2008 MLB Hall of Fame Inductees

I would like to start by saying Happy and Healthy New Year.

It's that time of year fellow baseball lovers. Time to see who will be enshrined and who will be snubbed by the baseball writers of America. I have listed below my thoughts on the new and old candidates for this years induction. The criteria I used to make my decision is pretty simple. Based on numbers, past inductees and longevity. If a player can last for 15-20 years in major league baseball, and has amassed some intriguing numbers, they without question need to be considered as an elite player amongst his peers. So without further delay here is my class of 2008.

Lee Smith: 473 saves. Enough said!! You have to be kidding me that he isn't in yet.

Bert Blyleven: 287 wins, 10 years with 15 or more wins (on some very "mediocre" teams). One of the all time filthiest curveballs I have ever seen. 22 years as a pitcher. Stop already.

Dave Concepcion: 9 Time all star. 5 Gold Gloves. He averaged 130 games played over his 19 year career. His numbers are right there with Rizzuto (except for WS titles). If he's in, so is Mr. Concepcion.

Jim Rice: 1978 AL MVP. Top ten in MVP voting 6 times during 16 year career. .298 lifetime batting average. Led the AL in HR's 3 times, and RBI's twice. 2 Silver Slugger awards. Do I need to keep going?

Andre Dawson: 1977 Rookie of the Year. 1987 NL MVP. 5 times in top 10 of MVP voting on some very bad Cubs teams. 503 doubles, 438 HR's, 314 stolen bases. Hit over .300 four times. Oh, and by the way, had one of the strongest arms in the outfield anyone has ever seen.

Rich "Goose" Gossage": His numbers from 1975-1985 are very impressive. Is there anyone out there would like to face him with two outs in he 9th inning? SOME OTHER FODDER TO CHEW ON...9 time All Star, 5 times in the top 10 for Cy Young Award. 2 times voted in the top10 for MVP voting.


Well that's about it for the class of 2008. I can't believe some of the players on that list that haven't gotten in yet, but I am not a baseball writer. I think the voting should belong to a committee comprised of several different demographic groups. We can discuss that at another time.

Have a great day!