Jim Rice - Hall of Famer, finally!!!

[nickagneta]

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3827833

[JSD]

You just beat me to it Nick! WahoO!

[nickagneta]

Couple thoughts:

- this should have happened years ago but I think the steroid era and the denial that it was happening dwarfed Rice's numbers. Now, over the last couple of years as the home run totals have returned to more in line with what they were before the steroid era, a greater appreciation for what Rice did during his time is emerging. Rice's 1977, 1978 and 1983 seasons, in an era where steroids were non existent and some parks were bigger and the ball wasn't as juiced have got to be considered some of the greatest years on record.

- it's time to put Jim Ed's number up alongside Wiiliams, Pesky, Yaz, Doer, Cronin and Fisk(okay and Jackie's too). Number 14 will look good up there with all the other's.

[Finkelskyhook]

Way overdue

[Donoghus]

Congrats to Rice.

I only really remember his twilight years (which weren't very good) but I know enough through people who saw him play to know this guy belonged in the HOF.

[Brickowski]

He was borderline.  But if Ryne Sandberg and Bill Mazeroski got in, so should Rice.

[Redz]

When I played baseball growing up I WAS JIM ED RICE at the plate.  He was my hero.  I'd try to be #14 whenever possible.

Congrats Jim Ed!

[Celtic]

About time.

[Redz]

[ChampKind]

Glad to see it.  The debate finally ends.

[xmuscularghandix]

he's in the top 5 for best left fielder in red sox history, and a couple of the other guys could be in the conversation for top 5 ever.

[MattG12]

I can't believe he's been on the ballot since I was like 4 years old... Congrats to him, I've been rooting for him to get voted in for the last few years.

[Brickowski]

Glad to see it.  The debate finally ends.

No , it's just beginning.

[Kuberski33]

He was borderline.  But if Ryne Sandberg and Bill Mazeroski got in, so should Rice.

The knock on him was he never hit in the clutch, couldn't field and he had to endure more than a few '6-4-3' chants from sarcastic Sox fans (the good ol' days before pink hats).

On the plus side, to the best of everyone's knowledge, he never relied on steroids to help him. 

He's very borderline -- just like I think Yastrzemski and Cal Ripken are borderline.  There's a difference between very good and great. I don't think very good belongs in the Hall.

If you want to look at great, consider Manny Ramirez who in addition to being the dominant right handed hitter of his era has never, I believe, played on a losing team.  THAT is great and that's the type of dominance that belongs in the HOF.

[Keep_Beatin_LA]

Congrats Jim Ed