it devolves into boys talking about sports and hardcore
Posted by tgl on 2006-01-11 13:03:47 +0000
Robbed!
Out by 53 votes!
Actually, I don't know what the criteria is (70% of ballots?) he received 64%.
----
Did Bill James publish a newsletter in support of Rice this year? Here's what he put in the New Abstract:
27. Jim Rice
(1974-1989, 2089 G, 382 1451 .298)
"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 Fenway
Granted, the HoF isn't Miss Congeniality. Ty Cobb is in, right?
Posted by buzzorhowl on 2006-01-11 06:58:23 +0000
Entry requirement is 75%. Maybe next year- two years of eligibility to go for Jimmy. Course, next year is the ballot debut of Gwynn, McGwire and Ripken.
Posted by dawnbixtler on 2006-01-11 07:33:30 +0000
Ah, the McGwire ballot... so much to discuss.
Posted by dawnbixtler on 2006-01-11 12:01:56 +0000
If I was completely impartial, I would have to forget the fact that Rice and I have the same birthday (he is exactly 20 years older than I), forget I saw Rice play left at Fenway, and forget that he is a car collector with a couple 60's AMCs. Then, no, I wouldn't put him in the HoF. But I can't forget these things, so I would... Was he that big a jerk?
Posted by tendiamonds on 2006-01-11 14:00:06 +0000
I had a 60's AMC... does that entitle me to visit the HoF?
Posted by dawnbixtler on 2006-01-11 14:14:42 +0000
Yep, you can visit anytime you'd like.
I think Jepsen has a signed picture of Jim Rice when Mr. Ed Jepsen bought a 70's Olds convertible from Rice.
Posted by tgl on 2006-01-11 14:43:23 +0000
60's AMC aside... you are that big of a jerk.
Reminds me: There is a garage with AMC logos on Washington St. on the way into Peabody (other side of town from the Brazilian BBQ and Bill & Bob's Roast Beef). Sounds like Fire Bull is the way to go.
Posted by tgl on 2006-01-11 14:45:13 +0000
I don't think jerkiness is a consideration for the HoF.
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.
Posted by buzzorhowl on 2006-01-12 01:19:53 +0000
Rice didn't kiss the press's ass, and kept his mouth shut. He was a black ballplayer in Boston in the 70's. I'm tired of the 'surly to the press' angle.
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.
Posted by buzzorhowl on 2006-01-12 01:21:38 +0000
On a somewhat related topic: The addition of Julian Tavarez gives us one of the best bullpens in baseball.
Posted by dawnbixtler on 2006-01-12 02:12:41 +0000
"I'm tired of the 'surly to the press' angle."
I think you're totally right, and I wonder what Bill Lee had against the guy. Almost seems personal rereading the above quote.
E-mail to tgl@rideside.net to add your tumblr.
Find me on github.