Harold Baines.....Lee Smith in Hall of Fame

[Babypowder]

If you add the value of each of their careers together you almost have what I would consider a borderline HOF worthy career. Is that what happened here? Are they going in as some sort of half Baines, half Smith creature?

[Can_of_corn]

Just now, Es4M11 said:

Shocked to see Harold Baines get in. Lee Smith as well. Both their career numbers do not say HOF to me, but what do I know...

I think they are trying to put in some "clean" guys.

[Can_of_corn]

Just now, Babypowder said:

If you add the value of each of their career together you almost have what I would consider a borderline HOF worthy worthy career. Is that what happened here? Are they going as some sort of half Baines, half Smith creature?

Some sort of Ohtani type monstrosity that DHs and then they bring him in to close?

[eddie83]

Just now, Can_of_corn said:

I think they are trying to put in some "clean" guys.

I think Will Clark and Hershiser were better than both. And Orel had one of the most magical runs of all time and was dominant albeit for a short stretch.  

[shoriole]

21 minutes ago, weams said:

 

 I know you didn’t write it but it should be corrected to read St Michael’s High School.

[Can_of_corn]

4 minutes ago, eddie83 said:

I think Will Clark and Hershiser were better than both. And Orel had one of the most magical runs of all time and was dominant albeit for a short stretch.  

I'm guessing we haven't heard the last of this particular committee. 

[eddie83]

3 minutes ago, Can_of_corn said:

I'm guessing we haven't heard the last of this particular committee. 

Bobby Grich and Lou Whitaker better get in at some point.  

Hell Mattingly with their criteria. 

[waroriole]

Yet Bonds and Clemens wait

[eddie83]

I mean what does this mean long term?  I mean you could make a case for probably 100-200 more players if Smith and Baines are good enough. 

More I think about it the more it bothers me.  

[eddie83]

3 minutes ago, waroriole said:

Yet Bonds and Clemens wait

We know why.  

[TonySoprano]

59 minutes ago, weams said:

Fantastic. I guess Ortiz gets in now. 

Edgar Martinez first.

[HOF19]

Ken Rosenthal‏Verified account @Ken_Rosenthal 20m20 minutes ago

Important: Smith and Baines were elected not by @officialBBWAA, but the Today’s Game Era committee, a Veterans Committee. Neither received necessary 75 percent of vote from the writers. Their elections seemingly open door for others, but do not necessarily change BBWAA standards.

[HOF19]

As I noted above in twitter comment by Rosenthal they WHERE NOT elected by the BBWAA.

[TonySoprano]

 

[Moose Milligan]

1 hour ago, SteveA said:

Now three Hall of Famers from the 94 Orioles, with a couple more possible.

Mark Eichorn?

48 minutes ago, eddie83 said:

I mean what does this mean long term?  I mean you could make a case for probably 100-200 more players if Smith and Baines are good enough. 

More I think about it the more it bothers me.  

It bothers me.  And I loved Baines.  And I think Baines would have gotten in if he'd been able to stay healthy and the '94 Strike doesn't happen.  He gets 3,000 hits, 400, maybe 450 homers (playing partially in an era where 400 homers meant something).  Lee Smith...I'm not really sure, I guess he was one if the first great closers but...I dunno.

15 minutes ago, HOF19 said:

Ken Rosenthal‏Verified account @Ken_Rosenthal 20m20 minutes ago

Important: Smith and Baines were elected not by @officialBBWAA, but the Today’s Game Era committee, a Veterans Committee. Neither received necessary 75 percent of vote from the writers. Their elections seemingly open door for others, but do not necessarily change BBWAA standards.

My favorite baseball writer of all time Ken Rosenthal (looking at you @TonySoprano) makes a good point here, but it's not like these guys are going to get a smaller plaque.  Or they're not going to have a part of their plaque that says "was not elected by @officialBBWAA" 

Part of me gets it, the veterans committee wants to be able to right some wrongs and have a say-so as to who gets in.  I don't necessarily disagree with that but when they start electing guys with a 4.25 career ERA because he was "tough and gritty" and that guy has a plaque in the same building Willie Mays does...it's watered down.