First off, congratulations to Andre Dawson for being elected to the Hall of Fame. Now I don't have the issue a lot of the more sabr inclined have with his inclusion though I agree that Tim Raines was more deserving. Dawson had a combination of power, speed, and defense that was rare for his time. I certainly don't believe that he is lowering Hall standards. My feeling is that if there is room for Brooks Robinson (.267/.322/.401/104 OPS+, 16 GG's) then there is room for Dawson (.279/.323/.482/119 OPS+, 8 GG's), I know some will disagree and that's just fine.
Second I think it's a disgrace that only Dawson was elected. In my opinion Blyleven, Alomar, Larkin, Martinez, and McGwire were all worthy. The BBWAA continues their inevitable descent into irrelevancy.
Lastly I was somewhat amused by the twitter conversations where people were trying to guess which Royals homer voted for Kevin Appier. I've already posted where I stand on Appier, I don't think he belongs but let's not act like he was some league average shlub who had no business getting at least one vote. Here are some pitchers in the Hall with an equal or lower ERA+ than Appier's 121.
Don Drysdale 121
Warren Spahn 118
Gaylord Perry 117
Phil Niekro 115
Steve Carlton 115
Fergie Jenkins 115
Nolan Ryan 111
Don Sutton 108
Catfish Hunter 104
ERA+ isn't the end all, be all of stats but it gives a pretty good indication of how effective a pitcher was and Appier was pretty good.
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