January 07, 2008
Running to the Hall
Dan Fox looks at how Tim Raines's base running ability might get him in the Hall of Fame. The voting will be announced Tuesday at 2 PM EST.
It's somewhat interesting, with all the talk of steroids going on now, no one brings up Tim's cocaine problem. One writer, who appears to be voting for anyone who played before the 1990s, excuses it:
The 10th man on my ballot (and electors may vote for only 10) is Tim Raines. Raines had drug issues, but they were recreational drug issues. Cocaine, to be exact. "Coke" was illegal, but no one has suggested it made for better careers. It messed up Raines' head but it didn't attack the integrity of the on-field product.
Oh really? Someone high on drugs is doing the best he can do on the field?
From what I remember, Raines had a problem early in his career that I don't remember repeating. A youthful indiscretion. It would not keep me from voting for him, but it should not be so easily dismissed, either.
Cocaine should play as large a part in Raines' vote as it did with Molitor - that is, not at all
Or alcohol to anyone who played & drank when it was unconstitutional. I would put Bonds & Clemens in even ith they did use PED, as they were already HoFers before their alleged use. It is the more marginal HoFers that should be the issue. Would McGwire have hit 70 HR & 586 HR without banned PEDs (if he used, andro wasn't illegal/banned at the time)?
I am for Raines, but that writer you mention gives the BBWAA a bad name (kind of like another Joe Cowley? The writer, not the pitcher from the 1980s). Please revoke his ballot.
