Random thoughts of a 25 year old sports fan..

[Liontamr]

Don't get me wrong, as a Canadian I'm happy to see a former Montral Expo make it to the Hall of Fame... but Gary Carter?? Great guy and one helluva career behind the plate, but I don't see how it's HOF worthy.

 

[teddybear4play]

It's part of the whole relativity used to nominate HOFers. In essence, they don't detract from you if the skills you didn't have weren't necessary in the time you played.

Gary Carter was something like an 11-time All-Star. Which means, for more than a decade, he was considered the best or second-best catcher in the National League. The fact that he didn't have Mike Piazza offensive numbers doesn't really matter, since it wasn't a requirement then.

But it's a fucking travesty that neither Ryne Sandberg nor Andre Dawson made it in the Hall. They both deserve to be there, and both eventually will, but it's tremendously disrespectful that they're not there already.

TB4p

 

[Liontamr]

The fact that Ryne Sandberg isn't there is a joke.

As a kid I can honestly say the first two players who I knew as superstars were Cal Ripken Jr. and Ryne Sandberg (WGN was a big part of my baseball viewing as a child) ... hell I thought Jordan took #23 in honor of Ryne.

 

[Liontamr]

At least the NFL admits it has an officiating problem and works to fix it. A little too late for the Giants mind you.. But then they didn't exactly deserve to win after tanking such a big lead.

 

[Liontamr]

The Senators today filed for bankrupcy protection today...

And as positive as I want to be that the Sens are going to stay in Ottawa, I can only think Paul Allen is sitting in his Portland office chomping at the bit to buy the team and move it to the Rose Garden Arena.

The Portland Senators??

 

[Mike Hammer]

I'm still pissed about Pete Rose. The HOF will remain off kelter until he's in.

 

[Liontamr]

As much as he deserves to be in there.. he was banned for life for a very good reason. Same with Shoeless Joe.

For once I am pleased to see Selig has stuck to his guns.

 

[Mike Hammer]

Pete Rose never threw a game! No comparison with Joe Jackson.

 

[Liontamr]

He bet on games though.. And it's proven he bet on his own games.

Now maybe he didn't go and bet against his Reds, but I'm sure there were days he didn't bet when he had a weaker pitcher on the mound starting .. you don't think other bookies would notice that?

He broke the rules of Major Leauge Baseball and got his punishment because of it.

 

[firefighter02]

I think that the matter of his gambling aside, he belongs in Cooperstown just as Shoeless does. Both are a part of the legend of baseball. Ty Cobb was a rotten SOB, yet is one of the most revered players ever. Selig is a pig, and has run MLB into the ground..Time for him to go..Would love to see him and Landis get into a no holds barred cage match in heaven.

But then again what the hell do I know..My team hasn't won a world series since the whole gd goat episode.


Aside note here?? Is OJ still in Canton? I had heard that they took down something during the trial, but did they kick him out completely? It isn't like we all don't think he did it.


Find 'Em Hot- Leave 'Em Wet

 

[BoomBoom1234]

Carter says, "F' Caannnaaaddaaaa..."

Nice change of pace board!

Gary Carter announced he will be wearing a Mets' cap in Cooperstown. It seems fitting that he would give the Expos the big F-U since the Expos have given every talented player to wear the red, white, and blue the F-U for the past 15 years. Gary Carter was an absolute stud for the Mets in the pre-juice era.

GREAT point about O.J. vis-a-vis the HOF. I have difficulty picturing the Pete Rose/HOF issue ever being a simple situation to resolve. Pete Rose is playing this issue like he played baseball--lots of hustle and no looking back. Selig is an idiot who will have no positive legacy. He might be just the guy to let Rose into the Hall without forcing him to eat crow.

Question for you guys: Barry Sanders scored 37 TD's during a season in the late 80's (I want to say '87). Do you guys think that's a record that will be broken? College seasons keep getting longer, but I simply can not see anyone breaking that mark.

 

[Samuari]

Re: Carter says, "F' Caannnaaaddaaaa..."

Nice change of pace board!

Gary Carter announced he will be wearing a Mets' cap in Cooperstown. It seems fitting that he would give the Expos the big F-U since the Expos have given every talented player to wear the red, white, and blue the F-U for the past 15 years. Gary Carter was an absolute stud for the Mets in the pre-juice era.

GREAT point about O.J. vis-a-vis the HOF. I have difficulty picturing the Pete Rose/HOF issue ever being a simple situation to resolve. Pete Rose is playing this issue like he played baseball--lots of hustle and no looking back. Selig is an idiot who will have no positive legacy. He might be just the guy to let Rose into the Hall without forcing him to eat crow.

Question for you guys: Barry Sanders scored 37 TD's during a season in the late 80's (I want to say '87). Do you guys think that's a record that will be broken? College seasons keep getting longer, but I simply can not see anyone breaking that mark.

