Ripken, Gwynn Elected to Hall of Fame

zippyjuan · 01-09-2007, 12:41 PM

Congratulations to Mr. Padre. He defined the team for many years.

Quote:

Ripken, Gwynn Elected to Hall of Fame
By RONALD BLUM (AP Baseball Writer)
From Associated Press
January 09, 2007 2:25 PM EST
NEW YORK - Mark McGwire fell far short in his first try for the Hall of Fame, picked by 23.5 percent of voters while Tony Gwynn and Cal Ripken Jr. easily gained baseball's highest honor.

Tarnished by accusations of steroid use, McGwire appeared on 128 of a record 545 ballots in voting released Tuesday by the Baseball Writers' Association of America.

Ripken was picked by 537 voters, appearing on 98.5 percent of ballots, falling just short of the record percentage of 98.84 set by Tom Seaver when he was selected on 425 of 430 ballots in 1992.

Gwynn was just behind with 532 votes, 97.6 percent.

Goose Gossage finished third with 388 votes, falling 21 shy of the necessary 409 for election. Jim Rice was fourth with 346, followed by Andre Dawson (309), Bert Blyleven (260), Lee Smith (217) and Jack Morris (202).

McGwire was ninth, followed by Tommy John (125) and Steve Garvey (115), who was in his final year of eligibility.

McGwire's dismal showing raises doubts about whether he will ever get elected - players can appear on the BBWAA ballot for 15 years - and whether the shadow of steroids will cost Barry Bonds, Sammy Sosa and Rafael Palmeiro places in Cooperstown.

Jose Canseco, on the ballot for the first time, received six votes, well below the 5 percent threshold needed to stay on future ballots. In his book two years ago, Canseco accused McGwire and others of using steroids. The book's publication was quickly followed by a congressional hearing on steroids during which McGwire evaded questions, saying: "I'm not here to talk about the past."

Harold Baines, who received 29 votes, reached the 5 percent threshold. Bret Saberhagen got seven votes in his first appearance on the ballot and Ken Caminiti, who admitted using steroids during his career and died in 2004, received two.

Brian · 01-09-2007, 12:57 PM

I read somewhere that a bunch of reporters casted an empty ballot to protest the players that were in the steorids era. That screwed up Tony and Cal's chance of having a perfect 545/545 in voting. But congratulations to them anyway... both of them well deserve it.

A random fact: did you guys know that Tony Gwynn (who was pretty huge in size towards the end of his career) had 56 steals back in 1987? I can't imagine that...

MikeD · 01-09-2007, 01:00 PM

Two of the classiest guys to ever grace the game. Congrats to both.

There were a few other names that hopefully will get in. Dawson and Smith seem like they should be HOFer's as well.

zippyjuan · 01-09-2007, 01:16 PM

Cal and Tony are pretty much the end of an era- spending their career with one team and just going out and doing the best they can, every day. Both were hard working and incredibly consistant. They did not seek accolades and adoration- they earned them- and when they came, were modest about it. No bragging or trash taking. You would have never heard them complain. Great standards to try to live up to. Just do it.

kgsilvas · 01-09-2007, 02:14 PM

I was really bummed to see that Steve Garvey didn't make it and that it was his last year of eligibility.

He was a great player and seemed like a nice guy.

cadetevon · 01-09-2007, 02:21 PM

I'm sad to hear that Steve Garvey will never make it in now.

Or did I read that wrong?

Also... funniest baseball video evah: http://youtube.com/watch?v=VppGGGO8Zwk

MikeD · 01-09-2007, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cadetevon

Also... funniest baseball video evah: http://youtube.com/watch?v=VppGGGO8Zwk

Didn't he tear up his arm doing that in the majors once? He was pitching the later innings of a blowout loss if I recall...

TofuNinja · 01-09-2007, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kgsilvas

I was really bummed to see that Steve Garvey didn't make it and that it was his last year of eligibility.

He was a great player and seemed like a nice guy.

Same here. He's hall of fame no matter now in my mind.

Congrats to Ripkin and Gwynn. Two guys in their prime what I actually collected baseball cards

zenbooty · 01-09-2007, 03:42 PM

Jim Rice should have been voted in.

Sirrich3 · 01-09-2007, 10:59 PM

Congrats to Cal and Tony!

eSDee · 01-09-2007, 11:13 PM

I love Tony Gwynn.

Cubsfan · 01-10-2007, 06:39 AM

I'm not happy that McGwire didn't get it. I know some people hate him now, but it's never been shown, in the least, that he did something illegal, or even against the rules of baseball. In fact, I think the main accuser against him is Canseco, which isn't totally credible.

Prngr44 · 01-10-2007, 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cubsfan

I'm not happy that McGwire didn't get it. I know some people hate him now, but it's never been shown, in the least, that he did something illegal, or even against the rules of baseball. In fact, I think the main accuser against him is Canseco, which isn't totally credible.

I certainly don't hate him, but he had his opportunity to either admit he did it, or deny he did. He did neither, and that's what the public opinion jury has convicted him with. They wanted *something* and he left them hanging. I didn't think he'd get as few votes as he did (my guess was 40ish) but I agree, I think he belongs.

