Wild Card Race

[jad]

I never said Rivera shoudn't make the HOF -- he is clearly the best closer of all time. I did say that Rivera's legendary contribution to the fall of the 2004 Yankees--the biggest losers in sports history--should have been enough to keep him below 100% in the voting.

 

I totally reject the idea that a closer, even a closer as great as Rivera, can be compared to Ted Williams, or Babe Ruth, or Hank Aaron, or Willie Mays, and so forth.

 

Why? Say you're an individual voter voting whether a guy gets into the HOF. You have someone you think absolutely should be there on the first ballot. So you vote against him just to ensure he doesn't get 100%? Fortunately, there were no voters who did that, but apparently (for better or worse) cast their ballots in good faith.

[Fan_since_Boggs]

Why? Say you're an individual voter voting whether a guy gets into the HOF. You have someone you think absolutely should be there on the first ballot. So you vote against him just to ensure he doesn't get 100%? Fortunately, there were no voters who did that, but apparently (for better or worse) cast their ballots in good faith.

 

Voting against Rivera would have been in good faith: no one has ever received 100% and so why should a closer who played a leading role in the most epic collapse in sports history be the first? I would have understood if a few voters voted against his first-year candidacy, not even N.Ryan, T.Seaver, B.Ruth, W.Mays, T.Williams received 100% of the vote. But Rivera should?

[jad]

Voting against Rivera would have been in good faith: no one has ever received 100% and so why should a closer who played a leading role in the most epic collapse in sports history be the first? I would have understood if a few voters voted against his first-year candidacy, not even N.Ryan, T.Seaver, B.Ruth, W.Mays, T.Williams received 100% of the vote. But Rivera should?

 

Here, we're not talking about what 'other people' do. We're talking about what you as an individual do. You believe X should be a first ballot Hall of Famer. So when you get a chance, you vote 'no'? (not knowing what anyone else is doing). Hardly a NY fan, but to suggest that Rivera is in any way a choker ('leading role in epic collapse ...') is of course ludicrous even to the most ardent Yankee hater.

[jacksonianmarch]

He’s a troll

[Bellhorn04]

I think it's kind of unfortunate that so much attention is given to the matter of Hall of Fame inductees not getting 100% of the vote. It has taken on a life of its own over the years and become an unnecessary sideshow that tends to diminish what's supposed to be a great honor. People will find a way to screw up anything.

[jacksonianmarch]

Agree with you there. The problem with the HOF voting is that only the writers are making the selections. This means anyone who had beef with the media gets slighted. That’s the problem. HOF voting should be done by a selection of contemporaries, coaches and writers

 

Mo was a different animal. Everyone loved him and he was the singular best player at his position (closer) of all time. He was always cordial as well

[OH FOY]

Read something don't know if this is true, but Sox should go after last WC spot don't worry about the first.

Sox are 17-4 last 21 road games.

[notin]

Here, we're not talking about what 'other people' do. We're talking about what you as an individual do. You believe X should be a first ballot Hall of Famer. So when you get a chance, you vote 'no'? (not knowing what anyone else is doing). Hardly a NY fan, but to suggest that Rivera is in any way a choker ('leading role in epic collapse ...') is of course ludicrous even to the most ardent Yankee hater.

 

Of course there have been some writers who didn’t vote for a surefire inductee to intentionally prevent the 100% vote and have even admitted as much.

 

But sometimes other voters don’t vote for a surefire inductee because they figure he’s going to get in anyway, and they decide to use their limited votes for less likely candidates who they feel are worthy but need the support...

[Michigan adam]

Read something don't know if this is true, but Sox should go after last WC spot don't worry about the first.

Sox are 17-4 last 21 road games.

 

Sox just need to strive to play better, much better. The 5 starters need to make up most of the difference. They are all capable of shaving 0.5 to 1.0 runs per game off their current season. Sox need them to consistently pitch 6-7 innings. Alot(not all) of BP issues is too many innings, so they need a break. Also need Betts to continue his improvement. Be nice to see him finish at around .300/.420/.530/.950 with 25 HR's. still a step back from last year but a big step up from the first 3rd of this year.

[iortiz]

This team has to play with the knife between their teeth moving forward if we want to grab a PO spot.

[oldtimer]

This team has to play with the knife between their teeth moving forward if we want to grab a PO spot.

 

Any game where we have a lead we should use our best. Don't worry about tomorrow, win today. If we are way out of a game, that is the time to go with weaker pitchers. I was all for using Workman for 2 innings last night even though it didn't work out.

[FredLynn]

Read something don't know if this is true, but Sox should go after last WC spot don't worry about the first.

Sox are 17-4 last 21 road games.

 

True. But unfortunately home games count too.