Quote:
Originally Posted by Dr Winston O Boogie jr
So glad to see Big Papi make it on the first ballot.
I think that anyone that was using PEIs should not be considered.
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Your criteria for inclusion may need some reconsideration. Big Papi was a confirmed steroid user as he tested positive in 2003. He of course said it must have been some OTC product he didn't know had steroid. Exactly the same claim that Bonds made that the cream he used must have had steroids.
Why did Ortiz get in? Because people liked him. All those voters who refuse to let the greatest home run hitter in because of steroids are hypocrites. Smiling pleasant steroid user.. ok. Unpleasant, not okay.
The HOF is full of great baseball players some of whom were horrible people. Babe Ruth and Mickey Mantle were alcoholics. Landis as commissioner made sure that no Black players were signed by MLB. It is not a coincidence that Jackie Robinson was able to break the color barrier shortly after Landis died.
Clemens may be the greatest pitcher ever. Multiple Cy Youngs before he ever took a steroid. Again his personality leaves a lot of people cold.
Pete Rose, another unlikable player. There is no accusation that he ever bet on baseball as a player. He is still the all time hit leader.
Not having the all time hit leader, the all time HR hitter, the single season highest HR hitter and one of if not the greatest pitcher ever in the HOF is a sad outcome. Unless they are going to go back and review the character of every person in the HOF with our retrospectoscope and kick out those who don't measure up to 2022 standards, they should vote in Bonds, Clemens, and Rose.
You have absolutely no idea how many players used steroids and other PEDs in the years up to and after they were banned. Included in the list of those who admitted drug use are Goose Gossage, Mike Schmidt, Hank Aaron, all in the HOF.