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From: lor@ucla-cs.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.sport.baseball
Subject: Re: MARIS
Message-ID: <8218@ucla-cs.ARPA>
Date: Tue, 31-Dec-85 14:21:40 EST
Article-I.D.: ucla-cs.8218
Posted: Tue Dec 31 14:21:40 1985
Date-Received: Thu, 2-Jan-86 04:44:35 EST
References: <86@drutx.UUCP>
Reply-To: lor@ucla-cs.UUCP (Edward Lor)
Organization: UCLA Computer Science Department
Lines: 52

In article <86@drutx.UUCP> dtvh@drutx.UUCP (VanHandelDT) writes:
>>I'd like to start a new topic that I hope will generate a lot of
>>controversy....  
>>All baseball fans mourn the passing of Roger Maris, holder of one of the
>>best-known records in the game.  There is no question that Maris was an
>>outstanding player.  My question is, does he belong in the Hall of Fame?
>>On the plus side: 61 homeruns in 1961, 2 times MVP (60,61?), excellent
>>and smart hitter and fielder.
>>On the more questionable side: lifetime stats, while good, maybe a
>>little soft for Hall of Fame -- around .270 ba, with 279 hr, in a 10
>>year career (this is from memory, I welcome corrections).  If he had
>>done the same for another 8 years, there would be no question in my
>>mind.
>>I would remind the reader that it is standing Hall of Fame policy that
>>admission should be based on lifetime achievement and not on a single
>>great accomplishment, e.g., consider Don Larsen.
>>Well, I have an open mind on the issue and I look forward to a flood of
>>opinions, educated and otherwise.
>
>Even though some of Maris' "season" records are extremely impressive, I
>do not believe he deserves Hall of Fame recognition.  The Hall of Fame
>is reserved for those players who have consistently produced great
>seasons, year in and year out (OH MY GOD, THAT MEANS PETEY WILL MAKE IT!!).
>
>There are places for those players who have single great seasons, such as
>the All-Star Games, Record Books, etc.
>

	It's a shame the only thing everybody knows about Maris 
is the record. What's is the bottom line of a professional athlete?
statistics, records, or championships?

	The Yankees was a dynasty from 60-64 with five straight pennants
and two world championships. Even if Maris was a role player on such
a team, he deserves to be in the Hall of Fame, let alone he was the
significant contributor to this dynasty. He also helped the Cardinals
to two more pennants and one more world championship.

	I just don't believe a player who won seven pennants and
three world championships is ignored by the Hall. Who else in the
Hall, beside players from some other Yankee dynasties, have
such credentials? Other sure Hall of Famers, like Rod Carew
and Phil Niekro, have not even won a single pennant in 
twenty-year careers. 

	I am surprised nobody brings this up after Maris' death.

-- 
					Eddy Lor
					...!(ihnp4,ucbvax)!ucla-cs!lor
					lor@LOCUS.UCLA.EDU
					Computer Science Department, UCLA