Skip to main content

CSN Bay Area

HOME  >  NEWS  >  SPORTS
Karmic payback haunts Hall of Fame process
Share This Post
Comments
Wednesday, January 8, 2014 - 9:30pm
Follow @RattoCSN

Baseball finally has its karmic payback for the years of ignoring/cashing in for the 40 years of the PED era – yeah, 40. People now hate talking about the Hall of Fame.

Oh, they still do it, and they will do it every time the topic comes up. But topic fatigue has set in, and it’s not going away. The problem is that the same names are going to come up every year (Pedro Martinez, John Smoltz and Randy Johnson will be the newbies who cut the front of the line next year), leaving us to re-chew the Four Horsemen of the Steroid Apocalypse, plus Tim Raines, plus Larry Walker, plus blah-blah-blah-de-blah-SHUT UP!

[HALL OF FAME BALLOTS: Ratto | Baggarly | Poole]

There is no fun in rehashing old leftovers. There is no restaurant known for its 12-time baked potato. We have hit the wall on the entire PED topic, and while we will reinflate it, we will do it with diminishing relish each year.

In fact, it would be of no surprise if Bob Costas was on a Hall of Fame panel at some prestigious university some time soon and just walked off in mid-sentence muttering that he’d rather watch one of those “Jackass” sports.

And when you’ve lost Bob Costas, you’ve lost America.

X X X

Lost in all this is logo news that under normal circumstances would make people salivate like junkies who just had their gums done. First, the Cleveland Indians have replaced Chief Wahoo, the grinning Indian with James Caan’s jaw, with a block-C as their prime logo. Wahoo will still be on the home hats and sleeves, but the team is clearly backing away from the cartooniest aspects of its branding mechanism.

And in Pittsburgh, the Jolly Roger has been canned after 78 years of largely uninterrupted service with the Pirates. Not sure what pressure group had the influence there, but most pirates no longer wear do-rags, so maybe the impetus came from the Bravo Channel.

X X X

Compare, contrast and throw up: Andrew Bynum’s career manipulations, and J.R. Smith’s career manipulations.

X X X

The WWE has its own network, or will by February 24, just in time for Wrestlemania. But it will fail, and miserably, if its late night talk show isn’t Piper And The Sheik. If you have to ask who, you’re not cool enough to have the $10 a month it will take to buy the package.

X X X

The hot college football rumor: Lane Kiffin as the new offensive coordinator at Saban A&I, replacing Doug Nussmeier, who went to Michigan to be the offensive coordinator under Brady Hoke. Gee, I wonder what A.J. McCarron’s mom is going to tweet about that.

X X X

And finally, Dan LeBatard’s Hall of Fame ballot, which he turned over to Deadspin, turned out to be not that much different than the one from the actual voters, which tells you that this is the future of the Hall of Fame no matter in whose hands it is placed. If I were you, and for purposes of this next sentence I will be, I would surrender my car keys to the closest responsible adult (or dog) and drink to the comprehensive trivialization of Baseball Immortality. Victory through defeat is finally ours.

NBCBayArea.com

There is no data to display.

Video

Skuta: 'Everyone's just working hard together'
Cox: 'We came out fired up'
Osgood praises focus, determination he sees from teammates
Three and Out: Q takes advantage, VD thanks Gore

Giants

MLB witness Bosch outlines A-Rod's PED program
NL West: Rockies' Gonzalez has appendix removed
Strasburg signs one-year deal, avoids arbitration
Giants minor leaguer Guzman suspended for PEDs
Read More

Athletics

Report: Scott Sizemore agrees to deal with Yankees
Alex Rodriguez receives 162-game suspension
Verlander has core muscle repair surgery
Hall: Up to BBWAA to propose changes to voting
Read More

Sharks

Sharks lose hard-fought battle to tough Bruins
Instant Replay: Sharks shut out by stingy Bruins
Bruins getting players back for game vs. Sharks
Sharks still remember first game with Boston
Read More

49ers

Broncos bounce Chargers, advance to face Pats
49ers defense makes a stand
Harbaugh falls short of A-plus-plus work
49ers look ahead to matchup with heated rival Seahawks
Read More

Raiders

Colts, Patriots battle for trip to AFC Championship
Evaluating the Raiders 2013 draft class
Lane Kiffin joins Alabama as offensive coordinator
Sparano signs two-year deal to remain with Raiders
Read More

