closetjaysfan

Goins still streaking

Way to speak with your bat Jose.

I suppose its relative, but I certainly don't think he is hitting well right now. I suppose he was even worse a couple weeks ago, but definitely not hot.

WC is pretty much a coin flip. I would much prefer to win the division however.

Great series, we needed that big time with the O's streaking.

At least the Ms and TB lost. Yanks still trail.

Yeah that's the problem. He is trying too hard to smash it.

Rasmus looking like he did 3 weeks ago tonight.

Good. I don't usually stoop to comment on that sort of bull crap but he was pissing me off.

This guy is begging to be banned. and wait a sec... are you saying you are the gangbang crew? You might want to edit out "reason" and substitute "example" before someone turns that into a sig.

I love how this field plays somewhere between Plinko and an air hockey surface.

Please tell me why Boston would want to part with this guy?

Someone needs to flatten one of these catchers...

If this call stands...

Its going going going .... to be another bad call by buck

In other O's news they sent Ubaldo Jimenez to Aberdeen (NYP) for a rehab assignment today.

Exactly this. If the sox are confident that Lester wont sign it is beneficial for them to trade within the division... would have to be really pricey for the yanks though.

FYI Rasmussen just got sent down. Probably to make room for Valencia.

Does WAR factor runners that don't advance because of a strong fielding arm? To me this is up their with pitch framing in terms of things that make a difference but aren't necessarily valued.

It is possible that Morris is simply being remembered for his pitching performance in game 7 in the 1991 world series whereas Wells is simply being remembered as a boozer. It certainly is rant worthy...

Im not holding them to a different standard. Im saying I don't think its right to take someone's plaque away with hindsight as your guide. If I were voting with Hank Aaron or whomever on the ballot and knew he was cheating then I wouldnt vote for them.

rWAR has Loften (65.1) above Raines, Ozzie Smith, Alomar, McGuire, and Jackie Robinson to name a few. So maybe its the problem of the Sabermetric voters splitting their attention amongst the various formulas... or maybe its that the majority of voters still rely on traditional stats (ie: Cabrera vs. Trout). I think Loften's biggest problem is that the 2013 class had so many big name first time candidates: Clemens, Bonds, Biggio, Shilling, Piazza, Sosa, Franco, Alomar. And lets not forget some big names still on there from years past. Interestingly, Loften himself blames steroids for not making the hall (also compares himself to Tim Raines): http://www.cleveland.com/tribe/index.ssf/2013/02/kenny_lofton_says_playing_in_t.html

Sadly, I think the main reason is the fact that he played in Canada for his best years. At the time, it would have been really easy to get ignored by sports writers catering to an American audience. I think that has changed now, mostly thanks to the invention of the internet. It does lend credence to the concept of dismantling the current voting structure in favor of one administered by current hall members.

Would I have voted for Ty Cobb to get into the Hall? No: but he was living in a time when racism was tolerated so I can see why he got in. Was there any suggestion that Mays, Mantle, or Aaron were *******s at the time they were admitted? Not as far I know. Personally, I don't think revoking someone's membership in the Hall should be considered. But, keeping out steroid users I have no problem with. I think it is interesting that so many are linking the rule changes to a "keep the steroid users out of the hall" agenda. If that were truly their desire the Board of Directors could have simply amended the rules to disallow them completely without any say from MLB or anyone else for that matter. It seems silly to think that amending from 15 to 10 would keep some of the best players ever (on paper) out of the Hall. If they were destined to be in, they would have been voted on the first ballot.

4. Method of Election: A. BBWAA Screening Committee — A Screening Committee consisting of baseball writers will be appointed by the BBWAA. This Screening Committee shall consist of six members, with two members to be elected at each Annual Meeting for a three-year term. The duty of the Screening Committee shall be to prepare a ballot listing in alphabetical order eligible candidates who (1) received a vote on a minimum of five percent (5%) of the ballots cast in the preceding election or (2) are eligible for the first time and are nominated by any two of the six members of the BBWAA Screening Committee. B. Electors may vote for as few as zero (0) and as many as ten (10) eligible candidates deemed worthy of election. Write-in votes are not permitted. C. Any candidate receiving votes on seventy-five percent (75%) of the ballots cast shall be elected to membership in the National Baseball Hall of Fame. 5. Voting: Voting shall be based upon the player's record, playing ability, integrity, sportsmanship, character, and contributions to the team(s) on which the player played. 6. Automatic Elections: No automatic elections based on performances such as a batting average of .400 or more for one (1) year, pitching a perfect game or similar outstanding achievement shall be permitted. 7. Time of Election: The duly authorized representatives of the BBWAA shall prepare, date and mail ballots to each elector no later than the 15th day of January in each year in which an election is held. The elector shall sign and return the completed ballot within twenty (20) days. The vote shall then be tabulated by the duly authorized representatives of the BBWAA. 8. Certification of Election Results: The results of the election shall be certified by a representative of the Baseball Writers' Association of America and an officer of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, Inc. The results shall be transmitted to the Commissioner of Baseball. The BBWAA and National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, Inc. shall jointly release the results for publication. 9. Amendments: The Board of Directors of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, Inc. reserves the right to revoke, alter or amend these rules at any time. http://baseballhall.org/hall-famers/rules-election/bbwaa Best HR hitter on steroids, yes. But he doesn't meet the criteria to be in the HOF, see rule 5. After 75 years I have my doubts they are going to change a fundamental principle.