Molitor & Eckersley Elected to HoF

[KCBOOMER]

They just announce live on MLB.com that Molitor and Eckerlsey were elected to the HoF. I haven't seen the voting totals.

[JamesI]

I saw Keith Hernandez was among 15 who did not get the required 5% to stay on the ballot. I believe Joe Carter and Fernando were also among those who will not be on next years ballot.

[sweaver]

Not a big surprise. Sandberg left out, Blyleven ignored again.

[KCBOOMER]

Near as I could glean from the live broadcast Sandberg got 61%, Sutter got 60%, and Rice got 54%. I think the four place vote getter was Rice. They did say that Joe Carter and Keith Hernandez did not get enough votes to stay on the ballot.

[Jim Rice]

The first press release appears to be screwed up. It skips Sutter, making it looks like Sandberg was 3rd and Rice 4th. Sutter was between them.

[pwdennis]

Here's the story:

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=1701698

[KCBOOMER]

Molitor got 85% and Eckersley got 83%.

[sweaver]

1. Molitor 2. Eckersley (both in) 3. Sandberg 4. Rice 5. Dawson 6. Gossage

[WiredTiger]

ELECTED
Paul Molitor 431 (85.2%)
Dennis Eckersley 421 (83.2%)

NOT ELECTED
Ryne Sandberg 309 (61.1%)
Bruce Sutter 301 (59.5%)
Jim Rice 276 (54.5%)
Andre Dawson 253 (50%)
Rich "Goose" Gossage 206 (40.7%)
Lee Smith 185 (36.6%)
Bert Blyleven 179 (35.4%)
Jack Morris 133 (26.3%)
Steve Garvey 123 (24.3%)
Tommy John 111 (21.9%)
Alan Trammell 70 (13.8%)
Don Mattingly 65 (12.8%)
Dave Concepcion 57 (11.3%)
Dave Parker 53 (10.5%)
Dale Murphy 43 (8.5%)

DROPPED FROM BALLOT
Keith Hernandez 22 (4.3%)
Joe Carter 19 (3.8%)
Fernando Valenzuela 19 (3.8%)
Dennis Martinez 16 (3.2%)
Dave Stieb 7 (1.4%)
Jim Eisenreich 3 (0%)
Jimmy Key 3 (0%)
Doug Drabek 2 (0%)
Kevin Mitchell 2 (0%)
Juan Samuel 2 (0%)
Cecil Fielder 1 (0%)
Randy Myers 1 (0%)
Terry Pendleton 1 (0%)
Danny Darwin 0 (0%)
Bob Tewksbury 0 (0%)

[WiredTiger]

My guess is that Sandberg gets into the HOF in the next three years. Sutter still has a shot but might not make it. Everyone else is probably going to have to go to the Veteran's commitee.

Still think the difference between Sandberg and Trammell is more perceived than real. They both should be in. Stop me if you've heard this before from me.

[SmedIndy]

And Sweet Lou Whitaker as well - but that's another thread.

One day, perhaps, people will wake up about Bert.

[Wolf Hopper]

Knowing how the voters have this thing about "being a [I]first ballot[/] HOFer" - I was surprised to see Eck get in now - - many others with better numbers were made to wait at least a year, IIRC.

[WiredTiger]

Eckersley and Molitor both benefited from closing out their career with very good seasons. I think they both were still fresh in the minds of the voters.


On another note... I'm pretty happy if I'm John Smoltz that Eck got in.

[Endymion]

I remember people leaving Hank Aaron off the HOF ballot because they didn't think anyone should be a first ball HOFer. I think folks have changed their thinking a little since then :)

[TimmyB]

No complaints about the two selected. Hopefully there won't be any hat controversies this year.

I can see Ryno getting in next year and I have a feeling Sutter and Rice will get a boost as their time runs out.

[Craig S.]

I never liked Sandberg, but I thought he would have made it this time. I thought that they may have kept him out last year because they didn't consider him a first-ballot guy, but I thought he'd be there this time.

I don't like closers being in the Hall, but at least they picked a guy in Eck who actually proved himself at one point as a starter.

[gyb13]

how did juan samuel get 2 votes?

[Elmo]

how did juan samuel get 2 votes?


or Eisenreich 3......

[sweaver]

DROPPED FROM BALLOT
Keith Hernandez 22 (4.3%)
Joe Carter 19 (3.8%)
Fernando Valenzuela 19 (3.8%)
Dennis Martinez 16 (3.2%)
Dave Stieb 7 (1.4%)
Jim Eisenreich 3 (0%)
Jimmy Key 3 (0%)
Doug Drabek 2 (0%)
Kevin Mitchell 2 (0%)
Juan Samuel 2 (0%)
Cecil Fielder 1 (0%)
Randy Myers 1 (0%)
Terry Pendleton 1 (0%)
Danny Darwin 0 (0%)
Bob Tewksbury 0 (0%)
Surprised Hernandez and Carter are off the ballot. There's a good argument for Keith. Disappointed that Stieb and Key are gone. Neither has a real good case, but both deserve some recognition.

