I could say a lot about the Hall of Fame committee's vote, but I won't. Instead, I'll say congratulations to the ghost of Ron Santo and his loyal supporters. I've said it before, and I'll say it again... Ron Santo, the player, deserves to get into the Hall of Fame, as do other excellent players that repeatedly get overlooked.
For a great read on why Minnie Minoso got the shaft again, read Jim Margalus' excellent article.
9 comments:
The committee finally voted for Santo out of embarrassment and shame and in a few years from now they'll finally vote in Minnie out of embarrassment and shame. The Hall of Fame is a joke thanks to the voters.
Too bad it was at least a year too late. It has become a joke, which is why I started my own last year. :-)
Not a huge Santo fan, but I am happy for his family. The fact they waited until after he died is just ridiculous.
This is just another lost opportunity for baseball to celebrate something good.
I 100% support the induction of Minnie Minoso.
I'm not a huge Santo fan either, but that had to do mostly with the man himself. I can appreciate and admire what he accomplished as a player though.
I don't see an objective case for Minoso in the Hall of Fame. Career stats:
13 1/2 seasons (1951 to July 1964; yes he played a few games in 1949, but I'm generously giving him full-season credit for 1962.)
Less than 2000 hits
Less than 200 home runs
Less than .300 batting average
Less than 250 stolen bases
No MVPs
7 all-star appearances, but is that HOF-worthy?
Santo's stats leave Minoso in the dust. I can understand Minnie was a popular player in White Sox history, but where in his stats does it warrant HOF consideration?
Steve-
I respect your objectivity on the Santo case.
As for Minnie, I always thought he was one of those guys who is close, but just short of being a HOF player.
Minoso also was 28 years old in 1951. The climate and culture of MLB at the time made sure he wasn't allowed the same advantages as his Caucasian peers in the forties. He spent 3 years in the Cuban Leagues, 3 years in the Negro Leagues and 2 years in the PCL before finally getting a chance to play full time in 1951.
There are excellent arguments for Minnie's inclusion here and here.
Johngy,
I may not like Santo as a person, but I can't deny his talent on the field and his enthusiasm for the game. Both huge pluses in my book.
What Steve said. If Minoso was allowed to actually play in the majors before age 28 he would have the stats. He'll get in, just too late.
WSC, Dayf,
Ok, I stand corrected. A look at his season-by-season stats shows 4 times over 100 RBI, 4x over 100 runs, 8x over .300 BA, 3x AL triples leader, and 3x AL SB leader.
I wasn't aware of the late start to his MLB career. It's too bad he didn't end it on a dignified note, instead of the sideshow in '76 and '80.
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