Will 2006 be Bruce Sutter's HOF year??

[don_kessinger_was_good]

I sure hope so. He is the leading vote-getter returning to the ballot for next year, he got 66.7% of the vote in 2005. There are likely no newcomers that will get in--Joey Belle and Dwight Gooden are damaged goods, and Orel Hershiser just isn't quite good enough IMO.

 

Those that never saw Sutter when he hit Chicago don't know the meaning of the word dominant. He was flat-out incredible, the first guy to actively throw the splitter. Literally, the first couple years no one could hit it. Sutter would come into the game oftentimes in the 7th inning, and finish it out from there. Incredible.

 

Sutter wasn't the first modern closer to have monster success, he was pre-dated several years by Goose Gossage, Rollie Fingers, Tug McGraw and Dr. Mike Marshall, among others. But I would argue that Sutter was the first DOMINANT closer, and though these things matter little, he was one of the nicest guys to ever put on a Cubs uniform, to boot.

 

Good luck, Bruce!

 

PS--I'd love to see the Cubs retire his uni number.

[Omar]

Speaking of HOF, how does it work? How can Santo get in this year?

[bhogg]

Sutter

Gossage

Dawson

Murphy

Blyleven

 

 

That's my ballot. I'm a liberal. I will not change :)

[erik316wttn]

Speaking of HOF, how does it work? How can Santo get in this year?

 

I think the Veterans Committee would have to vote him in.

 

With the HOF, a player has to have 75 percent of writers vote for him in order to be elected. I think writers can vote for up to 10 guys, but don't have to use all 10 votes if they don't want.

 

They have so many years on the writers ballot before they are kicked off. If that happens, then they would have to be voted in by the Veterans Committee. Santo's fate relies on them.

 

I don't expect first-ballot guys in 2006. Sutter will be the only one to get in, if he gets in at all, IMO. Andre will get close, but I don't think enough people think he was an all-time great to get elected this year.

 

2007 will see Ripken, Gwynn, and McGwire all be voted in.

[bhogg]

it's entirely possible that noone gets in this year.

[BCVM22]

PS--I'd love to see the Cubs retire his uni number.

 

Sutter wore No. 42 as a Cub.

[CuseCubFan69]

I loved watching Sutters forkball/splitter drop at the plate. The pitchers I really enjoyed watching the most were Sutter and Blyleven because of their stuff had so much action.

[erik316wttn]

Sutter invented the forkball, didn't he?

[CuseCubFan69]

Sutter invented the forkball, didn't he?

 

No. He invented a different grip for it though.

[NCCubFan]

Speaking of HOF, how does it work? How can Santo get in this year?

He can't. The Veterans Committee only meets to consider candidates every other year. He can be considered again next year.

[ConstableRabbit]

I hope not, but he'll probably get in.

 

When he was good, he was good, but I don't think he was good for long enough.

[bhogg]

I forgot that I'd vote Jim Rice in as well.

 

 

Do any of you think Ryno will get in this year? ;)

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

This year will be an interesting year for the voters. None of the new class looks to get in, so the voters will take a hard look at some of the hold-overs.

 

Guys that deserve consideration:

1. Bruce Sutter

2. Bert Blyleven

3. Goose Gossage

4. Lee Smith

5. Andre Dawson

6. Jim Rice

7. Dale Murphy

 

If I had only vote to cast from that group, I'd probably cast it for Blyleven. I would love to see Dawson make it from a sentimental standpoint, but I'm not sure he has the credentials.

 

I view Sutter and Gossage about equally. If I voted for one, I'd have to vote for the other.

 

Rice belongs.

 

Smith, maybe? It all depends on how you value the save. Murphy was great, but he just didn't do it long enough.

[NewUserName]

I think that if Sutter gets in.(I think he should) Than should at least put in Goose Gossage as well. I think Goose was probably the first dominate closer.

 

I am not so sure that McGwire will make it next year.