Being a Pro Baseball Hall of Fame voter used to be an honor. Now, the guardians of the game feel burdened.
Already, they have denied slugger Mark McGwire entrance into Cooperstown. Coming years will bring the probable rejections of home run king Barry Bonds, the best modern pitcher in Roger Clemens and another slugger in Sammy Sosa. Added to the list of dirty players this week were Alex Rodriguez and Miguel Tejada.
It’s not the steroid use that really bothers me, though. The substances weren’t then banned from baseball. Maybe it wasn’t right, but everyone is looking for an edge. Mark it as a lesson learned and move on.
What really bothers me, and what will keep these men out of the Hall of Fame, is the lying. America forgives a fool; it doesn’t excuse a liar.
Rodriguez said he didn’t use steroids. Up and down denials for years. This week, he’s sorry. For what, being outed? He would have never apologized if not caught.
Tejada told Congressional investigators he didn’t know anything about steroids during a 2005 interview. The 2002 American League MVP pleaded guilty yesterday in U.S. District Court to lying to a federal agent. He’s facing possible jail time, just like Martha Stewart and Marion Jones served for lying to feds. Tejada will say he’s sorry. Sure, for getting caught.
Bonds is facing trial on March 2 for perjury. Clemens seems to be staring at the same charges. These men bold-faced lied to the American public. They’re going to pay now, and they’re going to pay forever because their immortality in the game has just died.
Integrity is a prime consideration for Cooperstown voters. It’s not just what happened inside the lines. That’s why Pete Rose is not in the Hall of Fame despite retiring as the career hits leader.
Voters will not let these men enter the Hall of Fame. It would be spitting on the game, on every fan. At least, for now.
Maybe in 10 years voters will feel differently. Perhaps so much will happen on this issue that they’ll look harmless in comparison. That gives A-Rod a much better chance than McGwire, Bonds and Clemens because Rodriguez probably won’t come up for a vote until 2020 or later. The other stars face much closer timetables when feelings are raw and emotions rule the ballot.
What a shame. It’s a generation lost.
Who’s sorry now?
Rick Snider has covered local sports since 1978. Read more at TheRickSniderReport.com or e-mail [email protected].
