Comments on Boy of Summer: Harold Baines for the Hall of Fame?

Over 2800 hits and with an enviable consistency ov...

2009-09-27T12:14:39.236-04:00

Over 2800 hits and with an enviable consistency over a long career, but that's not worthy of HOF inclusion? Sorry to see that you also dismissed Rusty Staub out of hand, another worthy player who has been inexplicably ignored for HOF consideration.

I get very tired of the so-called "expert" writers who have the power of the HOF vote rejecting players the caliber of Baines on the basis of every HOF'er needing to measure up to the Babe Ruths ... seriously, that doesn't make the Hall more meaningful, it suffocates the spirit out of it and ultimately CHEAPENS the honor.

I mentioned A-Rod in passing one time because I ex...

2009-09-11T10:41:44.233-04:00

I mentioned A-Rod in passing one time because I expected him to pass Baines in RBI, and he did just that. I did not bring him up because I think they deserve to be mentioned in the same sentence for any other reason. Rodriguez is a vastly better player than Baines ever was, steroids or not, but he's not Baines' competition for Cooperstown. Baines was rarely among the best players in any given year in his own career, and that's a huge knock against him.

Baines does not have the most RBI of anyone not in Cooperstown, but he does have the most of any eligible player not in the Hall.

But so what? That logic would mean that we let everyone in eventually, as there will always be someone on the list who has the most [something] without having been voted into the Hall. First Baines, then Andre Dawson, then Dave Parker, Rusty Staub, Joe Carter, Andres Galaragga...where do you draw the line?

Jimmy Ryan has the most runs scored of any eligible player not in the Hall, and I don't hear the masses clamoring for his induction.

And the fact that he's now a coach? What the hell does that have to do with anything? Lots of guys become coaches after their playing careers, many of them good ones, and none of them has been or ever will be inducted into the Hall of fame because they knew when to send the runner from third.

And so what if he has better numbers than a marginal Hall of Famer like Tony Perez (not Pena)? Rusty Staub has better numbers than George Davis. Andres Galaragga has better numbers than Jim Rice. Chili Davis has better numbers than larry Doby. Almost everybody has better numbers than Bill Mazeroski. Let's not try to remedy one mistake by making another.

I don't see the absurdity or arrogance of this line of thinking, but if you can argue with the logic, I'm all ears.

His body type never changed, he never got faster n...

2009-09-11T06:26:11.089-04:00

His body type never changed, he never got faster nor did his body SUDDENLY break down. Harold Baines was a quiet leader in the clubhouse and on the field. His bat and skill did the talking, unlike current day players. To compare him to A-Rod is preposterous. A-Rod is playing in current day, with current day medical staff and advances in treatment of injuries, admitted to using steroids (how anyone could have had any doubt I am in shock) and he gained at least 50 pounds of muscle. Full of talent? Of course he is, but talent doesn't mean $hit when you cheat. In addition, Baines has become an essential coach on the field in recent years. He has the most RBI's of ANY player that is not currently in the Hall of Fame. Add to this that his numbers are better than Tony Pena (who is in the hall) and I think your argument has been taken apart, word by meaningless word. Feel free to e-mail me for further discussion, kagent5@hotmail.com I'll look forward to more absurdity and arrogance.

Love,

The Buckster

This is an outstanding article. I'm Chicago born-a...

2008-12-04T15:39:00.000-05:00

This is an outstanding article. I'm Chicago born-and-raised, a lifelong White Sox fan, and will always (as will the rest of Chicago) love Harold Baines.
However, I've made the argument for the last few years that as primarily a DH for most of his career, his numbers should be held to a higher standard. If he were to have reached both 3000 hits and 500 HR, I say put him in. If he even reached one of those milestonesm his case would be better.
Harold, forgive me, I feel like a traitor, but you fall a little short her.