would jose canseco be a hall of famer if he didnt confess to steroids?

Question

doesnt it show alot of character that he was one of the few who have been honest about it though?

Answer 1

I don't think so.

Answer 2

It's unlikely that Jose Canseco would have reached the hall of fame anyway, but you make a good point about character. It took guts for him to admit to steroid use and to name the names of the players he knew who used them. He risked penalty and ostracism for doing so, and yet his book and his testimony to the congress has been truthful. A troglodyte might assume he did all of this only for money, but why would he do it and risk such reprisal? The whole thing might have blown up in his face. It seems obvious that there was a cathartic reason involved.

Yes, he was the first 40-40 man, which was considered impossible until he did it. He hit massive, tape-measure home-runs. But he was not a hall of famer in the final analysis. He should be respected more, though, for helping bring steroids out of Commissioner Selig's closet.

Answer 3

It shows a lot of character, but that doesn't necessarily mean GOOD character.

The Joser was not a Hall-class player even without his confessions, which I honestly do not know how to assess. (I realize the usual lynching mob has its opinion, but that's one I don't share.)

When you cannot cut it with Tampa Bay at age 34, that says something, and not something good. He still had some hitting skills, there were teams that could have used him in a platoon role, but he no one wanted him after his last half-season with the White Sox, and I cannot say with certainty why that was. Pound-for-pound, Canseco had a medical file that could challenge Gonzalez's or Griffey's in sheer tonnage, and that's never a positive thing. I think perhaps he just burned too many bridges on a personal level, and eventually that gets around enough to completely push someone aside; it's just too much baggage to be worth the trouble, effort, and on-field production. An MVP can get away with nearly anything, but a role-player cannot, not without some solid goodwill.

Looking at his Hall ballot return this year -- six votes, 1.1% -- that's not "coulda/woulda" ground, that's a harsh and complete dismissal by history. Someone who gets that little grace despite being, at times, a great player, has (I think) obviously worn out people and his welcome.

Answer 4

Very tough question, I can't say I have a firm answer the either way. I think he'd be a controversial pick, maybe not on Pete Rose's level, but still controversial. He was the first to make the 40/40 club among other achievements, and I would say that should count for something. However, someone pointed out that good character goes into question, and he did have his share of off the field troubles (besides steroids) during the course of his career. For this reason I'm leaning towards no.

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Answer 5

Although he was an honest person, that isn't what the Hall-of-Fame is about. Mr. Canseco was a one-dimensional player in that he could hit homers but his fielding left something to be desired.

Answer 6

Jose canseco would be a hall of famer if he didn't let a ball bounce off his head for a home run...

Answer 7

Maybe. It's hard to tell.

One of the requirements to be voted in is good character. So, using steroids certainly puts his character into question, doesn't it?

EDIT: He confessed because he wanted media attention and publicity for his book. I don't think that shows good character at all.

Answer 8

if he wouldve made it to 500 hr's i think he wouldve had a shot but tha will never happen. Too much baggage & i don't think he was honest about his steroid use b/c he wanted to clean up the game. it was all about making money out of his book.

Answer 9

I don't think so because he stats just aren't on par with people in the Hall other than home runs.

Answer 10

I think that he would be in the hall of fame if he didn't confess. It's harsh but it's true.

Answer 11

NO, He was a chump and does not deserve even to be considered for the HoF.