Friday, February 13, 2009

The Baseball Hall of Fame Dilemma

Quick…what is the current MLB record for home runs? Be truthful, did you instantly know that Barry Bonds has 762?

For years, the number 714 was embedded in our baseball brains. Babe Ruth held the home run record from 1935 until April 8, 1974, when Aaron hit #715. Hammerin’ Hank ended his career with 755. Most also remember that number, but I’m not sure Bonds’ record has resonated in the same manner.

Ruth’s single season home run record of 60 lasted 34-years until Maris hit #61 in 1961. Bonds currently owns the single-season record with 73. Since the inception of major league baseball until 1998, the 60 home run plateau had only been attained twice. From 1998 through 2001, 60+ home runs were accomplished six times. Welcome to the steroid era.

Steroids raise numerous questions about the Baseball Hall of Fame and its induction process. Should Bonds, McGwire, Clemens, Sosa and –  now, Alex Rodriquez – be inducted into the hallowed halls of Cooperstown?  Rodriquez has time on his side, but McGwire has already been shunned the past two years.

We all wait for MLB to comment on the record book and if recent steroid admissions or upcoming court cases will alter its current holy grail. However, MLB does not control the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Unquestionably, the two organizations work closely to honor baseball excellence and preserve its history, but it is not the MLB Hall of Fame. MLB can dictate what its record book states, but it doesn’t control the eligibility status of Baseball Hall of Fame’s candidates. Influence, yes. Dictate, no.

So, should the Baseball Hall of Fame make a statement on the steroid era and how (or if) it will affect future induction processes? Or, should it just let it all continue to play out? Remember, loosing Bonds, Clemens, et al as Hall of Famers will be very costly, as revenue during induction week in Cooperstown, plus the marketing of inductee products, is very important.

The tag line for The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum is: Preserving History; Honoring Excellence; Connecting Generations. They need to figure out how to connect the steroid generation, while preserving baseball history in a manner which does not compromise excellence.

Good luck!

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posted by Gil Vieira at 7:27 pm  

9 Comments »

  1. It is a dilemma. Steroid users have ruined the record book, but how do we know who all the guilty people are? There could be people currently in the HOF, or about to be inducted, that were steroid users.

    Comment by MrMet — February 13, 2009 @ 8:12 pm

  2. To many baseball fans this subject is black or white. Either they all get in the HOF - or none of them are allowed. However, it isn’t that easy a decision. It will be interesting to see if The Baseball Hall of Fame says anything at all…

    Comment by BBallGuy — February 13, 2009 @ 8:25 pm

  3. How about a special room, a hall of shame?

    Comment by Bostonian — February 13, 2009 @ 9:59 pm

  4. I didn’t know how many home runs Bonds hit off the top of my head. The number rang a bell after I read it. We all know Aaron his the real home run king, but if MLB does nothing, future generations won’t think that way. Bonds’ number at least needs an asterisk.

    Comment by NYY-7 — February 14, 2009 @ 6:15 am

  5. Dear NYY-7,

    Your head must be pretty sore from all those Bonds’ homers hitting you on the top of your bean. No wonder you don’t remember. Do you have season’s tickets in the bleachers?

    Comment by John Budris — February 14, 2009 @ 9:03 am

  6. Mr. Editor at work. Yes, bad sentence structure :)

    Comment by NYY-7 — February 14, 2009 @ 9:18 am

  7. What? Which is worse…..Steroids (cheating) or betting on your own team…..

    If Bonds, Clemens and gang get out of jail free, Pete Rose should get a Hall Pass as well

    Comment by Re-Pete — February 15, 2009 @ 8:34 pm

  8. Steroids are worse. Pete Rose should have his own exhibit in Cooperstown, not just a plaque.

    Comment by Bostonian — February 15, 2009 @ 11:43 pm

  9. Why do we have to decide which is worse. Steroids and betting (on or against) your team are both reprehensible.

    Plus, Re-Pete states betting “on” your own team. First, all betting was against the rules. And, secondly, do you really believe Pete never bet “against” his own team? He’s constantly lied about everything else…why not this?

    Comment by NYY4ever — February 16, 2009 @ 9:04 am

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