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Inside scoop
SI's Verducci steps up to the plate
Posted: Tuesday January 11, 2000 12:34 PM
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Tom Verducci has his reasons for selecting Gary Carter over Carlton Fisk. Jonathan Daniel/Allsport |
Sports Illustrated's baseball writer
and more importantly in this case,
Hall of Fame voter
Tom Verducci ,
talked with CNN/Sports Illustrated's
Laura Okmin about the class of 2000
that may or may not be announced
on Tuesday. Tony Perez is a sentimental
favorite to get the nod this year. Laura asked why Perez isn't in the Hall and is this the year he gets in?
Verducci : Well, I think partly
he's been overshadowed because
he played on those great Big Red
Machines where people like Rose,
Bench and Morgan got a lot more
publicity and really put up
better numbers than Tony. But I look
at Tony's numbers and I'm not sure
he is a Hall of Famer. I look not
at his batting average, but his
slugging percentage and his
on-base percentage were both worse
than what Gil Hodges put up and I
thought Hodges was a much better
defensive first-baseman than Tony
Perez. I also look at where players
finish in the MVP balloting. Now
Tony Perez for a very lengthy
career, finished in the top six only
once in his entire career. Somebody
like Jim Rice, six times with top six
finishes. Gary Carter four times.
Even Carlton Fisk, two times. I
think Perez just wasn't enough of a
dominant player, especially at a
first-base position where slugging is
at a premium to get into the Hall
Okmin : Let's talk about the
first-timers. Many say the
winningest pitcher of the 1980's,
Jack Morris has the strongest case.
Agree? And did you vote him in?
Verducci : Well, I did not
vote him in and he may have the
strongest case. It's not a great
first-year class. Jack Morris does
have the most wins of the 1980's
but what does that mean? Who has
the most wins between 81 and 91?
It's kind of a nebulous honor for Jack
Morris.
Okmin : Let's talk about
Goose Gossage. He saved 310
games. But no reliever has ever
been honored with a first-year
election. Can Goose debunk that
trend?
Verducci : I don't think so.
Time may tell, but first year? No,
I don't see that. It's hard looking
back at his numbers because saves
are so easy to come by. Goose only
had two years of 30 or more saves.
But the fact is, he pitched in more
pressure situations coming in the
sixth and seventh innings than guys
do nowadays. The fact is, with relief
pitchers it is very hard to evaluate.
We don't have a set standard to go by.
Okmin : As you said, there
doesn't seem to be a clear-cut
favorite this year. Many think the
most durable catcher in the game's
history should receive a call --
Carlton Fisk, baseball's all-time
leader in games caught. He failed
last year finishing fourth in the
voting. Is he a shoe-in and how did
you vote?
Verducci : Well, I don't think
he is a shoe-in. My guess is that he
will get in because last year I think
he was hurt by the great class with
the three great stars, [Nolan] Ryan,
[Robin] Yount and [George] Brett.
this year he stands out. Personally, I
did not vote him and I'll tell you why.
The last eight years of his career he
hit .256, 14 home runs and 52 RBI's
in a typical year. I think Carlton
Fisk put up great numbers because
of his longevity. But in his prime, I
don't he was the catcher nor the
hitter that Gary Carter was. And
Carter has got less support than
Fisk.
Okmin : Then that leads to
who did you vote for? I'm going to
guess you start off with Carter?
Verducci : Yeah, I went with
Carter. I thought Carter was the
dominant catcher through his prime.
Big power hitter and clutch hitter in
the post-season as well. I also voted
for Boston's Jim Rice and here's
why. I go with players who were
dominant among their peers for an
extended period of time. And for a
good 11 or 12 years in the American
League, there was no more a feared
hitter than Jim Rice of the Boston
Red Sox.
Okmin : He obviously didn't
get your vote but former Atlanta
Brave and two-time National League
MVP Dale Murphy only received 19%
of the vote in his first try last year.
He needs 75%. Can he shoot up that
high this time?
Verducci : I don't think so
and boy I'd love to vote for Dale
Murphy. I mean, again in his prime,
great player. But he sort of reminds
me of Don Mattingly. That prime was
just not long enough. The batting
average just fell way off the charts
and he had some injuries late in his
career. He was certainly on that
Cooperstown track but just got off it
too soon.
Okmin : Sports Illustrated's
Tom Verducci casting his vote on
paper and now for us. As always,
Tom, thanks.
Verducci : Thank you.
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