Congrats to Goose on his selections but I think a few name are missing
It is hard to say if the MLB Hall of Fame is fair. Sure, life sometimes is not fair but let's examine the process:
Are writers really qualified to judge HOF
credentials? Some baseball writers are excellent in their trade and have forgotten more about the game than I will ever know. However, there are writers voting who wouldn't know a fastball from a change-up. If I determined who received a ballot, I would make sure the writer was a student of the game. That person would need to understand not only the history of the game, but what it takes to play at the highest level. They would also need to understand ones accomplishments through out a career and be able to dictate between eras. Not sure they do that right now. That is huge. Each era in baseball is diferent and that needs to be considered. Is it?
How to fix it? Follow some of the standards I mentioned and it is a start. www.timkuda.com
I don't know how familiar you are with the BBWAA, if you truly know the writers themselves. I've been covering baseball since the 1980s, was VP at The Sporting News, spent my days in the Bible of Baseball archives, grew up around the game with an uncle who played/managed in the Majors...and I speak for most of my BBWAA colleagues in saying that there is unquestionably vast knowledge across the board. I think what's changed is that so many people have outlets to say why they should vote instead. My point is that I don't think you have the ammo for your argument there...but you have a cannon to fire from today.
Have a nice day,
Mark/MLB.com
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Mark,
I appreciate you comments. I understand the need to defend your organization. From reading your qualifications, it sounds as if you do not fall into the category I was calling out. But even you in your own response " speak for most of my BBWAA colleagues in saying that there is unquestionably vast knowledge across the board" with the key word being "most." Even you would not say all and when someone falls 16 votes short, does "most" cut it? Now, that all being said, MLB and the MLB Hall of Fame are the ones who make the rules. I can respectfully disagree with your or any member of the BBWAA's vote but that doesn't matter. It is MLB and HOF's party and I was not invited, you and your colleagues were and continued to be. My argument is to them, not necessarily the BBWAA. Change it, I am not sure it can be or ever will be; only time will tell. Until then, I will continue to disagree with the process and hope someday the whole HOF procedure is overhauled.
Thanks again for taking the time to post.
TK
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