I used the search feature of my web browser but I could not find any of those key words that turn Hall of Fame voting into knots: "integrity, sportsmanship, character".
The writers vote and judge retired players not just on their playing ability but also on those more subjective personal traits. However, "integrity, sportsmanship, character" do not appear in the BWAA constitution, which is not easy to find on the website. If someone finds a way to contact this organization, please share.
I specifically searched for the criteria for the Hall of Fame award that the writers annually give to each other: J. G. Taylor Spink. I wondered if the writers applied the same standard to themselves that they and the Hall apply to the players: "integrity, sportsmanship, character". No.
"integrity, sportsmanship, character" are not applied to those who vote nor is it applied to those writers who receive the J. G. Taylor Spink award.
Since the writers pass judgement on the "integrity, sportsmanship, character" of the players, shouldn't the players have the opportunity to do the same on the writers who would receive the J. G. Taylor Spink award, which provides the recipient with recognition during Hall of Fame Weekend in the "Scribes & Mikemen" exhibit in the Hall of Fame Library? Shouldn't the players vote on the writers? It seems only fair.
Here are some issues that could be applied to the "integrity, sportsmanship, character" of the writers:
1. Should writer who voted for Barry Bonds for one of the four MVP awards he received after he started using steroids be allowed to now oppose Bonds for the Hall of Fame because Bonds cheated by using steroids in winning that MVP?
2. Should a writer be allowed to support manager Tony LaRussa for the Hall of Fame but oppose Mark McGwire who played for LaRussa on championship teams in both Oakland St. Louis?
3. Should a writer be allowed to support for the Hall of Fame an executive for whom Tony LaRussa worked?
4. Should a writer be allowed to support for the Hall of Fame Commissioner Bud Selig who presided almost exactly over the entire steroid era?
5. Finally, does a writer who now refuses to support for the Hall of Fame a player whom he covered and voted for as MVP and/or Cy Young but did not expose as a steroid user while that player was active deserve the right to pass judgement on players much less receive an award from his peers implicitly based on "integrity, sportsmanship, character"?
1 comment:
I support your contention. There are many hypocrites on the BWA. I do not believe that some of them voted for Bonds or McGwire. They are the ones who will probably vote for Clemens, A-Rod, Giambi, I-Rod and others.
That era tarnished the integrity of the game and as much as I like Bud Selig, he did fail miserably by not standing up to Donald Fehr. For someone who claims to honor the game as much as he does is equally hypocritical.
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