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TerryPuhlParty^2464
Re: Ripken, Gwynn Iron-Clad Hits for Hall of Fame Entry <FONT COLOR=BLACK><b>[</font>Reply to #<a href="read.pl?1-4251">4251</a>]</b>
1/11/07, 4:12pm
My personal opinion only ... I think the steroid cloud over McGwire's head causes people to vote - both positively and negatively - based more on emotion than on on his performance and/or his numbers. Case in point ... how many Hall of Famers have less career hits than McGwire? I count a only smattering of them - Larry Doby, Jackie Robinson, Phil Rizzuto, Ralph Kiner, Ross Youngs and Roy Campanella. Each of those guys had reasons why the didn't get more hits. Rizzuto spent three years serving in WWII in the midst of his career, Campanella and Youngs careers were cut tragically short, Kiner had a bad back and only managed to fit in ten years, and of course segregation affected Doby and Robinson. 

McGwire's HR/AB ratio trails only Kiner and Ruth; on that dimension he belongs in the hall. Does his 500+ HR's playing in the 1990's equate to a player from pre-1980 who hit 500+ HR's? I don't think so. He did win a gold glove, but is not generally remembered as a great defensive presence. On the basepaths, he was a liability. I can't speak intelligently about his leadership abilities, but he didn't have the aura or reputation as a great leader. Is he a first-ballot HOF'er ? (I know ... I know ... you either belong or you don't, forget about the "first ballot" point). I think it can be debated, if people can look beyond the emotional issues. I believe he'll get in eventually. 


[TerryPuhlParty from Hanwell/CANADA]
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