I think that the moral arguments as they relate to the Hall are tiresome AND wholly unnecessary. No one REALLY cares about the "character clause". Schilling will get in next year. Vizquel will still be old school vs SABR stats.
I also think it's a broader social problem generally. Part of the reason we want to punish Bonds/Clemens/Rose/Vizquel/etc by not giving them a bronze plaque that sort of looks like them is we can't PUT THEM IN JAIL, for abuse at least. The rich cheat and get away with it, and it pisses us off and we can't do anything about it. So we mock and shun and think that makes a difference.
As a culture we're so individualistic, especially the Left for some reason, that we can't even CONCEIVE of a real punishment for anyone besides social shunning. How many articles have their been about Trump or Ivanka not being accepted into NYC Society, getting into the right clubs? Will Ivanka be loaned a designer dress for the Met Gala, or will she have to buy it retail like a common peasant? Who cares! Same with the Hall. We have no language to discuss what to do when rich, powerful, people are garbage.
I think that the moral arguments as they relate to the Hall are tiresome AND wholly unnecessary. No one REALLY cares about the "character clause". Schilling will get in next year. Vizquel will still be old school vs SABR stats.
I also think it's a broader social problem generally. Part of the reason we want to punish Bonds/Clemens/Rose/Vizquel/etc by not giving them a bronze plaque that sort of looks like them is we can't PUT THEM IN JAIL, for abuse at least. The rich cheat and get away with it, and it pisses us off and we can't do anything about it. So we mock and shun and think that makes a difference.
As a culture we're so individualistic, especially the Left for some reason, that we can't even CONCEIVE of a real punishment for anyone besides social shunning. How many articles have their been about Trump or Ivanka not being accepted into NYC Society, getting into the right clubs? Will Ivanka be loaned a designer dress for the Met Gala, or will she have to buy it retail like a common peasant? Who cares! Same with the Hall. We have no language to discuss what to do when rich, powerful, people are garbage.