Monday, September 23, 2013
Tim Raines by Poz
Poz takes a look at Tim Raines, in context with his peers. I don't disagree with his conclusion. But really, you can come to the exact same conclusion with Tony Gwynn. If anything, what his article shows is that the HOF should be expanded, and the writers have done a horrible job of making sure we've got a good flow of players rewarded.
You simply don't see this problem in the NHL. Players there get voted in pretty quickly, once they are eligible. They don't languish until the voters wake up. Here, let's just look at the last 20 players voted in the hockey hall of fame, and see what's what (number in parens is the last year he played):
Bure (2003), Oates (2004), Sakic (2009), Sundin (2009). All were worthy, with Sakic the obvious most accomplished player. Sakic and Sundin were 1st-time eligible. Oates had to wait for his sixth year and Bure his 7th.
Belfour (2007), Gilmour (2003), Mark Howe (1995), Niewendyk (2007). This was a "catchup year". Two of them voted in their 2nd year, another in his sixth, and then Mark Howe who was incredibly underrated in his 14yr finally got in.
Ciccarelli (1999). Perhaps the worst year in Hall of Fame voting since 1994. I can only imagine that there was a tremendous number of vote-splitting going on, and only Dino (in his 9th year) was able to break free. Except for Sakic and Sundin, all of the players above were on this ballot.
Hull (2006), Leetch (2004), Robitaille (2006), Yzerman (2006). Three first-timers, plus Leetch on his 3rd try. (Leetch should have done in the prior year.)
Anderson (1996), Larionov (2004). Second-time for Igor, and 10th for Anderson. Igor would have done in the first try, except...
Francis (2004), McInnis (2004), Messier (2004), Stevens (2004). All four were first-timers, and the limit is 4 players.
Roy (2003). First-timer and arguably the greatest goalie of all time.
Ok, so that's the last 20 guys voted in. Here's the breakdown: 1st time eligible: 10 2nd: 3 3rd: 1 .. 6th: 2 7th: 1 9th: 1 10th: 1 14th: 1
So, ten of the twenty were voted in their first year, and if not for the 4-man limit, it would have been 11. Anyway, 14 guys voted in their first three years of consideration. After that, we see there's catchup time, as there are 5 more who waited 6-10 years, and then the inexcusable waiting for Mark Howe.
I'd like someone to go through the same exercise for MLB, NFL, and NBA, look at the last 20 selections, and let's see how fast they honor their players.
?
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