RobG at The Cub Reporter is already thinking about Greg Maddux’s Hall of Fame election:
There’s not one person thas ever read this blog – that wasn’t looking for porn by accident – that wouldn’t cast a ballot in favor of Maddux if they were given a vote, right? So my question, which of the 539 or so voters are going to go down as the biggest assholes of all-time? I’m getting a little ahead of myself here, as the 2011 results are just about to come filing in, but I already know I’m going to be angry about it. The top vote-getters of all time are Seaver (98.84% and all but 5 votes), Ryan (98.79% and all but 6 votes) and Cobb (98.23% and all but 4 votes). So which douchebag is going to self-righteously appoint themself as the guy that won’t allow a unanimous Hall of Famer in?
Some people found a reason not to vote for Rickey Henderson. Maybe they’ll hold Will Clark‘s playoff grand slam against Greg.
My girlfriend and I were talking about this just yesterday. We thought that Maddux would be the 1st unanimous, and then wondered HOW were Aaron, Mays or Musial NOT unanimous??
Someone voted against Ruth? The only legitimate objection to his being in the Hall is that his entire career was played in a whites-only league. And I’m sure that’s not the reason his naysayer(s) gave.
I have always thought that there would be a unanimous selection sooner rather than later, and that once it happened it would become commonplace (relatively speaking). I thought it would be Ripken. Then I thought it would be Rickie Henderson. Maybe it will be Maddux. Maybe it will be Griffey, or Randy Johnson, or A Rod, or Albert Pujols. But once it happens, I think there will be 2-3 more within the next ten years after – once the stigma is gone. I think it’s a joke that it hasn’t happened yet.
“I’m not going to vote for Cal Ripken, even though I feel he’s clearly deserving, and even though I know that 99% of my colleagues will vote for him, simply because some sports writers 20 years ago, who are dead now, didn’t vote for Johnny Bench.” Think of the stupidity, shallowness, and self-importance of that logic.
I can’t envision a world where Greg Maddux is not a unanimous selection.
The important question is does he go in as a member of the Cubs or the Braves?
Braves, easily.
He will not be unanimous because some jackass like Mariotti will send in a blank ballot.