Hall of Fame should [not] lower voting threshold

"But with so many deserving candidates on the ballot, it's clear that some players are going to slip through the cracks, especially at the rate that the BBWAA elects candidates (exactly 1.5 per year from 1966-2011). This is unacceptable. "

I'd like to respond to this one with a big, resounding NO. It is not clear that anyone deserving is going to slip through the cracks due to the voting threshold.

First of all, players stay on the ballot for fifteen years and have a shot at the veterans ballot long after that. That's plenty of time for the HOF-level greats of our era to win a trip to Cooperstown.

Second of all, what ever happened to era-by-era comparison? If the run environment jumped during a specific era, then we should be discounting the accomplishments of the great run producers. We should treat pitchers in the opposite manner.

Perhaps if it looks like there's a glut of players with Hall of Fame credentials, we should re-examine their credentials, not the voting process.

over 1 year ago J-Doug 7 comments 1 recs |

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I think Kevin Brown already slipped through the cracks

Even if you don’t believe he should actually get in, I think most people agree he should still be on the ballot for more than a single year…

Kicking knowledge in the face.

by BlackOps on Feb 21, 2011 5:52 PM EST reply actions

I agree

People may have slipped through the cracks in the past (Ron Santo) and may in the future, but not because of the 75% induction threshold.

Blogger and Editor, Rational Pastime Blog. Twitter: @RationalPastime.

by J-Doug on Feb 21, 2011 7:16 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah... it's like... Santo much?

On Twitter: @baseballtwit

by adarowski on Feb 21, 2011 8:38 PM EST up reply actions

If WAR is league adjusted

Then technically high WAR players in the 200’s would be just as deserving as high WAR players in the 1930’s, no? Wouldn’t that take care of the run environment issue?

Writer at Beyond the Box Score and tortured Mets fan (is there any other kind?)

by Bill Petti on Feb 21, 2011 9:43 PM EST reply actions

One thing it doesn't account for, however, is length of season.

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by adarowski on Feb 22, 2011 5:48 AM EST up reply actions

Here's the thing

1. How many inductees really don’t belong?
2. How many eligible non-inductees really do belong?

Maybe a handful? Perhaps a few more than that, total? The system isn’t perfect, but I think it works beautifully. Thinking of my piece on HoF Voting and Democracy here.

http://www.beyondtheboxscore.com/2011/2/7/1980166/the-problem-with-hall-of-fame-voting-and-why-war-wont-help

See Data Differently: Beyond the Box Score | @justinbopp

by Justin Bopp on Feb 22, 2011 10:46 AM EST reply actions