Hall of Shame

As we wait with baited breath to discover who will be elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame today, I am starting to see why people get so heated about who should or should not be elected. (I am also noticing that this article will become effectively obsolete in about two hours when election results are announced).

It used to be that the choices seemed really simple. The players I had heard of got elected. The other guys didn't. Now, however, I am starting to see a lot of names on the ballot that I recognized. Not only that, but a lot of players that I idolized. Now I know that Gregg Jeffries is not a Hall of Famer, but what about Orel Hershieser. I mean, this guy was unstoppable in the playoffs, but people are saying he's not Hall of Fame caliber.

The worst is the case of Albert Belle. Here we have one of the most feared hitters of the 90s. He is the only player ever to have 50 homers and 50 doubles in the same season. That is unreal. Yes he corked his bat, but that's not even the biggest road block. The real reason he will never be in the Hall of Fame is because he never got along with the media, and it just so happens that the media decides who's in and who's out. Kirby Puckett had a great career cut short by injuries just like Mr. Belle. Except that everybody loved Kirby Puckett. I loved Kirby Puckett. He's a in. Mr. Belle should be too.

Of course, in my world so should Donny Baseball, Hershieser, Will Clark, Lee Smith, and Fred McGriff. How can you not put the Crime Dog in? Seriously.