04/19/24
December 09, 2013
Three managers unanimously elected to Baseball Hall of Fame:
At the end of the 1981 season, these three managers had a combined career managing record of 705-912, with only two winning seasons (out of 11+ seasons managing) between them. Fast forward 32 years, and a 6853-5159 record with 63 winnings seasons (out of 78+) between them, and Joe Torre, Bobby Cox, and Tony LaRussa were inducted into the HOF by the Veteran's Committee.
Success speaks for itself. Some may object to the personality of 1 or 2 of them, but their records are indeed worthy of HoF induction.
posted by Howard_T at 08:47 PM on December 09, 2013
Clearly worthy, and it's nice they're going in together.
posted by jjzucal at 09:42 PM on December 09, 2013
Hall of Fame voters inexplicably snub Marvin Miller again.
posted by BornIcon at 10:28 AM on December 10, 2013
I can sort of understand why Miller didn't get into the HOF on this vote. Each voter only has 5 ballot spots. There are 16 voters, and you have 12 votes to get elected.
We know that all 16 voters had the three managers, so that leaves only 2 ballot openings for the remaining players, Miller, and Steinbrenner.
I know that Dave Concepcion, Tommy John, Dave Parker, and Ted Simmons would all get at few votes. Miller and Steinbrenner votes are also going to be there, but I can't imagine too many people would vote for BOTH of them.
So with 32 ballot openings, and needing to appear on at least 12 of them (and obviously not getting voted twice by one person), the numbers just didn't add up for any of the remaining candidates.
I'd have added Miller to my ballot if I had a vote, but he would have been after the three managers.
What should also be pointed out is that Miller himself (before he died) said this:
"I find myself unwilling to contemplate one more rigged Veterans Committee whose members are handpicked to reach a particular outcome while offering a pretense of a democratic vote. It is an insult to baseball fans, historians, sportswriters, and especially to those baseball players who sacrificed and brought the game into the 21st century. At the age of 91, I can do without farce."(Wiki)
That isn't going to lead to many people putting him on their ballot.
posted by grum@work at 10:51 AM on December 10, 2013
What should also be pointed out is that Miller himself (before he died) said this:
Unless I thought Miller was haunting the HOF committee, I'm not sure why I had to specify that...
posted by grum@work at 11:37 AM on December 10, 2013
Olbermann: We Need A New Hall of Fame
posted by Joey Michaels at 04:21 PM on December 11, 2013
Can't argue with any of them. All very deserving.