Robbed!
<img src="http://cache.boston.com/bonzai-fba/Globe_Photo/2006/01/10/1136897855_1314-1.jpg">
Out by <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=ArXzZvrhCxz5dBN4qDSVm1UT0bYF?slug=ap-halloffame&prov=ap&type=lgns">53</a> votes!
Actually, I don't know what the criteria is (70% of ballots?) he received 64%.
<!--break-->
----
Did Bill James publish a newsletter in support of Rice this year? Here's what he put in the New Abstract:
<b>27. Jim Rice</b>
<b>(1974-1989, 2089 G, 382 1451 .298)</b>
"Probably the most overrated player of the last thirty years."
----
And this opinion:
"Jim Rice was one of the best left fielders I ever had out there [but] the fans never liked Jim Rice. No one could like Jim Rice. Jim Rice had one of the biggest egos I've ever seen. He treated people so abruptly, just had no need for anybody, gave no time back to the fans, just was not a nice person." --Bill Lee in <i>Fenway</i>
Granted, the HoF isn't Miss Congeniality. Ty Cobb is in, right?
I think Jepsen has a signed picture of Jim Rice when Mr. Ed Jepsen bought a 70's Olds convertible from Rice.
Reminds me: There is a garage with AMC logos on Washington St. on the way into Peabody (other side of town from the <a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/XfvwIE3vTfWiwGQNo9_JRw">Brazilian BBQ</a> and <a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/EicyKNFcBcN6TltW3KAJWQ">Bill & Bob's Roast Beef</a>). Sounds like Fire Bull is the way to go.
Only Jim Rice memory: My father sent me to escort a fellow Scout to the bathrooms during a mid-summer game sometime in '86? '87? Rice hit a grand slam while I was on the concourse.
I think the steroid thing is going to continue to help him, and I think it would be an honor if he got in on the same ballot as guys like Gwynn and Ripken (McGwire will get in, but not on the first ballot). And if Sutter is in, which he is, then Gossage has to come next.
I think you're totally right, and I wonder what Bill Lee had against the guy. Almost seems personal rereading the above quote.