Andre Dawson was elected to the Hall of Fame today, with 78% of the vote. Bert Blyleven and Roberto Alomar just missed making it. You can can read the full voting tally at the BBWAA site. Dawson and Blyleven both added about ten percentage points to their totals from last year's vote; Alomar was on the ballot for the first time this year.
Like a lot of sabermetricians, I'm not ecstatic about Dawson's election. His low OBP and walk totals stick out as a major negative. However, he was otherwise a great all-around ballplayer and reportedly a fine person. I will always admire the way he stuck it to Ueberroth and the "lords of the cartel" in 1987, daring owners to sign him to a contract, any contract, any salary. Dawson is certainly Hall-worthy.
Congrats, Hawk.
Dave was called a "national treasure" by Rob Neyer. Seriously. Comments about this article can be sent to him through the miracle of e-mail.
Comments
Michael said...
The irrelevance of the average BBWAA writer shines through.
Voting in Dawson while holding back Roberto Alomar and almost burying Edgar Martinez is pretty unconscionable.
Posted 01/06 at 05:05 PM
Ed said...
With every silly omission and every ridiculous entry the HOF becomes more of an afterthought. Seriously, Dawson and not Alomar? More Gold Gloves, a better career OPS, a better peak year, better production relative to his position. I can’t figure this out at all.
Posted 01/06 at 05:33 PM
D Leaberry said...
Dawson’s in and Trammell will likely have to wait until he’s a great-grandfather when the Old-Timers vote him in. I guess we can expect Paul O’Neill, Bret Boone, Robin Ventura, Bernie Williams and Tino Martinez to get the nod shortly.
Posted 01/06 at 05:38 PM
Jim Casey said...
Anyone who sent in a blank ballot should be visited by a drunken lout with a Louisville Slugger, 34-32, C243, and beaten to within an inch of their lives, and never allowed to vote for anything ever again. Especially Jay Mariotti. Just remember what Ted Williams said, as his knowledge was complete. “This is not the Baseball Hall of Fame, this is the Baseball WRITERS Hall of Fame.”
Posted 01/06 at 05:47 PM
Nick Steiner said...
Edgar did fine for a first ballot DH… he’ll probably get in after 5-6 years.
Posted 01/06 at 10:34 PM
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Commenting is not available in this weblog entry.
The irrelevance of the average BBWAA writer shines through.
Voting in Dawson while holding back Roberto Alomar and almost burying Edgar Martinez is pretty unconscionable.