Jim Rice

[Mike P]

Rice wasn't the greatest performer in the clutch that I've ever seen. That's the negative on the field stat. What he was to the press shouldn't matter. Nobody in the history of baseball had a worse relationship with the press than Ted Williams, and the press didn't hold it against him come HOF time. Not that they credibly could. But when you have a borderline case like Rice's, everything seems to matter.

Interesting that Dave Parker is on there. He and Rice were kind of talked about in the same breath back then. Their careers almost paralled each other, and his career stats are right there with Rice's. Roughly the same career average (.290 for Parker to .298 for Rice), they both won MVP once and in fact, in the same year (1978), Rice had more HRs (382 to 279), Parker had more RBI (1493 to 1451), Rice had a better slugging percentage (.502 to .471). However, Rice grounded into 315 DPs over his career, which was another on the field nagative, to Parker's 209.

Also--when you recite Mickey Mantle's stats--bear in mind that he played on one leg for well over half of his career, and like Willie Mays, held on too long.

And the news that came in just a few minutes ago--Rice was passed over again, getting only 72% of the votes.

[Mike P]

Originally Posted by Strike_King

In regard to the media..Eddie Murray wasn't exactly media friendly..

But he had one of the magic numbers that used to assure a place in the Hall--500+ career HRs.

[BigFish]

Not to mention he was a switch hitter Mike!

[Squid kids Dad]

Wait till next year again..

[wrikerjr]

I think we all know that I am not a huge boston fan, but it is a travesty that Jim Rice is not in the hall. He was the most feared hitter in baseball for a decade in the AL, but comparing him to Eddie Murray and Mickey Mantle are you guys serious.

I grew up loving Don Mattingly, but I am not going to compare him to people he shouldn't be compared to in the same sentence.

Mickey Mantle, Eddie Murray and Jim Rice were power hiters. 2 of those power hitters had 500 home runs and that is why they are in the hall, before steroids that was the magic number you made it and your were guaranteed a spot.

Oh yea Mickey Mantle won the triple crown, remember that before you compare anybody to him. Jim Rice and Mickey mantle you guys make me laugh

[ThomCat]

Originally Posted by wrikerjr

Oh yea Mickey Mantle won the triple crown, remember that before you compare anybody to him. Jim Rice and Mickey mantle you guys make me laugh

First of all, I was speaking strickly about numbers. There is no doubt that MM was a terrific athlete and a great hitter. But I wonder how well he would have held up to the scrutiny under which Rice and later players were placed. Although his baseball credentials are undeniable, he wasn't exactly the ideal role model ( out of respect, there is no need to expound on that). In his era there was an unwritten bond between players and the media as to what was "off the record" and very few crossed that line. He was cannonized by the NY writers of his time but in the last decades of the 1900's, the later band of NY scribes would have ate him alive, surly deminished his legend and loved doing it.

I've been around a while and seen a few innings myself including the highlight film of Teddy Ball Game's last shot to right the day it happened. Not for nuttin'...........

[wrikerjr]

Originally Posted by ThomCat

First of all, I was speaking strickly about numbers. There is no doubt that MM was a terrific athlete and a great hitter. But I wonder how well he would have held up to the scrutiny under which Rice and later players were placed. Although his baseball credentials are undeniable, he wasn't exactly the ideal role model ( out of respect, there is no need to expound on that). In his era there was an unwritten bond between players and the media as to what was "off the record" and very few crossed that line. He was cannonized by the NY writers of his time but in the last decades of the 1900's, the later band of NY scribes would have ate him alive, surly deminished his legend and loved doing it.

I've been around a while and seen a few innings myself including the highlight film of Teddy Ball Game's last shot to right the day it happened. Not for nuttin'...........

Thom Cat - My apologies we were not on the same page. You will never know how Mickey Held up under the scrutiny that rice had, but you have a lot less scrutiny when you win championships.

There is a reason that Mickey Mantle is a 1st ballot hall of famer and a reason he is always listed on top 100 athletes of all time by fans and sportswriters. in 1956 mantle was a stud, his numbers during that year are unmatched by anyone as far as dominating the league. He won the ML triple crown not just the Al triple crown. I can't remember anyone even contending for the ML triplecrown since him (could be incorrect - but i don't remember).

With that said Rice definetly deserves to be in the hall

I just can't wait to see what happens when some of today's players are eligable.

[wrikerjr]

Originally Posted by Squid kids Dad

Wait till next year again..

next year is his final year of eligibility and i guarantee you that he gets in.

[Mike P]

Originally Posted by wrikerjr

next year is his final year of eligibility and i guarantee you that he gets in.

Depends on the quality of the first year eligible class. Off the top of my head, I can't think of who they might be, but a powerhouse cast could cost him a shot.

The Veterans' Committee will elect him someday. That's how Mazerowski, probably the least deserving player in there, got in. The guy basically got into Cooperstown on one swing of the bat

[BigFish]

I remember busing Peter.....Jim Rice was beloved in this town regardless! Not to mention what does busing have to do with the sportswriters votes???

Is that why we "hated" Bill Russell? Luis Tiant, Reggie Smith, George Scott?