I have long been an advocate of Whitaker and his exclusion has nothing to do with Morris...

Posted on September 2, 2026 at 09:16:36 AM by Rich

Morris got added later, long after Whitaker had been taken off the ballot. Whitaker was excluded because of his personality and racism. Another big factor was on Trammell. Whitaker retired after 1995 and Trammell decided to play another season. Thus Whitaker hit the ballot in 2001? alone and didn't make the required numbers. Had the two retired together, they would have been on the ballot together which certainly would have helped. I think Lou at least stays on the ballot if that happens.

Lemon has long been ignored. People have only started to talk about him in the last few years. Parrish is another who gets ignored. He is not a HOFer due to longevity, but he was playing at that level for several years and was a top catcher in baseball.

Morris to me was a HOF level pitcher when he was on; he had off games though which I do recall. He was a bit of feast/famine but still was regarded as the best starter in the league for most of the 80s. I think he is HOF consideration worthy. But if you put in Whitaker and Freehan, I'd give up Morris.

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Thread:

Jack Morris's top four seasons compared to some other pitchers' top four seasons: - By brick September 1, 2026 at 11:25:43 PM
- I get the consternation on Morris but he won a ton of games and was very good in the postseason and won 3 titles. There are a lot of worse players in than Morris. What I always fall back on is - By Rich September 1, 2026 at 11:30:58 PM
  - Whitaker deserves before Morris* - By detroitbry September 2, 2026 at 12:49:21 AM
    - Whitaker arguably deserved it befiore Tram. Whitaker is an incredible whiff by "informed" voters * - By Spirit September 2, 2026 at 10:26:22 AM
  - see even "big hall" guys don't want baines. I'm a Sox fan, he's HOVG, that's fine* - By Daytripper September 1, 2026 at 11:39:44 PM
    - Baines made it because Tony LaRussa pushed for his candidacy - By brick September 2, 2026 at 12:01:15 AM
  - Jack Morris's postseason stats: 13 starts, 7-4, 3.80 ERA, 1,245 WHIP, 2.0 K/BB. Compare that to Orel Hershiser: - By brick September 1, 2026 at 11:38:52 PM
    - Those numbers are brought down by 1992. He was dominant in 84 and 91 and his teams possibly/probably don't win w/o him - By Rich September 2, 2026 at 08:43:58 AM
      - Morris had two good postseasons and two terrible postseasons. You can’t say “he was a great postseason pitcher” - By brick September 2, 2026 at 09:11:01 AM
        
        I have long been an advocate of Whitaker and his exclusion has nothing to do with Morris... - By Rich September 2, 2026 at 09:16:36 AM
        
        Whitaker and Trammell were both underrated because so much of the credit that should’ve gone to them went to Morris - By brick September 2, 2026 at 09:30:01 AM
        
        I never got that impression. Morris sure but also Trammell, Gibson and Parrish were all talked about. I do think Whitaker was always ignored* - By Rich September 2, 2026 at 09:37:51 AM
    - this was an excellent debate on baseball think factory circa 2018* - By Daytripper September 1, 2026 at 11:40:27 PM
- It sucks. Him and Baines have zero case. The HOF voters normalized this shit for HOVG players with a narrative, and meanwhile numerous players more deserving (including steroid era) are out* - By Daytripper September 1, 2026 at 11:26:53 PM
  - The exclusions of Bonds and Clemens are stupid* - By Rich September 1, 2026 at 11:31:48 PM
    - I don’t have a problem with them being off, I have a problem with Bagwell and Pudge being in. And Clemens was struggling before he juiced up in Toronto.* - By MasterBates September 1, 2026 at 11:44:02 PM
    - indeed, bonds was a HOF even before he was clearly juiced. Clemens yea, same even tho I don't like him. Barry I enjoy as a competitor. I guess Roger was alright too that way. Both assholes in their own way - By Daytripper September 1, 2026 at 11:38:46 PM
      - Jack Morris arguably never had as good a season as Roger Clemens' 1996, the year before he went to Toronto - By brick September 1, 2026 at 11:55:57 PM
        
        it was a fun era because I imagine a lot of the pitchers juiced too, or amped. I dunno, it was fun for what it was* - By Daytripper September 1, 2026 at 11:57:59 PM

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I have long been an advocate of Whitaker and his exclusion has nothing to do with Morris...