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Friday, May 23, 2008

Big League Stew: Brown: Bert Blyleven talks the Hall, swearing on air

Q: Ever get into a confrontation with one of these Hall voters?

BB: I was on with Bob Ley from “Outside the Lines,” with a writer — I forget from where —and we went back-and-forth. He hadn’t voted for me but I think he’s since changed his mind. But I can’t sit down with 500 guys and try to convince them. The convincing, to me, is over with. I feel I’m going to be in there in a couple years. I honestly feel my time is coming.

Q: Is that based on how your vote totals have improved?

BB: I think with the steroid era — how the game has changed — and with guys pitching every fifth day now, there’s no emphasis on complete games. I see guys pitching eight shutout innings and then not going out for the ninth because of a pitch count. We never had the pitch count.

Thanks to Eddie G.

Repoz Posted: May 23, 2008 at 12:38 AM | 6 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
Tags: announcers, hall of fame, history, pirates, twins

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1. Justin 'The Cespedobear' T Posted: May 23, 2008 at 01:42 AM (#2791452)

I heart to fart too.

That was a fun interview,

2. Tulo's Fishy Mullet (mrams) Posted: May 23, 2008 at 01:53 AM (#2791457)

So I guess he won't pull a Marvin Miller and tell the HOF to drop dead and take him off the ballot?

3. Roy Hobbs of WIFFLE Ball Posted: May 23, 2008 at 03:53 AM (#2791534)

I'm in the top 10 in (fewest) home runs allowed

The interviewer assumes. Bert is 8th all-time in HRA with 430.

4. Repoz

Posted: May 23, 2008 at 04:03 AM (#2791541)

So I guess he won't pull a Marvin Miller

No...but he would probably pull Marvin Miller's finger.

5. Gonfalon Bubble Posted: May 23, 2008 at 04:41 AM (#2791554)

Being Dutch, he'd probably insert Miller's finger into a dike.

6. Cooperstown Schtick Posted: May 23, 2008 at 07:48 PM (#2792185)

Q: OK, you're still not in the Hall, Bert. What can we do? What about expanding the electorate so that someone such as Vin Scully could vote?

BB: It's funny. I talked to Ernie Harwell about that. He thinks I should be in. He says in his great voice, "You know, Bert, I just don't know why announcers haven't been involved in the voting for the Hall of Fame. If only because they see these players every day." A guy like a Vin Scully — my goodness. Any radio play-by-play guy or TV play-by-play guy should — if they're there a certain amount of time, just like the writers for 10 years, I think, they should have the right to vote also.

Q: That would make you eligible to vote as a broadcaster.

This is a somewhat interesting issue. I wonder what would happen if a retired ballplayer became a qualified voter in a year in which he was on the ballot -- if the voting body would recognize the conflict of interest and prohibit the player from voting.

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Friday, May 23, 2008

Big League Stew: Brown: Bert Blyleven talks the Hall, swearing on air

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