Latest on Corky's exclusion of Henderson

It's weird the writer of this article makes it sound like Corky Simpson is regretful, but then he also makes it sound like he intentionally exlcuded Henderson.

IMO, bringing up Ricky as "self absorbed" really should have no bearing on the vote or suggesting that it makes Corkys exlcusion of him ok.

10 months ago StevenABQ 12 comments 0 recs |

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I sent an email to Nick Prevenas, the Sports Editor for the Green Valley News, for which Corky Simpson writes a weekly column. My email is in italics and Nicks response is in block quotes:

"Nick, I read your article and I agree that many fans have taken this to a level that is not only malicious, but in some ways scary. However, as a HOF voter, shouldn’t Mr. Simpson have realized that his vote is pretty darned important? I mean, heck don’t sports writers talk to each other anymore? Maybe do a little research? baseballreference.com is a nice start — even for a HOF and seasoned writer such as Corky. Would it have hurt him to review a few stats before making a final decision. Heck, he wouldn’t even need the internet to do it, I’m sure he could get his hands on an old Sporting News yearbook or something. I guess what upsets me the most is the non-chalant(sic?) (or the appearance of such) attitude towards a vote, that in the world of baseball is pretty darned important. Did he really ask for his ballot back, or was this simply playing it up?

You brought up some interesting points in your article, for example, the notion that somehow this is normal because other players deserving of HOF votes may have been snubbed by sports writers (eg; Willie Mays). Does this mean that Corky is the last vestige of writers who, for personal reasons, choose to exclude players rather than base their decision for their on the field performance? I consider this only because you bring up Henderson’s self absorption. That begs the question, what was Simpson’s reason for his vote? Did Henderson “big league” him at some point, ignore him, or in some other way slight Corky? Was Corky averse to Henderson speaking in the third person? Or was this simply a gross oversight by a aging sports writer who may have become out of touch (dare I say) with baseball today in the here and now? Your article for me opens up more questions, and one thing is for sure — I now will forever know not only who Corky Simpson is, but also the Green Valley News.Thanks for your time.

Steve Silva, MAcct
Accountant III
Contract & Grant Accounting
The University of New Mexico
Ph: 277-7710
Fax: 277-8567

Hello Steven,

Thanks for the email. As far as I can tell, Corky honestly just
screwed up. His ballot was going to be criticized, not only for the
Henderson gaffe, but because he included Matt Williams (a player
found on the Mitchell Report) while admonishing Mark McGwire. Corky
really feels terrible about the whole thing. I believe he just made
an honest oversight. When he emailed me the column, I asked him why
he didn’t include Henderson, but never really got a straight answer
out of him. One thing is for sure…he’s definitely not doing this
for publicity or anything. He’s the kindest, most wonderful person
I’ve met in this business, and would never do anything so self-
serving. He was never really a Rickey Henderson fan, but that doesn’t
excuse the fact that he left him off the ballot. In my piece, I
attempted to illustrate how his vote was wrong, but really not the
end of the world, like some people are making it out to be. I mean,
Rickey’s getting in the Hall, right? Nobody was sticking up for
Corky, and I hoped to try to let people know what a genuinely nice
guy he was. His ballot was terrible, and I hope he takes the vote
more seriously in the future. Thanks again, and have a great day.

Nick Prevenas
Sports Editor
Green Valley News & Sun
nprevenas@gvnews.com
(520) 547-9747

by StevenABQ on Jan 9, 2009 12:01 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Interesting.

Yeah, Prevenas response does seem to be contradictory. How could Corky’s vote be “an honest oversight” if Prevenas himself asked Corky about his omission of Henderson? Or maybe Corky had already submitted his vote when he e-mailed Prevenas “the column” mentioned in Prevenas’ e-mail?

In any case, this story strikes me as another example of the old world of baseball meeting the new one. Corky appears to be one of a dying breed of (mostly provincial) sportswriters who grew to prominence when there weren’t teeming hordes of information-addicted baseball junkies like you and me out here on the Interwebz ready to seize upon their every factual mistake and logical gaffe. Sure, there are times when we go too far (nitpicking), and I agree with Prevanas that the discussion should always be kept civil.

But this incident is a good example why all of us need to keep up with the times and not fall prey to professional hubris (as Corky did). Sadly, leaving Ricky Henderson off of a Hall of Fame ballot is something he’ll never live down.

RIP Ron Asheton (1948-2009)

by dat cubfan daver on Jan 9, 2009 12:30 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

You'd think that...

… someone would take a little more care with their ballot — which isn’t THAT hard to fill out — to prevent “an honest oversight”.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Jan 9, 2009 3:55 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

+1

Or at least if it was an honest mistake, there should be some way of correcting it. If they can figure a way to install replay review in sports, they should figure a way to correct this type of error. Of course if Corky really did intend to leave Henderson off and now is suffering from buyers remorse, he’ll have to live with his decision.

"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris

by willie mays hayes' gloves on Jan 9, 2009 6:56 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Really

This just highlights all of the issues with the selection process. As bad as leaving a sure fire hall of famer of your ballot is, it is just as bad to start putting somebody on your ballot after he has been elgible for a few years. Either somebody is a HOFer or not.

I don’t know how to fix it…I just know that the process is broke.

"When two Whales Fight, many Shrimp Die" - Korean Proverb

by TheRiot Police on Jan 9, 2009 12:44 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Is This The "Logic"?

Because better players than Rickey Henderson did not get 100% of the vote, then Henderson getting 100% of the vote would be a “slap in the face” to those better players. Therefore, leaving Henderson off the ballot shows respect to players like Aaron, Mays, and Musial. That seems warped to me.

"The big possum walks late." - Harry Caray

by memphiscub on Jan 9, 2009 12:49 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Exactly

I was hoping that Prevenas would have mentioned that in the email back to me, seems like he’s just trying to defend the old bird. Which for me beg another question: If this guy was going to approach his vote in such a casual way, maybe he shouldn’t vote. It sounds like he just grabbed the ballot and checked boxes helter skelter. Even Prevenas seems to indicate that it was not a thought out vote at all…almost just going through the motions.

by StevenABQ on Jan 9, 2009 12:53 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

...which indicates that...

…some of these old school baseball writers need to call it a day and hand over their jobs to someone who gives a crap. (Note to prospective employers: My e-mail address is in my profile.)

RIP Ron Asheton (1948-2009)

by dat cubfan daver on Jan 9, 2009 12:57 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

That seems to be the prevailing opinion of the old school writers. They see themselves are guardians

of the game that must intervene to uphold some ancient creed. It makes absolutely no sense. No one is asking these guyes to be the keepers of the kingdom. Just vote honestly and fairly. If a guy deserves to be in, vote him in. No biases, no favoritism and no funny business.

Voting for he Hall of Fame is a responsibility not to be taken lightly. You are putting your personal stamp on a players entire career. A career that should include on-field performance. A sleight during an interview or whether a person speaks of himself in the 3rd person has nothing to do with HOF worthiness. If it takes a generation of writers dying off to end this hypocrisy, so be it.

"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris

by willie mays hayes' gloves on Jan 9, 2009 7:04 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs