David Freese

[dsvitak]

Why St. Louis loves David Freese.

He just turned down his election into the St. Louis Cardinals' Hall of Fame.

https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/...als-hof-invite

Essentially, he says that he doesn't feel worthy of the honor.

Five years, 237 RBI total, and one very excellent post season.

[Brad K]

I agree with him.

Now if only some of those in the Baseball Hall of Fame due to the Veterans Committee felt the same way.

[Déjà Bru]

Two thoughts:


1) How does one turn down such an honor without the equivalent of slapping folks in the face?


2) Why would one turn the honor down in the first place when the club and the fans want it for him? After all, it's their judgment that counts.


I am leery of the humility thing other than as a manifestation of shyness. That I can understand.


(When I retired, I mandated no party, in favor of quiet goodbyes, for much the same reason.
This was much to the dismay of the party hounds.)


Failing that, however, I wonder what else could be the real reason.

[Westheim]

Originally Posted by Brad K

I agree with him.

Now if only some of those in the Baseball Hall of Fame due to the Veterans Committee felt the same way.

David Freese made upwards of $35M during his career. Unless he bought Bud shares at $78/share or sunk it with other investments, there's little reason for him to worry about the future financially.

Frankie Frisch's boys played in an era where players took winter jobs to stay afloat and could hardly turn down an offer to add a "HOF" tag to their business card without getting it with a frying pan from their wives.

Willie Mays and Mickey Mantle were rendered "permanently ineligible" in the 1980s for making appearances as greeters and signing autographs in Atlantic City. And who wants to go to Atlantic City for ANYTHING unless he's down to the last jar of pickles in the fridge...?

I'm not saying Freese is *wrong* about turning down the honor. I'm just saying he can afford to do so.