In light of the recent Hall of Fame voting and the questions raised regarding a number of the candidates, perhaps the following poem is timely<\/p>\n
The Hall of Doubt?<\/strong><\/p>\n Michael Hoban<\/p>\n I<\/p>\n Baseball is our greatest game – I think it is quite clear<\/p>\n Its wondrous past and following, it really has no peer.<\/p>\n The hit, the catch, the stolen base, the variety within<\/p>\n Where else does someone “sacrifice” to help his team to win?<\/p>\n II<\/p>\n When I was young we played the sport right on a city street<\/p>\n Or at least a variation – where a bunch of us would meet.<\/p>\n To us it was the sense of joy – that’s why we played the game.<\/p>\n We never dreamed great players would ever bring us shame.<\/p>\n It was a time of heroes – Mickey, Willie and the Duke<\/p>\n Knights in shining armor – not a single one a fluke.<\/p>\n We watched in green cathedrals that were spread so far and wide<\/p>\n And if we were really lucky, our Dad was by our side.<\/p>\n III<\/p>\n Of course, in time, we all grow up (at least older we do get)<\/p>\n And find some things our heroes did we sooner would forget.<\/p>\n But even then, just human flaws – just what you might expect<\/p>\n Of other human beings – not the kind to lose respect.<\/p>\n But cheating? – no, not ever – there just wasn’t any way<\/p>\n That those who played the sacred game could go that far astray.<\/p>\n But now we have to ask ourselves – unless we are just fools<\/p>\n How could our greatest heroes just have broken all the rules?<\/p>\n IV<\/p>\n The game is just a business now – some skeptics would reply.<\/p>\n The rules we used to know so well just do not still apply.<\/p>\n And what about the records we all did hold in awe?<\/p>\n How can we be certain they have value any more?<\/p>\n Mark and Raf and Barry? – and add Roger to the mix?<\/p>\n And who knows all the others who were in on the sad fix.<\/p>\n And what about the players still deserving of the Hall?<\/p>\n Who is to say which players really did not take a fall?<\/p>\n V<\/p>\n Illicit drugs have changed the game – the one we all hold dear.<\/p>\n Their names are not the issue – be it Cream or just the Clear.<\/p>\n What is important is the fact that cheating has been done.<\/p>\n And sad to say the onus could just fall on everyone.<\/p>\n Of course, we know that there are those who played within the rules.<\/p>\n At least we hope that is the case – lest we all look like fools.<\/p>\n Let us hope our sacred shrine is not the Hall of Doubt.<\/p>\n For then we’ll know with certainty that baseball has struck out.<\/p>\n Michael Hoban, Ph.D.<\/p>\n Professor Emeritus of Mathmatics, City U of NY<\/p>\n Author of Defining Greatness: A Hall of Fame Handbook<\/p>\n