xxaaaxx wrote: ↑Tue Jan 22, 2019 7:50 pm
&#$% YES!
He certainly deserves it, but the fact that he's the 1st? That's just moronic.
Definitely. At least that one writer who admitted he wasn't going to vote for Rivera (because he hates the closer role IIRC) had the decency to not submit a ballot, which preserved the unanimity. Or maybe he just feared the backlash. I'd love to know why anyone left people like Ruth, Williams, Aaron, Griffey etc. off their ballots, though I'm sure the reasons were stupid.
xxaaaxx wrote: ↑Tue Jan 22, 2019 7:50 pm
&#$% YES!
He certainly deserves it, but the fact that he's the 1st? That's just moronic.
Definitely. At least that one writer who admitted he wasn't going to vote for Rivera (because he hates the closer role IIRC) had the decency to not submit a ballot, which preserved the unanimity. Or maybe he just feared the backlash. I'd love to know why anyone left people like Ruth, Williams, Aaron, Griffey etc. off their ballots, though I'm sure the reasons were stupid.
You've probably heard the reasoning - "they're getting in anyway, I'm gonna vote for someone who needs the vote instead."
xxaaaxx wrote: ↑Tue Jan 22, 2019 7:50 pm
&#$% YES!
He certainly deserves it, but the fact that he's the 1st? That's just moronic.
Definitely. At least that one writer who admitted he wasn't going to vote for Rivera (because he hates the closer role IIRC) had the decency to not submit a ballot, which preserved the unanimity. Or maybe he just feared the backlash. I'd love to know why anyone left people like Ruth, Williams, Aaron, Griffey etc. off their ballots, though I'm sure the reasons were stupid.
You've probably heard the reasoning - "they're getting in anyway, I'm gonna vote for someone who needs the vote instead."
The other reason often bandied about in the past was "If Ruth, Gehrig, Williams, etc. didn't get in unanimously, then no one should." That attitude was typically held by older voters, though, who have since lost voting privileges due to some reforms on who can vote.
Martinez was elected in his final year on the writers' ballot.
From where he was four years ago (25%?), I'm shocked he got in. He should've been in years ago, but they've got something against DHs I guess.
Rivera is the first unanimous selection in the Hall of Fame's history.
also might be worthwhile to note that Rivera - who was a Yankee fyi - is only the second Panamanian player in the HoF
(the other being Minnesota Twin Rod Carew)
MinnesotaMyron wrote: ↑Tue Jan 22, 2019 2:30 pm
This is Spike Lee's first nomination, which is unbelievable.
It's his first for Best Director, but he was nominated for Best Documentary for Four Little Girls.
It may also be worth noting that he received an Honorary Oscar in 2015 and that he also got a nomination for 1989 for writing Do the Right Thing. I feel like the writers could take this information and turn it into a FJ clue.
"There is much pleasure to be gained from useless knowledge."
-Bertrand Russell
If Greek MPs agree, the country that called itself Macedonia with the break-up of the former Yugoslavia will be called the Republic of North Macedonia.
...
A vote to back the historic deal will mean the new name comes into force, and everyone will have to use it.
The Republic of North Macedonia, or North Macedonia in short, will replace the existing title of Macedonia, which is formally called Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (or Fyrom) at the United Nations.
The language will continue to be known as Macedonian and its people known as Macedonians (citizens of the Republic of North Macedonia). In Macedonian the name will be Severna Makedonija. Greeks will know it as Voria Makedonia.
Greece will be required to back its northern neighbour's application to join Nato and the EU, a bone of contention for years.
Ariana Grande's new single "7 Rings" has 10 credited songwriters, including Rodgers and Hammerstein. (It opens with an allusion to "My Favorite Things".)
xxaaaxx wrote: ↑Tue Jan 22, 2019 7:50 pm
&#$% YES!
He certainly deserves it, but the fact that he's the 1st? That's just moronic.
Definitely. At least that one writer who admitted he wasn't going to vote for Rivera (because he hates the closer role IIRC) had the decency to not submit a ballot, which preserved the unanimity. Or maybe he just feared the backlash. I'd love to know why anyone left people like Ruth, Williams, Aaron, Griffey etc. off their ballots, though I'm sure the reasons were stupid.
He is the best at his role, though being a Yankee probably raised his profile somewhat.
If I were a HOF voter, only some would get my vote the first year. Examples are the ones you listed. I think being a first ballot inductee carries greater weight than others who got in.
Bamaman wrote: ↑Tue Jan 29, 2019 4:43 pm
If I were a HOF voter, only some would get my vote the first year. Examples are the ones you listed. I think being a first ballot inductee carries greater weight than others who got in.
To me, you're either a HOFer, or you're not. Certainly some require a few years to convince skeptics of their worthiness (it shouldn't have taken 10 years to elect Edgar Martinez), but if I think you deserve it, you get my vote, every year. I can live with the logic of "I only get 10 votes and others need my vote more" (though I don't think there are 10 worthy candidates most years), but IMO the whole 'first ballot' thing is meaningless, and usually only ever amounts to a no-doubt HOFer missing a few percentage points from his vote total.
BTW, I will say that the intent of this thread is to make it a handy-dandy guide for people studying up on current events. I will also say that it would be my preference that any discussion beyond stating the facts of the current event should probably be taken to Reretaken Down in order to keep this thread relatively clean. I'm not criticizing anyone specifically, mind you.