I think he deserved it. I'm glad he got in before it was too late. I think a lot of the problem was every year, there were new guys who were more worthy of a vote. I think if he had years left, he still wouldn't have been elected. I think a lot of voters probably thought that if he wasn't elected now, it would be out of their hands so they went ahead and gave him a vote.

I may be wrong, but a lot of people seem to think he belongs in the hall, but didn't vote him in until his last year of eligibility with the BBWAA. So it doesn't seem unreasonable that my assumption is right.

Syd Lexia wrote:

I'm not saying that Walker juiced; I'm saying that putting up Rice's number in the late 90s and into this decade wasn't as impressive as was when Rice was doing it because he was overshadowed by guys like Sosa, Giambi, McGwire, Bonds, and other such cheaters. I also think if the 1994 World Series had happened, Walker would probably be a viable candidate. I understand what you're saying about Rice. but whereas I like the guy, I'm not gonna complain.

From now on, anyone in the steroids era is going to at least in some way be considered guilty by association. So for better or worse, right or wrong, some guys who were legit are going to get the shaft because of the guys who were juiced.

As far as the HOF being watered down, I can see his point of view. But we already have a precedent. Do we say those guys get a free pass and can stay, but we aren't going to let other similar players in? I think its a judgement call.

Syd Lexia wrote:

Why doesn't the Red Sox MLB store have a Jim Rice jersey? After buying a replica Manny jersey last year, only to have him be traded, I want something with staying power goddammit.

I'd actually like to get a Babe Ruth Redsox jersey. Its probably not something most Boston fans would want. But I'm not a Sox or Yankees fan and I like rare jerseys.

Cattivo wrote:

They didn't have numbers or names on jerseys yet when Ruth played for the Sox.

They actually have Babe Ruth throwbacks. They have #3 on them and say Ruth.
They also make Boston Braves Ruth jerseys with the #3 but no name.

Syd, you could get a Tim Wakefield jersey.
Get it?...

It doesn't bother me that much. I guess its kind of like how the Washington Bullets throwback Michael Jordan jersey was really popular. I don't know if the Wizards ever used those jerseys while Jordan played there, but it was neat either way.

I know a throwback is different. But like I said, the Ruth jerseys are still pretty neat as a rare jersey most people don't have. Kind of like a Atlanta Favre jersey, or a Kurt Warner Barnstormers jersey.

I just like that sort of thing. I grew up only about 40 minutes away from where Rod Smith went to college and where Grant Wistrom went to high school. I would love to have both of those jerseys. But if I wore the Wistrom, they would kill me because his high school was a rival of my high school.