Oct 17, 2013; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers former pitcher Jack Morris throws out the ceremonial first pitch prior to game five of the American League Championship Series baseball game at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Who is honorary Hall of Fame voter Lawrence Rocca and why did he vote for Hideo Nomo, Jack Morris, Tim Raines and Alan Trammell over Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine and Frank Thomas?
First the who: Lawrence Rocca is a Star-Ledger columnist and former beat writer for the Mets, Yankees, Dodgers and Angels. His LinkedIN profile lists his current occupation as Director of Development and Alumni Affairs at Georgetown Preparatory School.
Now the far-more-pressing question: Why Nomo, Morris, Raines and Trammell?
Lawrence Rocca’s answer may astonish you.
It was posted by Rocca himself on Facebook back on January 2 (h/t: @ChrisCotillo).
Anyone who played the bulk of his career during the Steroids Era, I am snubbing. Nomo gets a waiver because of his time in Japan, the trail he blazed, and my (possibly naive) belief that he did not use. Certainly, he could not have influenced MLBPA leadership to take a harder stance against steroids, whereas Maddux, Glavine et al had huge standing in the game and in the union. And there is no evidence, as far as I know, that they made any serious effort along those lines. GUILTY!
Yes, Lawrence Rocca thinks Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine should be disqualified from the Hall of Fame because they didn’t do enough to speak out against steroid users.
Dan Le Batard is a clown because he handed his vote over to Deadspin as part of a “publicity stunt.” So the BBWAA took away his Hall of Fame vote FOREVER AND EVER AND EVER.
But Lawrence Rocca gets to vote until he dies. The guy who thinks Maddux and Glavine should be out of the Hall for not speaking out against steroids.
I think the process might be a mess. What do you think?
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