Hall of Fame difficult this year

Hall of fame choices hard to make


Baseball writers have once again chosen their inductee, in this case it is one player, into the hall of fame and once again their choice is questionable in the minds of some. Andre Dawson was this year’s selection. He is a borderline pick. He is lucky because at least 75 percent of this year’s voters thought his record was good enough to give him a pass to Cooperstown.
Dawson, who starred in right field first with the Montreal Expos and then the Cubs carried a .279 batting average over the course of his career with 1,591 runs batted in and 314 stolen bases.
It may be that last number that pushed the man known as “The Hawk,” through the doors of the hall of fame.
It was that number that separates Dawson from the perennial black ball of sports writers, Dale Murphy. The man we loved to call Murph batted .265 and had 1,266 runs batted in but stole only 161 bases in his career. His 398 home runs should give him serious consideration but he gets only a handful of votes each year.
There is once again a long list of players who joined Murphy on the thanks but no thanks list. Bert Blyleven fell five votes short. Roberto Alomar received the highest amount of votes ever for a player appearing on the ballot for the first time.
Many don’t agree with different votes but one must remember five percent of writers didn’t vote for Babe Ruth his first time on the ballot, seven percent ignored Willie Mays and 13 percent voted against Sandy Koufax.
Those who cast ballots have the right to do so for who ever they want. The ones who turned in blank ballots should have their rights taken away. Sports writers across the country, including this one, would love the opportunity that a group of writers through away.
There were quality names that were overlooked. Some of those they overlooked, in addition to the ones listed above, included Lee Smith, Jack Morris, Mark McGuire and Don Mattingly. Considering the events of this month the third of those four listed should be removed.
Smith would get my vote. He made more of an impact than any other player on the list. He is one of the top two or three closers of all time.
I still say Murphy needs some consideration. He put together his numbers on some of the worst teams in the last 30 years of baseball.
Outside of those two I don’t see hall of fame material. I see great players, just not ones who should have their plaque on that sacred wall.
Hats off to all those who voted, regardless of who they voted for. It is fun to debate the merits of individual players, and disgraceful not to choose anyone.