Bruce Sutter voted to the Hall of Fame

by Adam J. Morris on Jan 10, 2006 1:30 PM CST in News

In the latest in a series of ridiculous decisions by the Hall of Fame voters, Bruce Sutter has been elected to the Hall of Fame.

That's great news for Goose Gossage, since Sutter wasn't nearly as good a candidate as Gossage. Or it would be, if Gossage hadn't been overlooked yet again this season by the voters.

Anyway, Sutter's election means that being a great reliever for three seasons, and a very good reliever for another half-dozen or so, means that you are a Hall of Famer.

Using the Sutter standard, Lee Smith, Sparky Lyle, Trevor Hoffman, Robb Nen, Billy Wagner, Mariano Rivera, Troy Percival, John Wetteland, Dan Quisenberry, Kent Tekulve, and Jeff Reardon are all Hall of Famers.

Update [2006-1-10 17:39:21 by Adam J. Morris]: -- Tom Verducci breaks down why Gossage belongs in the Hall, and Sutter doesn't...

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Mariano Rivera

He is a Hall of Famer.

Soriano trade = Good. Padilla trade = Good. Young trade = Bad.

by LoneStarBallUser on Jan 10, 2006 1:50 PM CST reply actions

Rivera

Yeah, he is.

So is Quisenberry.

I guess my point was that, there are a lot of relievers as good as, or better than, Sutter out there.

by Adam J. Morris on Jan 10, 2006 2:07 PM CST up reply actions

is there really a standard set

for relievers being hall of famers? like, can a starting pitcher or a relief pitcher or a DH ever be MVP of the league?

but i guess just from teh stand point of one of the best at your position ever, you would think rivera and some others would get in.

by ab03 on Jan 10, 2006 2:10 PM CST up reply actions

Reardon ...

... would being convicted of a jewelry store robbery disqualify you from election to the HOF?

by shroomer on Jan 10, 2006 2:33 PM CST reply actions

It probably will

But it shouldn't. It doesn't have anything to do with his performance

Sutter had a good string of years, and that's very difficult for a reliever to do, but I don't think he's a HOF, either.

by Dustin on Jan 10, 2006 2:53 PM CST up reply actions

They should elect...

Mike Henneman - he did a great job of being mediocre for Texas. Maybe throw in Tom Henke just for kicks.

The Hammer will Return!!!

by TheHossMan on Jan 10, 2006 4:32 PM CST reply actions

Henke

He is, arguably, more deserving than Sutter.

by Adam J. Morris on Jan 10, 2006 4:38 PM CST up reply actions

Arguably?

I don't think there is any question that Henke is more deserving. Which just goes to show why Sutter being elected is ridiculous.

Soriano trade = Good. Padilla trade = Good. Young trade = Bad.

by LoneStarBallUser on Jan 10, 2006 4:46 PM CST up reply actions

Wetteland

From MLB.com article on HOF voting results:
"Thirteen players -- Will Clark, Doc Gooden, Willie McGee, Ozzie Guillen, Hal Morris, Gary Gaetti, John Wetteland, Rick Aguilera, Gregg Jefferies, Doug Jones, Walt Weiss, Gary DiSarcina and Alex Fernandez -- did not receive the requisite five percent of the vote and will no longer appear on the ballot"

Hmm, is that as indefinite as it sounds??? Its kind of disturbing to think that Wetteland will no longer have a shot on a HOF ballot.

Troy I. ----- "It helps if the hitter thinks you're a little crazy." -Nolan Ryan

by tdi1985 on Jan 10, 2006 6:01 PM CST reply actions

hof

Will Clark didn't have enough really great years to be in the HOF. I don't think Wetteland should be in, either.

Gary DiSarcina definitely should, though. How in the world did he not get five percent???

by Dustin on Jan 10, 2006 6:20 PM CST reply actions

Sutter

Great Lancaster County Boy. I'm glad he made it, even though yes, his numbers arn't exceptional.

by markaholden on Jan 11, 2006 2:01 PM CST reply actions

Goose the philosopher

Through it all, Gossage says he's keeping perspective.

"I'd be lying if I told you I wasn't disappointed," he said. "But in the big picture, this doesn't really mean much. I mean, we've got a war going on in Iraq. And, you know, we're losing our boys over there. That's a lot bigger."

Soriano trade = Good. Padilla trade = Good. Young trade = Bad.

by LoneStarBallUser on Jan 11, 2006 4:37 PM CST reply actions

hof

all they are talking about on espn now is gossages comments, i think the guy has a right to be pissed. but more than that, it seems they keep harping that albert belle almost got dropped from the ballot.
personally i see some names on the list of players dropped that are more deserving than belle

by rentz on Jan 11, 2006 4:42 PM CST reply actions