Posted by Travis on 1/20/2008, 19:20:42, in reply to "Re: Still No HOF for Mac in 2008"
"No automatic elections based on performances such as a batting average of .400 or more for one (1) year, pitching a perfect game or similar outstanding achievement shall be permitted." I understand your argument - to a point. The caveat here is the (1). Mark not only holds most of the greatest single-season home run/at-bat ratios, but was able to sustain such a great pace for his career - which is no small feat. You cannot tell me that there are people in the HOF that are not one-dimensional. Good field, no stick. Good average, no power, average fielders. Et cetera, et cetera. Mark was the BEST at his job. Ever. Period. Like I said, he wasn't a great base stealer, but he was smart on the basepaths, knew his limitations. He wasn't above taking a walk, unlike many power hitters before him. He revolutionized the game. He is the reason for the current obsession over on-base percentage, sluggging percentage, and the combination of the two. He brought brought back from the brink of despair after the '94 strike. I don't know for sure if he used steroids or not, and last I checked, people are still innocent until PROVEN guilty here in America. His contributions off the field - especially the McGwire foundation for abused children, should more than make up for any damage to his image. He was and is a great teacher, taking many young hitters under his wing - Pujols, Holiday, and others that are finding great success as hitters. He holds the record for most home runs by a rookie - a record that no one has even come close to touching. He held the record for most home runs in a season in college - before his alleged steroid use. He's been named to 12 All-Star teams, I believe. He's a World Series winner, something I can't say about many Hall of Famers. He does own a Gold Glove, and was a great fielder in his early years before he sustained so many injuries. He's a member of the All-Century team. He holds the record for most home runs in an A's uniform, no small feat with the great players that have passed through there - Foxx, Jackson, even Canseco. Yes, I am a huge McGwire fan, but above all, I'm a baseball fan. And keeping Big Mac out of the Hall is a huge injustice to the game I love. And if someday, a player with the nickname "Squid" finds success on the diamond, I'll do my best to stay above holding a grudge against him for the petty crime of stealing my moniker.
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