Special(ist) class: Baines, Smith weigh in on Martínez, Rivera
LAS VEGAS – Is the small, picturesque hamlet of Cooperstown, N.Y., big enough for all of Mariano Rivera’s fans and the Yankees’ fans to descend upon it this summer? As far as Lee Smith is concerned, that’s the only question to consider when wondering if the legendary Yankees closer will join the National Baseball Hall of Fame’s 2019 class.
The stage at the Mandalay Bay Resort belonged to Smith and Harold Baines on Monday as they were introduced to the media the day after they were elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame on the special Today’s Game Committee ballot.
Although Rivera and Edgar Martínez weren’t in attendance, their presence was felt. The all-time saves leader doesn’t need much help with his candidacy for Cooperstown. Martínez’s case, however, was bolstered by Baines’ election.
“I just think that it’s a dynamic game,” Hall of Fame manager Tony La Russa said. “And as it changes, you got to change your perspective. Like right now for a while now, the bullpens on championship teams they spend as much time on their bullpens as they do their starting rotation.
“That wasn’t true in the old days. As the relievers have gotten more important, those guys that are great in that role deserve credit and deserve Hall of Fame status. In the same way, you got to score runs to win games. So if you got a great hitter, it looks like maybe we’ll get in two (Baines and Martínez) and David Ortiz soon. That’s part of winning games.”
La Russa served on the 16-member committee that elected Baines and Smith, two men who fell short before their time was up on the Baseball Writers’ Association of America ballot.
A Unique Class
It appears as though the Hall of Fame might induct two relievers and two designated hitters in the same class for the first time this July in Cooperstown.
Smith was on the BBWAA ballot for the final time last year. Martínez is on the ballot for the 10th and last time this year after receiving votes on 70.4 percent of the required 75 percent for induction.
“Both are very deserving,” Baines said of Rivera and Martínez. “I think (Martínez) had 70 percent. Usually guys that can get that high usually get in the next year.”
Baines, a six-time All-Star, collected 2,866 hits and a 38.7 Wins Above Replacement over a 22-year career. He was primarily a designated hitter during his career, never received more than 6.1 percent of the required 75 percent for enshrinement on the BBWAA ballot.
Conversely, Martínez was named on 70.4 percent of the ballots on his ninth and penultimate turn on the BBWAA ballot.
Although Martínez’s 2,247 hits trail Baines’ total, the Seattle Mariners icon posted a 68.4 WAR over an 18-year career and was considered the preeminent designated hitter of his generation.
“It’s a part of the game, and they should be acknowledged,” Baines said of relievers and designated hitters. “That’s my thinking. If you don’t think they’re part of the game, get rid of it.”
Baseball isn’t likely to get rid of the designated hitter rule. If anything, some predict that the National League will eventually follow the American League and use the DH.
Whatever the case, it now appears as though two designated hitters could be inducted this summer in Cooperstown.
“It’d be great,” Baines said of being joined by Martínez in the 2019 induction class.
“I have a lot of respect for Edgar. He was a great hitter. More than that, he’s a great person. He’s more than deserving, to me, to make it into the Hall of Fame.”
Rivera isn’t likely to meet the resistance that greeted Smith’s candidacy. Some even wonder if he could finish with the most support in history during his first year on the ballot.
Smith finished his career as baseball’s all-time saves leader with 478 over an 18-year career. His record was eventually broken by Trevor Hoffman, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame this past July after earning his spot in Cooperstown, N.Y., on the BBWAA ballot.
Hoffman’s career record of 601 saves didn’t last very long. Rivera broke it and eventually finished with 652.
“The only problem [Rivera] might have is, is Cooperstown big enough, man.”
“I really don’t think Mo’s going to have a problem,” Smith said. “The only problem he might have is, is Cooperstown big enough, man. That’s the only problem he might have. A lot of people don’t realize he was like 27-28 (years old) when he came to the big leagues. And when he got there he was setup man to John Wetteland. So you just think about what he had to overcome and he only had one pitch, feel sorry for him, huh?
“But he was unbelievable, man. Really the way things go now nobody is going to touch that record. I mean just the things he accomplished in one of the toughest cities. … He did it on the main stage and he was the best.”
Now we wait for the BBWAA ballot results to be announced next month.
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