Should Dave Parker be in the Hall of Fame; Paul Molitor used cocaine-isn't this a double standard?

Question

Should Dave Parker be in the Hall of Fame; Paul Molitor used cocaine-isn't this a double standard?

Answer 1

If the cocaine use was the only standard by which these two were compared, I'd say it's unfair. Parker was a great player with great talent, who put up better numbers than several hall-of-famers. His reputation, troubles with the team and media, and the drug use, etc all contributed to the perception that he was more troublemaker than player.

Molitor, even though he used drugs, made a point that he 'got clean' and used the experience to help youth. He was never perceived as a troublemaker and developed a good reputation beyond the drug use.

I watched Parker play while he was with Pittsburgh and was both awed by his ability and annoyed by his persona. Maybe the powers-that-be will vote him in based on his statistical value, maybe not.

Yes, it appears to be a double-standard. There are a lot of players in the Hall of Fame who lived less than exempliary lives. Unfortunately is this age of sports drama, perception carries as much weight as statistics...maybe more. I wouldn't have a problem with him making the Hall, but if he doesn't, you can chalk it up to a change in criteria - where stats don't necessarily merit entrance.