For Me, It's About Mussina, Not Mo

Now there are gonna be Yankee fans out there that will look at that headline above, JUST the headline, and then blast me on Facebook.  Mostly because they’re ignorant and have no idea that there’s words in articles these days.  Oh yeah… there’s always words in articles. Twitter and Facebook ruined journalism for everybody and then everybody became stupid.

OK… I’m getting off track.

The fact is Mariano Rivera is a Hall of Famer 100%, and we already knew that! And to be honest, for me, it’s not about unanimously being voted in for him. Yes, while historic and absolutely deserving, the truth is the guy was getting in no matter what.  Being Unanimous? That’s gravy. Mo earned it. No one better in that spot in how the game has transformed during his playing days.

There were no longer 3 inning or 2 inning closers anymore. Mo and many closers like him were 3 out guys. They evolved with the game. While some writers out there may feel as though that’s not too impressive. The fact is… it’s super impressive and I applaud him for that role. He’s one of a kind.

But for me, the surprise. No… the news story of the day is the fact that after a many year debate, Mike Mussina is headed to the Hall.  And for me, I am happy about that.  Why? Because it came as a surprise.  This quiet ballplayer that just came in and did his job was a terrific pitcher for the Orioles, and certainly for the Yanks and his career, while not outstanding, was very, very good.

I have always felt as though Moose should be in. Truth is, with the whole steroids generation constantly being debated and questioned as to who should and should not get in… I still don’t think those guys should be there. But in the end, they were great players and sooner or later they will be voted in.  That’s because the Hall isn’t about mediocre. It’s about the greats, and believe me, while steroids tainted the game… years will make people forget.  Writers will soon stop being so stubborn, look closely at the numbers of the PEDs users and know that even in those players early years, the numbers were good… good enough to make it to the Hall. Sure, breaking records because you used steroids taints the game, but we will one day be at that point where those players will eventually be voted in because the less players are just not good enough. That’s my gut talking now. We shall see.

But if they do that… if they let the PEDs users in, the next worry for those writers is then another hard debate. Will they’ll have to vote in Pete Rose.  And God dammit, if PEDs users get into the Hall… Pete Rose needs to be there too.  But hell… that’s another conversation for anther time.  The fact of the matter is this is about Mo… and Moose.

Moose is deserving. I’m glad they saw it that way. Sure, the numbers aren’t quote “Hall of Fame” numbers, but that goes back to the evolution of the game.  Pitchers rarely complete games anymore.  Pitchers are pulled earlier for the bridge relievers… for the LOOGY… for the closer and that would be the big reason why Moose doesn’t have those 300 wins. And you know what? That’s OK. 270 in this era is pretty good. Again… the game has evolved, he evolved with it, just like Mo.  They did their jobs… they are both deserving.

The other guys who will go in are Edgar Martinez and Roy Halladay.  AP writes:

“Rivera became baseball’s first unanimous Hall of Fame selection, elected Tuesday along with Edgar Martinez, Mike Mussina and the late Roy Halladay. Rivera received all 425 votes in balloting announced by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America. Ken Griffey Jr. held the mark for top percentage at 99.32 when he was on 437 of 440 ballots two years ago. 

‘Beyond my imagination,’ Rivera said. 

The quartet will be enshrined in Cooperstown along with Today’s Game Era Committee selections Harold Baines and Lee Smith on July 21. “

And so now we wait for the big day.

And fun fact.  I called the Cooper Inn today after the announcement came down.  Sold out. Wow.

Congrats to Mariano and Mike. Job well done.

By the way, Suzie Pinstripe will have her take on Mariano Rivera tomorrow morning. It’s a great piece, be sure to check it out.