HOF: Mark McGuire?

Not necessarily. It does help get my post count up, and is fun for discussion, I would guess, as well. It is what it is, and I'm probably not going to have any effect on it unless and until I become a member of the BBWWA.

I have suggested a couple I think should probably be included, already, especially Buck O'Neil, and Bert Blyleven. Mark McGwire (583 HR, 1414 RBI, 1317 BB, .263 BA, .394 OBP, .588 Slg., .993 Fldg, with the 'weakest' part of his game, his BA, but contrasted to the strongest part, his HR to AB ratio, better than anyone who played the game, including Babe Ruth and by far, Hank Aaron, if my memory serves) deserves it as well, today's PC over 'steroids' notwithstanding. He broke no rules that were in place, so why 'punish' him ex post facto. In fact, isn't that one principle of our own Constitution?? Yep, I just looked it up! Neither the Congress nor the states are permitted to pass any ex post facto laws. Obviously, that standard does not apply to the HOF (or cycling)!

I ain't hardly ready to add Bill Freehan to my sugestions, however.

Ed

 

McGwire long ago admitted using androstenedione, a dietary supplement neither illegal nor banned by baseball at the time. (It has since been banned.) And he refused to 'finger' anyone else, when he testified before Congress, much to the annoyance of those hunting for a scapegoat, and incurring some wrath, as well.

I personally, am not willing to ban him only on the basis of Jose Canseco's book, but apparantly many are. Let's say that another 'suspect', Sammy Sosa could be found innocent of any and all allegations about steroids. Should not he be banned beacuse he was found using a corked bat? That's cheating, as well. And shouldn't Gaylord Perry be removed from the Hall. He was more than once tossed out of games for the "Monsoon season" when he pitched. Where does this stop?

Shouldn't Ty Cobb, be removed? He deliberately tried to hurt people by 'sliding' into bases with his legs high and with razor sharp spikes! And how about tossing every pitcher that deliberately threw at an opponent's head? Bet that would get the number of pitchers down real quick. Again, where does the PC 'self-righteousness' end??

Ed

 

BTW, steroids, per se, are not illegal under Federal Law. They can be, and are prescribed by doctors, and I have had such a prescribing after surgery, one time. That statement is simply incorrect.

And baseball had no prohibition against steroids when McGwire played, either, although they do today. Remember what I said about "ex post facto?"

Ed

 

Thanks for the info.

I wondered how I got to start a thread without trying to. But I would have appreciated first being asked, FTR.

Ed