The Hall of Fame Vote: A Case for Jim Rice

This week, the Hall of Fame released its ballot for the 2009 induction. Many names are on the last. One is a shoe-in (Rickey Henderson), several have been there forever (Bert Blyleven, Jack Morris), and some have no shot (Dan Plesac, Ron Gant, and Mo Vaughn). You can argue some that should get votes (Tim Raines, Lee Smith, and Andre Dawson). Yet, one name seems to draw the most heated debate: Jim Rice. He enters the 2009 ballot in his final year of voter eligibility before he has to wait for the Veteran's Committee to take up his case. Rice has come close on more than one occasion but has not been able to get into Cooperstown without buying a ticket. I've spent time arguing both for and against his inclusion. Recently, I sat down with several of the 'Table's members and we got into it. In the end, we thought his inclusion was necessary.  Players described Rice as the most feared hitter in baseball during his run in the '70s and '80s. They talked how he dominated for ... (link)