[LargeBill]

TimmyB said he hoped there wouldn't be any controversy. Well, I'll be incensed if Eck doesn't go in proudly wearing a Chief Wahoo cap!


B4 anyone goes crazy responding, I am kidding.

[LeGrandOrange]

I knew it...Dave Stieb's comeback caused him to become a one-and-done candidate. Deserved WAY more than 7 votes...but of course no one remembered when he was good. I still think he was the best pitcher of the 1980's and deserves induction.

And actually, I think there might be a hat controversy with Molitor this year. He'll have the Brewers' glove logo on his HOF plaque but last I remember, he wasn't on great terms with the organization and certainly with any Seligs. He'd likely prefer being a Blue Jay or a Twin.

All I can hope is that next year, Ryno gets to be a Cooperstowner. I think if he continues the pace he's on, he's in next year.

[tyruschen]

Next year many long-waiting players may have good chance, since the candidates in 2005 are:
Jim Abbott, Jeff Blauser, Wade Boggs, Tom Candiotti, Chili Davis, Jeff King, Mark Langston, Jack McDowell, Willie McGee, Brian McRae, Jeff Montgomery, Otis Nixon, Tony Phillips, Mark Portugal, Terry Steinbach, Darryl Strawberry
Only Boggs is legitimate.

[Rajah]

I think some will make a case for Willie McGee. He was the heart of the Runnin' Redbirds. Not a good case, but a case.

Next year would be a good year to clean up a lot names that should be in. Ryno, Sutter, and Blyleven. Perhaps Morris and Trammell. Won't happen, but it'd be as good a chance to fix some past errors as any. Anyone know what the 2006 class is shaping up to be?

[pjl7]

Some will make a case for just about anyone, but anyone who really pays attention can shrug off McGee pretty quickly. Of course, when it comes to the BBWAA, the issue is never that they are overinclusive.

I suspect that Boggs goes in next year with Sutter or Sandberg, probably not both...and that Trammell and Bert get hosed again. The Vets committee gets to try again in 2005, and I tend to think that the extra time will result in 2-3 guys getting in that way. Santo and someone else...maybe Hodges and/or Oliva.

I don't see anyone among the above who isn't qualified, although I know that others would differ.

[LeGrandOrange]

Boggs is the only legitimate candidate in that group...the closest thing after him, if people realized how great he was, is Tony Phillips. Wade is the only person I've enshrined in my hall, Phillips was the closest to joining him. Phillips put the "super" in "super-utility" man...probably the most underrated player of the 1990's.

I COULD have room to make a sympathy vote for him though. But that's something I should look more thoroughly at in 11 month's time.

Nonetheless, that'll bode well for the holdovers.

[LeGrandOrange]

As for the 2006 class, this is the best of what it has to offer:
Gary Gaetti, Will Clark, Ozzie Guillen, Albert Belle, Gregg Jeffries, Lance Johnson, Walt Weiss, Mike Stanley, Orel Hershiser, Dwight Gooden, Tim Belcher, Alex Fernandez, Rick Aguilera, Doug Jones, and John Wetteland

That's going to be a fun class to look forward to. Looking at this list, I think if the holdovers want in, it might be best they get in next year.

[gyb13]

Disappointed that Stieb and Key are gone. Neither has a real good case, but both deserve some recognition.they got their recognition while they played....clinging on the ballot doesn't really change the fact that they were good players but shouldn't come close to sniffing the HoF

[LeGrandOrange]

I inducted Stieb and Key into my hall of fame, so I beg to differ. I already made my point about Stieb. Jimmy Key...what's he like, 50?...spent a good 15 year career as a consistent and consistently good starting pitcher, and he has the win% to prove it. I haven't more conclusive reason for his induction, but he should be in.

Of course, everyone knows my HOF standards are loose.

[WiredTiger]

or Eisenreich 3...... I think some guys get votes just as a sign of respect. Eisenreich overcame a lot to be a decent ballplayer. Does he deserve in? No. Is he happy that 3 people respected him enough to vote for him? I think so.

[gyb13]

Of course, everyone knows my HOF standards are loose.and mine are virginal :D

[LeGrandOrange]

So you have NONE in your hall? ;)

[KCBOOMER]

The 2006 balloting should be when guys like Sandberg and Gossage get in. For whatever reason when a guy misses for a few years they tend to get in when no "locks" are on the ballot.

