Seeing the Baseball Hall of Fame vote through the lens of RBI Baseball

The Start Menu - Glorious

By Chunk-Style, SuperJock

Perhaps the greatest baseball video game of all time was RBI Baseball, created by Tengen and released in 1987 for the Nintendo Entertainment system. If you have a few hours to waste, why don't you go play a few games and party like it's 1989. The game features 10 teams – two All-Star teams and 8 Major League Baseball teams. With the Hall of Fame vote coming out yesterday, and the ongoing discussions about it that have been floating around the web, I got to thinking that a lot of the “debate” about players from that era could be resolved by looking at how useful they were in that game. So, let’s take them case-by-case, alphabetically.

Roger Clemens, Boston

Clemens is a beast in this game, with one of the best fastballs and movement. When you then recognize that he kept being this good for a couple decades, it is an absolute travesty that he was shut out of the real-life Hall of Fame yesterday. Of course, they kept him out on the character clause, because he was such a colossal asshole (having affairs with 15-year-olds is not the fastest path to having a grammar school named after you). Either that or the voters thought that his use of greenies* helped him too much on the field. 

(Oh wait, that's why they kept Hank Aaron out. Ooops, I'm all confused with which drugs are acceptable and which aren't. Ahem...moving on....)

Julio Franco, American League All-Stars

Franco is a nice little player off the bench for the AL All-Stars. He hits for average with good speed, but you would only use him if you needed to pinch hit for a pitcher and you had already used McGwire, Seitzer and Molitor. No wonder his real-life Hall of Fame support is poor. I have a weak spot for him, though, as the best player on some of those awful Indians teams I rooted for as a kid growing up in Cleveland. His batting stance is unforgettable, and completely ignored in the video game. Sigh.

Franco's rookie year with the Indians was mired by his insistence on having a snake wrapped around his left arm at all times.

Mark McGwire, American League All-Stars

McGwire is a god in this game, hitting for average and with more power than anyone else. His speed is pretty good too. Playing this game, you would think he was one of the greatest players of all time. I think his real-life Hall of Fame case is generally understated – he is portrayed as a one-trick pony who could only hit homers. It’s not really true, as the guy had an amazing batting eye…and he was better at that one trick than anyone else who has ever played.

Jack Morris, Detroit

Perhaps the most controversial of actual candidates, Morris’ advocates like to point out that he started more Opening Day games than anyone else. While that sounds good, it would be nice if his actual body of work could be used to support his case. But the real question here is about how useful Morris was in RBI Baseball. Already, things don’t look good for Morris when you go to select him, as he is the #2 starter. His pitches are pedestrian – not bad, but certainly not amazing. It’s clear to me that Morris is not a superstar, and perhaps not even a top 10 pitcher in RBI Baseball. Many of the pitchers I would rank higher than Morris in the video game are not in the Hall of Fame, so I think this seals the deal of Morris’ real-life candidacy. 

Morris is the #2 starter on a team known primarily for its offense. Ergo, he stinks.

Dale Murphy, National League All-Stars

Murphy is a poor man’s McGwire in this game, hitting for slightly less average and power, but still being a mega-talent. Murphy’s problem in real life was that his career outside his amazing peak was weak by Hall of Fame standards, but RBI Baseball does a nice job representing how awesome Murphy was in his awesome years.

Tim Raines, National League All-Stars

Raines leads off for the NL All-Stars and is clearly one of their best players. He has an amazing combination of good power and amazing speed. Raines is one of the best players in the video game, so he clearly belongs in the Hall of Fame. His low levels of support in the voting are mind-boggling.

Alan Trammell, Detroit

Trammell leads off for the Tigers and is the best shortstop in the game. That is saying something when you consider that the game includes Hall of Famers Ozzie Smith and Cal Ripken. Smith isn’t much of a player, with no power yet good speed. Trammell has power that is similar to Ripken’s, but a huge advantage in speed and batting average (.343 vs .289). Trammell is getting shafted in real life by a short-sighted electorate – perhaps the voters should be made to play a few games of RBI Baseball and reconsider how awesome Trammell was in his heyday.

