Edgar Martinez, Hall of Famer
Aug. 10th, 2004 11:53 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
yendiThe greatest DH ever announced his retirement today (effective at the end of the season). Thus begins the five-year debate about whether he should be in the Hall of Fame. That there's any debate is ludicrous.
Anyone who knows me knows that I believe that the DH is the worst thing that MLB has ever done. It adds a position that only has to play half the game. It removes the need for pitchers in the AL to learn the full game. In pretty much sucks on every level, other than extending the careers of aging sluggers.
But it's a part of the game.
And Edgar Martinez is the best player ever at his position, and he spent longer succeeding there than anyone else.
I don't like the DH, but it's there. And Edgar deserves to be recognized for his skills at that position. Simple enough.
And if you have a problem with that, consider Jim Palmer, Dennis Eckersly, or Catfish Hunter, all of whom spent the majority of their careers pitching for DH-based clubs. Should they have been shut out of the hall because they only played half the game?
Baseball needs to change the rules, but until they do, people like Edgar shouldn't be punished for MLB's faults.
Anyone who knows me knows that I believe that the DH is the worst thing that MLB has ever done. It adds a position that only has to play half the game. It removes the need for pitchers in the AL to learn the full game. In pretty much sucks on every level, other than extending the careers of aging sluggers.
But it's a part of the game.
And Edgar Martinez is the best player ever at his position, and he spent longer succeeding there than anyone else.
I don't like the DH, but it's there. And Edgar deserves to be recognized for his skills at that position. Simple enough.
And if you have a problem with that, consider Jim Palmer, Dennis Eckersly, or Catfish Hunter, all of whom spent the majority of their careers pitching for DH-based clubs. Should they have been shut out of the hall because they only played half the game?
Baseball needs to change the rules, but until they do, people like Edgar shouldn't be punished for MLB's faults.