Also congrats to Ripken and Gwynn...it almost makes me feel sad (okay, old) that my childhood heroes are now being immortalized in the hall.

MikeD · 01-10-2007, 07:52 AM

Not big news that MM didn't get in, but the low percentage of votes that he received should raise eyebrows. Certainly doesn't bode well for some other guys, notably Sosa, Palmeiro, and Bonds.

Will be amazing if the all time hits king (Rose) and HR king (Bonds) are both excluded from the HOF. A real black eye on the game...

Markel · 01-10-2007, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cubsfan

I'm not happy that McGwire didn't get it.

If you look at his overall stats, it's not much of a surprise (even without the steroids cloud).

yippiekiyeh · 01-10-2007, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eSDeeLoco

I love Tony Gwynn.

Tony Gwynn, class act in a sport that has been tarished of late.

He deserves the Hall and rightfully so made the hall... I always felt he and Cal would be shoo ins.

VTGreg · 01-10-2007, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian

I read somewhere that a bunch of reporters casted an empty ballot to protest the players that were in the steorids era. That screwed up Tony and Cal's chance of having a perfect 545/545 in voting. But congratulations to them anyway... both of them well deserve it.

A random fact: did you guys know that Tony Gwynn (who was pretty huge in size towards the end of his career) had 56 steals back in 1987? I can't imagine that...

Actually there were only two protest ballots that were cast. There were actually 5 or 6 individuals that didn't vote for Cal and/or Tony for whatever reason. One has come forward and stated his reasoning behind not voting for them, but I think the rest should do so as well.

I don't see how you can let someone who didn't vote for these guys on the first ballot continue to determine who gets into the baseball HOF.

Prngr44 · 01-10-2007, 12:00 PM

I've heard a few people cite references to the first few ballots for the Hall of Fame.

Cy Young didn't even make it into the hall his first try, let alone unanimously. I think they compare Tony Gwynn's career and Cal Ripken's career to guys like Mickey Mantle, Joe Dimaggio, etc. and think "how can I unanimously vote for these guys when THOSE guys didn't even get that large of a vote??"

cadetevon · 01-10-2007, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeD

Didn't he tear up his arm doing that in the majors once? He was pitching the later innings of a blowout loss if I recall...

The blowout loss, are you talking about the GBL All Star game or the MLB game?

Because his original chance at pitching was in affiliated minor league ball.

The clip is from a game in which the South was *winning* until he started pitching. Then they lost....bad. He gave up a billion walks, some hits and it was an ugly mess.

eSDee · 01-10-2007, 02:35 PM

Quote:

During the 1993 campaign, Canseco received unwanted attention for two on-field debacles that occurred within days of each other. On May 26, during a game against the Cleveland Indians, Carlos Martínez hit a fly ball that Canseco lost in the lights as he was crossing the warning track. The ball hit him in the head and bounced over the wall for a home run. After the incident, the Harrisburg Heat offered him a soccer contract.[2] Three days later, Canseco asked his manager, Kevin Kennedy, to let him pitch the eighth inning of a runaway loss to the Boston Red Sox; he injured his arm, underwent Tommy John surgery, and was lost for the remainder of the season, leading him to suffer further indignity and ridicule.

from Wikipedia

zenbooty · 01-10-2007, 02:50 PM

So Cal and Tony just walked into my office to interview. Too bad I'd be canned in a heartbeat if I approached them for a photo or autograph

.

Markel · 01-10-2007, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zenbooty

Too bad I'd be canned in a heartbeat if I approached them for a photo or autograph

.

Would you get in trouble if you just shook their hands and congratulated them on their HoF elections?

zippyjuan · 01-10-2007, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prngr44

I've heard a few people cite references to the first few ballots for the Hall of Fame.

Cy Young didn't even make it into the hall his first try, let alone unanimously. I think they compare Tony Gwynn's career and Cal Ripken's career to guys like Mickey Mantle, Joe Dimaggio, etc. and think "how can I unanimously vote for these guys when THOSE guys didn't even get that large of a vote??"

I heard that the mighty Joe Dimaggio didn't get in until the third time he was voted on. Canseco has been eliminated because he got so few votes on his first go round, but McGuirre still has more chances. When McGuirre was asked on the stand about his steroid use, he said he didn't want to talk about the past. Some of the voters said they do not want to hear about his playing past either then and did not vote for him.

zenbooty · 01-10-2007, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Markel

Would you get in trouble if you just shook their hands and congratulated them on their HoF elections?

He's surrounded by handlers right now. They greet him at the door, escort him to the studio, and escort him out. Anyone who interferes or gets in the way I'm sure will be in deep ****. I'm sure its not the players who would have a problem with it. Its the studio folk who are on a schedule, and probably just like to feel like they're more important than everybody else.

MikeD · 01-10-2007, 05:15 PM

He looks like Biggie Smalls in this pic.

Amazing stat about his stolen base numbers from years ago. Pretty amazing, I always remembered Gwynn being a bit on the stocky side.

