People keep asking why, as a Twins fan, I don't support putting Bert in the Hall. Here's why:
Bert BlylevenWell really, it's more the second reason. Because Greg Maddux was famously caught picking his nose in the dugout during a mid-'90s World Series game, and I can't imagine that will keep him out of Cooperstown.
- Was an avid nose-picker, as evidenced by two separate videos of him getting in to his knuckle.
- Holds the major league record for homeruns allowed in a season, with 50 in 1986.
Two things:
Aside from 86/87 (one year in which he won 17 games for a World Series Championship team), Blyleven never gave up more than 24 homers in a year. You have to consider the whole career, not just the part that occurred while you were becoming a baseball fan.
Also, check out what Gleeman wrote.
http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/article/belated-hall-of-fame-thoughts/
Blyeven is a Hall of Famer.
But he picks his nose.
Posted by: Stephen Silver at January 6, 2005 11:20 AM