Hall of Fame Vote

For the first time in years, nobody was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame this year.  My immediate reaction was satisfaction, as I felt that those connected to PEDs do not deserve a spot in this shrine.  However, as I digest more of the debate surrounding this issue, I am reconsidering my position.  The best point I have heard is the question, what do we want our Hall of Fame to be: a cathedral or a museum?  If a museum, then the purpose is to capture and document the history of the sport.  In that case, those affiliated with PEDs should be included because they represent the tumultous steroid period in baseball.  If a cathedral, then the purpose is to honor those who achieved notable success in the sport.  In that case, those affiliated with PEDs should not be included.

There is also the possibility of including the likes of Sammy Sosa, Roger Clemens, and Barry Bonds in the Hall of Fame, but with a note indicating their connection to PEDs.  That might be a worthwhile compromise... If any of the steroid era players are elected, then how do we choose which?  All of them?  Can the baseball writers fairly cherry-pick which deserve inclusion and which do not?  What about those players only rumored to be connected with PEDs versus those players who are known users?  Are all players from this era to be tainted by steroids?

These are the questions to ponder...

Relatedly, next year will be the first year that Frank Thomas is eligible.  Does Auburn have a player in the Baseball Hall of Fame or would he be the first?

Friday Sports Musings...

Although N.C. State is the only winning team that Vanderbilt beat, they finished the football season at 9-4.  I am amazed that Vanderbilt won 9 games.  That is unprecedent success in recent memory.  James Franklin ought to be coach of the year...

I may have posted this before, but I am sick of hearing about the pompous Rose Bowl. I cannot take anymore of Brent Musburger calling it the "granddaddy of them all." Having lived in the South, as a fan of the SEC, I could not care less about the Rose Bowl. I cannot relate to the Pac-12 and Big 10 playing each other.   Who cares?  When you are the SEC, at least in this current era of dominance, the likes of Wisconsin, Ohio State, USC, or Oregon are jokes...

I always want the SEC to win its bowl games and flex its power.  Shame on LSU for losing, although that was a fun game.  Mississippi State lost, but I also am tickled with satisfaction anytime Mullen and his overhyped program lose.  You cannot rely on or expect a team like Mississippi State to win a bowl game.