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But I'm Not Happy
Yesterday Bruce Sutter was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame. I met him a few times during his career and he was a nice guy, but I'm not happy. This guy with a losing record (68 wins and 71 losses) gets a plaque in the hallowed halls of Cooperstown, while two of my favorite baseball players may never be so honored. I'm talking about Gil Hodges and Steve Garvey. Both Dodgers' first basemen have career records that merit induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
I know you can twist statistics to make anyone look good, but Hodges played 18 major league seasons and Garvey 19, while Sutter played 12. Hodges played in 1908 games, Garvey in 2261 and Sutter in 661 games. Experts will point to Sutter's 300 saves and his contributions to the importance of the relief pitcher in baseball, which is noteworthy stuff, but he pitched in a total of 1042 1/3 innings. Hodges and Garvey played that many innings in one season. And they retired with great overall numbers.
Hodges hit .273 lifetime, admittedly not so special, but he hit 370 career home runs and drove in 1274 runs. His slugging percentage is .487. Garvey hit .294 lifetime with a slugging percentage of .446 and he hit 272 home runs in his career, driving in 1308 runs. In addition, both Hodges and Garvey were outstanding defensively (does that count?). Hodges fielded .992 at first base lifetime and Garvey's fielding percentage is an amazing .996 (Sutter's is .963).
I never met Gil Hodges, but from all accounts he was a gentleman of the game and was loved by the Brooklyn Dodgers' fans (and later by the New York Mets' fans when he managed the Miracle Mets to the 1969 World Series title). I met Steve Garvey several times and he always made his fans feel special. He never walked away from a fan who wanted his autograph. For certain, he was a Hall of Famer off the field.
Instead, next July it will be Bruce Sutter getting his plaque hung in Cooperstown, while fans of Gil Hodges and Steve Garvey wonder about the sense of fair play. I love baseball, and I love visiting the Hall of Fame, but I'm not happy!
Comments
Hey Fox,
I never could figure out why it is such a big deal that a relief pitcher can get a Save for getting 3 outs without giving up three runs and that is supposed to be good, when a starter is expected to go 6 innings without giving up three runs for something they now call a "quality start". They should not be in the big leagues if they can't stop a team from getting three runs in one inning. Relievers are way overrated! (Unless of course it was me going through a contract negotiation.) HaHa
Posted by: Jody Johnston | January 12, 2006 9:51 PM
Hi Foxy- Totally agree with you on Garvey. I still remember the card shows of the early '80s, the Dodgers, and Fernandomania! Really enjoy your thoughts each week. Instant mashed potatoes though??
Posted by: Rob Gravelle | January 12, 2006 1:50 PM
Fox: I am not sure if you remember when my Indians autograph collection was stolen at a card show but Jack Baroody contacted Steve Garvey and a couple weeks later, I got a nice 8 X 10 autograph from Steve that said "this will start your new collection".
Classy guy. Ken
Posted by: Ken Hoeltzel | January 11, 2006 6:34 PM
Hi Foxy-
Thanks for including your card in the last shipment of autographs. Now I know what you look like and the fact that we are both educators.
Jerry
(Foxy's note: Jerry is a loyal eBay customer! And a big Dodgers fan!)
Posted by: Jerry Honig | January 11, 2006 3:52 PM
Foxy,
I have stopped by the most talked about site on the web, and I must say, I am HOOKED! However big you get, screenplays, politics, whatever, please save room to continue being a part of our football family! WE MAY HAVE TO ADDRESS THE PONYTAIL!
Posted by: Ed McCallister | January 11, 2006 2:25 PM
WOW, FoxMan I agree. However, there are many others out there besides Dodgers & Yankees that belong in the Hall Of Fame. What about the game's greatest in his time - Pete Rose. Lets face it!!! Yes I know your bias towards the Dodgers, but...........
Posted by: LSR | January 11, 2006 10:05 AM
I'm with you 100% Foxy. Of course, us Yankee fans want to see Don Mattingly in the Hall. Put up outstanding numbers with a healthy back. How can a guy nicknamed (yes, another nickname) "Donnie Baseball" not be in the Hall? Maybe Sutter's induction will open the door. And while were at it, how about Rich "Goose" Gossage? I know your brother would have to agree.
My new year's resolution: Root intensely for a Yankees-Dodgers Fall Classic!! Yankees in 5!
Posted by: Jim Manchester | January 11, 2006 7:22 AM