Font Size:

Rich "Goose" Gossage is in the Hall of Fame.  Congrats to him.  But does he deserve it?  Most writers and fans say it was deserving. But if he's truly a Hall of Famer, why did it take 9 times for him to get it.  The process is lame and needs a correction.

Gossage had a 124-107 career record with 310 career saves....17th ALL-TIME!  Certainly a really good career, but was it great?  The Hall of Fame should be reserved for "Greatness."  It should be for players that transcend their stats.  The typical "you know one when you see it" argument.  And to me, Gossage is not a Hall of Famer.

The current system needs a change.  We all knew that Gossage would eventually be elected.  The last few years his percentage has gone up every year.  WHY? HOW?  How can someone not vote for him in 2005....but then decide he's due for the Hall in 2008.  If you're not sure he's Hall worthy then he is not.

This process leads to a "watering-down" of the Hall of Fame.  After a player's eligibility is up, then the veterans committee can vote them in.  How many chances do you get? The Hall of Fame is for the Greatest of all time.  It shouldn't take 15 years to decide if they were indeed great.

There are exceptions of course.  Former Negro league legends do deserve a second-look.  Their accomplishments were not fully appreciated until years after their careers were over.  I'm all for the veterans committee to look into these cases and vote them in.  But not someone who played in the modern era and was overlooked.  If they're great it will stand out immediately.

And there's no shame in not being in the Hall of Fame.  Gossage was a 9-time All-star.  He had a fabulous career.  Leaving him out of the Hall is no slight.  It doesn't diminish his career at all.  It just doesn't put him in the same club as Cy Young, Nolan Ryan, Babe Ruth, Ted Williams...etc. 

One more stat for you.......Gossage 310 save (IN).  Lee Smith 478 saves (OUT). 

Thoughts?