Happy to see the Pierzynski vote. He always bothered me, always doing something against the team I was rooting for. When an opposing player is repeatedly a problem, the only thing left is to respect his game. No, he does not deserve HOF induction, but glad to see him get recognized.
Also, Pierzynski was a jerk to his own team: "During a Giants exhibition game last spring, Pierzynski took a shot to his, shall we say, private parts. Trainer Stan Conte rushed to the scene, placed his hands on Pierzynski's shoulders in a reassuring way, and asked how it felt. "Like this," said Pierzynski, viciously delivering a knee to Conte's groin."
I worked as a stringer for the Giants during AJ's one year in San Francisco and he was universally HATED by the Bay Area writers/radio personnel. He may have had a good quote or two, but he was easily the biggest jerk in interacting with us that I've ever dealt with. He was rude and mean to people for no good reason, and it seemed like he took joy from that.
Cooperstown is full of characters, both good and bad, who were voted in when transparency of their ives was at a low point. How many were alcoholics, adulterers, gamblers, drug users, baseball doctoring pitchers, arrogant and other assorted sinners. Athletes are not different than the rest of the population except they have a special ability. Let us consider what they did on the field and forgo the judgment of whether they get into Heaven to the Ultimate Judge.
Yes, but the only sins that really affected the games materially are PEDS, gambling and doctoring the ball. The gamblers were banned from the game, rightly so. As for the PEDs, and Gaylord Perry, we can't change the outcomes of the games, we can't take away the awards they won, or the money they made. But we can deny them the Hall of Fame, so let us do that. (I would not have voted in Gaylord.)
The A.J. vote is irresponsible, and the "thought process" behind it is infantile. He made only two All Star teams and never once was in the Top 10 in MVP voting. Saying he has the same offensive credentials as Yadira Molina is almost like saying he started more games that Mariano Rivera. It's irrelevant. This is insane.
The A J vote is puzzling. He's not a HOFer by any measure really. Voting for a player that will fall off the ballot after one year, like he most certainly will, is a nothing more that a nod of respect to a solid career. And a waste of a vote.
HOF voting drives me insane. I don't know why but it does. Personally, I advocate for more, not less players, but I see voting as so imperfect these days.
Another pet peeve is hometown beat writers voting for a hometown hero that lands on the ballot.
Or...not voting for a player that was deemed surly or unapproachable by the press. I can't imagine talking to reporters about 162 games a year. There's only so much you can say.
I'm glad TR put in Bonds and Clemens. They will fall short this year, but a HOF without those players in it is silly.
I've been to the HOF. I loved it immensely. Took my son and it's a trip we'll never forget.
I don't agree with all your choices but am spot on with you about Pierzynski and Vizquel. I hated them both when they were A.L. central opponents of my White Sox but alway begrudgingly loved their ability and especially their effort. I make a mock ballot each year and am also passing on Vizquel because of the legal issues. You are so far the only revealed Pierzynski vote even if I did not agree with you I would still respect it.
Heh! Dude! It's the toxicity of the Liberal Left that is winning the World today! Curt is just doing the same thing only from the Rockin' Right! Why you gotta judge? Let the guy in!
Oh. You did. Or... would. Cool. Miss you on the beat.
Thanks for sharing. I appreciate your candidness in explaining your vote for AJ Pierzynski, but when it comes to players who made the most out of their short tenures with the Rangers, I would have preferred to see a vote for Joe Nathan, but that’s just me.
Happy to see the Pierzynski vote. He always bothered me, always doing something against the team I was rooting for. When an opposing player is repeatedly a problem, the only thing left is to respect his game. No, he does not deserve HOF induction, but glad to see him get recognized.
I considered him. T.R. pulled the trigger. A.J. had a nice career, and as beat writers that one season we loved him.
Also, Pierzynski was a jerk to his own team: "During a Giants exhibition game last spring, Pierzynski took a shot to his, shall we say, private parts. Trainer Stan Conte rushed to the scene, placed his hands on Pierzynski's shoulders in a reassuring way, and asked how it felt. "Like this," said Pierzynski, viciously delivering a knee to Conte's groin."
https://www.sfgate.com/sports/jenkins/article/Ballplayers-still-getting-their-edge-3313461.php
I worked as a stringer for the Giants during AJ's one year in San Francisco and he was universally HATED by the Bay Area writers/radio personnel. He may have had a good quote or two, but he was easily the biggest jerk in interacting with us that I've ever dealt with. He was rude and mean to people for no good reason, and it seemed like he took joy from that.
Cooperstown is full of characters, both good and bad, who were voted in when transparency of their ives was at a low point. How many were alcoholics, adulterers, gamblers, drug users, baseball doctoring pitchers, arrogant and other assorted sinners. Athletes are not different than the rest of the population except they have a special ability. Let us consider what they did on the field and forgo the judgment of whether they get into Heaven to the Ultimate Judge.
Yes, but the only sins that really affected the games materially are PEDS, gambling and doctoring the ball. The gamblers were banned from the game, rightly so. As for the PEDs, and Gaylord Perry, we can't change the outcomes of the games, we can't take away the awards they won, or the money they made. But we can deny them the Hall of Fame, so let us do that. (I would not have voted in Gaylord.)
The A.J. vote is irresponsible, and the "thought process" behind it is infantile. He made only two All Star teams and never once was in the Top 10 in MVP voting. Saying he has the same offensive credentials as Yadira Molina is almost like saying he started more games that Mariano Rivera. It's irrelevant. This is insane.
The A J vote is puzzling. He's not a HOFer by any measure really. Voting for a player that will fall off the ballot after one year, like he most certainly will, is a nothing more that a nod of respect to a solid career. And a waste of a vote.
HOF voting drives me insane. I don't know why but it does. Personally, I advocate for more, not less players, but I see voting as so imperfect these days.
Another pet peeve is hometown beat writers voting for a hometown hero that lands on the ballot.
Or...not voting for a player that was deemed surly or unapproachable by the press. I can't imagine talking to reporters about 162 games a year. There's only so much you can say.
I'm glad TR put in Bonds and Clemens. They will fall short this year, but a HOF without those players in it is silly.
I've been to the HOF. I loved it immensely. Took my son and it's a trip we'll never forget.
I don't agree with all your choices but am spot on with you about Pierzynski and Vizquel. I hated them both when they were A.L. central opponents of my White Sox but alway begrudgingly loved their ability and especially their effort. I make a mock ballot each year and am also passing on Vizquel because of the legal issues. You are so far the only revealed Pierzynski vote even if I did not agree with you I would still respect it.
Heh! Dude! It's the toxicity of the Liberal Left that is winning the World today! Curt is just doing the same thing only from the Rockin' Right! Why you gotta judge? Let the guy in!
Oh. You did. Or... would. Cool. Miss you on the beat.
Thanks for sharing. I appreciate your candidness in explaining your vote for AJ Pierzynski, but when it comes to players who made the most out of their short tenures with the Rangers, I would have preferred to see a vote for Joe Nathan, but that’s just me.
Was with you until I got to 8