Steroids and Cooperstown ?

[BringTheContent]

Originally Posted by Pug Life

How do you deal with the guys in the HOF who cheated in a different way?

That was exactly my point. There is no way to deal with them. They're in. The system is what it is, and it's always been tainted in one way or another. That's why you can't go and change the record books now. The only reason baseball would even think about doing that, and they won't, is because they're worried about their image. And they're not too worried at this point because business is good. I'm glad things worked out that way, because you can't take something that happened and decide that it didn't happen. If people look at various records years from now and consider them tainted, then let baseball pay the price for that. In the end they'll always find a way to bounce back, but if people want to hold them accountable for things that are on the record, then so be it.

To keep Bonds, A-Rod, McGwire, Clemens, Palmiero and the rest out of the HOF simply because they were the ones who were caught would be foolish. There are plenty of guys in the Hall who cheated and got away with it. Those guys were all legends who defined something about their era and who dominated their peers, which is the true measure of greatness. For all we know, Tony Gwynn, Cal Ripken, Craig Biggio, Mike Piazza and Greg Maddux were all on some unknown drug for health and concentration that just hasn't been discovered by the authorities yet...

At least one of those guys is already pretty well known around his local media for his use. As for keeping players out, it's up to those who have the power of the vote. Again, if they use that power to keep someone out then that's their right, but they should do it without beating their chest over the whole thing... And some of them do just that.

Then again, I've always thought the Hall of Fame was very flawed anyway, but that's something better left to another thread.

[Drew1972]

I think what I miss is the players who weren't hr hitters but great hitters nonetheless. Rod Carew was the best contact hitter I have seen in my lifetime, A hofamer once was quoted as saying " Carew is the only player that could go 4 for 3 ". His 3,053 hits and .328 avg was great accomplishments, as well as another great hitter in Paul Molitor - 3,300+ hits 600+ 2b's, 100+ 3bs, and 200+ hrs. Were those 2 on something ? Greenies ? Roids ? HGH ? Who knows, I just like to imagine it was all God given ability.

[NewToCA]

Tough issue, my own personal point of view is cheaters shouldn't be allowed into the HOF.

However, what I suspect will eventually happen is that many of the guys we wouldn't consider today will ultimately be elected many years down the road. I suspect society will continue to evolve, and become more accepting of those players and just put them in a few decades from now.

But, they will have long waiting periods to get in.

[Lancet71]

Originally Posted by aardvarks

I think eventually when the older HOF voters retire and are replaced with next generation of voters, we'll begin to see the cream of the crop get in, but I don't think you'll see Big Mac, Sosa or Thome in there. I think the 500 home run plateau at least for this generation of player wont be good enough.

I think you're right.I just hope one day they put Pete Rose in.I don't see anyone ever touching his hit total.I think they should ban him from ever managing,etc...but he deserves to be in based on what he did on the field.