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A 'lil HooHaa

Messing with the blogging world since 2005

baseball hall of fame

An open letter to the Baseball Hall

December 5, 2016

Dear Baseball Hall of Fame,

When my annual membership comes up soon, I’ll not be reupping for another year.

I know my single membership of $50, or whatever it is, won’t put a massive dent into what the Hall of Fame is, but this is principle now.

Don’t get me wrong — I love the National Baseball Hall of Fame as a whole. It’s a wonderful place to visit. I’ll still probably come up and visit every so often. And, maybe, once the current feeling leaves me, I’ll come back as a member.

But for now, I can’t do it.

See, the most wonderful part of the Baseball Hall of Fame is the hallowed grounds of the plaque gallery. It is there that the plaques of more than 300 men (and women) are enshrined as the best over the history of baseball. Players, managers, executives — you get the idea.

There are people who deserve to be in. There are others who don’t deserve to be there. Usually, I can deal with things (to an extent). It still sits wrong that Buck O’Neil, then still alive, wasn’t elected as part of the special class for Negro Leaguers.

This decision of mine, though, is based on principle.

Come July, during Baseball Hall of Fame Induction Weekend, Bud Selig will be inducted with the legends of this game. His plaque will be read and it will talk about his accolades. Don’t get me wrong, everything Selig did for baseball wasn’t bad. He oversaw the expansion of the game in tremendous financial growth (though this, in turn, hurt the average fan in regard to prices) and was commissioner during a time when many aspects of the game have changed to help. Take for example the wild card for the playoffs — it’s been a good thing for the game.

But it’s hard to ignore some glaring items that didn’t seem to be taken into consideration, being that he received 15 of 16 votes from the committee.

Such as he was in charge during the strike that wiped out the 1994 World Series.

Or, how he “transformed” the All-Star game to “mean” something, which really didn’t mean anything because home field for the World Series should never be decided by a mid-season exhibition game. And yes, he was also commissioner during a time when the All-Star game actually had a tie. Yes, blue ribbons all around.

But most of all, Selig was the commissioner during the steroid era. Not just the end when things were “cleaned” up, but during the boom. There is no possible way that Selig didn’t know what was going on as baseball rebounded from that 1994 strike. When Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa were trading home runs in 1998 in the chase for the record, Selig had to have known what was going on. It didn’t matter, though. Baseball was coming back and, so it seemed, at any cost. Home runs were king and Selig was the man in charge. Life was good.

Steroids, as we know, helped bring the game back, but it also left an indelible black eye on the game. This era is still showing it’s face. Guaranteed, Selig’s plaque will say something how he helped clean the game. He was in charge as the steroid era was tackled and taken care of.

It won’t say how he was commissioner during the bulk of it as well, turning a blind eye to what was happening because of how the game benefited from it.

If Bud Selig is a Hall of Famer, so are many others. Barry Bonds. Roger Clemens. Mark McGwire. Sammy Sosa. Rafael Palmeiro.

Pete Rose isn’t in the Hall of Fame. His work that he did ON the field makes him a Hall of Famer. Alas, Selig let it keep going until current commissioner Rob Manfred actually had the stones to rule on the situation.

I won’t even get into other things he’s done that are arguable about good or bad, such as interleague play.

Yes, baseball became a multi-billion dollar industry while Selig was in office. But it wasn’t without the taint of steroids — just like people like Bonds, Clemens etc. If they aren’t in the Hall, Selig shouldn’t be, either.

You can “clean up the game” all you want, but when you are part of it when it was dirty, you can’t get off without any scrapes and bruises.

Maybe in time, his credentials could be better looked at. But now? No. When George Steinbrenner barely gets a look, then it’s ridiculous. Fewer than five votes? Really? I don’t like the Yankees. I wasn’t a huge fan of Steinbrenner … but come on.

So for this year … I’m out as a member.

Hopefully, in time, the Hall will see to fix how things are done. I realize it happens a bit too often with the “vet committees” but something has to give. We have to remember — it’s the Hall of Fame. If it’s felt Selig is a Hall of Famer, others need to be in, too. Tell the story, Hall of Fame. Start calling your own shots, not just what MLB says.

We can at least hope. But for now, I’ll find other things to spend my membership money on.

5

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog@gmail.com. Also, please “Like” A ‘lil HooHaa on Facebook! You can also follow me on Twitter @softball29!

Filed Under: Baseball, My world Tagged With: baseball, baseball hall of fame, bogus hall of famers, bud selig, hall of fame, vet committee

7 Comments

Collectible Closeup: Dec. 18

December 18, 2013

Of the things I collect, my pin collection may be my favorite.

