Class of 2008 predictions

[AlecBoy006]

Who are your class of 08 predictions?

Since only 2 seem to get in per year. My candidates are as follows:

Tim Raines
Goose Gossage

I think they'll be the ones that get in in 08.

[Captain Cold Nose]

Who are your class of 08 predictions?

Since only 2 seem to get in per year. My candidates are as follows:

Tim Raines
Goose Gossage

I think they'll be the ones that get in in 08.
Raines won't make it. Not in his first year, as he didn't have any magic numbers the voters love, only won one batting title, and did not win a single MVP. He's one of my alltime favorites, and I'm more optimistic about his chances than some others here, but there's no way he'll get in next year.

If anyone joins Gossage, it will be Jim Rice.

[AlecBoy006]

Raines should be in the HOF. One of the games greatest bag stealers.

But if Gossage doesn't get in, the voting is rigged.

[AlecBoy006]

Is there like an existing thread on this already? I'd like to see predictions.

[GotMelk?]

Goose and Rice
Sadly Big Mac won't get in :(

[AlecBoy006]

Maybe he will someday. Duke Snider got in on his 11th try, and should've been in years before that, btw. But don't worry about Big Mac.

[W_Marone]

I'm hoping for Blyleven, but I'm going to be disappointed...again.

[AlecBoy006]

Yeah, I want Blyleven, too. Maybe the VC?

[vasprtsfn]

Rice, Dawson, Gossage, Blyleven.

[AlecBoy006]

4 people? Wow.....

[KCGHOST]

Gossage for sure, After that some guys with chances are Dawson and Rice. Raines, a much better candidate than Dawson or Rice, has a better shot than I do, but not by much. Bleleven's candidacy needs a shot in the arm.

[Sockeye]

Is there like an existing thread on this already? I'd like to see predictions.

You should do a poll on this using all of the candidates that will be on the O8 ballot and see who the top two vote getters are.

[Fuzzy Bear]

I think McGwire gets it next year.

I was shocked as to how poorly Mac did in the voting, roids or not. I think a lot of writers were as well; they wanted to send a message, but I think that even a lot of the writers who didn't vote for Mac were shocked at the final numbers.

I'm pessimistic about Raines, but his first shot is his best, given his competition.

Gossage ought to get in, but he's ticked people off with his comments over the years. He has been GAINING support from year to year, and that's a good sign.

[Appling]

Gossage yes.
Maybe Rice or Blyleven (hopefully both but not likely).

McGwire will improve in 2008 but not enough to reach the promised land.

I think Mac gets in the hall but only after the raincloud named Barry Bonds has retired --and perhaps not until the year after Barry Bonds gets elected on his first ballot.

[AlecBoy006]

I dunno if I'd rather see the White Sox win it all, or Bonds in the Hall (I'm a Cubs fan)

[Beastay]

Of the '08 class, it would seem the two most qualified candidates by the numbers are McGwire and Rice, with Raines a close third, and Goose a distant fourth.

Big Mac has monster numbers, and should have made it this year, but the 'roid thing may keep him out again, and possibly for a long time if not forever (at least until the issue dies down a bit).

Assuming he won't get in again, I would say that Rice's chances are the best of anyone, and although Raines is better qualified, Goose will get in. He was a more popular, colorful player.

Personally, I'm not enthused about the recent tendency to include closers who had success over a period of 8-10 years... I have always looked at it like more of a specialist's job... especially back then (I mean are we going to start inducting the best set-up men?!!!). There are only a handful of closers/relievers I would say have been hall-worthy. Goose is kind of border-line... but that's another argument... and I like Goose, so I won't have any problem with his being selected. (Sutter bothers me... especially in light of Tommy John not being selected though).

If I were to vote, and had to pick just two, I would go with Rice and Raines. No hitter was as dominant as Rice during the time he played. And Raines was a better player in almost every aspect than Lou Brock who was a first-balloter. Big Mac should make it at some point... but meantime I'll pass since he has no chance anyway.

So... Rice and Goose will make it... Raines and Rice have my vote.

