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Technically the magic David Freese gave us in the 2011 World Series deserves a special display in the Cardinal museum, rather than having David inducted. But again, coming up with the key plays when the ultimate prize is on the line is noteworthy and I have no issue with him on the ballot, nor will it bother me if he is enshrined.
The last three years my vote has gone to the guy with the highest Cardinal WAR among the candidates, so I went with Super Steve this year.
I only look at what the Carlton did for the Cardinals. If management had given Carlton enough money he would have never been traded to the Phillies.
Unless they changed the exhibit recently, half of Freese’s “shredded” uniform is on display at the Cardinals Museum. The way the system works, the fans will decide if he is Hall-worthy.
Carlton is in the MLB HoF as a Philly, and rightfully so. The Cards HoF should be for players whose career greatness is defined by what they did in a Cardinals jersey. I do not say that his body of work here was unworthy, just that it was overtaken by subsequent events in his lengthy and illustrious career.
That it was Bling. And yet of the five candidates on this year’s ballot, Carlton has the highest Cardinals WAR.
I have related this a few times regarding Carlton, but I still remember the trade well and my thoughts about it. I was a teenager and my dad and I closely followed the Cards. I did not care for the deal, but did think maybe it would be okay as Rick Wise was a year younger than Steve, despite the fact he had been pitching in the big leagues awhile. Plus Wise had a little better year than Carlton.
But then I read a quote from Leo Durocher in the Sporting News. It went something like, “When he heard about the Phillies acquiring Steve Carlton for Rick Wise, Leo Durocher said ‘I would swim across the Atlantic Ocean encased in ice to make that deal.”
After reading that I thought, “We may have really blown it with this deal.”
Carlton will probably receive a red sport coat and as long as he wasn’t taking a turn against my favorite team I always enjoyed watching him work, but to me, the Cardinals honoring the memory of Steve Carlton is not at all unlike the city of Hiroshima honoring the memory of the Enola Gay…
I was in my mid teens at the time and can remember the adult men in the family thinking the trade was reasonable, getting good value for a guy always complaining about the money. That changed a year later after Carlton won 27 games for a terrible Phillies team that only won 59 games. After that they were mad at Gussie for being a tightwad all through the dark days of the 70s.
The difference in honoring Carlton regarding your comparison to Hiroshima 1TD, is that it was not Carlton’s fault that management, specifically Gussie, made a bad decision. He was certainly worth the extra $5K management refused to give him, but Gussie was old school. He felt his boys should be thankful they played for such a wonderful organization, and never question what management felt they were worth.
Make sure you catch the announcement of the #STLCards Hall of Fame Class of 2023 Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. on @BallySportsMW. pic.twitter.com/Z5tJWezdbj
— Brian Walton (@B_Walton) May 2, 2023
Well didn’t surprise me, freese got the modern pick. I don’t think he deserved it over Morris far as his numbers in totality but that’s ok. He had great cardinal moments that’s for sure
I thought max Lanier getting the veteran pick was great. Didn’t know much about him but will look him up.
World Series MVP and STL native David Freese voted in by fans, 2X World Series Champ and 12-year #STLCards pitcher Max Lanier selected by committee & longtime player/coach/instructor José Oquendo chosen by the organization to the team Hall of Fame. (free) https://t.co/sihgQh9RUM pic.twitter.com/T3XdCPtI0f
— Brian Walton (@B_Walton) May 3, 2023
I voted for Steve Carlton based on him having the highest Cardinal WAR among the candidates in the fan vote. However, I figured Freese would get the most votes based on his more recent career and stellar post season heroics.
Lanier was a real good lefty who made a mistake joining the Mexican League in his prime. Oquendo is well deserved, being sort of a latter day George Kissell who also had a good playing career.
In hindsight, going to the Mexican League was a mistake. But we also have to remember that in the 1940s, MLB players made very little money and had no hope of free agency. Very different times. I voted Max 1st on the veterans ballot this year. Good to see him go in.
I also preferred Lefty on the fan modern era ballot, but Freese was pre-ordained.
Good point on the very different economic paradigm that existed in MLB before free agency. Management was all-powerful. I have read stories of how George Weiss, iron-willed long-time Yankee general manager, cut Mickey Mantle’s salary one year, 1960 I believe, because he did not have as good of a year as he had the year before.
David Freese has declined his selection to the Cardinals Hall of Fame. The team tried to talk him out of it, but was unsuccessful. The August induction will go on for Jose Oquendo and Max Lanier.
I respect his decision, but it would have been far better had he spoken up before the fan balloting. It was clear from the start that he would be voted in.
That’s a crap move by freese in my opinion. Being in the cards hall of Fame costs him nothing from what I know. The Cardinals should not have anymore days honoring him. If he had spoken up before the voting, I would have respected it more. All he did was cost someone more deserving a chance.
I could respect the decision if did this before the vote, not weeks before the ceremony. Now it just comes across as a big middle finger to all the fans who voted for him. Complete disrespect for the fans. It was evident from day one he was going to get the votes.
Excuse me while I will give him what he wants and wont be celebrating him anymore like I did with Gibby, Brock, and Stan.
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