[Gotham Dark Knight]

(April 1st, 2006) http://themendozaline.net/

The Major League Baseball Hall of Good...

Maybe the argument started when my brothers and I got into a discussion over the less than spectacular qualifications of Hall of Famer Don Sutton, or maybe it’s an idea which time has come. Where ever the idea started, it has now settled in my head as a necessary evil in this statistical obsessed sport we call Baseball. So to all who have said, "Why, Don Sutton," or better yet "Why not Minnie Minoso," we would like to say relax we have the Hall for you. We proudly present to you the Major League Baseball Hall of Good.

The Hall of Good will consist of players who are in the Hall of Fame and should not be, or players who fall just short of the Hall of Fame. This year we would like to present to you our Inaugural list of inductees. Then on the first of April of each New Year we will pick the next five inductees.

This year the competition was fierce for as you know it’s a great honor to be on the Inaugural first ballot into the Hall. The list of competitors was whittled down to these five inductees, Freddie Lynn, Dick Allen, Bill Buckner, Dwight Gooden, and Mike Marshall.

Freddie Lynn gets the nod for a brilliant career cut short by injury. Lynn jumped on to a Hall of Fame like opening with a Rookie of the Year and MVP award in 1975, and after an injured plague career still managed over 300 Homers.

Dick Allen was a rebel, but a superstar hitting rebel. He was AL MVP in 1972 and led the league in homers twice before settling for over 350 homers in lifetime.

Bill Buckner is a lifetime +2,700 hit man who is sadly known for the ball he bubbled for the Red Sox in the 1986 World Series.

In Dwight Gooden we offer a solid super pitcher with massive moral flaws. While morality might keep you out of the Hall of Fame, all transgressions are wiped clean in the Hall of Good. Welcome Dwight, your rookie year was brilliant, and your follow up season nothing short of perfect.

Mike Marshall represents the warrior class known as the 1970's relievers. Mike appeared in 106 games in 1974. He pitched over 200 innings in relief that year winning the CY Young award. Iron Mike is the perfect candidate as well.

Finally the Hall welcomes a Veterans committee candidate in Eddie Cicotte. Cicotte won over 200 games in the majors before being banned from the game for his participation in the Black Sox scandal. In lieu of a bronze plaque a replica baseball card will be mounted for each player in our living room wall, in Orlando Florida.

Please note that my brothers (Wedge, and Grozny) and I are now soliciting votes for the five players who will be inducted next years. The Criteria for selection is listed below.

A player is eligible if the following is met:

1) He played in the Majors or in the Negro Leagues.

2) He has been elected to the Hall of Fame and should not have been.

3) He has never been elected but put up solid career numbers.

a) over 300 HRs or 2,000 hits

b) Won over 200 Games and or collected over 2,000 K's

4) Collected at least one MVP or Cy Young Award.

5) Had a solid career but distracting moral flaws.

You may also apply to be on the election committee. Qualifications are simple. You must belong to GoTeamsGo, and have over 35 posts and very strong opinions of your favorite players, and have disagreed with me (aka Gotham Dark Knight) at least once in the past year. Good luck to all.

[wedge]

As a member of the original three, I vote for 10+ postseason wins, for a pitcher, as a criteria for eligibility to the Hall of Good.

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by wedge

As a member of the original three, I vote for 10+ postseason wins, for a pitcher, as a criteria for eligibility to the Hall of Good.

Wedge I understand the need to have a criteria by which a good pitcher like Dave Stewart can qualify...you are down for it ...10+ wins in the post season it is...

[Wizard of Os]

Great idea Dark Knight, but...

...how could you illicit the idea of a place for the great Minnie Minoso and then not make him a charter member?

MIN-NIE! MIN-NIE! MIN-NIE!

More to come, but in the abstract, how about any Negro League ballplayer whose stats are better than any member of the current Hall?

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by Wizard of Os

Great idea Dark Knight, but...

...how could you illicit the idea of a place for the great Minnie Minoso and then not make him a charter member?

MIN-NIE! MIN-NIE! MIN-NIE!

More to come, but in the abstract, how about any Negro League ballplayer whose stats are better than any member of the current Hall?

In my flawed Logic, It was figured that Minnie really does belong in the Hall of Fame and it would be a terrible injustice to really stick him in "The Hall of Good"...but if you would like to place him on the ballot for next year, you may...

[Wizard of Os]

Originally Posted by Gotham Dark Knight

In my flawed Logic, It was figured that Minnie really does belong in the Hall of Fame and it would be a terrible injustice to really stick him in "The Hall of Good"...but if you would like to place him on the ballot for next year, you may...

No flawed logic there, G., but still ya gotta give props to the first guy to play in four decades. I remember getting a bubblegum card with him on it; he looked like a grandpa. Probably was.

Minoso should be on the ballot. Also Kent Hrbek and Lou Piniella.

Cheers!

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by Wizard of Os

No flawed logic there, G., but still ya gotta give props to the first guy to play in four decades. I remember getting a bubblegum card with him on it; he looked like a grandpa. Probably was.

Minoso should be on the ballot. Also Kent Hrbek and Lou Piniella.

Cheers!

Your picks will be on the ballot Wiz, while Piniella might land in the Hall some day when its all said and done, as might Minoso...Hrbek is the the truest of candiates...his stats where just a hair short of great...

...I also probably remember the same card...the 1976 or 1977 Record Breaker where he is in his 50's...

[wedge]

I don't think Hrbek qualifies. He ended up with 1700+ hits, 293 hrs and never won an MVP.

[Wizard of Os]

Originally Posted by wedge

I don't think Hrbek qualifies. He ended up with 1700+ hits, 293 hrs and never won an MVP.

Argh. Busted. Well, it was worth a shot...

[Grozny]

I am proud to say that not only did I come up with the name for the Hall, but I also nominated "Doc" Gooden.

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by Grozny

I am proud to say that not only did I come up with the name for the Hall, but I also nominated "Doc" Gooden.

Grozny, you are a visionary...

[Wizard of Os]

Good choice, Grozny, but now Doc'll have to wait about seven and one-half months for the induction ceremony...

God, he was good. If only he and Straw hadn't been such blow monkeys...

[Gotham Dark Knight]

I think I am going to nominate Wilbur Wood...He doesn't really meet the criteria cause he split time between starter and reliever, but lets look at his over all:

Wins :164
Saves: 57
ERA: 3.24
4 straight 20 win seasons (2 straight 24 win seasons)
4 straight seasons of +300 IP (including 377 in 1972)
Sporting News Pitcher of the Year: 1972
Lead the league in wins twice

Anyone second it?

[legend]

Here's a perfect candidate. 288-231 in 26 years, won 20 games three times and has his own surgery named after him- Tommy John!

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by legend

Here's a perfect candidate. 288-231 in 26 years, won 20 games three times and has his own surgery named after him- Tommy John!

We have been tossing around Tommy who to me was more impressive than Don Sutton. We are also considering his contribution to the overall contribution to the medical side of the game as reason enough to let him in. Many a pitcher owes his career to Tommy...for bonus points, name the Doctor that performed the surgery.