No asterisks needed for Class of '07

By Staff
Justin Schuver, Sports Editor
With all the negative headlines that surround baseball today, it was nice to see a pleasant diversion take place in Cooperstown, N.Y., on Sunday.
That day was the enshrinement of the Class of 2007 into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, a day in which Cal Ripken Jr. and Tony Gwynn were given the highest honor that can be bestowed upon a professional baseball player.
Each was a first-time nominee, and each received more than 90 percent of the vote, well ahead of the needed 75 percent. Even more impressive, their percentages ranked in the top seven all-time – Tom Seaver's 98.84 percent is first, while Ripken's 98.53 percent is third and Gwynn's 97.61 percent is seventh. It was the first time since 1989 that two members of the same Hall of Fame class went in with at least 90 percent of the vote (Johnny Bench and Carl Yastrzemski).
And I know I'm not the only one impressed by these two men and their impact on the game of baseball. In fact, the estimated 75,000 spectators in attendance at Sunday's induction set a new record for the event (Cooperstown: normal population 2,000). The previous mark of approximately 50,000 was set back in 1999 when Robin Yount, George Brett and Nolan Ryan were enshrined.
In a way, Gwynn and Ripken almost seem like the same player. Each played baseball for roughly the same amount of time, with Ripken's career spanning from 1981-2001 while Gwynn played from 1982-2001. Each stayed with the same team for their entire career – Ripken with the Baltimore Orioles and Gwynn with the San Diego Padres (so much for the "whose hat will he wear on his plaque?" debate). It was a rare All-Star Game that didn't include one or the other – Ripken was an All-Star 19 times while Gwynn made it 15 times.
Yet they have their differences as well. Ripken put up impressive numbers (.276 career batting average, 3,189 hits and 431 home runs), but it is a completely different number for which he will always be known. That number is 2,131, symbolizing when Ripken played in his 2,131st consecutive game and broke the former record held by the original "Iron Man," Lou Gehrig. Although Ripken continued to improve that mark (which hit 2,632 games), he will always be known for the record-breaking game on Sept. 6, 1995. I still get goose bumps from seeing the video footage of Baltimore's B&O Warehouse's wall and the banner that changed from 2,130 to 2,131 to loud fanfare and excitement.
According to some sources, the fans at Oriole Park at Camden Yards that day gave Ripken a standing ovation that lasted over 22 minutes.
Gwynn, meanwhile, is only the greatest pure hitter I've ever seen to play the game. Mind you, I'm only 24 years old, but the accomplishments of that short and stocky outfielder are impressive no matter what era you're talking about. Gwynn was a player who finished with a .338 batting average for his career. There are guys who don't hit .338 in a single season, let alone for their entire playing time. He hit .394 in the strike-shortened 1994 season, the best season total since Ted Williams hit .406 in 1941. He hit .300 or better in 19 of his 20 seasons. It is fitting that the first line on Gwynn's Hall of Fame plaque is, "An artisan with a bat."
Perhaps the most impressive thing about Gwynn's performances was that it wasn't all natural. He was known for constantly doing his homework – using film study and other techniques to study not only the opposing pitchers but also to work on problems with his own swing. Gwynn's meticulous film study came in an era when video equipment wasn't even as remotely sophisticated as it is today.
If you have a kid who wants to play baseball, it would be hard to pick a better role model. Gwynn was the model of consistency, striking out just once every 21 at-bats in his career.
Perhaps even more impressive has been the way both players have stayed involved in the game, even after they've long hung up their uniforms. Ripken is heavily involved in youth sports with his Ripken Baseball program, and Gwynn is the head baseball coach for his alma mater, San Diego State. Each has built facilities for youth baseball and donated to numerous charitable causes.
Two great players, two great careers, one great day for baseball.
If you need a reminder of the current state of baseball, all you have to do is look at the biggest first-time ballot nomination who failed to get elected. Mark McGwire, who has repeatedly denied using steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs, garnered just 23.5 percent of the vote. Halfway across the country in San Francisco, another suspected steroid user in Barry Bonds was chasing Hank Aaron's career home run record.
But McGwire, Bonds and the black cloud of steroids that surrounds them and other players will have to wait another day. Sunday was a day for the good guys and for the good game of baseball.
It's a game that can use more guys like Cal Ripken Jr. and Tony Gwynn.