Managing Expectations
This system, while it seems to be working in getting people elected, has its inherent flaws. For instance, of the 12 finalists, there are seven holdovers, and none of them has thrown an extra pitch or had an extra at bat. Only two of them, Dave Concepcion and labor leader Marvin Miller, had as many as half of the votes last time out (anyone with under 8 votes didn't have their vote total announced). So, one might ask, why are Steve Garvey, Tommy John, Billy Martin, Ted Simmons, and George Steinbrenner back on the ballot? Is it a matter of keep trying until you get in?
The BBWAA, which votes in the recent retirees, has a system in which if a player does not get at least five percent of the vote, they're off, forever. They can then be considered by the veterans' committee (Simmons is an example--he lasted only one year on the BBWAA ballot). But then, if the veterans' committee rejects you resoundingly, why be allowed back? It's a strange system.
In my post from four years, you can read about my opinions of the holdovers. Only Marvin Miller, in my opinion, deserves induction.
There are five new names on the list, and three of them are no-brainers, three of the most successful managers of all time. What's interesting to see is whether all three will get in this first year, or whether the voters will hold back. If so, which one goes first, second, etc.? There are also two new players to be considered. In alphabetical order:
Bobby Cox: Cox managed 29 big-league seasons and had 15 first-place finishes, including 14 straight division titles (excepting 1994, which was ended prematurely due to a strike). At 2,504 wins, he is fourth all-time, and won five pennants and four Manager of the Year awards. The only possible knock is that he won only one World Series, which may make him the odd man out in the first go-round. He shouldn't be, though.
Tony LaRussa: Managed 33 years, and is third in all-time victories. Took three different teams to the playoffs, and won six pennants and three World Series titles, and is one of two men to win it all in both leagues. He has earned a reputation as the intellectual manager, and it's hard to argue with his success. Unquestionably the highest ranking candidate in this year's finalists.
Dave Parker: This is the Cobra's first year on this ballot, after spending the maximum fifteen years on the writers' ballot, where he never topped 25 percent of the vote. He was surely a great player, with 393 homers and a .290 lifetime batting average, but that's just not enough to get him in.
Dan Quisenberry: Another player who had only one appearance on the writers' ballot, getting only 3 percent of the vote. For about six years he was a dominant relief pitcher in the game, leading the league in saves five times. But he only played 12 years, with 244 lifetime saves, and compared to the totals now put up, that's paltry. Sadly, he died of a brain tumor at age 45, but he does not deserve enshrinement.
Joe Torre: Almost makes it in on his player stats alone: 252 homers, 2342 hits, .297 lifetime batting average. But add his managerial record, and he's a slam dunk. What's interesting is that until he was named Yankee manager in 1996, his managerial career was marginal. He managed the Braves to a division title in 1982, but his stints with the Mets and Cardinals were without success. But oh did he lead the Yankees to glory, winning four championships in five years, and a total of six pennants. He then won two division titles with the Dodgers.
Torre, some say, lucked into the position, and anyone with that kind of talent could have won. Maybe, but nobody else did win--he did. And he has received credit for being the kind of low-key manager that the team required. Anyone who doesn't vote for him has rocks in their head.
I'm guessing the three managers will all get in, and no players will. Miller, who missed by one vote last time, has since passed on. It would be nice if they finally got this right, but I doubt it.
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