Twinsguy61

I am against the PED guys getting in, but with Bud in the Hall of Fame what the hell. Just open up the doors and let any idiot who once owned a team in. Makes one want to avoid the room with the plaques unless they put the pic of him at the Miller Park All Star game hands in the air looking overwhelmed by the fact that his game was going to end in a tie on the stupid thing. Hey Fidel Castro once played the game, can he get in too.

Two groups that I cannot reconcile with are the Steroid users and the gamblers. I grew up a huge Pete Rose fan, loved the Big red machine. But he knew the rules and knew that he was breaking the cardinal sin of the game and yet he felt he was bigger then the game. So I just can't wipe that away from his record and as such I don't think he belongs in the shrine. Put his memorabilia and recognize his accomplishments, but I can't personally see celebrating him in the Hall. Steroids same thing, they knew they were cheating. It was a effort to enrich themselves and to increase their standing in the games history. They knew it was wrong and if they didn't then that shows disregard for the game. In the Live Ball and pre- Jackie Robinson days the individual player did not make a decision to compete under those circumstances, though there were some more then happy to keep African-Americans out. It was not a personal act that they could control. Amphetamine users are close for me and I am split on that one. How much did it effect the game I am not sure and not sure of the edge it gave the player. Steroids I am pretty sure had a huge effect on the game of people like Bonds and Clemens. So for me it is a question of personal integrity. This being said I know there are some real jerks and borderline criminals in the Hall now and a bunch of people elected by buddies on the Veterans Committee who don't belong. Should that be cleaned up? Probably, but why continue to add to the issues by rewarding people in who played the system for only their benefit.