Goose to the Hall... Rice Passed Over Again

Bay Ridge Dave · 01-08-2008, 02:46 PM

Goose Gossage elected to baseball's Hall of Fame - MLB - Yahoo! Sports

Quote:

NEW YORK (AP) -- Goose Gossage became only the fifth relief pitcher elected to the Hall of Fame, earning baseball's highest honor Tuesday in his ninth try on the ballot.

Known for his overpowering fastball, fiery temperament and bushy mustache, the Goose received 466 of 543 votes (85.8 percent) from 10-year members of the Baseball Writers' Association of America.

"It was very emotional, off the charts. I can't describe the feeling," Gossage said.

Jim Rice was passed over yet again, getting 392 votes (72.2 percent), up from 346 (63.5 percent) last year but 16 short of the 75 percent needed. He will appear on the writers' ballot for the 15th and final time next year, when career steals leader Rickey Henderson will be among the newcomers.

Andre Dawson was third at 358 (65.9 percent), followed by Bert Blyleven at 336 (61.9 percent), Lee Smith at 235 (43.3 percent) and Jack Morris at 233 (42.9 percent).

Mark McGwire, a casualty of the Steroids Era in some writers' minds, received just 128 votes -- the exact total he had last year. His percentage increased slightly to 23.6 percent, up from 23.5 percent last year when he was on the ballot for the first time.

Tim Raines topped the 11 newcomers on the ballot, receiving 132 votes (24.3 percent). All of the others appearing for the first time fell below the 5 percent necessary to remain on the ballot next year.

Gossage, who fell short by 21 votes last year, joins Hoyt Wilhelm (1985), Rollie Fingers (1992), Dennis Eckersley (2004) and Bruce Sutter (2006) in Cooperstown's bullpen.

Gossage was sitting in a recliner in his living room overlooking the Rocky Mountains when he received the call. He turned to reporters in the room and said, "Oh my god, I've been elected."

"A shock wave went through my body like an anvil just fell on my head," Gossage said about his reaction. "I think having to wait makes it that much more special."

His mother died in 2006, Gossage said with tears welling up in his eyes, and he had hoped she would live long enough to see him inducted.

Gossage was a nine-time All-Star who pitched for nine major league teams from 1972-94 and had 310 saves -- 52 of them when he got seven outs or more.

The first time he appeared on the Hall ballot in 2000, Gossage received only 33.3 percent of the vote.

He will be inducted July 27 in Cooperstown, joined by five men elected last month by the revamped Veterans Committee: former commissioner Bowie Kuhn, former Dodgers owner Walter O'Malley, managers Dick Williams and Billy Southworth and ex-Pirates owner Barney Dreyfuss.

Williams managed Gossage on the San Diego Padres.

"There isn't anybody I'd rather go in with than Dick Williams," said Gossage, who spoke with his former manager right after getting the news.

MrHat · 01-08-2008, 03:05 PM

It'll be a real shame if Rice doesnt get in there next year....guy may not have been Mr. personality, but clearly was an outstanding hitter during his era.

nique · 01-08-2008, 03:10 PM

Geez, I know Rice was a prick but his numbers during that era should get him in the Hall.

I am glad for Goose, I am sure someone will point out how he is not deserving but when I was growing up this guy was the man as far as relievers.

lgm6986 · 01-08-2008, 03:43 PM

If Dave Winfield is in Cooperstown then Jim Rice should be as well.

Rice's 12 best years were from 1975-1986. During that time he hit .304 with 350 homers and 1276 RBI, or an average of .304/29/106.

Winfield's 12 best years were from 1977-1988. He hit .291 with 306 homers and 1206 RBI, or .291/26/101.

I realize the best 12 years thing is subjective, but in this case it really does comprise the best years of both their careers, with the exception of one crazy outlier that an ancient Winfield had for Toronto in 1992.

Rice may have been generally disliked by the media, but that didn't stop him from winning an MYP award (something Winfield never accomplished), and finishing in the top five of the voting five other times (as opposed to just three times for Winfield).

Winfield won 7 Gold Gloves and was clearly a better defensive outfielder, but in terms of overall dominance, consider this: The only two major offensive categories that Winfield ever led his league in were RBI and total bases, which he did one time apiece. Rice led the AL in RBI two times, in total bases four times, in OPS once, in slugging twice, in extra base hits once, in hits once, and in homers three times.

And I hated the douche bag.

KingOlerud · 01-08-2008, 03:56 PM

If Jim Rice gets in, Dwight Evans (though less shiny) should be in.

joshuahist · 01-08-2008, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Others receiving votes: Rod Beck 2, Travis Fryman 2, Robb Nen 2, Shawon Dunston 1, Chuck Finley 1, David Justice 1, Chuck Knoblauch 1, Todd Stottlemyre 1.

I take this to mean that someone out there truly believes that these guys are HOFers. I also take this to mean that those people should give back their votes to someone who actually knows something about baseball...

