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Jim Rice: Hall of Famer?

Jan 9th, 2008 by Bill Burt

First off, let me state my opinion. I believe Jim Rice is a Hall of Famer. I believe after his career ended we downplayed his accomplishments after the home run decade (1990s) and we basically forgot about him.
He doesn’t have the longevity numbers that would have made him a cinch | 3,000 hits or 400 HRs | but he was close.
But I will say it is not a lock and never has been. I can empathize with those that don’t think he belongs in.
With guys that are close, like Rice, I believe we should look at the other key qualities | health, toughness and defense | and Rice gets high marks in all categories.
As ex-Sox manager Joe Morgan said, “If Tony Perez is in, with about the same stats while playing seven more years than Rice, then, hell ya, he should be in.”
What do you think?

Posted in Red Sox | View Comments

  • Max Kliman

    Jim Rice definately should be in the hall. He had great numbers and was a great team player. Even Goose Gossage who did make the hall said that Rice was one of the scariest hitters he had ever faced. I don’t see any reasons that say he shouldn’t belong. I really hope that he will make it next year. He definaely deserves it.

    Max

  • pasta diving lugo

    What Goose actually said:
    “It’s a joke that Kirby Puckett went in on the first ballot and Jim Rice is still not in. If Jim Rice had played in the Metrodome, he’d have torn the place down and that’s nothing against Kirby Puckett. That’s just the way it is.” – His opinion on the 2006 Hall of Fame election after fellow closer Bruce Sutter made it and Jim Rice finished second (just ahead of him) at 64.8%.

    Other Goose Gossage Quotes That Deserve To Be Bronzed In Cooperstown

    On George Steinbrenner and Sports Writers:
    “Negative bull—-! Everything you guys write. These dumb mother——- in the seats read. You mother——- with the f—ing tape recorders. Go on. Turn it on and take it upstairs to the fat man!”

    On beer beer in the Padres clubhouse:
    “Joan Kroc is poisoning the world with her hamburgers and we can’t even get a lousy beer.” – Kroc’s husband, Ray, built the McDonald’s empire.

    On today’s baseball:
    “I couldn’t pitch today. It’s a soft game. When was the last time Barry Bonds got knocked on his (butt)? They want to play home run derby. They should just take the pitcher off the mound and set the ball up on a tee because that’s what they’re playing – tee ball.” -

    On steroids:
    “They weren’t around in my time, but if they were, who am I to say I wouldn’t have tried them. The money temptation is too great.”

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