Jimmy Eats World

Way to go American Baseball Writers you finally got it right. Jim Rice is finally inducted in the Baseball Hall of Fame. While Rice may have been a prick to the media it doesn't erase the good he brought while his eyes were still good. Rice is by far the best power hitter of his time and you could even argue the best overall hitter. Who was better Reggie Jackson?

I'll let Sons of Sam explain the who, what, where, and when and I'll stick to my story. It really is a disgrace to Rice and every other hitter of his time that he wasn't voted in earlier. Especially when I hear people talking about Andre Dawson and Tim "Rock" Raines for next year's ballot. What a joke the guy has to wait 16 years, on his final ballot to finally get the respect he earned day-in and day-out. Personality aside. I still can't believe Rice is only the 4th Red Sox ever elected! Think about that. How many Yankees are in there? And no I'm not counting Boggs, that gd traitor! Now will someone start a Mo Vaughn campaign for 2009.

MOnster (Jim) EDitions

Hall of Fame balloting for the Class of 2009 includes first timer Mo "Hit Dawg" Vaughn and once again the one the only Jim Rice. Honestly I don't see why both don't get the nod this year. Maybe I'm a little biased being a Sox fan, but you have two MVP caliber hitters (Rice '78 & Vaughn '95) who undoubtedly were top 5 players of their generations.

The 8x All-Star Rice has been held out of the Hall, some say, due to his rocky relations with reporters during his playing days. He has never apologized for his actions and certainly won't make any excuses for being a cocky S.O.B., that's what makes Jim Ed Jim Ed. You have to wonder if Vaughn's steroid use late in his career is going to hurt him when it comes time to vote. There is however no evidence that Vaughn was juicing during his prime years with the Sox and that may benefit him unlike Jose Canseco or Mark McGwire.

Both men are the prototypical power hitters. The guys who are there to clean up the base paths with just one swing. If you look at their numbers it is hard to deny their contributions to the Red Sox and Major League Baseball.

Rice's Career Numbers: .298 BA, 382 HR's, 1,451 RBI's, 1978 MVP, 8x All-Star

Interesting Stat: Rice remains the only player ever to lead his league, and Major League Baseball in triples, home runs, and RBIs in the same season 1978.

Hall O' Fame Worthy Stat: Only nine other retired ballplayers rank ahead of him in both career home runs and batting average. They are: Hank Aaron, Jimmie Foxx, Lou Gehrig, Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays, Stan Musial, Mel Ott, Babe Ruth, and Ted Williams.

Vaughn's Career Numbers: .293 BA, 328 HR's, 1,064 RBI's 1995 MVP, 3x All-Star

Interesting Stat: Hit one of the most prodigious home runs in Shea Stadium history (in the middle of the "Bud" Sign on the monstrous Shea scoreboard)

Hall O' Fame Worth Stat: One of less than 260 Major Leaguers to have over 1000 career rbi's. Ranks 91st on All-Time HR list.

It looks like Jim Ed might finally get in for his contributions in 2009 with over 70% of the vote in the 2008 balloting. If someone like Don Mattingly gets in over Rice this year it will prove that the voters are being subjective and holding a mans personal short comings in higher esteem then his on-field achievements, which is wrong on so many levels. I don't see how a bunch of writers get the say on it anyhow when most have never tried to hit a 90 mph fastball. I probably can see Mo getting passed over due to the stigma of the steroid era and his penchant for late night strip club runs. The Hit Dawg has been very charitable in his time away from the game (not just to single mommas trying to earn a buck) and owns a number of inner city buildings in New York and that should reflect well on his chances down the road. Hopefully for both these feared sluggers the Hall is only a call away. I know I'll always remember the Mo Vaughn era it was the begining of the prime of my Red Sox fanhood.