Warriors

Report: Knicks interested in Miller
Rewind: Warriors' mental toughness on display against Boston
Instant Replay: Curry's jumper lifts Warriors over Celtics
Suns PG Bledsoe has surgery to repair meniscus
Read More

NCAA

Stanford holds on to beat No. 17 Oregon
New Mexico's strong finish tops San Jose St, 69-65
Cobbs powers Cal past Oregon State, 88-83
Saint Mary's bounces back, beats USF 88-73
Read More
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLB Standings
  • Buy Giants Gear
  • Buy Giants Tickets
  • Amy G.
  • Insider Andrew Baggarly

Latest News

MLB witness Bosch outlines A-Rod's PED program
Associated Press

More Stories

NL West: Rockies' Gonzalez has appendix removed
(1)
Strasburg signs one-year deal, avoids arbitration
See more >

GIANTS VIDEO

YSTL: Hall of Fame panel debates latest vote
YSTL: Hall of Fame panel debates latest vote
See more >

GIANTS TALK

Giants minor leaguer Guzman suspended for PEDs
Report: Dodgers to 'go all out' for Tanaka

GIANTS INSIDER

  • Giants in agreement on minor league deal with Dontrelle Willis
  • Bonds' HOF support dips slightly; Kent survives ballot cutoff
  • Baggarly explains how he almost left Maddux off HOF ballot
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLB Standings
  • Buy Athletics Gear
  • Buy Athletics Tickets

Latest News

Report: Scott Sizemore agrees to deal with Yankees
HardballTalk.com

More Stories

Alex Rodriguez receives 162-game suspension
(3)
Hall: Up to BBWAA to propose changes to voting
See more >

A's VIDEO

Korach named Sportscaster of the Year
Korach named Sportscaster of the Year
See more >

A's TALK

Verlander has core muscle repair surgery
Rangers LHP Holland has knee surgery after fall
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NHL Standings
  • Buy Sharks Gear
  • Buy Sharks Tickets
  • Insider Kevin Kurz

Latest News

Sharks lose hard-fought battle to tough Bruins
(6)
Kevin Kurz

More Stories

Instant Replay: Sharks shut out by stingy Bruins
(3)
Bruins getting players back for game vs. Sharks
(2)
See more >

SHARKS VIDEO

Highlights: Rask, Bruins deny Sharks in loss at SAP
Highlights: Rask, Bruins deny Sharks in loss at SAP
See more >

Features

Sharks still remember first game with Boston
In the Crease: Bruins end California trip at Sharks

SHARKS INSIDER

  • Cardinals leaning on surgically-repaired Carpenter in Game 2
  • Instant Replay: Giants' comeback falls short in Game 1 loss
  • Kelly to miss first two NLCS games, at least
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NBA Standings
  • Buy Warriors Gear
  • Buy Warriors Tickets

Latest News

Report: Knicks interested in Miller
(3)
ProBasketballTalk

More Stories

Rewind: Warriors' mental toughness on display against Boston
(6)
Instant Replay: Curry's jumper lifts Warriors over Celtics
(30)
See more >

WARRIORS VIDEO

Inside the Paint: Iguodala was the key down the stretch
Inside the Paint: Iguodala was the key down the stretch
See more >

Features

Suns PG Bledsoe has surgery to repair meniscus
Warriors recall Nedovic prior to Celtics game

WARRIORS INSIDER

  • Poole's Baseball Hall of Fame ballot unveiled
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NBA Standings
  • Buy Kings Gear
  • Buy Kings Tickets

Latest News

Kings blow out Cavs for third straight win
(1)
Associated Press

More Stories

UPDATE: Kings rescind McCallum assignment
(1)
Kings go for third straight win, host Cavs
(1)
See more >

Watch

Kings top Magic for elusive back-to-back wins
Kings top Magic for elusive back-to-back wins
See more >

Features

Cavs drop Jazz before visit to Sacramento
Cousins, Gay lead Kings to second straight win

Fantasy Hoops

  • The Daily Dose: Dose: Durant's Triple-double
  • PRO BASKETBALL TALK
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NFL Standings
  • Buy 49ers Tickets
  • Buy 49ers Gear
  • Insider Matt Maiocco

Latest News

Broncos bounce Chargers, advance to face Pats
(1)
Associated Press

More Stories

49ers defense makes a stand
(4)
Harbaugh falls short of A-plus-plus work
(2)
See more >

49ers VIDEO

Skuta: 'Everyone's just working hard together'
Skuta: 'Everyone's just working hard together'
See more >

WEEKLY REWIND

Rewind: Kap's arm, legs propel 49ers past Packers
(13)
Matt Maiocco

49ers INSIDER

There is no data to display.

