A Correct Prediction

Might not get a chance to use that title too often, so I better seize the opportunity while it’s there! We won’t mention the predictions that I have missed (Rangers to win division in 2025, etc..) but I will follow up on the HOF elections. As expected, Carlos Beltran and Andruw Jones were elected to Cooperstown.

You will recall that I listed my ballot preferences, which included 5 others (pitchers Pettitte, Hernandez and Buerhle along with Bobby Abreu and David Wright) in addition to the 2 winners. After further reflection, and upon reading opinions of actual voters, I would add three others to the list - Chase Utley, Jimmie Rollins and Cole Hamels. This would give me 10 total, which is the maximum permitted, and is consistent with my wish to see more players installed. I am not advocating for every marginal candidate to get elected, but I don’t agree with the “fewer is better” group. Obviously my “votes” aren’t counted, but I wanted to “correct” my ballot.

A couple of other notes on this year’s list: If there was a special HOF recognition for class, one of the winners would be Shin- Soo Choo. His donation of $1000 to every Texas Ranger minor leaguer during the pandemic, along with his continued play in Korea while donating his salary to charity are noteworthy, and he was one of the most courteous and receptive players toward fans that I have seen. Another who deserves special mention is Hunter Pence. His numbers are short of hall-worthy, but his 14 year career with Houston, Philly, San Francisco and Texas were full of highlights and clutch play. He left it all on the field - the proverbial “played like his hair was on fire”.

Finally, I would mention that it is a shame that Omar Vizquel had severe allegations come to light after his playing career ended. His .9847 fielding percentage was the highest of all time among shortstops, and he was the all time leader at his position in games played and double plays turned. I never got to see Ozzie Smith play in person, but Vizquel was the slickest fielder I ever watched. Too bad that he apparently fell short in character.

I will have more to say about the HOF and other potential candidates on another day.

For now, that’s my opinion. What’s yours?