Posted on 01/06/2010 11:22:07 AM PST by GreatOne
Andre Dawson, a five-tool player who won eight Gold Glove and four Silver Slugger Awards in a career spanning 21 seasons with the Montreal Expos, Chicago Cubs, Boston Red Sox and Florida Marlins, was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America in balloting verified by Ernst & Young. He will be inducted into the Hall July 25 at the Clark Sports Center in Cooperstown, N.Y.
Dawson was listed on 420 ballots (77.9%) to win election in his ninth year on the ballot. His election brings to 292 the number of elected members of the Hall. Of that total, 203 are former major-league players, of which 109 have been through the BBWAA ballot. Dawson is the 68th outfielder overall elected to the Hall.
A .279 career hitter with 438 home runs, 1,591 runs batted in and 314 stolen bases, Dawson was the National League Rookie of the Year with the Expos in 1977 and the NL Most Valuable Player in 1987 with the Cubs. The eight-time All-Star underwent 12 knee surgeries during his career but ended up with more than 400 home runs and 300 stolen bases, a feat achieved by only two other players in history, Willie Mays and Barry Bonds.
For the first time in BBWAA balloting, two candidates failed to gain election by fewer than 10 votes. Pitcher Bert Blyleven, on the ballot for the 13th time, got 400 votes (74.2%). Second baseman Roberto Alomar, on the ballot for the first time, had 397 (73.7%), the most for a first-year candidate without being elected.
(Excerpt) Read more at community.baseballhall.org ...
Glad to see that Blyleven didn't make it, although he seems a shoe-in for next year. Just because a guy averages 14 wins and 170 strike outs a year for 20 years does not mean they belong in the Hall of Fame (key word being FAME). Same goes for Sutton, Cepeda, and Perez, who don't belong. Screw the stats - never once during Blyleven's career was he considered to be anything but an above-average pitcher. Nowhere near as good as Palmer, Seaver, Carlton, Jenkins, Perry, Niekro, or other contemporaries who are in. That simple.
I should quickly add that I am shocked that Alomar was elected. Spitting incident aside, he’s one of the top 3 second basemen ever (along with Hornsby and Morgan).
I should quickly add that I am shocked that Alomar was not elected. Spitting incident aside, he’s one of the top 3 second basemen ever (along with Hornsby and Morgan).
The Hall of Fame has been watered down.
Hell with all that...did 0bama get voted in?
Dawson’s not good enough. Blyleven isn’t either. Alomar should be in, though ... one of the top two modern era second basemen (likely with Biggio).
SnakeDoc
YES, 1ST TIME ON BALLOT AND GARNERED 100% OF THE VOTES....
He has to be retired 5 years first, so look for the 2017 election.
He has to be retired 5 years first, so look for the 2017 election.
the “one” waits for no one....didn’t you know that...??
Dawson was awesome for those 3-4 years though. But I agree, not a HOF career.
Dale Murphy ate Hawk’s lunch for a number of concurrent years, and beat him out head to head for 2 MVP’s. Why doesn’t he get any HoF love? If it’s just the batting average, the OPS more than makes up for that.
I'm also very partial to McGriff. In the era of steroids, his numbers don't necessarily stand out, but 30 home runs and 100 rbi a year, plus a .377 OBP and .509 SLG, should give him more consideration.
Watching McGriff, or rather the statue of McGriff, play first base was not a pleasant sight. Unless he was on the other team...
Ryne Sandberg may quibble with your opinion.
Obama should resign now, so Obama can officially get elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame much sooner, please!
It is no longer The Hall of Fame, it is now The Hall of Really Good. It is hard to believe that Dawson is now mentioned in the same sentence as Ruth, Aaron, Robinson and Williams. IMHO, only the best of the best should be enshrined - even if this means that some years no one gets in.
I never watched McGriff play, so what you say is probably a reason his offensive numbers may be getting short-thrifted (and deservedly so, from what you say). All I'm looking for is more consideration than the anemic vote total he received, particularly since he was steroid free. How is Carlos Delgado going to be viewed when he's eligible if Crime Dog can't get anywhere.
I should also add that I can't fathom why Lee Smith isn't in. He was no doubt one of the top 10 closers ever.
Because Murphy had 5 great years, and 13 average/below average years. Career slugging of .469 and .815 OPS also hurts him. He simply flamed out too young.
.279 with medicocre power stats for an outfielder should exclude you from the HOF.
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