Hall of Fame: Up to BBWAA to propose vote changes ADVERTISING Hall of Fame: Up to BBWAA to propose vote changes NEW YORK — The chairman of the Hall of Fame said the organization remains pleased to have baseball writers
Hall of Fame: Up to BBWAA to propose vote changes
NEW YORK — The chairman of the Hall of Fame said the organization remains pleased to have baseball writers vote on electees despite criticism about the process.
The Baseball Writers’ Association of America has voted since 1936, and Hall chair Jane Forbes Clark said it is up to the BBWAA to propose any changes.
A BBWAA committee has been formed to study whether the limit of 10 players per ballot should be altered, and the committee is expected to report to membership in July.
Speaking Thursday after a news conference to introduce 2014 electees Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine and Frank Thomas, Clark said “we’re in an age where everyone does want to be heard, but we really see this as an issue that needs to be dealt with by the BBWAA.”
Le Batard barred from future Hall of Fame votes
NEW YORK — Dan Le Batard was kicked out of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America for one year and barred from future Hall of Fame votes after he turned over his 2014 ballot to a website that allowed readers to choose the selections.
The decision was made Thursday by the BBWAA board of directors, a day after Le Batard said he let Deadspin.com cast his ballot.
“The BBWAA regards Hall of Fame voting as the ultimate privilege, and any abuse of that privilege is unacceptable,” the organization said in a statement.
Le Batard, an ESPN host and Miami Herald columnist, said Wednesday he gave his ballot to the website because he detests the “hypocrisy” in the voting process.
Deadspin had offered to pay a voter for a ballot. Le Batard said he insisted there wouldn’t be compensation.
“I didn’t ‘sell’ anything. Only conditions were that I NOT get anything,” he posted on Twitter.
Le Batard told Deadspin that “our flawed voting process needs remodeling in a new media world. Besides, every year the power is abused the way I’m going to be alleged to abuse it here.”
“And my final reason: I always like a little anarchy inside the cathedral we’ve made of sports.”
Dodgers and Padres to open North American schedule
NEW YORK — After playing Major League Baseball’s season opener in Australia, the Los Angeles Dodgers will start the North American portion of the schedule, too.
The San Diego Padres will host the Dodgers on March 30 in a game to be broadcast by ESPN, the network said Thursday.
Los Angeles and Arizona open the season with a two-game series at Sydney on March 22-23, MLB’s first regular-season games in Australia.
Most other big league teams start their schedules March 31.
Verlander has core muscle repair surgery
DETROIT — Tigers ace Justin Verlander underwent muscle repair surgery Thursday after injuring himself last month during offseason conditioning.
Bill Meyers in Philadelphia performed the operation on Verlander, who is expected to need six weeks of rehab before being evaluated again. The first workout for Detroit’s pitchers and catchers at spring training is scheduled for Feb. 14. The first spring training game is Feb. 25 against Florida Southern College.
The team did not identify the “core muscle” that was repaired, but called the surgery successful. General manager Dave Dombrowski said the team expects Verlander to participate in spring training and “be in a position to compete” at the beginning of the 2014 season.
Verlander went 13-12 last year with a 3.46 ERA for the AL Central champions.
Pirates ditch Jolly Roger, make ‘P’ primary logo
PITTSBURGH — The Jolly Roger has walked the plank in Pittsburgh.
The Pirates announced Wednesday the franchise will make the gold “P” the team’s primary logo this season, replacing the beloved eye-patch wearing sailor who has been the club’s main symbol for nearly 80 years.
The team will still have the Jolly Roger on the sleeves of some of its uniforms for the time being. Some variation of the Jolly Roger has been a part of the Pirates’ identity since 1936, though the classic “P” dates back more than a century.
The club will continue to raise a black-and-white pirate flag up a flagpole in center field after home victories.
The Pirates have seen a huge increase in merchandise sales recently thanks to their improved play. Pittsburgh made the playoffs for the first time in 21 years in 2013.
By wire sources