Frank Viola could expect to see his sparkling 2.90 ERA rise if stats ever changed in this game.

Some other players I wanted to mention:

Wade Boggs, Boston

Jack Clark, St. Louis Cardinals

Doc Gooden, NY Mets

Reggie Jackson, California

Kirby Puckett, Minnesota

Jim Rice, Boston

Nolan Ryan, Houston

Daryl Strawberry, NY Mets

Boggs and Rice are mediocre in the game for the Red Sox. Boggs’ high average isn’t very useful with minimal power, and Rice’s power is meh. As this is one of Rice’s good years, it’s still a head-scratcher that they let him into the Hall of Fame…Jack Clark and Reggie Jackson are studs in this game – frightening power….Doc Gooden and Daryl Strawberry are both amazing and the game does a nice job of showing what awesome talents they were before they let their demons overcome them. The Mets of the 90’s could have been so much different…Unlike Rice, Puckett holds up nicely in this game. His power production is not great, but he makes up for it with great speed….Ryan kinda sucks, with a great fastball but no movement, making him pretty easy to hit. I think it nicely mirrors how he was in real life - a bulldog of a pitcher, but not a superlative one.

Shitstorm in Ontario: One idea on how the provincial government can make good with the teachers

Miniter of Education Laurel Broten does not appreciate that attitude, young man. Now spit out your gum!

                                                          by Travis Jaxon, Math and Science Educator

I’m not a very political guy….so it seems odd to be writing my first blog post on a political situation. However, this particular political situation affects me in very personal way insofar as it concerns something about which I care deeply; the education of children.

To recap, the provincial government of Ontario and the teachers’ unions have been tearing each other apart for the last year. This past fall, the government passed Bill 115, which established guidelines for negotiations that laid out significant slashes to teacher contracts (as a best-case scenario), removed the right of teachers to take job action, and gave the government the power to permanently impose these terms if teachers and boards could not agree to them on their own by the beginning of 2013. The government did just that when the new year arrived.

As this has played out, things have not gone well for the government or the unions. The government has become increasingly unpopular in the face of this legislation, even shooting themselves in the foot by naming the aggressively anti-teacher legislation the “Putting Students First Act” as though the public were stupid. It could be reasonably said that Bill 115 – in combination with a failed power grab in a by-election – pushed Premier Dalton McGuinty into resigning. Liberal candidates to become the next premier are all facing questions on how they can salvage the crappy situation with teachers, and few have any idea how to go about it.

Meanwhile, the unions also look terrible. After four years of labour peace leading up to this drama, they sat on their hands and were caught wholly unprepared. They have fumbled through the past few months, misjudging and mishandling negotiations with the government and the sentiments of their own membership. For example, the OSSTF negotiated drastically slashed contracts for a few boards within the limits of Bill 115 and recommended ratification to their memberships. To their surprise, they were left with egg on their face as membership rejected them. Then, in an attempt to recuperate some of the face they lost at the negotiating table, they cancelled extra-curricular activities in all schools in all boards, angering students and parents. The unions like to think that parents and students understand why their basketball teams and jazz ensembles were pulled, but anyone paying attention to the community protests can see that students and their parents feel they are being punished because the education community can’t get itself together. I can hardly blame them for such feelings.

As a teacher, I was really upset when extra-curriculars were pulled because there was no direct reason to pull them at the time. In fact, nothing in my entire teaching career has made me quite this angry. The correct time to pull them was after the contracts were permanently imposed at the beginning of 2013, as parents and students would then be sympathetic to the fact that there is really no other way that teachers can register their dissatisfaction.

So, how does the next premier make things right with the public and with teachers? Repealing Bill 115 is already in motion, so that’s a start….but not much of one. It’s like passing a law making it legal to rob a bank on December 28^th, then robbing the bank on December 28^th, then cancelling the law. I suggest a few ways the new Liberal leadership can save face without inordinately compromising their position.

1. Apologize for Bill 115, and pledge to negotiate rather than legislate from now on, in all organized labour situations.

            ** This buys goodwill not just with teachers but with unionfolk in general. Chances of re-election rise dramatically by making good with labour, even without a full promise to give back some of the gains they have achieved by this flexing of their political muscles.

