My MLB Hall of Fame thoughts

First, it’s good the Goose is in there. Gossage has long been deserving.

Second, no to Jim Rice. Not enough years played, not that good an outfielder, not that good a batter outside Fenway.

Andre Dawson? Still on the bubble for me. Those who say he should be a sure-fire HOFer, compare his career and Fred McGriff’s. Do you believe Crime Dog is as much a HOFer as Hawk, allowing for two fewer years played? Extrapolate out, and McGriff, who still played 19 years himself, breaks 500 homers, has more RBIs and runs scored than Hawk. He already has a much higher OBP and fairly higher OPS as well as somewhat higher slugging and BA. As for any steroids issue, Crime Dog and Hawk overlap enough that McGriff’s best years were in a lower-power era. He won two HR titles and didn’t hit 40 either time. McGriff also, on teams that often had more batters than Hawk’s Cubs, actually got more intentional walks.

Yes, 1B is supposed to have more sluggers. But, McGriff was also one of the better fielders of his day, there.

So, be reasonable. If Hawk is a HOFer, Crime Dog has basically the same argument. So, why does only the one get all the publicity?

Bert Blyleven? Should be in. Jack Morris? Not, at least not easily. Swap the teams the two pitched for over their careers, and Blyleven would have won well more than 300. Morris would have won about 220-225.

Dale Murphy? A very good player for several years and a nice guy. But, did he ever have that intimidation factor? Not really. And, a .265 BA. Sorry, Murph, but no.