2016 MLB Thread

[The Poet]

Any thoughts on the two players voted into the HOF today?

Me, I have no problem at all with Griffey Jr. I guess one could quibble that he needed another couple of years active, but I won't be one of those.

As for Piazza, I think his numbers would prevent me from voting him in, were it not for the fact that he holds the HR record for a catcher. He was a powerful offensive weapon. On the other hand, he was not much of a defensive backstop, either as a receiver or with his arm. In my book, he was not a Posada, much less a Pudge. But that's me, and I won't begrudge the Pizzaman.

[Mr.Erskine]

Originally Posted by The Poet

Any thoughts on the two players voted into the HOF today?

Me, I have no problem at all with Griffey Jr. I guess one could quibble that he needed another couple of years active, but I won't be one of those.

As for Piazza, I think his numbers would prevent me from voting him in, were it not for the fact that he holds the HR record for a catcher. He was a powerful offensive weapon. On the other hand, he was not much of a defensive backstop, either as a receiver or with his arm. In my book, he was not a Posada, much less a Pudge. But that's me, and I won't begrudge the Pizzaman.

Griffey--YES! Griffey is probably my number one all time favorite players to watch, even though I was never a fan of any of the teams he played for. Although, I could stomach the Mariners.

Piazza--when I was younger, I was a Dodger fan, right through his rookie season. I always thought Mike Piazza was a solid player. Unfortunately, because of the flash of the players of the 90's and the fact that numbers are inflated more and more ever year, solid players wind up getting overlooked for the players that put on a show (See Craig Biggio and how long he had to wait to get voted in)

[mahtofire14]

Originally Posted by Mr.Erskine

Griffey--YES! Griffey is probably my number one all time favorite players to watch, even though I was never a fan of any of the teams he played for. Although, I could stomach the Mariners.

Piazza--when I was younger, I was a Dodger fan, right through his rookie season. I always thought Mike Piazza was a solid player. Unfortunately, because of the flash of the players of the 90's and the fact that numbers are inflated more and more ever year, solid players wind up getting overlooked for the players that put on a show (See Craig Biggio and how long he had to wait to get voted in)

Griffey definitely. Unfortunately with Piazza it's not the Hall of Solid, it's the Hall of Fame. I'm personally not a fan of his induction.

[jonumberone]

Originally Posted by mahtofire14

Griffey definitely. Unfortunately with Piazza it's not the Hall of Solid, it's the Hall of Fame. I'm personally not a fan of his induction.

I couldn't disagree with you more, Pete.
If you want to argue it was the steroid era, or if you want to say he needed to wait longer; fine, but you can't call Mike just a solid player. Mike was great.
Was he the best catcher to ever play the game? No, but he was one, if not the best, hitting catcher of all time.
No small feat when you consider how that position has been chewing up and spitting out talent throughout history.
Lord knows I'm not a Met fan, and I'm not a Piazza fan either, but he does belong in the hall.

[AdamJoshua]

Originally Posted by jonumberone

I couldn't disagree with you more, Pete.
If you want to argue it was the steroid era, or if you want to say he needed to wait longer; fine, but you can't call Mike just a solid player. Mike was great.
Was he the best catcher to ever play the game? No, but he was one, if not the best, hitting catcher of all time.
No small feat when you consider how that position has been chewing up and spitting out talent throughout history.
Lord knows I'm not a Met fan, and I'm not a Piazza fan either, but he does belong in the hall.

I agree and God knows I can't stand the Mets either, or the decision to leave Buckner in a game late that he had no business being in. That being said the only knock I have against Piazza is his b.s. when being questioned about steroids, it's often better to say nothing rather than lie and eventually get caught and have to own up anyway.