01-14-2009, 05:33 PM
<!--quoteo(post=11571:date=Jan 14 2009, 03:22 PM:name=Giff)-->QUOTE (Giff @ Jan 14 2009, 03:22 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->There's actually a reasonable argument that Koufax shouldn't be in the HOF. I don't agree with it, but it's definitely there.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Actually, it <i>is</i> there, you're right. There will always be the elemental argument about whether the HOF should honor guys who were damn good for 20 years, OR, instead, guys who had scalding white-hot peaks and were the best players on earth, but only for a short while.
The original HOF class didn't have to bother with that question. Guys like Ruth and Ty Cobb and Honus Wagner all had Mount Everest peaks AND played 20 years or more. And later guys like Willie Mays had similar careers. But those guys are pretty rare: there's like 10-15 of them in MLB history...do you really want a HOF where you only induct 1 guy every 10 years or so?
And what do you do with guys like Joe DiMaggio and Koufax? Guys who were every bit as good as Mays and Cobb, but had much shorter careers?
Actually, it <i>is</i> there, you're right. There will always be the elemental argument about whether the HOF should honor guys who were damn good for 20 years, OR, instead, guys who had scalding white-hot peaks and were the best players on earth, but only for a short while.
The original HOF class didn't have to bother with that question. Guys like Ruth and Ty Cobb and Honus Wagner all had Mount Everest peaks AND played 20 years or more. And later guys like Willie Mays had similar careers. But those guys are pretty rare: there's like 10-15 of them in MLB history...do you really want a HOF where you only induct 1 guy every 10 years or so?
And what do you do with guys like Joe DiMaggio and Koufax? Guys who were every bit as good as Mays and Cobb, but had much shorter careers?
There's nothing better than to realize that the good things about youth don't end with youth itself. It's a matter of realizing that life can be renewed every day you get out of bed without baggage. It's tough to get there, but it's better than the dark thoughts. -Lance