  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NFL Standings
  • Buy Raiders Tickets
  • Buy Raiders Gear
  • Insider Scott Bair

Latest News

Colts, Patriots battle for trip to AFC Championship
(1)
Associated Press

More Stories

Lane Kiffin joins Alabama as offensive coordinator
(7)
Evaluating the Raiders 2013 draft class
(77)
See more >

RAIDERS VIDEO

YSTL: Should the Raiders select a quarterback with their first pick?
YSTL: Should the Raiders select a quarterback with their first pick?
See more >

WEEKLY REWIND

Raiders Rewind: Overmatched vs. Broncos
(29)
Scott Bair

RAIDERS INSIDER

There is no data to display.

  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLS Standings
  • MLS Player Leaders
  • Buy Quakes Gear
  • Buy Quakes Tickets

Top Story

Earthquakes sign French midfielder Jean-Baptiste Pierazzi
CSN Bay Area staff

More Stories

Wondolowski, Goodson join United States camp
(1)
Who got off easy in the World Cup draw?
See more >

Watch

Earthquakes beat FC Dallas 2-1, Corrales honored
Earthquakes beat FC Dallas 2-1, Corrales honored
See more >

Shop

ANDREW BAGGARLY

Giants in agreement on minor league deal with Dontrelle Willis
(19)
See more >

MONTE POOLE

Rewind: Warriors' mental toughness on display against Boston
(6)
See more >

MATT MAIOCCO

49ers defense makes a stand
(4)
See more >

SCOTT BAIR

Evaluating the Raiders 2013 draft class
(77)
See more >

KEVIN KURZ

Sharks lose hard-fought battle to tough Bruins
(6)
See more >

CASEY PRATT

RAY RATTO

The Dancing Maloof Brothers invest in binge drinking

TOP STORIES

  • MLB witness Bosch outlines A-Rod's PED program
  • NL West: Rockies' Gonzalez has appendix removed
  • Strasburg signs one-year deal, avoids arbitration

AFF

Enter here for the chance to win a pair of tickets to Authentic Fan Friday!

FOLLOW @CSNAUTHENTIC

@CSNAuthentic on Twitter

Facebook.com/CSNBayArea

CSN on Instagram

ALL-STAR TEACHER

Nominate your favorite All-Star Teacher today!

NCAA

Saint Mary's bounces back, beats USF 88-73
Pacific knocks off Santa Clara 80-68

MORE

  • SaberCats
  • Preps
  • Biz Ball
  • Fight Sports
  • Motor Sports
  • Golf
  • Tennis
  • Ray Ratto

 

TICKETS

  • Giants Tickets
  • A's Tickets
  • 49ers Tickets
  • Raiders Tickets
  • Warriors Tickets
  • Kings Tickets
  • Sharks Tickets
Curry Jersey
Giants Fitted Hat
49ers Hoodie

Mega Menu: Shop

  • Giants
  • A's Shop
  • 49ers
  • Raiders Shop
  • Warriors
  • Kings Shop
  • Sharks Shop

Mega Menu: Shop - Tickets

  • Giants Tickets
  • A's Tickets
  • 49ers Tickets
  • Raiders Tickets
  • Warriors Tickets
  • Kings Tickets
  • Sharks Tickets

Latest Videos

Skuta: 'Everyone's just working hard together'
Skuta: 'Everyone's just working hard together'
See more >

ONLINE SHOWS

  • Buster Knows Squat
  • Romo's Relief
  • Humm BB
  • Diamond Girls
  • Bullshootin'
  • Amy G.’s Exclusives
  • Learning with the Pros

TV SHOWS

  • All Videos
  • SportsNet Central
  • Yahoo! SportsTalk Live
  • CSN Talent

INSIDERS

  • Ray Ratto - Senior Insider
  • Andrew Baggarly - Giants
  • Matt Maiocco - 49ers
  • Scott Bair - Raiders
  • Monte Poole - Warriors
  • Kevin Kurz - Sharks
  • Casey Pratt - Field of Teams
  • TV Schedule - Bay Area and California
  • Channel Locations - Bay Area
  • Channel Locations - California