If character is a determining factor in baseballl hall of fame consideration?

Question

when the names Palmeiro, clemens, bonds, canseco etc are mentioned, then why aren't players like mattingly , and d.murphy looked at more favorably by those voting? no character issues there...seems like a bizarro double standard. good character means nothing, god forbid someone take something and hit a few extra homeruns though...

Answer 1

Character is a consideration but probably more of a consideration is the relationship with the media since the baseball writers are the ones doing the voting.

Mattingly and Murphy were both outstanding citizens when playing but the careers were both dominant over a short period of time.  Injuries hurt their longevity which in turn will keep them out of the HOF, not their character.

Bert Blyleven and Jim Rice are both deserving of HOF status but because of their relationship with the media they haven't quite got enough votes.  Orlando Cepeda and Ferguson Jenkins, who were arrested for drug possession both had to wait extra time before they were elected.

You'll see how much character will affect Palmeiro and Sosa when they become eligible.  It's already affected McGwire and Canseco.  Clemens and Bonds will probably both get in the HOF eventually but they are both no longer 1st ballot locks.

Answer 2

The character clause is more for use in justifying NOT voting for a given candidate (whom otherwise would appear to have strong assets), than it is to use as a significant (essentially negligible) reason to vote for a given candidate.

If ever there was a player who deserved many bonus points for good character, it would be Dale Murphy. The Murf was a very good player, but as an individual I've never heard or read a word spoken against him. And yet, his candidacy lingers along, dawdling in the low numbers, falling into single digits -- he's not going to get elected by the BBWAA. They don't care about good or positive character, not really. They only care about bad character. And the character clause gives them a free excuse not to vote for someone if they want -- just claim he was a bad seed, a clubhouse cancer, whatever.

That's what the character clause is for; justifying inexplicable votes.

"Great player but such a jerk!" stands a far better chance of induction than does "adequate player, but whatta guy!!!"