Cooperstown and the 'Roids

Attached is Bill James' opinion steroids and their historical place in baseball. In it James predicts that over time the stigma surrounding steroids will dissipate while the numbers will endure, enshrining players that the contemporary media insists will never make it to the Hall of Fame.
What do all of you think?

over 2 years ago BrianBokake 20 comments 0 recs |

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Read More: bill james, barry bonds, will clark

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Cooperstown is a museum.

If someone played baseball particularly well, or if they greatly influenced the game, they should be represented. It’s getting real annoying how the Hall of Fame acts like this sanctimonious protector of justice.

Status: Feels so broke up. Wants to go home. || Still boycotting Johnsonville and Giants souvenirs or ballpark foods for repossessing my K Wall in right field.

by GiantBrass on Jul 27, 2009 1:06 PM PDT reply actions

Not the Hall so much as the BBWAA, which is exponentially more offensive.

"he walked 18; new league record! Struck out 18, another new league record! He also hit the sportswriter, the PA announcer, the bull mascot twice..."

by i did my job on Jul 27, 2009 3:00 PM PDT up reply actions

Somewhat related..

Came across something really weird last night. I was playing MLB2k9 on XBox 360 and was goofing around checking out some of the MLB records.

Under Single Season HR, they had “Mark McGuire – 70”

Huh?

Look, I can see the developers perhaps making a statement and excluding Bonds on the steroid/tainted record grounds, but if that is what they are trying to do, how can they justify listing McGuire? Shouldn’t the record be 62 in that instance? Why give McGuire the free pass if you are going to exclude Bonds?

by Cixelsyd on Jul 27, 2009 1:16 PM PDT reply actions

I think that has more to do with the fact that Bonds withdrew from the MLBPA. Therefore, video games licensed by MLB can’t use his name in any video games unless they ask his permission. And Bonds always said no.

by deuce deuce on Jul 27, 2009 1:20 PM PDT up reply actions

This.

by Hobbes2d on Jul 27, 2009 1:25 PM PDT up reply actions

They could just say:

“Bobby Bonds’ son: 73”

“Willie Mays’ godson: 73”

“Reggie Jackson’s cousin: 73”

‘Michael Tuckers’ clubhouse friend."

Proud father of Barry Bonds.

by Sabertooth on Jul 27, 2009 2:57 PM PDT up reply actions

Where’s the Jon Dowd love?

"he walked 18; new league record! Struck out 18, another new league record! He also hit the sportswriter, the PA announcer, the bull mascot twice..."

by i did my job on Jul 27, 2009 3:01 PM PDT up reply actions

Yep, this is the exact reason.

Judgment Day is coming
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by Natto on Jul 27, 2009 1:56 PM PDT up reply actions

Hadn't thought of that...

makes a lot of sense. Thanks.

by Cixelsyd on Jul 28, 2009 10:49 AM PDT up reply actions

It might have something to do with either McGwire being in the MLBPA. He was in video games and Bonds wasn’t at the end of his career so that might explain his exclusion.

Rafael Rodriguez: #8 on our list and batting .326 in Scottsdale...which I believe has be renamed Rafaelsdale.

by BrianBokake on Jul 27, 2009 1:20 PM PDT up reply actions

Would you rather it say...

Single Season HR Record: Jon Dowd – 73

Status: Feels so broke up. Wants to go home. || Still boycotting Johnsonville and Giants souvenirs or ballpark foods for repossessing my K Wall in right field.

by GiantBrass on Jul 27, 2009 1:26 PM PDT up reply actions

Sadly that game doesn’t exist anymore. I miss MVP and it’s switch hitting, white Barry Bonds.

Rafael Rodriguez: #8 on our list and batting .326 in Scottsdale...which I believe has be renamed Rafaelsdale.

by BrianBokake on Jul 27, 2009 1:27 PM PDT up reply actions

PITCH TO DOWD

by satyricrash on Jul 27, 2009 1:43 PM PDT up reply actions

In the PS2 version, they just leave single season and career HRs unlisted.

And a player can go 1-for-1 and retire and have the spot for highest career batting average.

by kaliber on Jul 27, 2009 1:46 PM PDT up reply actions

Oh, and Rickey has the records for runs scored and walks.

by kaliber on Jul 27, 2009 1:47 PM PDT up reply actions

I agree with Bill James, I think over time this won’t be that big of an issue and who ultimately belongs in the HOF will get there. Guys like Bonds, McGwire etc may not get in right away but they’re still going to get enough votes that keep them on the ballot long enough to get in once all this shit blows over.

by Hobbes2d on Jul 27, 2009 1:26 PM PDT reply actions

McGwire?

I’m not sure he gets in, even if roids weren’t an issue. Sosa, Palmiero, etc either. Probably a yes for Pudge. But the only two indicated guys who I feel like would be locks w/o any contraversy are Clements and Bonds (would both of course have gotten in even without their supernatural late career revivals).

by SnowLeopard on Jul 28, 2009 1:59 AM PDT up reply actions