Hall of Fame

Rickey Henderson and Jim Rice were voted into the Hall of Fame this week. I have no problem with Rickey, but I do not think Jim Rice is a Hall of Famer.
Jice Rice was a nice player for the Boston Red Sox. He took over in left field for Carl Yaztremski who followed Ted Williams, so he was in the line of succession with two Hall of Famers. He had a good career. Lifetime average just under .300, 382 home runs. He was a nice player.
But a Hall of Famer? Good players do not get into the Hall of Fame, great ones do. What made Jim Rice great? Fred Lynn had several good years on those Boston teams and I don't see him anywhere near the Hall of Fame. When they both broke in, Lynn won the MVP and Rookie of the Year. Fred Lynn had a nice career.
I am not sure what it was in the voters minds that made Rice a Hall of Famer. From that era I think a stronger case can be made for a player such as Steve Garvey. Garvey was a multiple All Star, 1974 MVP, Gold Glove first baseman and set the National league record for consecutive games. He played in more Word Series than Jim Rice. All that said, I agree that Garvey is on the line, but to me he is much closer than Jim Rice.
Rice may have benefited from a campaign on his behalf and the recent emergence of the Red Sox as America's darlings.
As to Rickey Henderson, if only to hear the speech he will give, he deserves induction into Cooperstown. Will he hold up the plaque and declare himself "the greatest" as he did on breaking the stolen base record? Will he announce that he is not yet through playing and that the Oakland A's have signed him again? Will he reveal that he still has not deposited a paycheck from one of his teams as he is waiting for the interest rate to go up? I am almost certain he will speak of himself in the third person.
Henderson was also a great player. He combined speed and power in a way rarely seen. Back when 25 home runs meant something, he could do it. He would also steal 70-80 bases and had the incredible 130 one season. When they talk about records that will not be broken, 130 steals in a single season is right up there. No doubt about it, Rickey belongs in the Hall for his performance on the field, the speech is just an added bonus.
My personal favorite, Bert Blyleven, missed again. He is the best pitcher not in the Hall. Take a look at baseball's records for pitchers and see how many times he shows up in the top ten or even top five. He won 280 plus games on bad teams. He belongs in the Hall.
Tommy John missed and drops off the ballot. I have mixed emotions. He certainly has numbers in terms of wins (288). Much of that was accumulated over a 20 plus year career without dominant seasons and Cy Young awards. His impact on baseball is really medical. The surgery, which bears his name, has prolonged the careers of countless pitchers. A torn tendon was once a death sentence to a career, but now Tommy John surgery allows the career to go on. For his impact on baseball, perhaps the Veteran's Committee should look at Tommy John in the future.
But for now, we get Rice and Rickey. I can't wait for Rickey's speech.