I was lucky enough to see Barry score some of those TDs at Lewis Field. He was absublutly incredable to watch. Mike Gundy and Hart Lee Dykes provided just enough supporting cast to keep defences honest and let Barry run free.

If Rashon Woods stays in school next year, look for some very interesting press from Stillwater next fall.

The fact that Ryne Sandberg isn't there is a joke.

As a kid I can honestly say the first two players who I knew as superstars were Cal Ripken Jr. and Ryne Sandberg (WGN was a big part of my baseball viewing as a child) ... hell I thought Jordan took #23 in honor of Ryne.

He didn't?

 

[Liontamr]

Re: Carter says, "F' Caannnaaaddaaaa..."

Gary Carter can't announce anything. It's up to the Baseball HOF to decide what cap goes on the plaque and as far as I can tell by scanning my media resources they haven't made that choice yet. Of course you can thank Dave Winfield who tried to "auction off" his hat between the Yankees and Padres..

I for one think either way would be a great choice.. Carter posted most of his numbers in Montreal but won his world series in New York. He made an equaly huge impact on both clubs. But if Carter doesn't get an Expos hat, then no one ever will because Dawson is the only other guy deserving but he'll be in a Cubs hat.

As far as your pont about the 'Spos... Montreal since about the mid 80's has NEVER been able to afford the high priced vetrans. If you really want to pinpoint a time when it became clear that the Expos wouldn't be able to keep potential free agents, then look no further than when Mark Langston signed as a FA with the California Angels. At least to me that's when it became clear that Montreal couldn't shell out the millions of bucks per player. Thus, the Expos have had to rely on inexpencive younger players who for the most part have been very talented right from the start. Once their contracts were up and it became clear the Expos couldn't afford them, then they had no choice but to send them off.

As for guys like Gary Carter and Andre Dawson.. they left Montreal through free agency. Now who gave who the big F-U?


The fact that letting Pete Rose back in and forcing him to eat crow is the very reason why Bud Selig should NOT let Rose in. People are already ripping on Bud for having no spine, yet when it comes to Charlie Gambler the'd perfer for Bud to stay spinless and let him back in.

Bottom line.. He broke the rules and got his punishment. Why should he be let back in? If you say it's because he was a great player then you are basically saying that if someone commits murder, they shouldn't be locked away for good or put in a chair if they had an outstanding life leading up to the crime.

And lets give Bud some credit.. He managed to help prevent a work stoppage for the first time in decades and the All-Star game fiasco wasn't his fault really (chalk it up to two dumb ass managers) .. It could be worse.. MLB could still have Fay Vincent.


As for Sanders.. I'm not huge into college football but I'm thinking it's unlikley to be broken. Barry was a one of a kind RB who could make something out of nothing everytime he had the ball. It's that talent I don't think we'll see for some time to come.

 

[firefighter02]

If you say it's because he was a great player then you are basically saying that if someone commits murder, they shouldn't be locked away for good or put in a chair if they had an outstanding life leading up to the crime

Well let me say it as positively as I possibly can....If OJ can be in FLA playing golf..then Pete should be in the HOF> Lock OJ up and your point is valid. I don't know about his personal life prior to the admitted gambling, but his numbers are there. That is the funny thing about the BBHOF. You have to be some kind of freakin superhero to get in there. That is the way it should be.

Would Strawberry make the hall??

And while we are at it...would someone PLEASE just yank the carpet out from under the Expos...and you can take that new FLA team to..(ray's?)

Free Winona, with the purchase of any large OJ....



Find 'Em Hot- Leave 'Em Wet

 

[Liontamr]

The Baseball HOF is great in my opinion because it does take some very awesome numbers or an awesome feat to get in.. that's why I had wondered about Gary Carter's selection.

In a way I can understand Tb4p's argument that he's a 11 time all star.. but at that position who did he have challenging him? Now if he was a 11 time all star starter now that would be HOF worthy... I mean if we have Carter as an all star, shouldn't Benito Santiago be considered? What about Terry Stienbach? They were very solid multiple time all star catchers in the 80's and 90's.

As for OJ.. I don't get why he's not kicked out of his hall of fame.. but maybe it's because he was declared not guilty. Yeah yeah we all know he did it.. but bottom line is he was found not guilty.


I'm hoping this year is the last year the Expos play in Montreal. Don't get me wrong I have always had a soft spot in my heaert for Les Expos, but year after year Montrealers keep getting told "this is the final year.. no no.. wait.. now THIS is the final year."

It's like watching an old friend on life support, knowing he's going to die soon you say your goodbye to him.. but years later he's still gasping for air.

I still think MLB owners - especially Jeff Lawria - screwed Montreal fans something fierce the past couple of years when it was possible to save the team.. not to mention the huge screw job done in 1994! But at this point even I'd like to see the team sold and moved on so that I can remember the good years Montreal had and not the last five where it became a joke.

 

[teddybear4play]

Re: Re: Carter says, "F' Caannnaaaddaaaa..."

