Re: MLB Off-Topic
Yeah, he made a lot of money and became a minor fan favorite in the city of Chicago. That's what you get as an MLB player who is consistent for a long period of time. Being roster-able for 20 years is a really, really low bar for induction to the HoF. There is a reason he didn't get in through the regular voting process, and I can sum that up by saying he isn't HoF caliber (or, calibre for any Quebecois).
If your argument is that Harold Baines 'invented the modern day DH' or is somehow largely responsible for the proliferation of the DH in baseball, then that's something I'd need to think more about. Any argument would have to be based on precedent (like with guys who broke the color barrier, but weren't exactly Jackie Robinson-good) instead of production. Based on his numbers alone, Baines certainly doesn't make it, nor does he come particularly close.
Including a guy with these numbers (less than .300, 400 HR, 3000 hits) for an offense-only player who compiled stats in relative obscurity for 20 years opens a Pandora's box for guys like Adam Dunn and dozens of other Hall of Very Good types that heretofore had no chance at inclusion.
Yeah, he made a lot of money and became a minor fan favorite in the city of Chicago. That's what you get as an MLB player who is consistent for a long period of time. Being roster-able for 20 years is a really, really low bar for induction to the HoF. There is a reason he didn't get in through the regular voting process, and I can sum that up by saying he isn't HoF caliber (or, calibre for any Quebecois).
If your argument is that Harold Baines 'invented the modern day DH' or is somehow largely responsible for the proliferation of the DH in baseball, then that's something I'd need to think more about. Any argument would have to be based on precedent (like with guys who broke the color barrier, but weren't exactly Jackie Robinson-good) instead of production. Based on his numbers alone, Baines certainly doesn't make it, nor does he come particularly close.
Including a guy with these numbers (less than .300, 400 HR, 3000 hits) for an offense-only player who compiled stats in relative obscurity for 20 years opens a Pandora's box for guys like Adam Dunn and dozens of other Hall of Very Good types that heretofore had no chance at inclusion.
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