No doubt, Derek Jeter deserves all the accolades he's getting this year as he visits various major league ball parks as a player for the last time. The man has not only had a sensational career on the field -- he's shown himself to be the epitome of a class act off the field as well. Most would think he'll be a unanimous selection to the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown when he becomes eligible in five years. I mean, what nitwit voter would leave him off his/her ballot?
Yet that probably won't happen. Sure, Jeter will garner the necessary 75% of the votes in his first go-round at induction, but no way will it be unanimous. Why? Tradition. Because nobody's ever done it before, there will be one or two "rogues" that stand on tradition and fail to vote for the obvious. Yes, it seems silly but, after all, should Jeter be honored moreso than other "bigger" names that have preceded him? Consider the Top 5 vote getters, percentage-wise in their first year of eligibility.
5. George Brett. 98.19%
4. Ty Cobb. 98.23
3. Cal Ripken Jr. 98.53
2. Nolan Ryan 98.79
1. Tom Seaver 98.84
Given all the other greats the game has featured over the many decades, it's certainly debatable whether the above were worthy of being the top five vote-getters of all time.
Further consider that in the very first Hall of Fame induction vote back in 1936, not even the likes of Babe Ruth, Honus Wagner, Christie Mathewson, Walter Johnson, and Cobb were inducted unanimously. With the exception of Cobb, none of them got over 96%. How this came to be back in the day is a very good question (likely voters from other towns and sour grapes), but it indeed happened. So to expect Jeter to be a 100%-er is likely unrealistic. He'll get his plaque, but who could objectively claim he is more worthy than the likes of Ruth, Cobb, and Johnson, who over his 21 year career had 417 wins and a career ERA of 2.17? How impressive is that?
Maybe not so much as Cy Young, who the American and National league pitching awards remain named after to this day. Denton True Young (nicknamed Cyclone, shortened to Cy) chalked up an astounding 511 wins over his 22 year career, almost 100 more than any other pitcher -- ever.
Yet Cy Young himself barely squeaked into the Hall of Fame's second class in 1937, garnering 76.12% of the vote. Seems crazy. How could anybody in their right mind leave him off their ballot? But a lot of them did.
Nevertheless, here's to Derek Jeter, who has had a stellar career indeed, both as a player and a man. If my math is right (unless he pulls a Brett Favre), he'll be taking his rightful place in Cooperstown in 2020 with the other greats of the game.
But 100% on the first ballot for the first time in history? Not a chance. Who would not vote for him is another very good question -- but it will happen.
Because in baseball, even the long-time Yankee Captain isn't bigger than the tradition that has long preceded him.
And maybe that's a good thing.
Maybe.......
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