In the MLB Hall of Fame, should inductees be given the right to choose the favorite team they played for?

Question

For example, should Wade Boggs go down in history as a Red Sox or a Yankee? Should Randy Johnson go in as a Mariner, a Diamondback, or a Yankee? Does personal accomplishment matter more than rings? Do records and milestones outweigh impact for the team as a whole?

Okay, so Wade Boggs was inducted as a Red Sox, but wanted to be known as a Devil Ray. There's talk that Dave Winfield wants to be a Padre. Would Clemens rather be known as a Red Sox, a Yankee or an Astro? Should they be paired with the team they spent the most years with, passed the most milestones with, had the most enjoyable experience with, or won the ring(s) with? Should it be up to the MLB committee, the fans or the player?

Answer 1

the voters should vote for the team, based on which team they played the best for, the longest for, had the biggest impact for, etc.

Answer 2

For example, should Wade Boggs go down in history as a Red Sox or a Yankee? Should Randy Johnson go in as a Mariner, a Diamondback, or a Yankee? Does personal accomplishment matter more than rings? Do records and milestones outweigh impact for the team as a whole?

Answer 3

It's been up to the player to decide - a trend which may change for reasons such as Dave Winfield supposedly choosing to be enshrined as a San DIego Padre because of a "business deal" with the team. Similarly, Boggs could just as easily choose to go in as a Devil Ray as a Red Sox or Yankee if Tampa Bay made him an especially good offer.

Answer 4

Wade Boggs was ALREADY inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2005. He asked to go in as a Devil Ray (believe it or not), but MLB said he would go in as a player for the Red Sox, and so he did. I think they don't want players to choose a team based on money. His last two years were spent with the Devil Rays but he spent most of his career as a Red Sox player.

Most players would prefer a world series ring to an individual title (including Barry). I think it would be a good idea to have the voters choose the team (as long as they are not bribed of course)!

Answer 5

I dont think that they should have the choice. If I am not mistaken, Boggs gave some thought about going in with a Devil Ray's cap on because they offered him money to do it. I think that MLB should have the right to decide to keep things like this from happening.

Answer 6

I think the player should be able to decide which team they would like to go in with. In the end, it was them who put in the time for their career. I’m sure someone doesn’t want to be linked with a team they had bad feelings toward. As for the comment made from an earlier response about Barry Bonds wanting to win a World Series……..yeah right!!! He cares only for himself. He doesn’t even run to first base unless it clears the fence. If they let him in the Hall of Fame, then they better put in Pete Rose and Shoeless Joe Jackson (who was never found guilty in a court of law) in there as well. Double standard if you ask me.

Answer 7

Yes, as long as that right is not abused because of monetary deals with teams, etc. MLB should have the right to intervene when that is obviously the case. (Wade Boggs is a classic example)

Answer 8

I don't think the player's should have the right to choose, but they should be given a vote in deciding what team they go in representing. In effect, comprimise, let the player have some input in the decision, but not the final word.

Answer 9

Well, I know that Dave Winfield was able to go in as a Padre. I'm pretty sure you do get a chance to choose.

Answer 10

I think it is up to the player because it matters what he is at heart but I would hope the player would pick a team where he was a significant role.