on December 7th, 2009 by Captain Canuck
Posted in Waxaholic
Comments Off
on December 7th, 2009 by JT
Another former Reds player who is still in the big leagues, Josh Hamilton serves as an inspiration to us all that you can overcome your demons with hard work and perseverance. I won’t rehash the story because it’s been told a thousand times, but Hamilton is a good example of good-guy-gone-bad-turning-around-and-going-good-again. He only played 90 [...]
Continue reading about 2009 Topps Josh Hamilton »
Posted in Writers Journey
Comments Off
on December 7th, 2009 by Spiff
Posted in texas rangers
Comments Off
on December 7th, 2009 by chrisolds
Posted in Beckett Blog
Comments Off
on December 7th, 2009 by T.S.
About 30 years ago when I was working as a bureau reporter for a daily
newspaper in Plattsburgh, N.Y., I wrote up the wrap-up story of a local election …
the day before the election.
That doesn’t make me particularly brilliant, for a suspect the same could
be done by local reporters in various circumstances all over the country. And, of
course, I didn’t file the story until after the results had come in. I may be a bit
eccentric, but I don’t believe I am certifiably insane.
I mention this because I could have written up the story of Marvin
Miller’s continued exclusion from the Hall of Fame any number of days, weeks or
months ago, awaiting only the official verification of yesterday’s vote by the Hall
of Fame’s Veterans Committee, the results of which were announced this morning.
Oh, I’m not so smart that I could have told you that Doug Harvey and Whitey
Herzog would get the nod, even though it was fairly easy to conclude that the
pair would be the top candidates from the Managers/Umpires ballot. In theory, anyway,
it’s difficult to tell in advance how 16 people are going to vote on this kind of
thing.
Normally it’s only a skosh easier to figure out how a dozen people might
vote, unless what they are voting on is the suitability of granting HOF immortality
status to Marvin Miller. Then it gets a bit easier.
Miller himself reportedly called the makeup of the committee “rigged,”
and had asked that his name be removed from the ballot in light of what he regarded
as a predetermined outcome.
As noted in an earlier blog, I was still glad he was on the ballot, but
now even I am reconsidering that. The 92-year-old Miller can be forgiven his frustration
as he now would be required to wait two years for another vote, especially since there
would be little reason for optimism if the configuration of the committee were to
remain the same, which is possible but not likely.
If you’re looking for villains here, they would seem to be individuals
rather than the institution itself. The Hall of Fame has labored mightily over the
past two decades to tinker with virtually every aspect of the voting process in general
and the Veterans Committee voting in particular.
Scolded at one time for a procedure that was deemed by many to have been
a tad too liberal in admitting former players to its ranks, the pendulum then perhaps
swung the other way and now there was criticism that worthy candidates might find
it impossible to get voted in.
Miller’s candidacy has languished and failed under a number of different
systems. His latest snub, coming up two votes short from a 12-person panel that included
seven members who would be categorized as from the management side of the equation,
is particularly egregious.
At such an advanced age, the latest rejection seems almost incomprehensibly
cruel for the legendary labor figure, but he’s hardly the only casualty here, just
the most significant and poignant one.
The credibility of the most important Hall of Fame in the world takes
another blow, but this latest slap is also unfortunate for the two MLB figures who
did get elected. You can bet that most of the mainstream media coverage is going to
be largely negative, focusing on who didn’t get elected rather than who did.
If the bozos who didn’t think Miller a worthy candidate for enshrinement
might be cajoled by some other reasons than simply the integrity of the process and
their obligations and responsibilities to it – to say nothing of fairness to an aging
icon who deserves far better treatment – then maybe Doug Harvey or Whitey Herzog deserved
better as well.
Even on the most joyous and important day of their professional lives.
Continue reading about Nuts. Veterans Committee hoses Miller again … »
Posted in Infield Dirt
Comments Off
on December 7th, 2009 by chrisolds
Posted in Beckett Blog
Comments Off
on December 7th, 2009 by danhitt
Posted in Beckett Blog
Comments Off
on December 7th, 2009 by chrisolds
Posted in Beckett Blog
Comments Off
on December 7th, 2009 by Dave and Adam's Card World
Starting today and running through Tuesday December 22nd is our 12 Days of Christmas Promotion! Each weekday a handful of great box specials will go up on the site, while supplies last. Friday specials will be good throughout the weekend. Today is the first day of the promotion, check out the deals!
Continue reading about 12 Days of Christmas Holiday Box Specials! »
Posted in Dave and Adams
Comments Off
on December 7th, 2009 by Chris Harris
Posted in Stale Gum
Comments Off
on December 7th, 2009 by Chris Harris
Posted in Stale Gum
Comments Off
on December 7th, 2009 by deal
Posted in Phungo
Comments Off
on December 7th, 2009 by rosschrisman2003
What Phillies fan wouldn’t want to see a statue of Harry Kalas? Thats exactly what Dear Harry, Inc. is trying to do right now. Over 20,000 fans have petitioned to have a Harry Kalas statue in Philadelphia and Dear Harry, Inc. is looking to raise enough money to do so. Be sure to check out [...]
Continue reading about The Harry Kalas Memorial Statue »
Posted in Sports Card Info
Comments Off
on December 7th, 2009 by 30-Year Old Cardboard
If I had to choose one word to describe the baseball card show I attended over the weekend, it would be WONDERFUL. And if I were allowed to choose a word to latch on to my original choice it would be STUPENDOUSLY.
I had a great time at the card show, and I will end the [...]
Continue reading about Baseball Card Show Review »
Posted in 30 Year Old Cardboard
Comments Off
on December 7th, 2009 by JRJ
Posted in Sports Locker
Comments Off
