It is about damned time too!! It has been a travesty that he wasn't in already.
Jim Rice and Andre Dawson get close, but no entry. I am middle of the road on Rice, but I think Dawson should be in. Bert Blyleven should also be in. Maybe the voters will get it correct someday. If not, it will be the veterans committee that wll get them in.
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Andre Dawson quickly became my favorite player once we got WGN down here in SC in the late 80's. Nothing better than watching a baseball game as soon as you get home from school. Montreal's turf took a toll on his knees though or he would have achieved 500 HR's. Hopefully, he'll get in next year.
The Goose belongs in the Hall he was a great closer and there should not be a bias against closers. I'd put Rice in before Dawson. Rice, George Brett and Eddie Murry were the premier hitters in the AL in the 70s and although he lacked the longevity, in their primes Rice was the best of those three and the best in the league.
Originally posted by poundleeWhoops, you made a major mistake when you said Jim Rice was a better hitter than George Brett....not on Brett's worst day could Rice out hit him.
The Goose belongs in the Hall he was a great closer and there should not be a bias against closers. I'd put Rice in before Dawson. Rice, George Brett and Eddie Murry were the premier hitters in the AL in the 70s and although he lacked the longevity, in their primes Rice was the best of those three and the best in the league.
Eddie Murray had better power numbers than Rice and I believe Murray was a better hitter as well. Jim Rice, to me, is about like George Foster. They both had moments of glory, but they were surrounded by talented lineups that got them opportunities. A guy that gets no acclaim, which is a travesty, because he played for lowly team, but was a stud, multiple all star, excellent defensive outfielder, a feared power hitter, never got into any kind of trouble and never called attention to himself and ABSOLUTELY deserves to be in the HOF ahead of Rice, Dawson, Foster. I am speaking of Dale Murphy.
In prime of his career Rice was a better hitter than Brett. Rice's 1978 year is probably the best offensive year in the era. Brett was a great hitter too, but he was hurt too often. George Foster had ONE good year. Rice's years in the later half of the 1970s were great and not just in the homerun category either. Seven times Rice was in the top 5 in the MVP voting while Brett was in the top 5 four times.
I was really talking about AL hitters, but Dale Murphy, played in a great hitters park and although he had the back to back MVP years (he never finished in the top in MVP voting in other years) and I would put him behind Rice, Brett and Murray.
Originally posted by poundleeOk Here is a comparison of George Brett's career numbers versus Jim Rice's career numbers. Because this thread won't allow me to do chart format, I will list the topic, Brett's figure then Rice's figure. You can verify the numbers if you like...I already have. I also stand by my earlier statement. These are career numbers.
In prime of his career Rice was a better hitter than Brett. Rice's 1978 year is probably the best offensive year in the era. Brett was a great hitter too, but he was hurt too often. George Foster had ONE good year. Rice's years in the later half of the 1970s were great and not just in the homerun category either. Seven times Rice was in the top 5 in the ...[text shortened]... ed in the top in MVP voting in other years) and I would put him behind Rice, Brett and Murray.
Batting avg... .305_____ .298
Home Runs ... 317_____ 382
RBI............... 1595____1451
Stolen bases... 201_____ 58
On base %...... .369____ .352
Slugging %...... .487____ .502
win ROTY?....... yes ....... no
win MVP? ........ once ..... once
MVP top 5 ...... four ....... six
All Star team.... nine ...... eight
Gold Glove ...... one ....... none
I believe Brett was the better ball player, or at least the evidence would seem to indicate it. Brett also played the hot corner on defense while they hit Rice's brick in LF.
In fairness Rice had an excellent rookie year and would have won had his teammate Fred Lynn not also had an excellent one. Brett is a great player and when you figure fielding and longevity probably had a better career. Brett's 3 batting titles in 3 decades is amazing. I only said that in their prime I thought Rice was the best hitter in the AL. In the second half of the 1970s Rice is just unmatched.
Goose Gossage made some interesting comments on the news yesterday regarding PEDs including stating that if they were around in his day, he likely would have done them himself.
I encourage anyone who can find it to watch the complete interview. I saw it on TV this morning but I haven't been able to find the video online yet. He makes some very frank and insightful remarks, many of which were omitted (for whatever reason) from most newspaper articles. Check it out.
Originally posted by darvlayDid anyone happen to notice the incredibly high number (140+) of 2+ inning saves that Gossage had in his career? It is front page news today when a closer goes two innings and they have to give him a day off.
Goose Gossage made some interesting comments on the news yesterday regarding PEDs including stating that if they were around in his day, he likely would have done them himself.
I encourage anyone who can find it to watch the complete interview. I saw it on TV this morning but I haven't been able to find the video online yet. He makes some very frank a ...[text shortened]... , many of which were omitted (for whatever reason) from most newspaper articles. Check it out.
Anyone remember that prior to the closer, starting pitchers used to go 9 innings in games. Now a days, if they go 6 innings it is a quality start. What a joke!!