Giuliani says Maris should be in Hall of Fame?

Question

What are your thoughts on his thoughts?

http://www.globesports.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20071115.wsptmaris15/GSStory/GlobeSportsBaseball/?page=rss&id=RTGAM.20071115.wsptmaris15

Answer 1

Even I, a Yankees fan says thats insane. Maris had ONE HOF type season and we all know that was when he hit 61 homers.

Other then that, Maris careers number is nothing impressive. .260 Average, 275 HR's, 851 RBI's. Thats NOT hof.

Answer 2

If you subject Maris to the Keltner list, these are the answers I'd give him, keeping in mind, I was not around in the 50's and 60's:

1. No.
2. No. See: Mickey Mantle.
3. No
4. Yes.
5. Not really.
6. No
7. No
8. No.
9. Not really.
10. No.
11. Two MVP's, actually. Juan Gone, meet Roger Maris.
12. Only 4 Allstars, but probably should have had 5 or 6.
13. Unless it was 1961, no.
14. He set the freaking home run record!
15. Definitely, as far as I know.

Answer 3

His numbers don't add up and one season doesn't put you in the Hall. Here are his numbers compared to others that may not ever make it in.

Maris HR 275 RBI 851 AVG .275 Gold glove 1 All star 7
Santo HR 342 RBI 1343 AVG .277 GG 5 AS 9
Rice HR 382 RBI 1451 AVG .298 GG 0 AS 8
Murphy HR 398 RBI 1266 AVG .265 GG 5 AS 7
Dawson HR 438 RBI 1591 AVG .291 GG 8 AS 8
Mattingly HR 222 RBI 1099 AVG .307 GG 9 AS 6
D. Allen HR 351 RBI 1119 AVG .292 GG 0 AS 7
T. Olivia HR 220 RBI 947 AVG .304 GG 1 AS 8
Many others have comparable numbers to Maris and they won't get in either. ie (Frank Howard, Eric Davis, Daryl Strawberry, Vada Pinson, David Justice)

Answer 4

I think Maris should be in the Hall of Fame since he is the rightful holder of the single season home run record, before McGwire, Bonds, and Sosa passed it. Those three were suspected of steroids or other drugs, even though Sosa is the most innocent of the three, however, it wouldn't surprise me if Sosa cheated as well. So, I think they should put Maris in the Hall of Fame. I mean, seriously, if they can put Bill Mazeroski in, then why not Maris? Mazeroski is only in for the home run he hit in the World Series. Maris will be remembered more than Mazeroski. They should put Maris in the Hall.

Answer 5

One great season doesn't make a player worthy of the HOF. There are a lot of guys not in the Hall that had similar and better numbers. If Maris got in the Hall, you'd have to give serious consideration to players like Frank White - who doesn't deserve enshrinement.

Answer 6

Thoughts on Guiliani? Inept blowhard who, in the established party tradition, will spout any statement whatsoever (veracity being a mere bonus, and pretty rare even then) in order to curry voter favor. I'd be impressed if he could find Fargo -- heck, find the entire state -- on a map three times out of five.

Thoughts on Maris? No. Good career, AL MVP-winning seasons were worthy of those honors, but not Hall class, and the writers got this one totally correct.

Maris has his own museum, in North Dakota, which is more than a lot of individual players will ever have. (Seriously, who else? Ruth, Berra, Rose; Williams started a museum for hitters and excluded himself; can't think of any others.)

Answer 7

The rules for the HOF are often vague, but they specify you don't get in for one good season. You also don't get in for being a darn nice guy.
Okay, Maris had two MVP awards (although this is the first time I ever heard about death threats).
But let's look at the career. 12 seasons, so his career totals aren't great in anything. His postseason averages are poor (below 300 OBP, 368 SLG). Over his career his similarity scores match him with zero HOF members. His black ink is below average for the hall, his grey ink well below average.

His peak years were great, but not at all-time great levels. And his peak was very short. He's not the Koufax of hitters.

A good player, a fine man, but not a worthy member of the Hall unless they expand it by about 500%.

Answer 8

He should be. Back to back MVP's on teams that had Mantle, Berra, Whitey Ford, Elston Howard, Clete Boyer, Bobby Richardson...a team full of MVP's, two WS rings and five appearances, held the HR record longer than any player in history, TREMENDOUS right fielder with arguably the best arm in baseball at the time, played for two seasons with a broken hand, was receiving death threats and harrassment from fans in ways that NO player today has ever come close to experiencing? Yes. He belongs in the HOF if only for his character. Let alone his playing.

Answer 9

I've always said that. The Hall of Fame isn't supposed to be about numbers alone. The record he held was the # 1 record in sports. He held it longer than anyone. He was iconic whether or not he had 22 year stats. He belongs there.

Answer 10

Not a good enough career. If he wasn't a Yankee, he would get even less consideration than he does now. Any good NYC politician would probably campaign for Roger to be in the Hall, but that's just for PR.