Talk:Bruce Sutter

From BR Bullpen

I believe this is long overdue; however, I think "Goose" Gossage should've been elected as well, not to mention the best screwball pitcher of all--Mike Marshall; what the hell are they waiting for?!

I agree that Sutter is long overdue. And I agree that Gossage is overdue. But I don't like hearing everyone talking about how Sutter shouldn't be in just because Gossage isn't in. That is not Sutter's problem. Oh, and Mike Marshall? Seriously? Lee Smith-yes. Mike Marshall-no. --TallTsar

[edit] Sorry - Bruce Sutter did not deserve it

As a friend of mine put it concerning the 2006 Hall of Fame Vote: "Sutter's career spanned from 1976 to 1988 - nearly the same length as Jim Rice - was there ever - EVER - a time during that span when anyone would have foolish enough to give up Jim Rice for Bruce Sutter straight up? The main knock on Rice has been that his "era of greatness" - 1975-1986 - was too short. And then Sutter gets in with a span of 1976-1984 and essentially only 8 very good seasons and junk thereafter. It's incredibly unfair."

Maybe you didn't notice, but closers and outfielders play different positions! Jim Rice was ten times the offensive player that Ozzie Smith was, so we should pull the Wizard and put Rice in? No.

I'm not saying that Rice is undeserving (I think he probably ought to be in), but it's unreasonable to expect Gossage's longevity from every Hall of Fame closer. Why? Because part of what made Gossage so special WAS his longevity. For Sutter, it was pure dominance (and the splitter). Relievers are known for being flashes in the pan. There are few closers with periods of extended dominance--Gossage, Rivera, Hoffman and Smith are a few that come to mind. Should those players be in the Hall of Fame? Yes (giving Rivera the benefit of the doubt, of course). What about Koufax? He pitched 12 seasons, and the first two weren't even full seasons. From 1955-1961, he was merely good, at best. Then, for five years, he was dominant. From 1962-1966, he was it. Twelve seasons, five dominant. Bona fide Hall of Famer.

So, why not Sutter? Twelve seasons, six or seven of them dominant. So good with the splitter that other pitchers went out of their way to learn it. Saved 45 games in a year when it was difficult to do. Saved 300 games when there weren't twenty pitchers who'd done it.

Not every Hall of Famer can be Walter Johnson.