Now that I got my first column out of the way, it would only be appropriate to follow it up with a second one. As was mentioned last week, I have an opinion on pretty much everything, but let’s focus on one topic a week. Of course that’s not a steadfast rule, but let’s take a shot…..  Big topic of discussion came to an expected conclusion last night when Major League baseball had the Hall of Fame vote for entrance into the most sacred of halls. Bonds, Clemens, A-Rod, Ortiz and many others were on the ballot. Results are in and the results are not unexpected to me. Big Papi in, Barry, Roger, Alex not. And we all know the reasons why is directly related to the PED scandal. And I am in agreement that cheaters (and there is no denying that fact since they all but Ortiz were caught outright!) do not belong in the same  HoF that houses Ruth, Gehrig, Williams, Cobb. And if you look at the numbers of the aforementioned icons from the past, do any of yesterday’s nominees even belong in Cooperstown with their numbers? I think not. What is perplexing is that Bonds would have made the HoF even without the enhancements, as well as A-Rod. Big Papi maybe not. In his defense, he was never officially caught unlike the others, but FIRST Ballot!? Absolutely not!!!!!!!  Jeter, Seaver, Dimaggio are first ballot guys, so obviously the standards have been lowered. Loved Ortiz when he played as I witnessed his dominance over the Yankees first hand for many years and  he was as clutch a hitter as they come and also a Boston icon from a community perspective (rightfully so), but maybe it was right that he waited a couple of years before election to baseball immortality.  Just saying. I may have mentioned this on our podcast, but my brother and I have the highest of standards for any hall of fame, which is why I’m okay with the “roid” guys not getting in. Their numbers are inflated, plain and simple. We are VERY particular and will never waver from those standards. This is why I am so excited to do Sports with Mono and Mono each and ever week, because with sports there will never be a time when we have nothing to talk about, and we love to engage our audience and hear their perspective as well no matter what the topic is.

Jim