Blackadder: Every profession defines what “character” means in the context of its specific needs and culture. For example, although all states require lawyers to be “of good moral character,” they generally limit what would be bad moral character to breaking the law, cheating in school, getting kicked out of the army and not paying debts—-because of what lawyers do and what they have to be trusted to do. (There is a porn star and part-time Nev. prostitute currently in law school, and she will be admitted to any bar she chooses.) The character clause in the Hall requirements should similarly apply to character as demonstrated on the field and as a representative of the game during one’s playing career. Thus Rob Dibble’s argument that Ron Santos personal courage dealing with illness should put him over the line for the Hall is just plain wrong, and Ty Cobb’s nasty personality, Babe Ruth’s excesses, Orlando Cepeda’s post-career drug problems, Steve Garvey’s dalliances and Willy McCovey’s tax issues are NOT relevant, and shouldn’t be. Cheating and law-breaking related to baseball (Shoeless Joe, Hal Chase, Rose—-though how to treat post-playing baseball-related transgressions is a close call for me—-Barry Bonds, Gaylord Perry, Sosa) are. Otherwise, writers feel that Jim Rice’s and Steve Carlton’s surliness are evidence of “bad character,” and Ted Williams’ service record and Jimmy Fund activities get considered as part of his Hall of Fame vote.