Does Kenny Lofton And Bernie Williams Deserve To Be Hall Of Famers

 When it comes to the Baseball Hall Of Fame two players always come to my mind. Bernie Williams and Kenny Lofton both were very good players, but may never get in the Hall. Many people why this happens as both players had good stats, but when it comes to the Hall Of Fame they fell short. Does this mean they are not worthy? No far from it. Let's take a look at why they fell short today.

Both were multiple times All-Stars and won numerous Gold gloves in the process. Defensively, both players saved numerous runs for their respected teams. Talent level was there for both players without na doubt. So what is preventing them from getting in the hall of fame. 

Stats play a big part and neither player reach the numbers they needed to get in, but there is more to the story then just numbers. Many times it comes down to being in the right place at the right time. For Williams and Lofton they were on the ballot when there were many good players of there skill level or better. This limited the vote that they got, but it's part of the process.

Even though Williams or Lofton may never seen the Hall Of Fame it doesn't diminish from what they gave to baseball and their many fans. Watching Lofton and Williams was a joy. It's too bad that there hard work wasn't rewarded with a Hall Of Fame spot. It happens and they are added to the list of players who almost made it.

Clay Matthews Once Again Snubbed By The Hall

It seems year after year Clay Matthews does not get any love from the Hall Of Fame football committee, but it's really no shock. When the committee announced the 15 finalists Clay Matthews name was nowhere to be found. Now the real question is what does the committee want or is there something Clay did wrong. Is his resume not good enough? Or is it a Cleveland thing that is holding him back.

Matthews is third on the all-time list with 1,561 tackles and played 19 years. I guess two of the things they do not look at is durability and making plays. This is what Clay Matthews was all about. You got a guy who showed up every Sunday to play and gave it his all. Isn't that what a Hall Of Famer is about being the best on and off the field of play.

The committee can give all the excuses they want but the reality is Clay Matthews should have at least made the list. Yes, there are other players who got snubbed as well but Clay Matthews has waited long enough. It's time he gets into the Hall Of Fame where he rightly belongs.

The Baseball Hall Of Fame Has Become A Sham

Years ago the Baseball Hall Of Fame was created to reward the best players in baseball. Now the concept seemed great, but over the years it just has not worked out  that way. Players that should be there are still waiting on the call, and some never get it. There have been cases of players dying and not being able to enjoy the reward.

Just like anything else politics has played a role in this as well. Lowering the time a player is on a ballot is not a good thing if they do not get a  certain percentage. Then you have guys that are on the borderline of consideration like Kenny Lofton and the Crime Dog Fred McGriff. Now I am not here to say both should be there, but what do we do with players like this and what they contributed. Should we say your not good enough or you just do not measure up even though both players made big contributions to their respective teams.

I really do not know what the answer it, but right now the Baseball Hall Of Fame and the voting process needs overhauled. Too many good players are getting overlooked or waiting to long to get it and that is a sham as well.

Pete Rose Waves Goodbye To Hall Of Fame As His Betting As A Player Surfaces

Pete Rose had hoped for a chance to make the Hall Of Fame, but it looks like that will never happen anytime soon. Outside The Lines has unearthed a notebook which shows Pete Rose bet on baseball games as a player. This is really disappointing news for many fans whom had hoped Rose was going to be able to make the Hall Of Fame before he died. Now he will never get in and the only person Rose can blame is himself for it. He holds the all-time hits record and it's sad to know he will never make it in.

For  Rose he has always denied betting on baseball as a player, but it looks like there is evidence to the contrary. Hopefully, the story is not true, but it does not look good for Rose. It's a shame it has come down to this, but it looks like that is where we are at with Pete Rose. Lying throughout his career since retirement is something Pete will be known for and that is a shame. Pete's legacy will be nothing but lies and it should not have been that way at all. We will have too see how this all plays out, but hopefully this story is just not true, but not looking good right now.

Where Does A-Rod Rank Among The Game's Elite

Alex Rodriguez has now gotten 3,000 hits and over 500 home runs and owns many major league records, but where does he rank among the elite. This is an interesting question as you must look at many different things when you talk about A-Rod. One of the things you really do not need to look at is his numbers. They are some of the best around, but many people want to put an asterisk around those numbers, and I guess they should have the right to do that considering A-Rod's past.

Everyone knows A-Rod has used steroids and have been suspended for it a good amount of games. Now I think this should factor into it, but the question is how much of a factor. It is hard not to consider him an elite player as he showed what he could do before steroids. As a Mariner and a Rangers play he put up some very good numbers. He continued that as he moved to the Yankees. The real question which is anyones guess is when he started using steroids. No one really has an answer for that one.

The way I look at it is A-Rod was an elite prospect and would be an elite player no matter what. Taking it all away because of some mistakes is just not fair. I look for A-Rod to get the benefit of the doubt over time. He will get into the Hall Of Fame eventually it will just take some time for it to happen.

Curtis Martin And Five Others Headed To Pro Football Hall Of Fame

Curtis Martin has lead a group of six pro football players who will not call Canton, Ohio part of their home. Curtis Martin is joined by is joined by Chris Doleman, Cortez Kennedy, Willie Roaf, Dermontti Dawson, and senior selection Jack Butler. All of these players deserve to be in the Pro Football Hall Of Fame, but just like it is every year it's the players that do not make it in people seem to talk about.

Curtis Martin and Jerome Bettis had similar numbers, but they chose Martin over Bettis. Cris Carter did not make it and he is a guy I was hoping would make it in. Carter is the No. 4 career receiver with 1,101 in 16 seasons with three teams. Others who did not make the grade were Tim Brown and Andre Reed, defensive end/linebackers Kevin Greene and Charles Haley, defensive back Aeneas Williams, and former 49ers owner Ed DeBartolo Jr.