tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2700049103080920994.post2015795393128403096..comments2024-03-28T13:44:09.103-04:00Comments on Night Owl Cards: Yeah, I'm a sportswriter ... and I'd vote for Bondsnight owlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11673973790245316059noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2700049103080920994.post-85996151210071958842013-01-10T23:54:59.833-05:002013-01-10T23:54:59.833-05:00As an accountant/auditor, I can assure you there a...As an accountant/auditor, I can assure you there are most certainly a lot of insults thrown our way. Ever hear of Enron? Just depends on the circles you run with, I guess :)<br /><br />I saw that show on MLB network and tended to agree with Posnanski way above any of the others (Costas and the two former players were probably second). And I'm adamantly for Cabrera winning the MVP - so I'm not a huge SABR guy or anything.<br /><br />But I do hate how they gloss over other cheating. One of the "round table" literally used the term "gamesmanship". Practically romanticizing what Gaylord Perry did, but since Bonds and McGwire broke records that matter, they're cheating is different? So if you cheat but aren't REALLY REALLY GOOD at cheating, that's just "gamesmanship"?!?!?!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2700049103080920994.post-31214963989154301372013-01-09T22:55:21.048-05:002013-01-09T22:55:21.048-05:00@Thomas Anderson...I hate to break it to you, but ...@Thomas Anderson...I hate to break it to you, but Bonds would be floating around 800 home runs if he never took steroids. <br /><br />If the "juice", as you call it, were as good as you say it is, it would far outweigh the side effects and would not be illegal. <br /><br />There is more physical evidence that Biggio took PEDs than Bonds. PEDs provide more benefits toward longevity than they do strength...however, that may be bringing too much truth to the argument and not enough fantasy.<br /><br />The problem is that no one can prove that steroids made fly balls sail the wall, though the greater burden of proof lies in proving someone actually took steroids in the first place.<br /><br />I suppose you still think corking a bat is cheating?Spankeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17359644189269593175noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2700049103080920994.post-21105833735730908532013-01-09T16:06:45.959-05:002013-01-09T16:06:45.959-05:00Very good and well-though-out perspective, N.O. A...Very good and well-though-out perspective, N.O. Agree it all comes down to bucks, and bringing people through the turnstiles in Cooperstown is the ultimate goal. As a collector, I'm also aware of the players' increased exposure as a member of such an exclusive fraternity, and their ability to 'capitalize' on their election with increased autograph fees, spokesman opportunities, and memorabilia deals. As far as my own HOF thoughts, I feel there is a marked difference between first ballot inductees and all others. Barry Bonds was the best player I ever saw day in and day out; but because he was such a monumental horse's a$$ to media, fans, as well as his own teammates I wouldn't feel right about him being elected in his first year of eligibility (equating him with an exemplary HOFer like Cal Ripken). But year 2 of eligibility, no issue whatsoever. The PED controversy doesn't bother me like it used to; he was hitting vs juiced pitchers and being defended against by juiced fielders.mr haverkamphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06231670664877629521noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2700049103080920994.post-89963591447724113222013-01-09T13:44:49.496-05:002013-01-09T13:44:49.496-05:00Sorry, can't agree with Bonds, Clemens, or McG...Sorry, can't agree with Bonds, Clemens, or McGwire. If they had not "juiced" their stats would be a lot worse. Eg. many HR's they hit on "juice" would have been long fly outs. Clemens arm would have been a lot weaker if not on "juice" and many of his K's would have been hits. Anyone on "juice", as all these guys were, don't deserve the Hall. These guys are just as evil as Lance Armstrong. The "juice" made all of them much better than they actually were. Now I definitely agree that Paul Molitor and Dale Murphy shoud be in the Hall. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05380118867808438467noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2700049103080920994.post-75397496793008489472013-01-09T12:58:55.913-05:002013-01-09T12:58:55.913-05:00Even though I've thought about it for nearly a...Even though I've thought about it for nearly a month already, I honestly still don't know what to think about this year's HOF class.<br /><br />I grew up during the "steroid" era of the game, so I probably have a different perception than some of the older fans out there.<br /><br />For now, I wouldn't be happy if guys like Bonds or Clemens get in. As I get a bit older, though, I may lighten my stance on the so-called "steroid" guys.<br /><br />I'm sure they'll get in eventually, anyways.<br /><br />Piazza, Biggio, and Raines should definitely be in. Probably Trammell as well. <br /><br />The other guys you mentioned are basically toss-ups for me.<br /><br />Plus, I'll be interested to see if Woody Williams and/or Aaron Sele will get a vote this year.Nickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13508921644099472101noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2700049103080920994.post-10481752185171302412013-01-09T12:21:22.586-05:002013-01-09T12:21:22.586-05:00Oh, and FYI you are not exactly an unknown sportsw...Oh, and FYI you are not exactly an unknown sportswriter. This Christmas I was visiting some family in TN. Someone there was from northern New York. I mentioned that I traded cards with a guy in northern New York and mentioned your town name. She said, "really who is it?" When I told them your name she knew who you were (not personally) and even told me what paper you worked for. <br /><br />Small world.<br /><br />(I left your name, city, and newspaper out of this comment in case you didn't want it out there)AdamEhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12107347958456472504noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2700049103080920994.post-26975071732944467662013-01-09T12:10:44.140-05:002013-01-09T12:10:44.140-05:00They need to get things figured out in the next tw...They need to get things figured out in the next two years before Pedro gets on the ballot. I'm going to be pissed if there is such a logjam of players on the ballot that he doesn't get the required 75% on his first try.AdamEhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12107347958456472504noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2700049103080920994.post-66344688066444936612013-01-09T10:27:13.135-05:002013-01-09T10:27:13.135-05:00You forgot Bernie Williams. I think it's a ru...You forgot Bernie Williams. I think it's a rule that if your the best player on 4 World Series winners you get a free pass to Cooperstown.<br /><br />Anyone that doesn't vote for Bonds should lose their ballot due to incompetence. In few years we won't call them PED's, we'll call them medicine, and all be taking them ourselves to play in 60+ rec basketball leagues. Good luck explaining to your grand kids why everyone was so upset players took medicine to combat the effects of injuries and aging.<br /><br />Wait and see, once the pharmaceutical lobby catches on that theres more money in viagra for knees and backs, the whole tone of the conversation will change.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2700049103080920994.post-39278271672587316102013-01-09T08:15:29.595-05:002013-01-09T08:15:29.595-05:00Great post and I am aligned with you in several wa...Great post and I am aligned with you in several ways. <br /><br />1. The main problem is the Hall's guidelines. I ready a book a ways back called Cooperstown Confidential by Zev Chafets and he outlines the history of the Hall and it was pretty eye opening.<br /><br />2. I don't think sportwriters are stupid, I actually have learned so much over my lifetime from the sports reading I do that I have a strong appreciation and respect for sportswriters. I would suggest they shouldn't be the sole voice in who gets into the Hall (at least until the Veterans thing happens). <br /><br />3. I am almost aligned with your ballot. I wouldn't vote for Bagwell, I followed baseball closely during his career and he never was one of the top few players of the game for a stretch and that is a qualifier for me. I would also hold off on Walker. My two votes would go to Dale Murphy and Curt Schilling - in large part due to their string of dominance of being one of the top couple players at their position for a stretch in their career.<br /><br />4. I saw that MLB Network show and my most frustrated moment was when they passed off throwing a spit ball or intentionally scuffing the ball as gamesmanship, not cheating. It is cheating, maybe to a slightly lesser degree that juicing but it was cheating - very hypocritical.<br /><br />Great post as usual. arpsmithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15906792508761334151noreply@blogger.com