Whenever I travel, or go to a museum/park/event, I try and get a pin. I have a couple of dark blue small quilt hangers where the pins go. Each one has a memory attached, which is cool.

Especially events that shaped my life.

The one I am sharing today is one of them — a media pin for the 2004 Baseball Hall of Fame Inductions. Though, I have to be honest, I’m not sure if I was actually at the event. That being said, I did cover the orientation tours and a couple of other things in conjunction with the actual induction ceremony.

I have several other pins from the following years, but this one is meaningful because it was my first one. I’ll share more pins in the future, but I thought this made for a good first pin to post.

Hall of Fame Induction media pin.

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog [at] gmail.com. Also, please “Like” HooHaa Blog on Facebook!

Filed Under: Baseball, Collectible Closeup, Collecting, My world Tagged With: baseball hall, baseball hall inductions, baseball hall inductions media pin, baseball hall media pin, baseball hall of fame, baseball hall of fame media pin, collectible closeup, collecting, collecting pins, media pin, national baseball hall of fame, national baseball hall of fame media pin, pins

6 Comments

Foto Friday: Baseball Hall ages through Hipstamatic

January 18, 2013

The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown is a storied institution.

The Babe is all over the Hall of Fame. (Film: BlacKeys Supergrain; lens: Helga Viking)

Being local to the Hall — and covering it as part of the baseball beat for several years at the local daily — I’ve been through, in and around the Hall for much of my life. I’ve seen it change through the years, expanding and growing. I’ve watched Induction Ceremonies, saw players visiting and had a chance to get to know many people who help make it run.

I’ve researched in the library, too, which is one of the most wonderful tools available to those who are working on things in regard to baseball history.

And each year, I try to visit the Hall a few times.

Part of that is being a member. Though I haven’t been the past few years, I recently re-upped because they offered me an excellent deal and one I could afford. Being a member gets me admission throughout the year, whenever I feel like going.

That’s pretty sweet.

What that does is makes it possible for me to go check out new exhibits and then leave, if I want. It usually doesn’t turn out that way, though.

A couple of weekends ago, I decided to visit the Hall, with this little idea in mind. I wanted to take many photos throughout the Hall, using Hipstamatic.

For those who don’t know, Hipstamatic is a really cool photo app for the iPhone/iPad/iPod. It gives you the ability to switch films and lenses to get old and crazy film looks. If you use flash, there are many flashes to choose from, too. Basically, it gives you some “old’school” looking images.

I’m a fan, usually, of this app. The last few updates have been frustrating as it seems to crash in odd times, sometimes losing photos (it happened to me while doing the Hall shots). Basically, each shot needs time to “develop” and if something happens in that amount of time, you lose the photos.

Still, the idea was to see the Hall through the eyes of Hipstamatic, using as many films and lenses as I could to get a different look at things. Those of you who follow the blog may remember I did the same thing this past July when I did a post about shooting pro wrestling with Hipstamatic.

Balls from 1863. (Film: DC; lens: James M).

I figured I’d zip through the hall, snapping photos and getting out of there within about an hour.

By now, I should know better.

I spent about two hours and change in the Hall, looking over things I had seen many times before. There weren’t many people there, so I had time to look, snap shots and enjoy the afternoon. I pretty much zapped my iPhone battery with the amount of shots I took. But, it’s all good.

And I got some cool Hipstamatic shots.

I think the one cool thing is being able to check some of those shots and get that old feel — almost like it really captures the history of baseball.

The Hall is a magical place to visit, no matter what you use for a camera. But if you visit, try it through the eyes of Hipstamatic — it really gives awesome results.

More of the images from that day are below.

Old catcher’s equipment. (Film: Ina’s 1969; lens: Lucas AB2)

 

Abner Doubleday. (Film: Alfred Infared; Lens: Roboto Glitter)

 

There’s no crying in baseball! (Film: Sugar; lens: Salvador 84)

The Phytin’ Phils. (Film: W40; lens: Foxy)

Some of the Phillies best. (Film: Pistil; lens: Melodie)

Pete Rose’s hat. (Film: BlacKeys B&W; lens: GSQUAD)

Eddie Gaedel’s uniform. (Film: Alfred Infared; lens: Melodie)

John Fogerty’s guitar for “Centerfield.” (Film: Dylan; lens: Lucas AB2)

The Babe and Teddy Ballgame in the Plaque Gallery. (Film: Alfred Infared; lens: Wonder).

