Hall of fame ballot

[ebbets55]

We had our annual Christmas Eve discussion on pop's ballot. He didn't vote for him. He still has one more year if he doesn't make it this year. There were some tough decisions on the ballot this year. The roids guys are starting to show up with Palmeiro and Bagwell (unknown). I think the concensus among my family was that they will eventually need to get in (second year), just not on the first ballot and I hate the argument people use when they say, "They either are a Hall of Famer or they aren't." Other candidates were Roberto Alomar, Edgar Martinez and Larry Walker and Barry Larkin seems to be gaining momentum. Hmmm.

JD

[Number9]

I agree JD, the numbers never change but the perspective on their accomplishments and the context of their careers are always changing. With Blyleven getting the nod this year it's nice to see the writers acknowledge something besides magic numbers.

[vintagebrett]

Congrats to glovecrazy who finally got his man in the hall!

[GloveCrazy]

I wonder if glovecrazy is nervously twiddling his thumbs hoping today is finally the day for Bert?

I wish it were just one day ... I've been nervous all week! It's hard to explain why I have been so invested in Bert other than he was one of the main guys I loved to watch, even though he always beat my teams and we could never get him out of a game. His curveball was absolutely wicked! Yes, his overall statistics had some warts (almost all in do), and some numbers were boosted a little by longevity (and others hurt), but the sabrematic stats prove how dominant he was for an extended period of time. This is a good day for me, and I may even try to attend the induction ceremony.

[Number9]

Rob, I hope you can make it out. It's a great weekend. I go to Induction every summer and know the town well. Let me be your beer guide.

[GloveCrazy]

Rob, I hope you can make it out. It's a great weekend. I go to Induction every summer and know the town well. Let me be your beer guide.

That's what I'm talking about! Ricky, you up for a little road trip? BYO hot foot ... a Blyleven thing.

[Rickybulldog]

That's what I'm talking about! Ricky, you up for a little road trip? BYO hot foot ... a Blyleven thing.

Something tells me I need to be properly dressed for this occasion. Gotta get my beard game right!

[Rickybulldog]

I sent this to Rob earlier today. It cracked me up! Congrats buddy!

[GloveCrazy]

I don't know, Ricky, I don't think Bert will be hanging out with us or anything. Better start that beard now because it looks pretty full. Your picture reminds me of someone ...

[vintagebrett]

I see that Terry Cashman's song "Talkin' Baseball" is being inducted into the Hall of Fame this summer. Does that mean that this classic gets in by association?

[Number9]

I gotta say, a huge portion of my Red Sox fandom died the day that Terry Cashman sang Talkin Red Sox on Opening Day in 2005. He completely ruined my favorite baseball memory with that stupid song. I still cringe.

[GloveCrazy]

I don't know, I actually like the song which is hard to believe given my affection for more aggressive musical stylings, but I could see how seeing it sung live could be a total buzz kill. It's the kind of song the should be played at the ticket gates, like the Padres do with the Centerfield song. It's interesting to see who the stars were in the Simspson's version, including such legends as Steve Sax and Darryl Strawberry. Unfortunatly, inlcuding those two gets it banned from HOF consideration.

[Number9]

Talkin Baseball is a fine little ditty. I think there was a movie of the same name that I repeatedly rented from the video store in the 80's. Probably could have purchased it ten times over for the price my parents paid to rent it. Still a feel good song that reminds me of my baseball roots. No regrets.

Talkin Red Sox (actual title is (This is for) Teddy Ballgame) is a whole other sub-level, made much worse by the fact that I'm no longer 8. Check it out on itunes.

Speaking of baseball songs; aside from Centerfield, are there any halfway decent songs out there? Anything in the last 20-30 years?

[vintagebrett]

Speaking of baseball songs; aside from Centerfield, are there any halfway decent songs out there? Anything in the last 20-30 years?

Check out the Baseball Projects albums - they write some good tunes, all baseball related. While not recent, my brothers and I grew up listening to Baseball's Greatest Hits Vol. 1 and 2 - I think they may be out of print now but tons of great songs. I always liked Talkin' Baseball because of the line "Now Brett is the Greatest." My brothers and I also made our own music videos of these songs - I hope those never see the light of day again.

Is this song induction a new thing? I know Centerfield went in last year. This year Talkin' Baseball. If it's not in already, A Dying Cub Fans Last Request by Steve Goodman should be next.

[murphusa]

. Meeker's recording of Take Me Out to the Ballgame was selected by the Library of Congress as a 2010 addition to the National Recording Registry, which selects recordings annually that are "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".[7]