Hall of Fame Requirements

Here is my opinion of the Hall of Fame in any sport in light of the discussions of McNabb, Warner, Rice, and Kent in recent weeks. If you watch a sport regularly, (for me that only includes baseball and football) and you saw the majority of player's career, and you don't say hall of famer in 30 seconds, then maybe that player was just good or even really good, but not hall of fame.

Let's try this together.

Is Jeff Kent a Hall of Famer? (waiting 30 seconds...thinking...thinking...)

Jeff Kent is not a hall of famer. Never have I thought Jeff Kent was one of the best ever and factor in his best year was at the height of the steroid era (2002) he was good, but not great. McNabb good, not great. (But his career is not over) Warner good, but if he is a key piece in two Super Bowl Championship teams I would say great. If you have to think for more than 30 seconds then you shouldn't vote for a player.

I am too young to remember Jim Rice, but how do you not get in for 14 years and then all of a sudden, Rice is in. He was great. Did he hit 45 HRS last year and I missed it? I am happy that Rice got in but logically I don't get it.

Try this litmus test. Name a player or coach in your own era, think, then vote. It is amazing how something so simple has gotten so complicated.

Congratulations to Jim Rice

Jim Rice was finally elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame after a 15 year wait.  This was Rice's last year on the regular ballot.  The argument against his induction was that his good years, while very good, were too few.  He also failed to amass any of the statistical benchmarks that Hall voters love so much.  However, there were a number of compelling reasons to vote him in.

It was no surprise that Rickey Henderson was accepted in his first try.   How did he not get 100% of the vote?  It must be these dunderheads that don't vote for anyone on the first ballot.  Anyhow, I can't wait to hear his speech.