Batter's Box Interactive Magazine

The results are in: Eddie Murray and Gary Carter will enter the Hall of Fame this summer. Both richly deserved the honour. Bruce Sutter topped the runners-up with 53% of the vote, while Jim Rice scored 52% and Andre Dawson exactly 50%. Ryne Sandberg, surprisingly, only garnered 48%.

I wonder: whose cap will Gary Carter wear to the Hall of Fame? His best years were as an Expo, but his World Series ring was as a Met. Or do the players even have that choice anymore, after Dave Winfield auctioned his cap to the highest bidder?

Fun fact: though Carter was a lifetime NLer and Murray will always be identified with the Orioles, these guys were teammates on the 1991 Dodgers.

Posted by Jordan on Tuesday, January 07 2003 @ 02:30 AM EST.

Eddie and The Kid | 5 comments | Create New Account

The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.

_Sean Whittaker - Tuesday, January 07 2003 @ 03:03 PM EST (#20038) #

My understanding is that the player no longer has the privilege of deciding which cap he'll appear wearing at the Hall, as a direct result of Winfield's auction. They still have some input, apparently, but the Hall makes the final decision, which is as it should be.

Of those BBWAA-eligible players who merit serious consideration and didn't get in this year, I'd support Dawson, Blyleven, Sandberg and Trammell. It's a real shame that Whitaker dropped off the ballot. I have to support him as we share the same last name, even if he doesn't spell it properly with two Ts. -)

Craig B - Tuesday, January 07 2003 @ 03:56 PM EST (#20039) #

Thanks for posting this, Jordan.

Since Carter played the lion's share of his career in Montreal, and racked up most of his accomplishments there, he is almost sure to go in as an Expo... but Carter may want to be a Met for immortality.

_Kent - Tuesday, January 07 2003 @ 04:04 PM EST (#20040) #

Expect Sandberg's vote total to jump significantly next year; even some Chicago writers voiced the opinion that he belongs, but not with the additional honour of first-ballot success bestowed on Murray. And the relievers are knocking at the door; one of these years, two or three will make it. Biggest snubs include Blyleven, Trammell and Parker; among the surprises, seven sympathy votes for Darryl Kile.

There was a Rob Neyer chat under way at ESPN when the news came through. Here's the transcript.

_Kent - Tuesday, January 07 2003 @ 08:22 PM EST (#20041) #

The Internet Hall of Fame voting had Ryno and Bert much closer, but still short of election.

_Geoff North - Tuesday, January 07 2003 @ 10:23 PM EST (#20042) #

Wouldn't it have been funny if 75% of the writers (or more) all thought: "Ahh, what the heck. One little sympathy vote for Kyle, no biggie. Not like anyone else is going to give him one. He deserves at least one. He was a gamer."

Is being inducted in the first year of eligibility an honour? In my mind, a player either belongs or he doesn't; there shouldn't be any non-votes to make him wait a year or two. What if all the voters decided to make a worthy player wait a year to get in, and he drops off the ballot? I can see a writer changing their mind, but not just leaving them off to reserve the first ballot "honour."

Why doesn't the hall of -one- year of eligibility? Make those writers really make up their mind. No more frivolous votes, please!

Eddie and The Kid | 5 comments | Create New Account

The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.