Bay Ridge Dave · 01-08-2008, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joshuahist

I take this to mean that someone out there truly believes that these guys are HOFers. I also take this to mean that those people should give back their votes to someone who actually knows something about baseball...

11 votes gone to waste here.

Bay Ridge Dave · 01-08-2008, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nique

Geez, I know Rice was a prick but his numbers during that era should get him in the Hall.

I am glad for Goose, I am sure someone will point out how he is not deserving but when I was growing up this guy was the man as far as relievers.

Agreed

MetfanBren · 01-08-2008, 05:53 PM

Wow, Goose and Gaylord Perry both played for 9 different teams when free agency was just a baby. Some of the unis that ESPN showed Goose wearing had to be up there among the worst of all time...

And speaking of Gaylord, good thing nobody is outraged that he and Don Sutton are in...

MrHat · 01-09-2008, 09:00 AM

The problem with Rice is that people look at the end totals and his attitude and forget that over a 10 year period he was pretty much the best hitter in baseball.

Bay Ridge Dave · 01-09-2008, 10:07 AM

I am old/young enough to see Rice play in late in 1970s.

The guy could seriously RAKE...

James D. · 01-09-2008, 11:01 AM

Rice should be in, Blyleven should be in.

njmetsfan · 01-09-2008, 11:02 AM

Blyleven should not be in, I know because Mike Francesa says so.

15 Day DL Alou · 01-09-2008, 11:19 AM

I am kind of on the fence about all of these guys, Goosage, Rice, Blyleven.

What I want to know is how is Jack Morris completely and utterly overlooked.

Can a dog even sniff his ass?

Bay Ridge Dave · 01-09-2008, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 15 Day DL Alou

I am kind of on the fence about all of these guys, Goosage, Rice, Blyleven.

What I want to know is how is Jack Morris completely and utterly overlooked.

Can a dog even sniff his ass?

Where's Gary Cohen when you need him?

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01-08-2008, 03:05 PM	#2 (permalink)
MrHat Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: NY Posts: 4,379	It'll be a real shame if Rice doesnt get in there next year....guy may not have been Mr. personality, but clearly was an outstanding hitter during his era.

01-08-2008, 03:10 PM	#3 (permalink)
nique Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 272	Geez, I know Rice was a prick but his numbers during that era should get him in the Hall. I am glad for Goose, I am sure someone will point out how he is not deserving but when I was growing up this guy was the man as far as relievers.

01-08-2008, 03:43 PM	#4 (permalink)
lgm6986 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 4,271	If Dave Winfield is in Cooperstown then Jim Rice should be as well. Rice's 12 best years were from 1975-1986. During that time he hit .304 with 350 homers and 1276 RBI, or an average of .304/29/106. Winfield's 12 best years were from 1977-1988. He hit .291 with 306 homers and 1206 RBI, or .291/26/101. I realize the best 12 years thing is subjective, but in this case it really does comprise the best years of both their careers, with the exception of one crazy outlier that an ancient Winfield had for Toronto in 1992. Rice may have been generally disliked by the media, but that didn't stop him from winning an MYP award (something Winfield never accomplished), and finishing in the top five of the voting five other times (as opposed to just three times for Winfield). Winfield won 7 Gold Gloves and was clearly a better defensive outfielder, but in terms of overall dominance, consider this: The only two major offensive categories that Winfield ever led his league in were RBI and total bases, which he did one time apiece. Rice led the AL in RBI two times, in total bases four times, in OPS once, in slugging twice, in extra base hits once, in hits once, and in homers three times. And I hated the douche bag.

01-08-2008, 03:56 PM	#5 (permalink)
KingOlerud Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 11,054	If Jim Rice gets in, Dwight Evans (though less shiny) should be in.

01-08-2008, 05:53 PM	#9 (permalink)
MetfanBren Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Pearl River, NY Posts: 5,244	Wow, Goose and Gaylord Perry both played for 9 different teams when free agency was just a baby. Some of the unis that ESPN showed Goose wearing had to be up there among the worst of all time... And speaking of Gaylord, good thing nobody is outraged that he and Don Sutton are in...

01-09-2008, 09:00 AM	#10 (permalink)
MrHat Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: NY Posts: 4,379	The problem with Rice is that people look at the end totals and his attitude and forget that over a 10 year period he was pretty much the best hitter in baseball.

01-09-2008, 10:07 AM	#11 (permalink)
Bay Ridge Dave Super Moderator Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Noneya! Posts: 17,742	I am old/young enough to see Rice play in late in 1970s. The guy could seriously RAKE...

01-09-2008, 11:01 AM	#12 (permalink)
James D. Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 1,509	Rice should be in, Blyleven should be in.

01-09-2008, 11:02 AM	#13 (permalink)
njmetsfan Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 436	Blyleven should not be in, I know because Mike Francesa says so.

01-09-2008, 11:19 AM	#14 (permalink)
15 Day DL Alou Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: 2016 Posts: 6,026	I am kind of on the fence about all of these guys, Goosage, Rice, Blyleven. What I want to know is how is Jack Morris completely and utterly overlooked. Can a dog even sniff his ass?

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