He didn't?

Jordan wore #23 in high school (I think) and college (definitely). Sandberg, as far as I know, was assigned #23 when he came to the Cubs. I don't know what he wore in Philadelphia.

The Baseball HOF is great in my opinion because it does take some very awesome numbers or an awesome feat to get in.. that's why I had wondered about Gary Carter's selection.

In a way I can understand Tb4p's argument that he's a 11 time all star.. but at that position who did he have challenging him? Now if he was a 11 time all star starter now that would be HOF worthy... I mean if we have Carter as an all star, shouldn't Benito Santiago be considered? What about Terry Stienbach? They were very solid multiple time all star catchers in the 80's and 90's.

Well, ask yourself this: Does Carlton Fisk deserve to get in the Hall of Fame? I would say yes just for the dancing-up-the-Fenway-basepath in the '75 World Series, but I'm a sucker for great moments.

But Carter racked up similar numbers to Fisk, but didn't play as many seasons. Which means that year-in-year-out, Carter was a better player than Fisk. If Fisk is in, Carter should be there, too.

TB4p

 

[Liontamr]

As great as that moment was - Fisk willing the homerun fair in 75 - I think that moment is a big part of what got him into the HOF. I guess I have just never thought of Carter as an HOF'er.. A very good catcher back in his day yes, but not someone who would be in Cooperstown one day.

BTW, I did hear a radio report where it was said Carter had perfered to have a Mets cap on his plaque. Like I said I have no issue with that because he had just as big an impact on the Mets as he did the Expos.

 

[teddybear4play]

As great as that moment was - Fisk willing the homerun fair in 75 - I think that moment is a big part of what got him into the HOF. I guess I have just never thought of Carter as an HOF'er.. A very good catcher back in his day yes, but not someone who would be in Cooperstown one day.

I think there's two things working on that:

First, you're young. I mean no disrespect by that, obviously, since I'm also in your age range. But when we think of the Hall Of Fame, we think of great old players like Ruth and Aaron and Williams and Mays. But pick up a Who's Who of Cooperstown and you'll find a lot of players you've never fuckin' heard of. I know, I have one, and I don't know a lot of them.

Second, and a great many sports pundits are picking up on this, the '80s and early '90s were a time of both offensive and pitching falloffs, as far as statistics goes. When teams moved to a five-man rotation and relief pitching went from an emergency-use-only situation to an important part of the game's strategies, hitting naturally suffered. Shit, the aforementioned Ryne Sandberg won an NL home run title with 40 once. Cecil Fielder hit 51 and that was a big deal. Now guys can hit 40 before the All-Star Break.

But also, since many pitchers spent all or a significant part of their careers in the pen, their numbers aren't as good. And even starters like Jack Morris, despite being an ace on a couple of very accomplished teams, and throwing one of the best single World Series games of all time, the 10-inning shutout of Atlanta in 1991, is outside the Hall looking in because his being in a five-man rotation didn't get him up to the 300-win mark that generally is the bar for starters to cross.

However, as circumstances change, the qualifications will also. A guy like Frank Thomas probably won't make it to the Hall because, even though his offensive totals will likely obliterate Gary Carter's, they aren't nearly as impressive as Bonds' or McGwire's or Sosa's or other guys who played at the same time as he.

TB4p

 

[firefighter02]

Am I the only one who believes that Soccer will be the ruination of this country?



Find 'Em Hot- Leave 'Em Wet

 

[Liontamr]

Umm.. just how will it be the ruination of the country?

 

[firefighter02]

Well for starters ..you have a sport that really isn't one. Little kids kicking around balls but they aren't suppose to hit each other. Where are they gonna learn that is what most of life is about, getting kicked in the nuts and getting up again for more?
Not to mention, it creates soccer moms, which in turn means the auto companies have to make more minivans, which means there are more of them on the road, and I hate nothing more than getting behind some J-Hole in a minivan doing 56 mph on the interstate with a big soccer ball sticker on the window.
Maybe the only bright spot is finally the boys and girls can play together..but then again...no contact..no fun.


Hey don't look at me...Just trying to give this one a bump

Find 'Em Hot- Leave 'Em Wet

 

[Liontamr]

A hockey blurt.. because it's about time I made one:

I love the fact that Modano and Guerin are voted in all stars. It's possible they could have five members on the west team before it's done (Modano, Guerin, Lehtinen, Zubov, Turco)

 

[RosevilleCAguy]

Do they have Hockey Moms in Canada?

 

[Liontamr]

Hockey moms & dads!

And if you think Soccer mom is hard to deal with, just check out hockey mom...

 

[RosevilleCAguy]

Hockey moms & dads!

And if you think Soccer mom is hard to deal with, just check out hockey mom...

I was always disappointed that I never got to play hockey. They actually give you a weapon to play a contact sport at 30 mph.

Football and rugby, what was I thinking?