I suggest you ALL should look up the criteria the baseball writers are
supposed to consider when voting for HOF inductees. It includes stats.
But also includes a lot more. First portion I highlighted sets as a
criteria that a candidate for HOF must have played at least
10 seasons in MLB. This to me points to an attitude among
the founders of the HOF that they consider true greats do
it over a long career. This eliminates 'one hit wonders' from
consideration. It also points to their wanting the entire career
of a player considered, not just his
'clean' years
"Barry Bonds- greatest player of his generation, was a Hall of Famer before any alleged use.
Roger Clemens- same argument. 7 Cy Youngs, 4 of which were before any PED accusations."
the problem with the above argument is that the criteria for HOF is
to include the player's ENTIRE career....not just his 'clean' years
and ignore the rule breaking.
Shoeless Joe Jackson screwed up ONCE. According to some in
this thread he should be in the HOF based on his career up until
he F'd up. Same thing goes for Pete Rose.
here are the criteria from the HOF website---I've highlighted
criteria that seem to apply the most to this thread. And put in
bold type three criteria that folks on this board are either
unaware or don't give a sh#t about.
http://baseballhall.org/hall-famers/...election/bbwaa
"BBWAA ELECTION RULES
1. Authorization: By authorization of the Board of Directors
of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, Inc., the Baseball
Writers' Association of America (BBWAA) is authorized to hold an
election every year for the purpose of electing members to the National
Baseball Hall of Fame from the ranks of retired baseball players.
2. Electors: Only active and honorary members of the Baseball Writers'
Association of America, who have been active baseball writers for at
least ten (10) years, shall be eligible to vote. They must have been
active as baseball writers and members of the Association for a
period beginning at least ten (10) years prior to the date of
election in which they are voting.
3. Eligible Candidates --
Candidates to be eligible must meet the following requirements:
A. A baseball player must have been active as a player
in the Major Leagues at some time during a period beginning
twenty (20) years before and ending five (5) years prior
to election.
B. Player must have played in each of ten (10)
Major League championship seasons, some part of which
must have been within the period described in 3 (A).
C. Player shall have ceased to be an active player
in the Major Leagues at least five (5) calendar years
preceding the election but may be otherwise connected
with baseball.
D. In case of the death of an active player or a
player who has been retired for less than five (5) full
years, a candidate who is otherwise eligible shall be
eligible in the next regular election held at least six
(6) months after the date of death or after the end of
the five (5) year period, whichever occurs first.
E. Any player on Baseball's ineligible list shall
not be an eligible candidate.
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 t
o revoke, alter or amend these rules at any time."