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SPORTS Tuesday 11 december 2018

Baines surprised by Hall of Fame election _ many others, too

By BEN WALKER mention Gil Hodges, Dick Johnson and Charlie
AP Baseball Writer Allen, Don Mattingly, John Manuel all received fewer
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Harold Olerud and dozens more. than five votes.
Baines answered the The vote by the Today’s Baines, now 59, had a
phone and learned he was Game Era Committee smooth, consistent, left-
a Hall of Famer. was sure to spark renewed handed stroke. But he
“Very shocked,” he cries of cronyism at never finished higher than
admitted. Cooperstown. Especially ninth in an MVP vote, and
So were many others because the 16-member never was among the top
around the baseball world. panel appointed by five AL hitters in the yearly
In fact, in the hours the Hall board included batting race. His single-
after his selection by a longtime Chicago White season high was 29 home
Hall-picked panel was Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf. runs at a time when lots of
announced Sunday at the “I’m glad he was on that players hit more.
Mandalay Bay resort, a committee this year to As this vote approached,
lot of conversations at the help to get into the Hall of his name drew little-to-no
winter meetings started the Fame,” Baines said. buzz in debates over who
exact same way: “Harold Baines spent nearly all of his might be selected.
Baines?” first 10 seasons with the White “I wasn’t expecting this day
No one doubted Baines Sox and currently serves to come,” the career .289
was a top player — a six- as a team ambassador in hitter said.
time All-Star with 1,628 RBIs, their community relations Baines became a
384 home runs and 2,866 department. In this Saturday, July 6, 1996, file photo, Chicago White Sox’s designated hitter after
Harold Baines (3) watches his ninth inning solo home run head
hits. “So happy for Harold. He’s for the center field seats during the White Sox’s 3-2 win over the knee trouble ended his
“I had a great career. I’m a great player and a great Cleveland Indians in Cleveland. days in the outfield, and
very proud of it,” he said. human being,” Reinsdorf Associated Press DHs have struggled to gain
But a couple other numbers praised in a statement. “I the players who benefited Idelson said. “And in the backing from Hall voters.
stood out, too. am so honored that I was a from friendly faces on case of someone who “Everything I hear or read
Baines never drew more member of the committee. Veterans Committees to received 6 percent of the is DH is really not part of
than 6.1 percent in five He deserved to be in long reach the Hall. That panel vote in the BBWAA election, the game, I guess. But I
elections by the Baseball ago. I am just so excited.” has been revamped over the reason that may have disagree. But maybe this
Writers’ Association of “Not only was Harold one the years, and the Today’s happened could be for will the open up the doors
America, far from the 75 of my favorite players to Game Era group was many, many reasons.” for some more DHs,” Baines
percent required. In the watch, but I have nothing created as part of changes It took 12 votes for election said. Both closers and DHs
key WAR stat compiled by but admiration for him as in 2014. by the panel — longtime could see the numbers
baseballreference.com, a player and as a human “The era committees were reliever Lee Smith was increase again very shortly.
Baines’ lifetime total was being,” he said. established as a sort of a unanimous, Baines got 12 Mariano Rivera is eligible for
tied for 545th. Tony La Russa, Baines’ first court of appeals for an and former outfielder and the first time and big-hitting
Yes, 545th. big league manager, also opportunity in the event manager Lou Piniella fell DH Edgar Martinez will be
Behind the likes of Placido was on the panel that that over time it was felt just short with 11. back on the ballot when
Polanco, Jim Sundberg elected him. that maybe somebody George Steinbrenner, Orel results of the next BBWAA
and Rafael Furcal in wins In the past, Phil Rizzuto and slipped through the Hershiser, Albert Belle, Joe election are announced
above replacement, not to Bill Mazeroski were among cracks,” Hall President Jeff Carter, Will Clark, Davey Jan. 22.q

Le Clos adds support to growing

rebellion by top swimmers

By GRAHAM DUNBAR higher prize money and trust suit against FINA in a
AP Sports Writer involve athletes more in California court.
GENEVA (AP) — Four-time making decisions. FINA allegedly asked for
Olympic medalist Chad “Why should athletes not $50 million over 10 years to
le Clos threw his sup- shape their own series like let the ISL operate, before
port Monday behind a so many other Olympic organizers called off talks.
planned new competition sports?” the 2012 Olympic Le Clos said he is “so dis-
that is leading top swim- champion in 200-meter appointed that our sport is
mers to rebel against their butterfly wrote on Twitter . not open to change” and
own governing body. In an escalating dispute, that it needs innovation.
The International Swim- ISL organizers canceled a “We need to create dif-
ming League, which aims swim meet this month in Tu- ferent media and com-
to launch next year, “will rin, Italy, after FINA threat- mercial opportunities,” he In this Monday, April 19, 2018 file photo, Gold medalist from
benefit swimming with a ened to ban those taking said. “Everyone in swim- South Africa Chad Le Clos displays his medal after the men’s
new dynamic approach,” part. In response Friday, ming should consider the 100m butterfly final at the Aquatic Centre during the 2018
Le Clos said. The ISL is pri- three swimmers — Hungar- future.” The South African Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast, Australia.
vately owned and outside ian great Katinka Hosszu, star fueled the dispute Associated Press
the control of Switzerland- and American teammates ahead of competing in zhou, China. its 25-meter pool event
based governing body Tom Shields and Michael FINA’s short-course world FINA said in a statement rather than the legal
FINA. It also aims to pay Andrew — filed an anti- championships in Hang- Sunday it was focused on challenge.q