flavum

^Eddie Murray got in on the first ballot. 85%

I meant the majority, but Frank did benefit from steroids in his counting stats because he was scoring runs and knocking in runs with players around him that were juiced. To me, 1998-2002, MLB was just off the rails with hardcore steroids.

I don't mind Clemens and Bonds getting in because they were among the best of the best of all time while the entire game was on steroids. But anyone who thinks Sammy Sosa could put up those numbers without taking hardcore steroids is baseball stupid. A vote for Sosa is a bad vote-period. And the Schilling stuff is laughable. He's a douche, but the K to walk ratio and postseason career speak for themselves.

So the "brilliant" Jay Jaffe with a terrible ballot. Please change the process. It's so ridiculous.

RIP Phil Niekro Niekro, Ford, Gibson, Seaver, Kaline, Morgan, Brock...and probably Allen in the Hall someday. 2020, man.

100 days until opening day. How’s that DH rule in the NL coming along?

Nothing happened today that wasn’t expected, including issuing a statement that wasn’t going to satisfy some no matter what they stated. Should have never been hired, but it’s over now. Hope they play 162 and Tony gets handed the trophy some October in the next few years.

Garfien podcast with Dan Evans is really good. Great stories.

Here’s an interview Eddie Robinson did with Ben Lindbergh last year. Long career in baseball... https://blogs.fangraphs.com/effectively-wild-episode-1454-where-have-you-gone-mr-robinson/ ...and now he has his own podcast. Good for him! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-golden-age-of-baseball-with-eddie-robinson/id1535227249?i=1000494175588

New Sox 1st base coach?

So far, some really weird ballots out there. Maybe nobody gets to 75% this time which would really not help the logjam. (Hashtag-change the process)

I'm not quoting anyone, nor do I wish to discuss this other than to give my opinion... Tony La Russa shouldn't have been hired because there was no process...it was just Reinsdorf hiring a buddy, and that's not cool. Should he have had a stiffer penalty than what he's going to end up with? Certainly, but life ain't fair...and this falls under that category. The subject of moving on...my opinion...get it out of your system before spring training. If you can't find joy in the team you root for, then I understand that, and you should find something else that does give you joy if you can't let it go by February. Most Sox fans don't like this situation, but it's going to get old real fast if every decision that goes wrong is reacted to with "Tony is drunk tonight". That's not funny. It's lazy and lame. Last, I hope the Sox and La Russa make a statement that satisfies everyone...oh wait, that's impossible....most people. There should be a zero tolerance policy with Tony drinking and driving with ANY alcohol in his system. His days of drinking and driving are 100% over while employed by the Sox or he's fired, no questions asked.

Yes Lynn has worn 31 for a couple teams, so maybe good call for 33 on Madrigal, but I think Lynn will take 31...kinda looks like Lamarr Hoyt too.

I think it would be a nice touch if La Russa wore 6 for Lau, and then when Tony leaves, start giving it back to players.

Sox roster page has Eaton as #1, so Madrigal will be changing. I’m thinking 5 or 12 is in his future. Lynn probably will be 31.

Chris Rose not being renewed at MLB Network. He’ll do three more shows with Millar on Dec 21-23. Nice ten year run for IT.

It can be both. To be honest, I said I would vote for Manny, but he’s no different than Braun and Cano failing tests after the Mitchell Report. I’d probably go with Wagner...he wouldn’t be the first reliever to get in that was borderline.

Bruce Miles voted for Buehrle. His ballot will probably be closest to mine. I have Hudson and Kent. He has Pettitte and Wagner.

I have them down with 38 on the 40-man, plus Eaton. They’ll probably pass anyway.

11am tomorrow. Audio on mlb.com

Sox full season affiliates stay intact,

Adam Engel was just in the Score. Wow, what a good guy. Sounds like he’s ok with Eaton signing and he said he called Jon Jay to ask about La Russa...Jay raved about Tony.

Cheslor Cuthbert signed with the Reds, so his Sox career may be over with 1 game and 1 AB. Topps actually put him in the 2020 set in a Sox uniform.

And yet, people in baseball as a whole have never been nicer and more decent in the history of the game. It’s just that there is 24 hour sports radio and Twitter and social media. If Adam Eaton has ever truly crossed the line, I’m unaware. If the worst thing he ever did was say something stupid about LaRoche’s kid, then I’m way over that.