The 2005 VC voting is merely a formality. With the former players now voting their is zero chance of any inductees.

[Rajah]

The 2006 balloting should be when guys like Sandberg and Gossage get in. For whatever reason when a guy misses for a few years they tend to get in when no "locks" are on the ballot.

The 2005 VC voting is merely a formality. With the former players now voting their is zero chance of any inductees.
which is a shame. Can't we finally enshrine Santo before he dies?

[pjl7]

Is the belief that the new VC won't elect anyone based primarily on the size of the voting block, the belief that most won't vote for guys competing with their former teammates or something else that I haven't seen or heard? IK know that they got no one in last time, but it seems that some of the "leaders" of the inductees (Morgan, Schmidt, etc.) are taking this fairly seriously and would seem to be in a position to get something done next time or risk a reappraisal of the new VC's role.

[manny tortolero]

Is the belief that the new VC won't elect anyone based primarily on the size of the voting block, the belief that most won't vote for guys competing with their former teammates or something else that I haven't seen or heard? IK know that they got no one in last time, but it seems that some of the "leaders" of the inductees (Morgan, Schmidt, etc.) are taking this fairly seriously and would seem to be in a position to get something done next time or risk a reappraisal of the new VC's role.

After Schmidt's words, the last year, about what must be the standard for a 3B to be a HOF (actually he is his own standard), I doubt that Santo will get in nearly. Probably we must wait until finnished the lapse of time that Ted Simmons have to wait to be considered by the VC to see what Bench thinks is the standards for catchers.

[gyb13]

:warn: let's keep this on topic, please - Molly and Eck. someone can start a new thread (or dig up an old one) on the VC.

[manny tortolero]

I am not sure about Eck as a first ballot HOF although he could deserves the honor. But really sounds strange have Sutter, Goosage and Lee Smith as candidates without strong chances to get in due their whole carrer as fine closers and rewarding a guy that in prespective was an average SP his first 12 years carrer (151-128, 3.67 ERA in 359 GS) and a fine closer (46-44, 2.96 ERA with 2 GS and 390 saves) the last other 12 years.
If you are rewarding Eck mainly by his perfomance as closer, then what about Lee Smith, who between 1982 and 1995 (15 years) had 63-81 as record but 468 saves and 2.91 ERA in tougher parks for pitchers as Fenway and Wrigley?
The difference between both are 1 rolaids more for Smith but one CY and MVP the same year for Eck. In fact, Eck is in the HOF because the year his peak as closer in 1992 because in the rest of both performances as closers, Smith's carrer was better. May this means an automatic first ballot for John Smoltz, who has in only 2 1/2 years almost 30% of Eck's saves?

[Fuzzy Bear]

I have been on record here before as not supporting Eckersley's selection. I won't argue about it now. Eckersley is a truly unique case, and he was a GOOD (though not HOF starter) who was a GREAT (for a short period) reliever.

Molitor deserved to go.

I am happy that Sandberg moved up to 61%. Sandberg led the list of the guys not elected this year, as he should have last year. His 61% indicates that the writers will select him someday, and they should.

It will be a shame, however, if Rice gets in, but John, Blyleven, Trammell, and Whitaker remain outside. Rice couldn't carry their jockstraps.

[gyb13]

from Stats Inc's 1991 Scouting ReportIf it hadn't been for all of the injuries that have plagued him throughout his career, Molitor probably would be considered a leading candidate for the Hall of Fame.

[Golden Bear]

And actually, I think there might be a hat controversy with Molitor this year. He'll have the Brewers' glove on his HOF plaque but last I remember, he wasn't on great terms with the organization and certainly with any Seligs. He'd likely prefer being a Blue Jay or a Twin.


Molitor is on record as wanting a Brewers cap. Alas, no controversy.

This is assuming Eck gets an A's cap. I'd assume so, but you might make a case for Boston (most innings, most wins, etc.) I hope it's an A's cap.

[WiredTiger]

from Stats Inc's 1991 Scouting Report: If it hadn't been for all of the injuries that have plagued him throughout his career, Molitor probably would be considered a leading candidate for the Hall of Fame. In 1991 Molitor became a most of the time DH. He put up OPS+ of 147, 140, 142 and 138. Molitor was definitely helped by the DH just by avoiding injury. If he had not had some of his best years at ages 34, 35, 36, and 37 then he doesn't make the HOF.

[TimmyB]

Molitor is on record as wanting a Brewers cap. Alas, no controversy.

This is assuming Eck gets an A's cap. I'd assume so, but you might make a case for Boston (most innings, most wins, etc.) I hope it's an A's cap.

As a Boston fan seeing Eck with a "B" on his cap would be cool... but it wouldn't be right. His HOF credentials came with an "A".