Tommy John has done more for baseball than any other pitcher in history by getting that surgery done that has saved so many careers.
2007-01-13 12:06:19 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Sports ➔ Baseball
I was wondering the same thing Tuesday when the results were announced. Blyleven's stats are outstanding, especially when you consider the crappy teams he wound up playing for most of his career. If he had played with a good team or two, he would have easily won 300 games. And if TJ hadn't had to have had the surgery that now bears his name, he would have as well.
Another deserving pitcher on that list is Jim Kaat who also keeps getting overlooked.
2007-01-13 16:06:08 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have not delved into Bert Blyleven, but that Tommy John is not in the Hall is a gross injustice. He did a lot for the game, including being the proto-type for saving a pitching arm. I believe that what holds him back was that didn't bring heavy heat and was criticized for having "no stuff." But, tell you what, that junk that he threw at the Phillies and at other clubs was as effective as the 100 mhp plus heat brought by other pitchers of his day. For more, click below for background on Tommy John and the MLB Hall.
2007-01-13 23:58:51 · answer #2 · answered by BloggingFool 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If either of them had won 300 games, they'd be in. But to get in with 287 or 288 wins requires some level of dominance
Neither of them had the huge, monster years that a sub-290 game winner would need to get into the HOF. Blyleven won 20 games only once... Bert never won a Cy Young award, and neither did Tommy (although Tommy did finish 2nd in Cy Young voting twice in his career).
History has shown that Hall of Fame voters are more impressed with pitchers who have "big" years (even if you have bad years in between e.g. Steve Carlson) as opposed to pitchers of equal overall career accomplishment, but greater consistency (rather than having "big" years).
Big years get you into the Hall of Fame.
This is also the reason Don Drysdale (209 wins) made the hall of fame but Milt Pappas (209 wins) didn't. Drysdale was a much more dominant pitcher (for a short period of time) than was Pappas, who played longer but was never a dominant pitcher.
Gossage should be in there.
2007-01-13 15:39:43 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
For the same reason Notre Dame goes to a BCS bowl every year only to get pummelled mercilessly. . . HYPE!!! Sports writers are far too oftern homers who vote with their hearts and not their heads!!! I agree with you that they both deserve more consideration. Just as I believe many more players than McGwire and Bonds have used steroids. . .. almost all athletes in the 80's and 90's were using them but the press singles out a few and crucifies them. What about basketball players in their 40's as well. Look at Karl Malone and how big he got after 35? Don't tell me that was natural. Hey. . . you can use all the steroids you want but it still takes a hell of a lot of talent to hit a 99 mph fastball from someone who has a killer curve or splitter!!
2007-01-13 12:15:12 · answer #4 · answered by biffman 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They weren't flashy and wildly popular. They did the job though and if Don Sutton and Phil Niekroare in, they should be too. I saw Blyleven pitch all the time, and thought for sure he would make it when he retired... it is still such a mystery why some guys who shouldn't get in (Mazeroski) and others are left out. (John, Blyleven, Tony Oliva, Jim Kaat, Gossage)
2007-01-13 18:24:56 · answer #5 · answered by Eho 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Unfortunately, for the most part, the Hall of Fame voters are complete idiots. How else could they not elect Henry "Hank" Aaron unanimously? Always have been idiots, always will probably be. Both should be in the Hall, no doubt.
2007-01-13 12:14:36 · answer #6 · answered by Chad 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Stats sometimes take a back seat to popularity with the media when it comes to Hall of Fame voters. If you didn't play the media game to their liking you get no vote.
2007-01-13 12:49:45 · answer #7 · answered by Travis W 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
BLYLEVEN - HE IS ONLY 37 GAMES OVER .500 AND HE ONLY WON 20 GAMES ONCE. BERT WAS GOOD BUT NOT GREAT. IT TOOK HIM 21 YRS TO WIN 287 GAMES.
JOHN - HE IS 57 GAMES OVER .500 AND HE WON 20 GAMES 3 TIMES. IT TOOK HIM 25 YRS TO WIN 288 GAMES.
GOSSAGE - IT TOOK HIM 23 YRS TO GET 310 SAVES. BRUCE SUTTER DID IT IN 12 YRS
WITH THEIR STATS IT FAIR TO TAKE THEM 10 -15 YRS TO GET IN THE HOF.
DO NOT JUST SOUND OFF, LEARN THE GAME.
2007-01-13 14:47:55 · answer #8 · answered by smitty 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I don't know... the Hall seems to screw so many pitchers, including one of the most intimidating players of all time, Goose Gossage.
2007-01-13 12:14:16 · answer #9 · answered by SenecaD 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
sure their stats were great and they were important... but you know as well as i do that publicity means a lot more than it should...
2007-01-13 12:17:54 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