time All-Star and one of the classiest guys to ever play the game.
Alan Mason
I believe the HOF should be a place for the best. Ever since I was a boy in the 60's I heard of players who were having a Hall of Fame season. I believe Roger Maris had one of those in 1961. For him to be kept out of the HOF because of the sportswriters who would not vote for him when he became eligible makes the HOF a sham. I would rather have a player in that had one very special season than a pitcher who was able to hang around long enough for 300 wins!
David Shepherd
I think that Steve Garvey has been totally overlooked. You rarely hear his name when candidates are mentioned. Garvey was one of the most feared hitters in the NL for well over a decade. He also posessed one of the best gloves of any first baseman I have ever seen. Garvey also set NL iron man records while playing for World Champions and pennant winners in Los Angeles and San Diego. Did he have a long productive career? Did he dominate during his era? Did he win? The answer to all three of these is resoundingly YES! Maybe someday the basaeball writers will wake up and recognize Garvey as the hall of famer he is.
David Flores
Keith Hernandez: Batted a little under .300 for his career and was clutch as they come. However, it was his glove and leadership that is the reason he should be in the Hall. He was the best fielding first baseman that I have ever seen (11 gold gloves). Keith was also a general on the field like no one else, the leader on the 1986 World Champion Mets. Although do the his lack of power he may never make it, he definitely deserves more recognition than he has gotten.
Steve Rudd
I belong in the hall of fame. Through the strikes, player felonies, ridiculous contracts....EVEN MORE RIDICULOUS ticket prices I remain a fan of the game!!!!!
Superfan
| ALSO SEE Who should be in the NFL Hall of Fame? Who should be in the NHL Hall of Fame? Who deserves to be in the NBA Hall of Fame? In-depth: The Hall of Fame debate | |||||