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Hello readers. The editors of the DK are taking a few moments today to take a look at this year's HOF class. Below contains some highlights of the round table discussion with some all-time BLB greats to discuss this years ballot. On the panel we have Mel Woodbury, Rex Knight, Dani Trujilo, Ed Carroll, and RJ Manning.
1. Thank you for joining us today gentlemen. Start off with an easy one. What was your greatest memory of making it into the BLB Hall of Fame.
MW - Seeing my folks there are realizing that all of their hard work and sacrifice made it all possible.
EC, RK, DT, RM - We'd have to say the same. None of this happens without the love and support of the people that mean the most to you.
2. This year's ballot is loaded. Anyone you think is an automatic lock?
MW - Gudino... Over 3 000 hits and 450 home runs... Easy call!
EC - Mejia... I'm not sure I've ever enjoyed watching a pitcher more... Totally dominant, and two pitching triple crowns, are you kidding me... Easy call!
RM - Mejia... We gotta stick with the pitchers. A must watch every time he was on the mound!
DT - Swope... The most dominant hitter the BLB has ever seen... Power... Check! Average... Check! Clutch... Check! I'm not sure he's had an equal in the history of the league... Sorry Doorbell.
RK - Brooksher... Of course, I'm going with the centre fielder... What if... Power, speed, defence... He had it all... If not for the injuries it might be his name on the BLB's Mount Rushmore and not mine... Great player!
3. Okay, tough one now. What player is not currently over the cut line that absolutely should make the Hall of Fame. As current HOFers yourself, who is the player you think needs to join you?
MW - This is a no brainer... Ron Hutchison. Listen, I get the DH thing, but it's a position, and no one played it better... Ever! 549 home runs... FIVE HUNDRED AND FORTY-NINE! Come on voters this is a travesty!
EC - Not sure either of the two relievers on the bubble deserve to get in on the first ballot, but it's nice to Quincey Swaney and Tom Jensen getting enough love from the voters to get to next year's ballot that might not be as crowded.
RM - Agreed on the relievers, although I'd be tempted to cast my vote for Jensen. 15 straight years of 25 saves. That kind of consistency deserves to be rewarded.
DT - This one bothers me... A lot... How is Dave Davis not already in the Hall... 10 DWIs... TEN!! The greatest defensive infielder in BLB history has to be in the HOF. I don't care if he never had a single hit. TEN DWIs as a middle infielder. This is an embarrassing overbite, that voters still have a chance to change.
RK - I have to absolutely second Dani's thoughts on this. And while we are talking Davis, the second most stolen by by an infielder ever. 551 stolen bases, gold glove defence, Ahem... 10 times, and, oh yeah... over 2200 career hits. Come on voters, let's do this. We can be better.
4. Let's finish with a fun one. Toughest player you ever faced?
MW - Teagan Corrigan - Four Eyes was an absolute beast. I'm sure I got my hits off of him, but I can telly you, if I did, it was mostly blind luck. Best pitcher I ever faced, no question!
EC - Mike Morla - Thankfully Yoyo didn't move to the IL until toward the end of his career, but you couldn't get that guy out. He could get good wood on a piece of aspirin. Greatest hitter I ever saw.
RM - Geoff Yonke - Although I faced him at the end of my career and the start of his, it was apparent the first time I saw him that he'd be great. An absolute stud. Great player!
DT - Joe Aurillo. Bluto scared the hell out of me. 5 pitches and pinpoint control of all of them. I never knew which pitch was coming ever. He was just so tough to hit.
RK - Tino Suarez - Everything about Maine in those days was tough, including this guy. I think I once saw him punch a mascot, at his son's little league game. That's one tough dude!
Thanks for the time gentlemen. See you in a few weeks at the HOF ceremony!
1. Thank you for joining us today gentlemen. Start off with an easy one. What was your greatest memory of making it into the BLB Hall of Fame.
MW - Seeing my folks there are realizing that all of their hard work and sacrifice made it all possible.
EC, RK, DT, RM - We'd have to say the same. None of this happens without the love and support of the people that mean the most to you.
2. This year's ballot is loaded. Anyone you think is an automatic lock?
MW - Gudino... Over 3 000 hits and 450 home runs... Easy call!
EC - Mejia... I'm not sure I've ever enjoyed watching a pitcher more... Totally dominant, and two pitching triple crowns, are you kidding me... Easy call!
RM - Mejia... We gotta stick with the pitchers. A must watch every time he was on the mound!
DT - Swope... The most dominant hitter the BLB has ever seen... Power... Check! Average... Check! Clutch... Check! I'm not sure he's had an equal in the history of the league... Sorry Doorbell.
RK - Brooksher... Of course, I'm going with the centre fielder... What if... Power, speed, defence... He had it all... If not for the injuries it might be his name on the BLB's Mount Rushmore and not mine... Great player!
3. Okay, tough one now. What player is not currently over the cut line that absolutely should make the Hall of Fame. As current HOFers yourself, who is the player you think needs to join you?
MW - This is a no brainer... Ron Hutchison. Listen, I get the DH thing, but it's a position, and no one played it better... Ever! 549 home runs... FIVE HUNDRED AND FORTY-NINE! Come on voters this is a travesty!
EC - Not sure either of the two relievers on the bubble deserve to get in on the first ballot, but it's nice to Quincey Swaney and Tom Jensen getting enough love from the voters to get to next year's ballot that might not be as crowded.
RM - Agreed on the relievers, although I'd be tempted to cast my vote for Jensen. 15 straight years of 25 saves. That kind of consistency deserves to be rewarded.
DT - This one bothers me... A lot... How is Dave Davis not already in the Hall... 10 DWIs... TEN!! The greatest defensive infielder in BLB history has to be in the HOF. I don't care if he never had a single hit. TEN DWIs as a middle infielder. This is an embarrassing overbite, that voters still have a chance to change.
RK - I have to absolutely second Dani's thoughts on this. And while we are talking Davis, the second most stolen by by an infielder ever. 551 stolen bases, gold glove defence, Ahem... 10 times, and, oh yeah... over 2200 career hits. Come on voters, let's do this. We can be better.
4. Let's finish with a fun one. Toughest player you ever faced?
MW - Teagan Corrigan - Four Eyes was an absolute beast. I'm sure I got my hits off of him, but I can telly you, if I did, it was mostly blind luck. Best pitcher I ever faced, no question!
EC - Mike Morla - Thankfully Yoyo didn't move to the IL until toward the end of his career, but you couldn't get that guy out. He could get good wood on a piece of aspirin. Greatest hitter I ever saw.
RM - Geoff Yonke - Although I faced him at the end of my career and the start of his, it was apparent the first time I saw him that he'd be great. An absolute stud. Great player!
DT - Joe Aurillo. Bluto scared the hell out of me. 5 pitches and pinpoint control of all of them. I never knew which pitch was coming ever. He was just so tough to hit.
RK - Tino Suarez - Everything about Maine in those days was tough, including this guy. I think I once saw him punch a mascot, at his son's little league game. That's one tough dude!
Thanks for the time gentlemen. See you in a few weeks at the HOF ceremony!