Sort of. Arguing that Justin Morneau’s MVP election is “dumb and indefensible, good evidence of why no one takes baseball writers seriously,” and calling the prize “as relevant as a moss-covered, three-handled family credenza, or a tin of Boer War rations, slightly more meaningful than a Gold Glove,” the New York Sun’s Tim Marchman…looks forward to similar mistakes being made in years to come.
The award’s very silliness is the point exactly. This marvelously preposterous award, and the pretext for bewilderment it will offer future generations, are wonderful additions to the game’s ridiculous lore. Looking through the indices of past MVPs, there’s little joy in seeing the names of Willie Mays, Ted Williams, and Mickey Mantle; there is, however, great joy in seeing the names of George Bell, Jim Konstanty, and Marty Marion. A name has been added to this pantheon. Between now and the time the Venutians invade, thousands and perhaps millions of drinks will be won on bets involving Justin Morneau’s name. That’s a joy no superfluous validation of Derek Jeter’s already overvalidated greatness could bring. It’s an occasion to be celebrated.
Murray Chass campaigns for Marvin Miller’s election to the Baseball Hall Of Fame in today’s New York Times, and garners a funny quote from the pioneering head of the Players Association.
Probably the most inexplicable result in the 2003 voting was that some of the 41 committee members who played during Miller™s tenure didn™t vote for him.
Only two players acknowledged that they didn™t vote for Miller. Reggie Jackson said the Hall of Fame should be for players only, and Mike Schmidt said, without singling out anyone, that he looked at the ballot and decided not to vote for anyone.
œThe only players I talked to, Miller said the other day, œwere those who said: ˜I don™t understand this. I don™t know why this happened. It™s ridiculous.™
Miller was not surprised at the outcome, and he won™t be surprised by another negative outcome when the results are announced Feb. 27.
œIt would be nice, he said, œbut when you™re my age, 89 going on 90, questions of mortality have a greater priority than a promised immortality.
Jackson, who was in the first class of free agents 30 years ago, disclosed that he had changed his thinking.
œI™ve given more thought to it, Jackson said Sunday by telephone from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. œI™m just trying to have a broader view and be objective about people who have had a great impact on the game. Their kind of significance merits notice. The people who were influential in the development of the game need credit for that.
Does that group include Miller?
œMarvin Miller absolutely should be included in the Hall of Fame, Jackson said.
I’d like to see Saint Marvin go in. If ALL he did was expose the kind of bucks that the owners are raking in, that would be enough. It’s kinda funny when you look at the structure of the HOF from Jane Clark and Mr. Petroski on down, almost everyone in management is a conservative republican (Dale Petroski served in the Regan whitehouse). The organization is set up now to basically honor Union members. The last two times that Oberfurher Herr Selig has graced the stage at induction, the BOOs have been very loud. It’s prolly one of the reasons that MLB has pulled the plug on the Hall of Fame game.
Bob Feller and Robin Roberts both like to talk about their involvement in selecting Marvin. In Marvin’s book, he states that “If Bowie Kuhn did not exist, it would be necessary to invent him” – indicating Mr. Miller’s true feelings for that genuine piece of wallboard. Robin Roberts says that he “glanced at the list briefly” when the names for a player’s fund manager (Miller was on the list) were submitted, and said “they all look OK to me”.
The Union could have been thwarted right at that moment if Kuhn would have rubbed about two brain cells together, but it’s good that Marvin was selected. There will prolly be another strike, you know. That’s what unions do.
Personally, the Major League game doesn’t do much for me any more. I’d rather see the Oneonta (Class A) Tigers play, or some high school or American Legion Ball.
MLB is good for some memories, that’s all. Have you seen what the Yankees are charging for tickets this final season? And what they plan to charge next season at the new digs? The HOF Fantasy camp is now $8,600 to attend. Republican Baseball. Barf……….
Steve Newby
Cooperstown NY