The "Ask Al" Thread

[CanadianChris 0]

Is that good or bad?

Good. I think there's a ton of great talent from that decade.

That's what I thought, but for some reason my sarcasm detector went off.

[naiwf 0]

NEW YORK - Tim Raines and David Justice head 11 first-time candidates on the baseball writers' 2008 Hall of Fame ballot, joining Mark McGwire, Rich Gossage, Jim Rice and 11 other holdovers.

 

McGwire, his candidacy hurt by suspicions of steroids use, was selected on just 23.5 percent of ballots when he was eligible for the first time in 2007.

 

When Cal Ripken Jr. and Tony Gwynn were elected in January, Gossage fell 21 votes shy of the necessary 75 percent and Rice was 63 votes short.

 

Rice is on the ballot for the 14th time and Gossage for the ninth. Players can be on the Baseball Writers' Association of America ballot for up to 15 years.

 

Gossage's percentage increased from 64.6 in 2006 to 71.2 in 2007, while Rice's declined from 64.6 to 63.5. The highest percentage for a player who wasn't elected in a later year was 63.4 by Gil Hodges in 1983, his final time on the ballot.

 

Raines was a seven-time All-Star who played 23 seasons and batted .294 with 2,605 hits and 808 steals, fifth on the career list. He was the 1986 NL batting champion.

 

Justice was the 1990 NL Rookie of the Year and a three-time All-Star. He had a .279 average, 305 homers and 1,017 RBIs in 14 seasons.

 

Brady Anderson, Rod Beck, Shawon Dunston, Chuck Finley, Travis Fryman, Chuck Knoblauch, Robb Nen, Jose Rijo and Todd Stottlemyre also are first-time candidates. The five-year waiting rule was waived for Beck, who died June 23.

 

Other holdovers (with their 2007 vote percentages) include Andre Dawson (56.7), Bert Blyleven (47.7), Lee Smith (39.8), Jack Morris 202 (37.1), Tommy John (22.9), Dave Concepcion (13.6), Alan Trammell (13.4), Dave Parker (11.4), Don Mattingly (9.9), Dale Murphy (9.2) and Harold Baines (5.3).

 

Rijo retired after the 1995 season and appeared on the 2001 Hall ballot, when he received one vote. He then returned to the major leagues and pitched for Cincinnati in 2001 and 2002, making him eligible to go back on the ballot.

 

Reporters who have been in the BBWAA for 10 or more consecutive years are eligible to vote, and the totals will be announced Jan. 8. Rickey Henderson tops the players who will be eligible for the first time on the 2009 ballot.

 

Results of balloting for managers, umpires and executives by the newly reconstituted Veterans Committee will be announced Dec. 3 at the winter meetings.

 

Do any of those guys have a legit shot at getting in? My guess is Gossage will finally get the votes, Rice won't, and that Raines will probably get in. I don't see any of those other first year guys coming close.

[Guest Pizza Hut's Game Face]

I'm glad that they waived the waiting period for Rod Beck so that the writers can hurry up and not elect him.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

My guess is that Raines gets screwed, and Gossage is the sole inductee. If Rice gets in and not Raines, I will hurt people.

[bob_barron 0]

I know he has no chance of getting in, but can we get a Keltner (?) list on David Justice

[Guest Pizza Hut's Game Face]

Raines and/or Rice will be in, Chuck Knoblauch will earn more votes than he could possibly deserve, and Goose Gossage will be screwed over again.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

I know he has no chance of getting in, but can we get a Keltner (?) list on David Justice

1. Was he ever regarded as the best player in baseball? Did anybody, while he was active, ever suggest that he was the best player in baseball?

 

No, he nvever won an MVP award nor finished consistantly high year to year.

 

2. Was he the best player on his team?

 

No. The Atlanta Braves of the early to mid 90s contained Hall of Fame talents like Tom Glavine, Greg Maddux, John Smoltz and Chipper Jones. In Cleveland he was overshadowed by Manny Ramirez and Jim Thome and after those years, he was past his prime.

 

3. Was he the best player in baseball at his position? Was he the best player in the league at his position?

 

The best I can place David Justice in the American League is third, behind Manny Ramirez and Gary Sheffield. Add the National League and you have Larry Walker, Tony Gwynn and Sammy Sosa to contend with.

 

4. Did he have an impact on a number of pennant races?

 

Justice played for a large number of playoff baseball clubs, and played well on most of them. However, Justice performed poorly in the postseason, hitting .224 in a large sample of games.

 

5. Was he good enough that he could play regularly after passing his prime?

 

Somewhat. He played into his mid-30s and retired while still productive.

 

6. Is he the very best baseball player in history who is not in the Hall of Fame?

 

No, far from it.

 

7. Are most players who have comparable statistics in the Hall of Fame?

 

No. Only Larry Doby on his comparable batters list is in the Hall, and he played center field and got credit for being a pioneer.

 

8. Do the player's numbers meet Hall of Fame standards?

 

No. Never led the league in any category whatsoever.

 

9. Is there any evidence to suggest that the player was significantly better or worse than is suggested by his statistics?

 

None apparent.

 

10. Is he the best player at his position who is eligible for the Hall of Fame?

 

No. Andre Dawson is on the ballot. Dave Parker may have an argument as well.

 

11. How many MVP-type seasons did he have? Did he ever win an MVP award? If not, how many times was he close?

 

Justice finished third in 1993 and fifth in 1997. 1993 was fueled by a plethora of home runs and RBIs. Jeff Blauser was more valuable. 1997 was Justice's best year statistically but he missed 23 games.

 

12. How many All-Star-type seasons did he have? How many All-Star games did he play in? Did most of the players who played in this many All-Star games go into the Hall of Fame?

 

Three All-Star appearances, two as a starter.

 

13. If this man were the best player on his team, would it be likely that the team could win the pennant?

 

No, unless the team was deep.

 

14. What impact did the player have on baseball history? Was he responsible for any rule changes? Did he introduce any new equipment? Did he change the game in any way?

 

First ballplayer to get served with papers on field.

 

15. Did the player uphold the standards of sportsmanship and character that the Hall of Fame, in its written guidelines, instructs us to consider?

 

Yes.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Raines and/or Rice will be in, Chuck Knoblauch will earn more votes than he could possibly deserve, and Goose Gossage will be screwed over again.

You know, if Knoblauch hadn't developed that throwing problem and been able to stay at second base, he might've had a Hall of Fame career.