[ADunn44]

Concepcion, Parker, Gossage, Breylevn (sp?), Rice

[Captain Cold Nose]

Concepcion, Parker, Gossage, Breylevn (sp?), Rice
You honestly think Concepcion and Parker will make up that much ground? This thread isn't about who you want to make it, but who you think will make it.

[Skookumchuck Chuck]

I'd like to see Gossage make it but I'm not sure that he'll get the votes. Rice, Dawson, Raines, Blyleven they were all great players but I'm not sure that they were guys that were revered by the press (actually Gossage too) in their playing days which will suppress votes. I honestly don't think that any of them will be elected next year. I don't see McGwire getting elected until the steroid issue finally blows over and when that will be may be years down the line. If that is the case that none of these players gets elected I hope that the Veterans Commitee will make up for it with some names people have been pulling for for years (Santo, Gil Hodges, etc.).

[Captain Cold Nose]

I'd like to see Gossage make it but I'm not sure that he'll get the votes. Rice, Dawson, Raines, Blyleven they were all great players but I'm not sure that they were guys that were revered by the press (actually Gossage too) in their playing days which will suppress votes. I honestly don't think that any of them will be elected next year. I don't see McGwire getting elected until the steroid issue finally blows over and when that will be may be years down the line. If that is the case that none of these players gets elected I hope that the Veterans Commitee will make up for it with some names people have been pulling for for years (Santo, Gil Hodges, etc.).
Welcome to Baseball Fever.
If Gossage can't increase the 3.5% he needs in a year without any outstanding candidates, I won't post in this forum for a year. He increased about 7 percentage points when there were two first ballot locks. He's assuredly in next year.
The VC only votes in odd-numbered years. Based on what the voters did with Hodges and Santo in 2005, I'd be slightly surprised if no one is elected come a week or so. They had nice increases from 2003, and the trend usually goes toward the candidate when there are nothing but holdovers.

[Rose4theHall]

Its astounding that Bert Blyleven is not in the Hall Of Fame. He and Goose should go in next year.

But seriously take a look at Bert's numbers, a WHIP of 1.19 over 22 years? Thats just too nasty for words. 8 out of the 10 most similar players are in the HOF, his gray ink, HOF Standards and HOF Monitor are are definitely worthy, he pitched amazingly well on 2 World Series winning teams.....the big question is: what is taking so long???? Better question: when are we going to do away with pitcher W-L, the most arbitrary and useless stat in almost all of sports? Because Im guessing thats what is preventing him, being a terriffic pitcher the first 9 years of his career on not so good teams shouldnt take away the fact that he was awesome, seriously. From 1970 to 1978, look at those numbers but DONT look at his W-L, if you arent sold yet then I dont know what to tell you....

[GotMelk?]

Goose, Rice, and Hopefully the long overdue Roger Maris.

I believe Big Mac should be in the Hall but I just don't see it happening.

[yankillaz]

Deservingly: Blyleven and Gossage

Probably: Gossage and Rice

This last scenario is going to drill us with all the news and comments on how unfair it is for a DH to be inducted in the Hall. Wait and you'll see.

[Captain Cold Nose]

Deservingly: Blyleven and Gossage

Probably: Gossage and Rice

This last scenario is going to drill us with all the news and comments on how unfair it is for a DH to be inducted in the Hall. Wait and you'll see.
But Rice had plenty of time in the field. I don't recall a lot of backlash when Eddie Murray got in, to say nothing of Paul Molitor. There was some with Molly, but not too much.

[dgarza]

But Rice had plenty of time in the field. I don't recall a lot of backlash when Eddie Murray got in, to say nothing of Paul Molitor. There was some with Molly, but not too much.
Geez, even Frank Robinson was as primarily a DH is last 4 seasons.

Interesting thing about Murray, he was the 1st HOFer to begin his career as a full-time DH.

[AlecBoy006]

Molitor got 3000 hits, Murray got 3000 hits and 500 homeruns. Bonafide HOF'er right there, and maybe the most underrated HOF'er out there.


Blyleven, Gossage, and Raines should get in.

I have a strong feeling about Rice. But, NO WAY should he be in before Evans.