Manny retires!

[Stephen]

Originally Posted by Bruins Fan

Manny would have gone down as one of the greatest right hand hitter what a swing, imagine if the guy hustled?
Hall of fame I think so, but it will take about 10-15 years when a new generation of voters just look at the numbers?

If guys like Rafael Palmeiro and Mark McGwire are having serious difficulty getting votes, you think a guy like Ramirez has any chance? I'll bet on the snowball in Hell.

[E.J.]

Originally Posted by Stephen

If guys like Rafael Palmeiro and Mark McGwire are having serious difficulty getting votes, you think a guy like Ramirez has any chance? I'll bet on the snowball in Hell.

Personally I think Manny's numbers are better than either of those guys.... Though numbers are not going to be the deciding factor when it comes time to vote....

[Stephen]

Originally Posted by E.J.

Personally I think Manny's numbers are better than either of those guys.... Though numbers are not going to be the deciding factor when it comes time to vote....

Only three other guys in MLB history have had 3000 hits 500 home runs. McGwire, well, he hit a ton of home runs and was loved by the media.

[E.J.]

Originally Posted by Stephen

Only three other guys in MLB history have had 3000 hits 500 home runs. McGwire, well, he hit a ton of home runs and was loved by the media.

No saying that R.P. didn't have fantastic numbers, that is obvious. I was just saying that I like Manny's numbers.

R.P. was constantly healthier...which is a plus, Manny only averaged 67 games over the past 5 years...

[Stephen]

Originally Posted by E.J.

No saying that R.P. didn't have fantastic numbers, that is obvious. I was just saying that I like Manny's numbers.

R.P. was constantly healthier...which is a plus, Manny only averaged 67 games over the past 5 years...

No doubt. But what Palmeiro accomplished is darn near unprecedented, and the others that did so are enshrined in Cooperstown. Hell, anyone that did one or the other is in Cooperstown, save Pete Rose (ineligible) and the recent eligible members of the 500 home run club (who just so happen to be McGwire and Palmeiro).

[VirtualSmitty]

Originally Posted by Stephen

No doubt. But what Palmeiro accomplished is darn near unprecedented, and the others that did so are enshrined in Cooperstown.

Palemiro was a good player, but

Inductees are selected by careful examination of their qualifications, including their playing record, character and integrity.

He lied about his steroid use in front of a congressional hearing. He's not getting in anytime soon.

[icehog3]

Good thing they didn't have that criteria when Ty Cobb and Babe Ruth got elected!

[Stephen]

Originally Posted by VirtualSmitty

Palemiro was a good player, but



He lied about his steroid use in front of a congressional hearing. He's not getting in anytime soon.

Which was covered in my opening post:

Originally Posted by Stephen

If guys like Rafael Palmeiro and Mark McGwire are having serious difficulty getting votes

Ramirez had a better peak, but he didn't have a better career than Palmeiro. Further, right or wrong, how voters like/dislike a player influence their voting and Ramirez didn't exactly have a love affair with the media. That's why I'm saying that guys like Palmeiro (who, although wasn't a media darling, wasn't scorned either) and McGwire (who was loved by the media) are having a tough time getting votes (to the point that the HOF are passing them over to induct lesser candidates), somebody like Ramirez who was always at odds with them, will find his ballot box pretty lean five years from now.