If former Cubs closer Bruce Sutter makes the steep hike from 59.5 percent of the vote totals last year to the required 75 percent needed for induction into the Hall of Fame, he probably should thank Dennis Eckersley.
Eckersley’s impressive showing last year, getting in easily in his first year of eligibility, may have opened the minds of voters who tend to think of closers as hood ornaments who don’t really deserve recognition.
Once again, I voted for three closers–Sutter, Goose Gossage and Lee Smith–knowing the likelihood of any of them making it is probably slim. Eckersley, after all, also was a successful starter for years, which added to his resume.
If that’s the current criteria for induction, John Smoltz ultimately may have a better chance than Mariano Rivera, hands-down the best closer of the last decade.
My other Hall of Fame selections were:
– Ryne Sandberg, who finally may get in on his third try;
– Andre Dawson, who gained only 50 percent of the vote last year;
– Wade Boggs, the only shoo-in because of his inclusion in the 3,000-hit club. Sandberg and Boggs are no-brainers, while Dawson’s failure to come close remains mind-boggling to those of us who watched him play on a daily basis.
Finally, it was nice to see former White Sox instigator Tony Phillips on the ballot, even though he was a utility man most of his career. If they ever build a Spitting Hall of Fame, Phillips will be first-ballot all the way.
