Shadowlight
Master
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- Mar 16, 2013
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The MLB network will televise the Hall Of Fame Veteran's Ballot results this Sunday night. I have seen all of these players play and below is my ballot if you will.
I have four categories.
1-no
2-close but no
3-can't make up my mind
4-yes
1-no--Ted Simmons and Lou Whitaker. Simmons was just an average defender and while a great hitting catcher I just can't pull the trigger. Whitaker was a solid above average dependable player and teamed up with SS Alan Trammell to make a terrific double play combo. But Hall Of Fame? Come on.
2-close but no--Dave Parker who I have very close and a tad less close Dwight Evans and Steve Garvey. Parker had a gun in RF and was an imposing figure but at the end he promised more than he delivered. Evans was as good as it gets in RF and he too had a rifle. He benefits for having his best batting seasons later in his career but to me Jim Rice and Fred Lynn were superior players and Evans just falls short. Lynn of course faltered but when he was on Evans couldn't compare. Garvey was a very good at times excellent player and had a keen eye but lacks the pizzazz we expect from Hall Of Famers.
3-Can't make up my mind--Tommy John ( I probably could be persuaded) and Thurman Munson whose career was obviously cut short dying in a plane accident. Since I like real catchers who can defend and call a game Munson certainly qualifies. Like Fisk and Bench, Munson was a take command catcher. Munson was an excellent hitting catcher too. Blocking pitches and throwing out runners is still a very important staple for catchers which is why Johnny Bench is the greatest catcher to have ever lived. To go along with his defensive gifts Bench was a great power hitter. I just don't know if Munson was able to compile enough great years and this is coming from someone who favors quality over quantity. Tommy John had a long strange career. A crafty pitcher who relied on trickery rather than a blazing fastball he of course is best known for his elbow injury. His best seasons were later on but he was always difficult to hit and had a low ERA. On the fence but it wouldn't take much for someone to make a good argument and tip me over to the yes column.
4-yes--Don Mattingly who was incredible for several years and was a top flight defensive player. Most question if he had enough great years to qualify? Legitimate concerns. Dale Murphy is my first pick out of this lot and he has already been discussed at length here. I would be shocked and very disapponted if he isn't chosen.
I have four categories.
1-no
2-close but no
3-can't make up my mind
4-yes
1-no--Ted Simmons and Lou Whitaker. Simmons was just an average defender and while a great hitting catcher I just can't pull the trigger. Whitaker was a solid above average dependable player and teamed up with SS Alan Trammell to make a terrific double play combo. But Hall Of Fame? Come on.
2-close but no--Dave Parker who I have very close and a tad less close Dwight Evans and Steve Garvey. Parker had a gun in RF and was an imposing figure but at the end he promised more than he delivered. Evans was as good as it gets in RF and he too had a rifle. He benefits for having his best batting seasons later in his career but to me Jim Rice and Fred Lynn were superior players and Evans just falls short. Lynn of course faltered but when he was on Evans couldn't compare. Garvey was a very good at times excellent player and had a keen eye but lacks the pizzazz we expect from Hall Of Famers.
3-Can't make up my mind--Tommy John ( I probably could be persuaded) and Thurman Munson whose career was obviously cut short dying in a plane accident. Since I like real catchers who can defend and call a game Munson certainly qualifies. Like Fisk and Bench, Munson was a take command catcher. Munson was an excellent hitting catcher too. Blocking pitches and throwing out runners is still a very important staple for catchers which is why Johnny Bench is the greatest catcher to have ever lived. To go along with his defensive gifts Bench was a great power hitter. I just don't know if Munson was able to compile enough great years and this is coming from someone who favors quality over quantity. Tommy John had a long strange career. A crafty pitcher who relied on trickery rather than a blazing fastball he of course is best known for his elbow injury. His best seasons were later on but he was always difficult to hit and had a low ERA. On the fence but it wouldn't take much for someone to make a good argument and tip me over to the yes column.
4-yes--Don Mattingly who was incredible for several years and was a top flight defensive player. Most question if he had enough great years to qualify? Legitimate concerns. Dale Murphy is my first pick out of this lot and he has already been discussed at length here. I would be shocked and very disapponted if he isn't chosen.
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