Prngr44 · 01-11-2007, 08:40 AM

Holy smokes does he look jolly.

Markel · 01-11-2007, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prngr44

Holy smokes does he look jolly.

Not quite what you'd call being in game shape....

Sirrich3 · 01-11-2007, 09:08 AM

hope he doesn't suffer a heart attack...

01-09-2007, 01:00 PM	#3
MikeD President, Cowboys Nation Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: In the 'burbs, west of D.C. Posts: 5,139	Two of the classiest guys to ever grace the game. Congrats to both. There were a few other names that hopefully will get in. Dawson and Smith seem like they should be HOFer's as well. __________________

01-09-2007, 02:21 PM	#6
cadetevon Rear Admiral Upper Half Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: San Diego Posts: 3,388	I'm sad to hear that Steve Garvey will never make it in now. Or did I read that wrong? Also... funniest baseball video evah: http://youtube.com/watch?v=VppGGGO8Zwk __________________ Yvonne Funny: My Next Wife. Last edited by cadetevon : 01-09-2007 at 02:23 PM.

01-09-2007, 03:42 PM	#9
zenbooty Admiral Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Prime Material Plane Posts: 7,486	Jim Rice should have been voted in. __________________ Common sense is what tells you the Earth is flat.

01-09-2007, 10:59 PM	#10
Sirrich3 Rear Admiral Upper Half Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: In Sunny Southern California Posts: 3,950	Congrats to Cal and Tony! __________________

01-09-2007, 11:13 PM	#11
eSDee Old Skooler Numba 1 Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Diego Posts: 10,063	I love Tony Gwynn. __________________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~ 3 days ~ Willie Nelson 3 days I dread to see arrive 3 days I hate to be alive 3 days filled with tears and sorrow yesterday today and tomorrow

01-09-2007, 12:57 PM	#2
Brian Official Got\|Apex? Slave Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 461	I read somewhere that a bunch of reporters casted an empty ballot to protest the players that were in the steorids era. That screwed up Tony and Cal's chance of having a perfect 545/545 in voting. But congratulations to them anyway... both of them well deserve it. A random fact: did you guys know that Tony Gwynn (who was pretty huge in size towards the end of his career) had 56 steals back in 1987? I can't imagine that...

01-09-2007, 01:16 PM	#4
zippyjuan Picture of the Day Guru Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Sunny San Diego Posts: 8,756	Cal and Tony are pretty much the end of an era- spending their career with one team and just going out and doing the best they can, every day. Both were hard working and incredibly consistant. They did not seek accolades and adoration- they earned them- and when they came, were modest about it. No bragging or trash taking. You would have never heard them complain. Great standards to try to live up to. Just do it.

01-09-2007, 02:14 PM	#5
kgsilvas Rear Admiral Lower Half Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,245	I was really bummed to see that Steve Garvey didn't make it and that it was his last year of eligibility. He was a great player and seemed like a nice guy.

01-10-2007, 06:39 AM	#12
Cubsfan Rear Admiral Lower Half Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Colorado Posts: 2,743	I'm not happy that McGwire didn't get it. I know some people hate him now, but it's never been shown, in the least, that he did something illegal, or even against the rules of baseball. In fact, I think the main accuser against him is Canseco, which isn't totally credible.

01-10-2007, 07:52 AM	#14
MikeD President, Cowboys Nation Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: In the 'burbs, west of D.C. Posts: 5,139	Not big news that MM didn't get in, but the low percentage of votes that he received should raise eyebrows. Certainly doesn't bode well for some other guys, notably Sosa, Palmeiro, and Bonds. Will be amazing if the all time hits king (Rose) and HR king (Bonds) are both excluded from the HOF. A real black eye on the game...

01-10-2007, 12:00 PM	#18
Prngr44 Rear Admiral Lower Half Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: St. Louis Posts: 2,620	I've heard a few people cite references to the first few ballots for the Hall of Fame. Cy Young didn't even make it into the hall his first try, let alone unanimously. I think they compare Tony Gwynn's career and Cal Ripken's career to guys like Mickey Mantle, Joe Dimaggio, etc. and think "how can I unanimously vote for these guys when THOSE guys didn't even get that large of a vote??"

01-10-2007, 02:50 PM	#21
zenbooty Admiral Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Prime Material Plane Posts: 7,486	So Cal and Tony just walked into my office to interview. Too bad I'd be canned in a heartbeat if I approached them for a photo or autograph .

01-10-2007, 05:15 PM	#25
MikeD President, Cowboys Nation Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: In the 'burbs, west of D.C. Posts: 5,139	He looks like Biggie Smalls in this pic. Amazing stat about his stolen base numbers from years ago. Pretty amazing, I always remembered Gwynn being a bit on the stocky side. Last edited by MikeD : 01-11-2007 at 09:43 AM.

01-11-2007, 08:40 AM	#26
Prngr44 Rear Admiral Lower Half Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: St. Louis Posts: 2,620	Holy smokes does he look jolly.

01-11-2007, 09:08 AM	#28
Sirrich3 Rear Admiral Upper Half Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: In Sunny Southern California Posts: 3,950	hope he doesn't suffer a heart attack...

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