The original class. (Film: BlacKeys Supergrain)

 

Jackie Robinson. (Film: RTV; lens: Tejas)

One of my favorite Hall of Famers. (Film: Sugar; lens: Kaimal Mark II)

Another of my favorite Hall of Famers. (Film: W40; lens: Melodie)

The infamous Barry Bonds ball. (Film: D-Type Plate; lens: Americana)

Hammering Hank. (Film: Cano Cafenol; lens: Buckhorst H1)

The Mick. (Film: D-Type Plate; lens: Watts)

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog [at] gmail.com. Also, please “Like” HooHaa Blog on Facebook!

Filed Under: Baseball, Cameras, iPhone, My world, Photography Tagged With: baseball, baseball hall of fame, baseball hall of fame and museum, baseball hall of fame photographs, baseball photos, cooperstown, cooperstown ny, hall of fame, hipstamatic, images, iphone photos, iphonography, national baseball hall of fame, photography, photos

2 Comments

The Baseball Hall needs to shake up its election process

January 10, 2013

Preserving History, Honoring Excellence, Connecting Generations.

That’s the motto of the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY. The Hall is a not-for-profit entity that is independent of Major League Baseball.

Well, so it goes.

For many years, I covered the Hall of Fame. I know many of the employees and the countless hours they put into everything that makes the Hall one of the most wonderful places in the world, especially if you are a fan of baseball history.

As a paying member of the Hall, I get free entry all year, so I can come and go as I please. It’s nice to go escape and look at the history of the game. I spend hours there, even when I plan on just checking a few things out. I’ve also spent time in the research library, looking up players for the HooHaa 9.

One thing with the Hall, though, is it seemingly has no say in who is enshrined there.

Though the Hall decides the veteran committees, the main election is done by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America. On Wednesday, those writers decided nobody would be elected to the Hall this year.

I could spout number after number about the players I think should be elected. Or about how certain players were dominant for a generation. But let’s call it as it is — the steroid era is what did this election in.

What I have issue with is the fact that voters seem to treat the Hall like it’s the Hall of Perfection. It’s not. There are a lot of scumbags in the Hall. There are a lot of people with low moral character. And I guarantee there are cheaters in the Hall.

The ball Barry Bonds hit to become the all-time home run king is showcased in the Hall of Fame, though if the writers will likely continue to make sure he’ll never be enshrined.

Again, the ones who decide who goes into the Hall are writers. That’s needs to be changed. I don’t think players should be in total control. I’m all for writers having a say, but the process needs to be changed.

Let’s do a history lesson. In 1994, baseball went into a labor war, which ended up canceling the World Series. In the meantime, it was the beginning of the end for the Montreal Expos, who arguably had the best team in baseball that season.

Once it returned the next season, baseball slowly worked back into the hearts of people. But what really did it? The Mark McGwire vs. Sammy Sosa home run race in 1998.

Remember “Chicks dig the long ball?”

Steroids were rampant in the game that time. I find it hard to believe people didn’t know about it. But nobody cared. Money was flowing. The game was back and people were slamming home runs, which the crowds loves.

Then it all started to fold.

Steroids became the worst thing. Reports came out. People admitted guilt. Moral objections flew all over the place. Then came the “cleaning” of the game.

I’m all for cleaning up the game. I don’t like performance-enhancing drugs. I’m not a supporter of drug use. I want to see the game pure, just like anybody else. That being said, it was an era of the game, so people like Roger Clemens, Barry Bonds should be in the Hall.

It’s part of baseball history.

This game has gone through time. It hasn’t always been great. There’s been racism, drug use, cheating and anything else you can come up with. Ask some of those old timers about greenies. How about the amount of players who did — and still do — cheat on their wives? There’s been many other illegal drug uses. Talk about morality.

There might already be someone in the Hall who used steroids. I have no clue who, but Hall of Famer Fergie Jenkins confirmed there has been “talk” among some Hall of Famers that there’s suspicion of one person as being a user.

Everyone in the steroid era is under suspicion though, and apparently that’s enough to keep people out.

Jeff Bagwell is close, but not in. Mike Piazza was fully looked over this year. Craig Biggio — and his 3,000 hits — were left out this year. Though some people might question Bagwell and Piazza, they haven’t truly been connected to any steroids scandal.

Heck, people like Clemens and Bonds never failed a drug test. Though there’s not likely many people on this planet that don’t suspect steroid use for the two, the facts are the facts — no drug tests have been failed.

