Fred McGriff Forum

Does anyone know if those who didn't get in through this vote will get another chance?  I"ve read a number of articles, but none seem to address that issue. 

I always thought he was a HOF player, so much so, I put his cards in my HOF box!  Congrats Crime Dog!

Yes. For example, Mattingly and Murphy has been looked at before and were voted on again this year. When each committee meets there seems to be at least one player that has been looked at before that appears again. Now if they'd just vote Dewey in already. If Baines can be voted in.... 

This is a step in the right direction for the HOF....

But, I wish they could have got Luis Tiant in there.  He deserves to be in and I think he will get in eventually.  I believe he's old but still alive so I wish they'd prioritize getting guys in who are still alive but may leave us soon so they can go knowing they're a HOFer.

But maybe I am being too picky....Good job getting McGriff in.

Love it that Crime Dog got in.  I agree with Dewey being voted in.  Dick Allen too.

Nothing against Baines, but if that's the bar...

A few responses...

This committee (1980 and beyond) meets again in 2025. I'm sure some of the same players will be up again. 
 

Tiant would be considered by another committee. Not sure when they meet, but no later than 2024. 
 

This particular committee didn't look good for PED guys. Sandberg's HOF speech was dedicated to guys who did it "the right way." I can't imagine Maddux liking steroid guys. Bonds and Clemens had no chance. 
 

I think Helton makes it this year. Not sure about anyone else. 

Oh, how I love HOF discussions...

v3
 

Yes, if Baines is the bar (I'm a huge fan, but he spent half his career as a journeyman DH) there's probably 100 guys easy that should be in.  I'm actually ok with that and think it would be cool to memorialize more players.  

GoldenEagles555 wrote:

Love it that Crime Dog got in.  I agree with Dewey being voted in.  Dick Allen too.

Nothing against Baines, but if that's the bar...

Though I collected McGriff's cards because I saw him as a potential HoF, when he was in Toronto, I remember him for hitting a lot of HR with no one on base.  He was not the guy you wanted at bat when there were runners in scoring position and the game was on the line. There was a reason Toronto traded him along with Tony Fernandez to the Padres for Robbie Alomar and Joe Carter. I do not dispute his election but his case is one where the "great" numbers (493 HR) are deceiving, IMO.

Induction into Cooperstown was always based on being a dominant player over several years, not 3 or 4. Mattingly is exactly that. When healthy, he was one of the dominant first baseman especially for the leadership he brought to the Yankees in some very turbulent years for that franchise. But he had 5 great years and though he did play the required 10+ years, the rest were plagued by injury. That is why he never got elected in through the writers' vote. I still hope he does get in but it is obvious some still don't think he is deserving for those few years of being a dominant player.

As for Clemens, Bonds and Schilling, I am happy their only way into the Hall remains as visitors.

Of all of the sports, Cooperstown was always seen as the one above the rest with truly the elite being elected into it. In the last few years, we have seen the required resume being watered down so as to elect more into it. Every time a player who is borderline gets elected in, the bar is lowered. Baines is the classic example. Many of the names mentioned in this thread will benefit from that lowered bar.

Last point - till Rose gets elected in, the Hall will always be missing one of the greatest players to play the game. If he is never allowed in, then there are many who should not be in there now and others who should never get in. Again, my opinion only.

Congrats to the Crime Dog. I don't know much about Bru's points as I never rooted for the teams McGriff played for, but I do recall not ever liking him when he'd face Houston.

Bonds and Clemens, I get it. Rose, MLB has an even softer case now that gambling is prominently entrenched in the league's pocketbook. Schilling, it's a shame that human nature cannot separate on-field performance from his freedom of speech.

Quite happy to see Fred McGriff get elected, by EACH & EVERY Vote of The Veteran's Committee!  Now when Pete Rose, Donnie Baseball and Curt Schilling get selected, all would be totally right in the baseball world.  Because it SHOULD be about the Game on The Field and not all the other nonsense, which We are ALL so capable of as imperfect human beings.  May Each of You have a truly outstanding week!!  Off to Baseball Practice & Workout soon . . .

Yours in The Greatest Game - Felix