One famous line from George Orwell’s novel, Animal Farm, has to do with the animals’ status once the revolution got rid of Mr. Jones, the cruel farmer who exploited the animals:
“All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.”
Even though I have nothing on my mind this morning related to farming or farm animals, I see a parallel here to the election of Carlos Beltran to the Baseball Hall of Fame. It seems that there are offenses to the rules of baseball, but some are more forgivable than others.
Recall that Beltran was a central figure in the investigation into the Houston Astros “trashcan banging” scheme that tipped off hitters to upcoming pitches. Sign stealing is not notorious; using the electronic feed in the home field exclusively for the home team is notorious. As I recall, based on the MLB investigation, Carlos Beltran was either the mastermind for the scheme or was the guy who figured out the implementation mechanism. Notwithstanding that stature as a “convicted rulebreaker”. The voters from the BBWAA – – Baseball Writers Association of America – – elevated Carlos Beltran to Hall of Fame status.
On the outside looking in are a couple of handfuls of players with better statistical qualifications than Carlos Beltran but who are obviously less desirable on the rule breaking dimension than he. I refer to all the steroid users – – real and supposed – – who retired in the “aughts” and whose 10-year presence on the Hall of Fame ballot has now expired. Just a few of those names here:
- Barry Bonds
- Roger Clemens
- Rafel Palmiero
- A-Rod
I have not come across any dissertation from any of the BBWAA members explaining to those of us unencumbered with sufficient knowledge to have a vote on that Hall of Fame Ballot just how all that makes perfect sense and that the universe is still in perfect order. Here in Curmudgeon Central, the prevailing thought is:
- “All of these players are rulebreakers but some rulebreakers are more odious than others.”
And for the record, note that I did not include Pete Rose on that list of players above because the BBWAA never failed to vote him in or out of the Hall of Fame because MLB prevented such a vote/debate.
My position on all this has been pretty much unchanged over the years. I view that Hall of Fame as a recognition that there are elite baseball players whose performance against other MLB players sets them apart. I would admit steroid users and ne’er-do-wells if the career stats say that he should be considered one of the elites. I would ALSO include a statement on their plaque in the Hall of Fame – – or maybe even a separate plaque under the standard one – – stating what the rulebreaker did and how it was an affront to the game.
Whatever …
The Washington Nationals traded their best starting pitcher – – MacKenzie Gore – – to the Texas Rangers for “five prospects”. The interesting thing about the decision by the Nationals to move him on is that Gore was one of “five prospects” that the Nationals received from the Padres in exchange for Juan Soto back in 2022. Three of the “five prospects” from the Padres – – Gore, James Wood and CJ Abrams – – have made it to the Nats on a regular basis to the point where one of them is now bringing in five more potential regulars for the big club.
Gore will be 26 years old next month; he was the overall #3 pick in the MLB Draft back in 2017. For his career, his ERA is 4.19 and his WHIP is 1.40. He is a strikeout pitcher averaging just over a strikeout per inning over his three-and-a-half seasons in the major leagues.
What this trade says to me is that the Rangers are assembling a formidable starting pitching staff for 2026 and that the Nationals will – – once again – – field a young and inexpensive roster that will contend for next-to-last place in the NL East. Last year, the Nationals finished last in the division and were 10 full games behind the fourth-place team there.
Finally, given where this started today, it seems appropriate to close with some thoughts from George Orwell”
“If liberty means anything at all, it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear.”
And …
“In our age there is no such thing as ‘keeping out of politics.’ All issues are political issues, and politics itself is a mass of lies, evasions, folly, hatred and schizophrenia.”
And …
“I sometimes think that the price of liberty is not so much eternal vigilance as eternal dirt.”
But don’t get me wrong, I love sports………