My favorite is the first-ballot setup, where it’s some special honor to be in right away. That’s silly, too. You’re a Hall of Famer or you’re not — it’s as simple as that. In the 15 years it took for Jim Rice to get into the Hall, his statistics never changed. Never. He didn’t get any more homers or hits.

This is the power trip for the writers.

Let’s remember, too, that I spent much of my career as a sports writer. I covered the Hall. Though the minor leagues, I covered pro baseball.

But I never understood why covering baseball meant somebody should be able to decide who is in or out of the Hall of Fame.

I still can’t figure out why Jack Morris isn’t in the Hall. Or why Dale Murphy didn’t get more of a look. Heck, Fred McGriff, who I don’t ever think I heard in the steroid discussion, hit 493 home runs and garnered a whopping 20.7 percent of the vote this year.

Now, to be fair, I’m not against players of this era having it being noted on their plaque. But it would have to be everybody. As far as I’m concerned, everybody is possibly guilty.

For heaven’s sake, Andy Pettitte admitted using PEDs at one point during his career.

It’s time for a change to the system. The Hall needs to stick to its mantra and start preserving history. Players like “Shoeless” Joe Jackson and Pete Rose should be in the Hall. Should it be noted on their plaque what happened? Absolutely. But they are Hall of Famers.

So are Clemens and Bonds. And others who are in the steroid era. Eventually Alex Rodriguez, who has admitted use, will be up for election. I don’t like A-Rod and his moral character goes beyond steroids. But is he a Hall of Famer? Yes.

Unfortunately, things aren’t going to change. The Hall won’t sever ties or start a war like this to take control of it. You risk a lot by doing that, without a doubt. And I understand their spot. Still, something should be done. Because to let a bunch of writers who are preaching morality decide who is in or isn’t in the Hall is not working anymore, plain and simple.

I don’t mind a morality clause for gaining induction, but it needs to consider many things. This is a full era of the game we are talking about. Players are going to go into the Hall who may have used but never been suspected.

Plus, it would appear that the writers are also punishing those who aren’t directly connected to the steroid scandal, anyway. Otherwise Morris and Lee Smith would already be in. And players like Curt Schilling would have been much closer this year, if not in.

But hey, you have to protect that first-ballot status.

I still love the Hall of Fame. I love the history. I love the game. And I realize steroids are an extremely important part to the history — now and in the future. You can’t tell the story of baseball without them.

Leaving these players out might make some living Hall of Famers happy and allow the voting contingent to feel like they are doing the right thing, but in the end, they are trying to ignore history.

It’s time for the Hall to step in and start work on a new way so it can be honestly looked at in more than just a morality clause.

Until then, this will continue for at least the next 15 years, if not longer.

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog [at] gmail.com. Also, please “Like” HooHaa Blog on Facebook!

Filed Under: Baseball, My world, opinion, Sports Tagged With: baseball, baseball hall of fame, baseball hall of fame elections, baseball steroids, cooperstown, elections, hall of fame, hall of fame 2013, hall of fame elections, opinion, steroids

4 Comments

Soundless Sunday: July 22

July 22, 2012

“Against the assault of laughter nothing can stand.”

— Mark Twain

Jon Warden and the late Robin Roberts during a round table discussion at the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown.

Soundless Sunday is a weekly feature where I’ll try and feature a favorite quote and a photo that I’ve taken. Enjoy life — it’s the only way to go!

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog [at] gmail.com. Also, please “Like” HooHaa Blog on Facebook!

Filed Under: Baseball, My world, Photography, Soundless Sunday Tagged With: baseball, baseball hall of fame, hall of fame, jon warden, photo, photography, quote, robin roberts, Soundless Sunday

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hoohaa29

Writer who loves images just as much as words! In search of perfectly poured pints of Guinness and great hot dogs. Find me on twitter @softball29.

Couldn’t resist stopping on the way to work too Couldn’t resist stopping on the way to work too quickly snap some photos of this scene. Hamden Covered Bridge. #bridge #coveredbridge #hamden #snow #winter #instagood #photooftheday #happy #picoftheday #fun #igers #bestoftheday #life #photo #iphonesia #igdaily #iphoneonly #love #beautiful #photography
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Thought this wax seal came out pretty well! #waxse Thought this wax seal came out pretty well! #waxsealstamp #waxseal #waxseals #card #mail #snailmail
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We're up a spot in the polls and back in the Top 🔟! #BobcatNation

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The time to move forward is now.

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I will not apologize for getting emotional and a little misty in the eye on reflecting on this moment and the story of our nation.

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