2. My biggest idea: Discard the Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) and all of the standardized tests they run. This may come with some controversy but consider the benefits…

** Tons of education research suggest that there is no value to these tests.

** It is expensive: The Office itself and other affiliated offices draw $100 million each year.

            ** Educators hate these tests (check out the video Is EQAO failing our children?). Mainly, this is because the tests are biased culturally and across socioeconomic classes, because so much pressure is put on them for results when the results themselves are not good for much of anything, because teachers have to sacrifice other types of teaching and learning to prepare kids for the tests, and because the enormous amounts of resources that are used in conjunction with this test could be put to better use in so many different ways. Most teachers are aware that research indicates that there is little or no value to these tests. I could go on, but I won’t for your sake, but my own opinion of the tests is that they are diabolical…….anyways, you score a big point with teachers by killing EQAO off

            ** EQAO is not the Liberal Party’s baby – it was formed under NDP leadership. Furthermore, the NDP no longer supports EQAO – NDP Leader Andrea Horwath recently said that EQAO “throws a monkeywrench into the works of real teaching and real learning.”

            ** In “these times” of economic hardship, cutting this program can be seen as casting away a luxury that has run its course. Indeed, EQAO scores would seem to indicate that there has been sufficient improvement in the 15+ years it has run to conclude that the tests are no longer vital. Most people in Ontario recognize the fact that we have one of the finest education systems in the world.

**The savings can be passed on to points #3 (and maybe 4) below and the budget deficit in general.

3. Tear up imposed contracts and negotiate new ones with (very) minor concessions to teachers. As the unions have publicly bragged that they will accept the wage freeze, let them do so and ease up on the sick day cutbacks by either allowing some banking of sick days, or increasing the number of sick days per year.

4. Learning to teach is a lifelong process, and most teachers know this. Once you accept this principle, there is no avoiding the critical importance of professional development. PD is not expensive and could be done in MUCH more meaningful ways in schools without even spending more money (for example, more PD days with greater structure for their use, with that structure originating from the teachers themselves).

By taking these steps, the provincial government will go a long way towards making things better with teachers. They also will not compromise their position greatly in future negotiations. Teachers will still grumble, but they won’t have much to grumble about when compared to what they have been saddled with at the moment.

Author Introductions: Zoltan Cadet

Name: “Zoltan Cadet”

Defining Characteristic: Dude who is batshit insane

It’s hard growing up poor, not to mention 23,815 light years from home. As a young mantis, I recall the gentle, soothing whir of yellow just outside our summer elevator. While our transition to human form was relatively dilapidated and fat-free, the visions of nefarious toasters have not completely disappeared from my night visions. A few thousand centuries later. the omnipresent government-controlled doctors have all had their say. Toothbrush, australopithecine, incendiary pigs, and so on…

(editor's note: Zoltan Cadet is one of many fake names I made up for myself by the age of 8) 

Author Introductions: Dale C. McGregor

Name: “Dale C McGregor”

Defining Characteristic: White Guy

Having grown up in a quaint New England suburb and attended a very expensive private liberal arts university, I have spent my entire life becoming something of an aficionado on the finer points of white culture. Mock me at your own peril: White folks have a lot to offer, and I have a particularly keen ability to separate that which is worthy from that which is bland and banal.

(editor's note: Dale C McGregor is one of many fake names I made up for myself by the age of 8)

Author Introductions: Mr. Prius Bizarre

Name: "Mr. Prius Bizarre”

Defining Characteristic: Environmentalist

You’d think an author of two children’s books on endangered species would be a rabid tree-hugger. It would be closer to the truth to say that I care about the environment, In some ways, this caring manifest conventionally, in others, not so much.

(editor's note: Prius Bizarre was a suitably odd nickname made up for me by a former student) 

Author Introductions: Disco Sterenslovsky

Name: "Disco Sterenslovsky”

Defining Characteristic: Current events

As a superhero with an amazing combination of superpowers (the ability to make anyone dance, and the ability to gelatinize anything within two to three hours), you can imagine my chagrin when I discovered that my application to The Justice League was recently denied. Seriously, you’re telling me they need Gleek for something? At any rate, this gig was the next best offer on the table, so here I am. Bask in the glory of my all-encompassing aptitudes.

