The local Mariners beat writer, transplanted here from Toronto where he covered the Blue Jays, put up a column today explaining that he did NOT vote for Edgar Martinez, the local hero, but DID vote for Dawson, whom he saw play regularly. He goes into the era difference: Martinez played in the steroid era where 50 and 60 HRs were not uncommon, while Dawson played when 30+ homers might lead the league. Fair enough. Curiously, he also spent the first several paragraphs of his article explaining how Dawson dealt with severe knee pains from the very start of his career, and the way he went on about it you'd think that overcoming injuries and pain was somehow a major factor in his vote. Where he came up with that I have no idea other than his bias in favor of a local boy from his beloved days in Toronto. Inexplicably local bias is exactly what he accuses Mariners fans of. Another comment he makes explaining some of the reasons behind his vote is that Martinez is not a first ballot hall of famer, as if there are two levels in the hall of fame, those inducted in their first year of eligibility and everyone else. C'mon, either a guy is a hall of famer or he's not. Examine the merits and make your call. You may change your mind next year, but don't create a separate category that doesn't exist. HOF voting is a political vote, no doubt about it, and the factors that weigh in the minds of some voters are downright bizarre.

Last Edited By: DaddyO 01/06/10 04:22 PM. Edited 1 times.