January 8, 2007
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SeeTheStar, aka (the Korean, not the Chinese person) Jane Lee, on a post, uses the quote: ”With God, all things are possible.” Maybe that should be my motto for 2007.
Baseball’s Hall of Fame selections will be announced Tuesday at 2:00 pm. The Boston Globe’s sportswriter, NICK CAFARDO, who is one of the voters, revealed his nine selections. Heartfelt to me, is that he named two of the storied 1984 members of the Detroit Tigers who played on the World Series Championship teams.
NICK CAFARDO’s Hall of Fame Picks:
1. Tony Gwinn: Fifteen-time All-Star, eight batting titles, five gold gloves, .338 lifetime average, 3,141 hits, never lower than .309 in a season.
2. Cal Ripkin: A record 2,632 consecutive games, 3,184 hits, and 431 home runs. A saloon owner Michael McGreavey used to utter, “nuff ced.”
3. Jim Rice: Only player in history with 35 homers and 200 hits in three straight seasons. Seven .300 seasons, 100 RBIs eight times.
4. Andre Dawson: Excellent five-toll player in his prime. Eight gold gloves, eight time All-Star, NL MVP in 1987, 438 home runs, 1,591 RBIs, and 314 stolen bases.
5. Alan Trammell: Started the modern trend of the good-hitting, all-around shortstop. Seven times .300 or above, 1984 World Series MVP, four gold gloves, six-time All-Star. I loved the way he played the game, and I’m shocked at how little support he gets. [Played his entire career with the Detroit Tigers including the phenomenal 1984 World Series championship team.]
6. Dave Concepcion: He gets lost in the Big Red Machine of the ’70s, but he was the glue. A sensational fielder (five gold gloves) and a clutch hitter. A nine-time All-Star and a winner in every sense of the word. Mention him to Sparky Anderson and teammates, and they speak glowingly of his place on that team. if there’s one critism I have of voters in general, it’s that we shortchange middle infielders.
7. Goose Gossage: New to my ballot. It takes me longer to come around on closers because I feel that so many of them have amassed inflated Statistics. I never thought that about Gossage and I certainly enjoyed watching him. But enough people who played in that era or were teammates of the nine-time All-Star (124 wins, 310 saves) have convinced me that he’s worthy. He was the domineering reliever of the era and one of the last multi-inning closers.
8. Burt Blyleven: First time I’ve voted for him. Again, in the last two years I’ve been persuaded by those who played with him and against him that Blyleven did amazing things for a lot of bad teams as well as two championship teams. He won 287 games with a 3.31 ERA, 242 complete games, 60 shutouts, and 3,701 strikeouts (fifth all-time).
9. Jack Morris: I’ve voted for him for a few years. Big-game pitcher (1-0 win in 10 innings for the [Twins] in game 7 of the 1991 Series) and a winner of 254 games, he is often penalized for his high ERA ( 3.90) and abraisive personality. But this guy was as tough as nails and won three championships. [Most of his career Morris was a Tiger. He won the World Series with the Detroit Tigers, Minnesota Twins, and Toronto Blue Jays.]
2007 Candidates
The 2007 ballot features 32 candidates, with 15 returnees and 17 newcomers. (Years on ballot)
I would definately add Steve Garvey to the Hall. It is his last chance this year and he definitely was a Hall of Fame caliber player. I also would most certainly add Dave Parker who was stellar for the Pittsburg Pirates before playing with other teams. Of the newcomers; I would pick Mark McGuire, Devon White, Harold Baines, Tony Fernandez and Paul O’Neill. I more or less agree with Nick Cafardo. I would certainly add Garvey and Parker. We’ll see on tueday who is chosen. [I like MANY to be chosen] peace…
Comments (4)
Just stopping by to say “hi”
this comming election, ill be able to vote! ill be 18! yippppie! =]
That sound like a good motto!