Keith Law talks about casting Hall of Fame votes with steroid-era players

Let's talk show in 937 action all across the WEEI radio network. And joining us now on the AT&T hotline is ESPN's Keith law keep its Turkmen and out -- -- after all star witness. How could you voted for -- ceiling for the what do you what do you do. I want your credentials aren't instantly -- it. I had him -- stronger. -- -- there's a travesty that Steve Finley doubled up Shawn Green pixels of that we're we're in doubled up -- -- that weren't -- where we guys just it's just so confusing and where we at right now. In this whole thing as you look at the landscape here I guess you know a day after. It's is that an excellent questions and I mean it's kind of an open question because it's not like we don't have one landscape anymore right we're very -- and I. Over. Particularly how to treat. Steroid guys and the steroid era and I beat it hesitating before the straightened because. The steroid era it's just sort of loosely applied to the -- offense where we don't actually know who used why. And when and how much we don't want offense what offensive levels spiked kind of overnight too so you sort of arguing they all these guys just started using that same offseason. The steroid guys we were talking I've got you failed packed with Palmeiro. -- to we have. Other sort of extra evidence outside of baseball that they use something like Bob -- And guide to to start happening I had what Jeff Bagwell you kind of big guy like he used. I got to have acting on the backs that he -- things. And you've got. You know I'd like to call us the -- on the other side saying. He can't start doing it can't start playing judges jury here and speculate on who used white and win got to just look at the historical record and go from -- decide. Who belong to all -- on -- -- it's the only fair way to treat. Everybody at that point of view that I just dispel it is as if he's obviously minority with two thirds of voters. Rejecting bonds and -- almost the same number I would think percentage rejecting -- So why is that true that you have to look at just the historical record of guys who were identified public you know let the guys who failed tests for instance. While wide just look at their statistics not say look pitching the game and they cheated the history of the game I mean they're the ones who kind of wrecked. These you know OPS plus and ERA plus. Our -- methods for this era in which some people use PD's because it's not like you have. ERA plus only for clean guys right. What kind of punishment -- in -- McGwire tenets of guys like that right. Well you know it changes can never expect you know obviously we talked a lot we talked and all of the MVP discussion about. Went about replacement level and other stats like that there are built up the same thing replacement level as a function of league average was it which is a function of everyone's performance. The in the league in that particular year it at that position itself on -- -- you know what will pick on -- because. He field tested because nobody gets tight he was a good guy even though I don't feel bad forum. He would with the finger tell you that you've -- guys yet he probably would and that would be at out truthful at the -- state felt it feel with Palmeiro. So if you believe is that are bogus and yet he poses a problem for the week as a whole because. He his strong numbers. You can pretty uniform throughout his career he's very consistent those numbers. Boost the league average -- booster replacement level and you all of you can't -- any relatives that -- just how we kind of should be looking at things. -- all viewed as a result. Your original question I actually have no objection to voters who say America -- failed attack. Everything suspect could build -- presently his career to cease or wonder what went to the start. If you wanna throw that guy out he was he he failed attack and sanctioned by Major League Baseball there's actually something very tangible you can point to -- parents say. That's my reason for leaving him out. I start to get uncomfortable with guys like. On to Clinton because what we know that they probably use something comes from these sort of back and -- court proceedings. They were never sanctioned by the actually based on what you believed bonds was black -- when his career and they he could get another job because -- baseball wanted you. There's never any official sanction on the record that nothing in Major League Baseball that says he actually used idiot that. So we are and inserting against some of our own speculation information we got from outside of the world of baseball. To make these judgments. On guys like that and that to restart again on the slippery slope out of pure speculation and restart that culprit speculation fabrication. When you point to some of these other guys -- their records -- totally clean. It you just don't like the way they blocked us. Our present that I kind of warm look through it is Alex Rodriguez when he's up for the hall of fame -- well whatever it is in ten years whatever. What do you think 66 years -- can say that but what do you think the conversation because it in my mind politics is one of these guys to get them and then. Then we're sitting there without -- reassess admitted steroid user. And the conversation -- change in and week we look back at what we're talking the last two days and was like that was ridiculous. The authorities -- right but that argument can increase every January because two things -- changing the baseball audience. Especially that the Mercury's -- the audience to spend time you know we spent time yelling yelling at each other Twitter. You know that part of the audience. Is growing getting more serious and more educated about -- we don't necessarily all agree he certainly disputes over -- Larry Walker all gamers can walk the hall of Famer. But Beck