Anyways, as a Julliard-trained, genuine-article superhero, I tend to stay on top of what’s going on.

Author Introductions: Hu Flung Pu

Name: “Hu Flung Pu”

Defining Characteristic: Globetrotter

For a white guy originally from suburban Cleveland, I’ve made my way around the world pretty well. I’ve been to over a dozen countries and many dozens of cities. Travelling is one of my favorite things to do. I’ll include you in my various adventures.

(editor's note: Hu Flung Pu is my pen name when I am trying to remain anonymous) 

Author Introductions: Kevin Karsotos

Name: “Kevin Karsotos”

Defining Characteristic: Historian

Okay, I’m not much of a historian (or is that “an historian”?). I’ve got a taste for history and enjoy reading about it, so I know a thing or two. My interest trends towards odd or obscure information, but only generally speaking.

(editor's note: Kevin Karsotos is one of many fake names I made up for myself by the age of 8) 

Author Introductions: Floyd Simpson

Name: “Floyd Simpson”

Defining Characteristic: Curmudgeonly old fart

It’s not every day you get to read blog entries written by someone who witnessed the assassination of President McKinley, even if I was just a wee pup back then. In my eleventy-plus years, I’ve seen a few things change. You’re going to hear about it. Shut up and listen now, because I ain’t saying it twice.

(editor's note: Floyd Simpson is one of many fake names I made up for myself by the age of 8)

Author Introductions: Pre-B Fresh

Name: “Pre-B Fresh”

Defining Characteristic: Music/arts/cool stuff

Now that my legendary hip-hop career has come to a close, everyone wants to know what’s kickin’ with the PB. Seriously, you really only need to read what I have to say, and you’ll be tuned into what’s hot.

Word.

(editor's note: Pre-B Fresh was my rapper identity as a young man, one of many hip-hop pioneers in the Honkey Sno-Tribe) 

Author Introductions: Chunk-Style

Name: “Chunk-Style”

Defining Characteristic: Sports

Hey there. How you doing? I was looking through my family history and found out that my name is actually German for ‘SuperJock’. I like sports. I’m good at sports. I think about sports. You know, because sports are fun. And I’m good at them.

(editor's note: Chunk-Style has been my tough-guy name for over 20 years running) 

Author Introductions: Travis Jaxon

Name: “Travis Jaxon”

Defining Characteristic: Science/Math Educator

“Never lose sight of the fact that the child, as a learner, is not only the centre of the school system, but the only reason for its existence.”

I feel the work of an educator is as important as any work that can be done, and pursue my craft with a level of seriousness that reflects this belief. Hopefully, by making skilled use of my baloney detection kit, I can separate fact from fiction in the subtle science and exact art of pedagogy.

(editor's note: Travis Jaxon was a pen name I used to write for an underground newspaper in high school) 

Author Introductions: Hollywood

Name: “Hollywood”
Defining characteristic: Film Critic

Boy, my parents must have had some foresight, dubbing their infant son with a trendier-than-thou single name, and ‘Hollywood’ at that. I see a lot of movies. I’ve got taste, though it’s a bit of a different flavor, as you might expect from someone raised by parents who named their kid after a neighborhood of southern California.

(editor's note: Hollywood was the nickname given to me by my high school baseball coach, based on his conclusion that I apparently tried to make every play look fancy) 

Author Introductions: Mac Daddy

Name: “Mac Daddy"

Defining characteristic: Family Matters

There is very little question when it comes to how my priorities line up: It all starts at home with my wife and children. Starting in 2004 with the birth of Hana, and then again in 2007 with the arrival of Rabia, becoming a father has been the greatest thing to happen to me in life. As a father who takes enormous pride in his dedication to parenting and the responsibilities that come with it, I’ve spent a great deal of time and energy reflecting upon how I feel about the enterprise.

(editor's note: Mac Daddy is probably the most common permutation of nicknames given to me based on the fact that everyone calls me "Mac". You can imagine most of the others, such as Big Mac, Mac the Knife, etc)