Impetus: Chan Ho Park not included in 2016 Hall of Fame . . . ballot
Let’s be clear here, in no way do I feel that Chan Ho Park is worthy of being enshrined in the National Baseball Hall of Fame (HOF) based on his statistical numbers. No, I love Chan Ho Park since he’s a Korean guy playing my favorite sport, but it doesn’t change the fact that he wasn’t exactly Greg Maddux or Randy Johnson legendary, and doesn’t have the statistical achievements in order to make it in.
In that regard, the HOF is at least consistent on its demand that only the truly best players get in, and they weigh statistical evidence above pretty much everything else. However, small as they may be, there are some other variables that are considered when it comes to players’ chances at Cooperstown; otherwise Roger Clemens, Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa would all already be in the HOF, but their connections with performance-enhancing drugs have basically black-listed them and their gaudy career numbers from enshrinement, as long as ultimately, old-thinking baseball writers association of America (BBWAA) are in charge of keeping the gates.