hurt pretty much looks at the city can have a policy in the top -- have all been about these guys clearly have to be -- It's the same group -- yelling about how to act more shouldn't be and because. If fabricating the pro sports voters are fabricating narratives to support candidacy that is clearly not supported. Five that actual evidenced by his performance on the field the other thing you're gonna -- the whole -- electorate is constantly changing. More voters are are getting into the electorate every year they get their ten year as a badge holders. Those tend to be younger voters who were going to tend to be a little war -- magically not inclined to just favorable. And you have older voters will drop off the ranks -- the pass away or because they'll simply stop voting. So I think over time that can happen overnight but over time the electoral will be a little more favorable that we. Some of these guys Palmeiro this time I don't think he ever get them out but McGwire get them. I think Bagwell. Yacht and I could binding climate eventually get -- can take -- along chip. He thought ESPN joins us here in the hot stove Schultz get to bashing the BBW. That's what that's -- so. I think they're out so we can do a bunch of things here that we are egregious but here's -- he was just eliminate wins -- the conversation for a second that I give you pitcher a and Richard B one is Jack -- some -- Schilling. It's not even close knows that even consider it close it says Jack Morse is better -- Northcutt 385 votes. Schilling gets 221. I guess two questions. Why is that and second do you think Curt Schilling ever gets involved does. I hope he does they think you belong -- would've voted absolutely. It bourses total is so it's hard to do that apple Apple's you know I completely understand where you're coming from new. The problem is more to say that this was his second to last year on the ballot he's got one more shot. And paradoxically. That players were on the ballot for a long time to -- -- vote total increase. These and other. And it he doesn't actually get any better but the closer they get him more people say sure you're right so yeah yeah and buster actually wrote a piece about that they how. He even more -- more -- last year next year he must have worked on that ballot. With the limited hand. And we're gonna like sixteen to twenty qualified guy next year depending on how -- -- big call -- -- small hall guy. We have got several back again have to leave all. Pocket have a -- So that you like -- killing numbers are gonna increase probably a lot over the next few years I wonder if he is. Spoken personality are proud that I never heard whispering I'm sure some people that -- played Matt Harris and therefore he is suspect. But I wonder that he's you know he's outspoken either communicated. Which I think are that things -- it might be some of those myself by. It can -- members of the media the wrong way there's no question and he came up with the Ray Lewis treatment these last couple weeks remote has been very good with the media and he's getting. Favorable treatment as a result how you treat the media absolutely spectacular all things and it. People change gears a little bit I know that you published your 25 year twenty top 25 under 25 today and you had Miguel Miguel Cabrera is number one -- that's -- -- that that. Get an up and make it I know I know he's amazing he's okay did does that not only can he win the Triple Crown but he can also reverse the aging process like met. But die out from a from a Red Sox fan perspective and this is always a terrific article I enjoyed every year. It gives you really interesting insight on some of the top young talent it will hopefully impact game for used come. Middle Brooks made the list at number 22. I'm curious for your impressions of you know of both his strengths and limitations. And perhaps how close to the -- Alexander Bogart's come to consideration. So little -- It's funny because his strengths and weaknesses there's such clear delineation between material. He's a good defense at third -- intention to be really good defensive third baseman. He's got power in the the power bleed a little more than I expected it was somewhat bearish on the Oprah coming into the season because. -- bat speed and he does not have a good approach play. Which may be questioned how much -- how he was gonna get to. And what we saw in limited time both in the minors limited time in the majors this looks like that power in a plane probably place sooner than I expected. The flip side is particularly the approach and you could see that it really wore down his statistics before he is he would have -- August 10. The weakness in his plate discipline. Really start to effective pitchers were attacking him differently he would not making adjustments. You'll put enough what kind of make adjustments before he got hurt too easily wanna punish him too much on the west. When he didn't have the opportunity other players had to make those adjustments in -- and so. He like I sort of split the baby a little bit by putting him toward the Barry and the bullets -- lifestyle have skepticism. The -- to batting average -- post respectable on base percentage. I recognize that it given how weak third base is right now a guy who can really feel that position has 25 home run power. Is clearly a valuable commodity and given how young -- -- he's got more chance and that 27 year old -- to improve that that -- flawed plate discipline. A QB with Keith we always appreciate your time thanks for joining us are now -- member of the robbery and two club number two club on the hot -- -- as a second appearance all the prize car yet since John John John -- -- in my case they ago. Particularly a lot of -- and let it not what I was originally -- out as flattering as it could be hit the next I don't have -- thanks a lot. My presidency and -- obvious in time to join us here.