Yeah I get there is a difference between guys like Bonds and Clemens who were on the ballot and not voted in and Rose who was not even allowed on the ballot. I’m just saying if they want to punish guys while they are alive to keep them out and then put them in after death noting the warts that kept them out while alive, I’m OK with that.
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do you separate guys like Bonds & Clemens who are HoF w/o cheating from
Sosa, who was no where near HoF, and McGwire ( who knows what was real) and from
ARod, Palmeriero who got caught after ban
The whole steroid thing is very subjective.
I agree with this. The years of incessantly denying betting on baseball games, even when confronted with physical evidence and testimony, is the largest issue for me.
Probably have to let the HOF voters decide that.
Luis Tiant - if you are a fan of a certain age as I was, you definitely copied his windup playing wiffle ball with your friends growing up. RIP
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Very borderline HoF - career stats similar to many others who are in, but never put together a real core 5 - 6 years, as a top pitcher, All Stars games and Cy Young votes.
But how do you not love the cigar smoking fat guy
I will add, I don’t believe there was any Cy Young placement votes other than 1st, until 1970, so he definitely would have had more recognition in 1968
Yeah I mean McClain (last 30 game winner) and and Gibson (all time low season ERA ) were unanimous, each got 20 1st place votes and no one else got any votes so I assume that is correct.
yes that was '68, but I checked '69 also and no one without a first place vote is listed
and both won the MVP
again?
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Fernando Valenzuela, 63. A delivery as copiable as Tiant’s
HoF trajectory at the beginning of his career. Not sure what happened, but became a below average pitcher at just 26.
His delivery was unforgettable. RIP Fernando.
Fernandomania was a phenomenon when he hit MLB. Everyone was talking about Fernando.
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Last of the great screwball pitchers as I recall. There have been a few since but none close to his level and the screwball has largely left the game these days.
Fernando mania was indeed huge.
Gonna guess “didn’t stay in shape.” One thing to have born gifts, it’s another to maintain them.
Also, overused. When a pitcher gets tired (legs, mostly), they start using their arms and back more. If they are not in the best of shape, this wears them down. Science Sportists know this today.
Rudy May. Had nearly a 20 year pitching career. His most successful years came in 2 stints with the Yankees. He was dealt away before their 76-78 run of WS but was back with them for the 81 WS.