Has Cooperstown lost its meaning?

Question

If the story plays as it looks, the man with the most hits in baseball history and the man with the most home runs in baseball history will each be kept out of the Hall of Fame. While this is a rightful thing to do, what impact does it leave on the Hall of Fame? Any?

Answer 1

I would say little to no impact at all. The HOF was established to honor the game of baseball and those special players that have helped make the game great. It is important to understand that the HOF honors the game first and foremost. No single player or players are bigger than the game itself and it is because of the game that they are being honored. Numbers are only part of HOF consideration and just as important is how the game was played, integrity, and the contribution given back to the game. In my opinion any player that falls short in any of these categories also falls short of going to the HOF. These actions make the HOF stronger and not weaker and for those of us that are fortunate to have an opportunity to visit we know that what we are seeing is the best the game has to offer.

Answer 2

Cooperstown has not lost it meaning...just the idiots who use performing enhancing drugs to get to Cooperstown are the ones who loose meaning to the game of baseball....If the baseball underwriters association and other people who have a vote on who gets into the Hall Of Fame and keep out players like Bonds Sosa McGwire Rafael Palmeiro Arizona's Jason Grimsley Ken Caminiti Jose Canseco and any other player who has been associated with Steroids far far away and never let them get inducted into the hall then no it has not lost meaning!!! I get goosebumps every time I walk through the front doors!! That place is something special and they need to keep it that way!!

Answer 3

at least there are legit reasons for keeping them out (cheating, gambling) - what devalues Cooperstown, are some of the players they let IN.

The Veteran's committee has made some terrible decisions, and that's because they're voting for people they played with.

Baseball Writers show consistently in award voting that they can't be trusted; they also don't seem to be able to get past the fact that the same numbers don't translate well over time.

We may never see another 300 game winner after Glavine did it this past year. So should no more pitchers ever make the Hall? Blyeleven had 287 wins; consistent as can be, 3000 ks and he can't get in - why?

Meanwhile, slightly above average players like Tony Perez, who's only gaudy number is RBI (because he hhit cleanup in a very strong lineup for a long time) makes it in and Jim Rice doesn't because he wasn't friendly to reporters.

Answer 4

To let in Rose would mean that you can break the game's biggest rule and receive its highest honor. Barring him adds to Cooperstown.
For Bonds, the jury is still out--literally. His pre-roids career is worthy of the Hall, but I couldn't say what to do about the last third of his career.
An excellent book is Bill James' "Whatever Happened to the Hall of Fame?" While about 15 years old, it does an outstanding job of discussing the cunundrum of just what the Hall has been, is, and could be.

Answer 5

well
the veteran's commitie has routinely made crap choices. there is no reason why ronnie santo shouldn't be in the hall. buck oneal got screwed by not getting elected also.
joe jackson's ban should have ended years ago.
pete rose gambled as a manager, not a player. put him in as a player, not a manager.
the hall should not accept the altered bonds 765 ball. that's a disgrace. and if bonds isn't elected on his first ballot..................that's crap. he has first off never tested positive for steroids, nor did baseball have a rule against using them the years bonds is accused of using. if he was using he wasn't doing anything that just about every other player was doing. if you decide to keep like bonds out, then keep out everyone who played in the "steroids" era.

Answer 6

This kind of bothers me. Pete Rose should be in the hall of fame. Yes he bet on sports, but who cares. It's not like he cheated. The man deserves to be in the hall as a player, not as a coach, and I think that is wrong to do that to him. I mean look at football MIchael Irvin just got inducted and he got caught with cocaine but they still let him in. I really think that Pete deserves to be in there that's all i'm saying

Answer 7

If the baseball hall of fame does not uphold it's integrity, by NOT rewarding illegal behavior, then has its true meaning. Are you advocating this type of behavior as good sportmanship, and what the games is all about? Win at any cost, even if it is illegal?

Answer 8

No it hasn't lost all its meaning, because one person does something, that does not ruin the WHOLE history of the sport. The Jackie Robinson's, The Babe. Those are the people that made baseball. Bonds will never take that passion away.

Answer 9

I see what you're saying to an extent...Pete Rose definitely belongs in Cooperstown. The players that led in all other categories are there, and he should be too.

I think he did considerablly more for the game than Bruce Sutter; but thats just my opinion.

Answer 10

it means the HOF is using their heads...who wants a bunch of law breakers in there for kids to look up to...wow dad, he's a druggy, or he raped some girl and he made it to the HOF...we dont need them in the HOF or even playing in any sport..but the owners seem to look the other way, in fear of loosing their hero or ticket draw...screw the fans...they just want the profits...you break the rules..you dont get into the hall...