Paul Ladewski
Encyclopedia
Paul Ladewski is an American sportswriter and columnist
for the SouthtownStar (formerly known as The Daily Southtown) in the southern suburbs of Chicago
. He is a 23-year veteran of the Baseball Writers Association of America
(BBWAA) and a voter for the Baseball Hall of Fame
sportswriter in a poll of BBWAA members. Including his blank ballot, eight writers did not vote for Cal Ripken, Jr.
and 13 did not vote for Tony Gwynn
.
During a January 9, 2007 interview on ESPN Radio
's Mike and Mike in the Morning
Ladewski also said that he does not vote for any player on his first year of eligibility. He stated that he believes that no player should go in unanimously because no player, not even the first class consisting of Ty Cobb
, Babe Ruth
, Honus Wagner
, Christy Mathewson
and Walter Johnson
has been voted in unanimously. At least one contributor to ESPN.com
, Jim Caple
, blasted this stance, saying "Sorry, but the slap in the face came from the narrow-minded writers who refused to vote for [Willie] Mays
and Hank Aaron in the first place."
"To say the least, I'm disappointed how quickly some of my peers have forgotten perhaps the greatest scandal in baseball history," said Ladewski. "We need to demand more answers about the subject and pay less attention to the Boston Red Sox third-string catcher. Until then, there remains too many questions about an era that tarnished the game forever."
Columnist
A columnist is a journalist who writes for publication in a series, creating an article that usually offers commentary and opinions. Columns appear in newspapers, magazines and other publications, including blogs....
for the SouthtownStar (formerly known as The Daily Southtown) in the southern suburbs of Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
. He is a 23-year veteran of the Baseball Writers Association of America
Baseball Writers Association of America
The Baseball Writers' Association of America is a professional association for baseball journalists writing for daily newspapers, magazines and qualifying Web sites. The BBWAA was founded on October 14, 1908, to improve working conditions for sportswriters in the early part of the 20th century...
(BBWAA) and a voter for the Baseball Hall of Fame
National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum is an American history museum and hall of fame, located at 25 Main Street in Cooperstown, New York, operated by private interests serving as the central point for the study of the history of baseball in the United States and beyond, the display of...
2007 Hall of Fame Voting Controversy
Made headlines in January, 2007, when he confirmed in an article that he turned in a blank Hall of Fame ballot, rather than vote for any player from the "Steroid Era". Ladewski disclosed the result of the secret vote to a BaltimoreBaltimore
Baltimore is the largest independent city in the United States and the largest city and cultural center of the US state of Maryland. The city is located in central Maryland along the tidal portion of the Patapsco River, an arm of the Chesapeake Bay. Baltimore is sometimes referred to as Baltimore...
sportswriter in a poll of BBWAA members. Including his blank ballot, eight writers did not vote for Cal Ripken, Jr.
Cal Ripken, Jr.
Calvin Edwin "Cal" Ripken, Jr. , nicknamed "Iron Man", is a former Major League Baseball shortstop and third baseman. He played his entire 21-year baseball career for the Baltimore Orioles ....
and 13 did not vote for Tony Gwynn
Tony Gwynn
Anthony Keith "Tony" Gwynn, Sr. , nicknamed Mr. Padre and Captain Video, is a former Major League Baseball right fielder. He is statistically one of the best and most consistent hitters in baseball history. He played his entire 20-year baseball career for the San Diego Padres...
.
During a January 9, 2007 interview on ESPN Radio
ESPN Radio
ESPN Radio is an American sports radio network. It was launched on January 1, 1992 under the original banner of "SportsRadio ESPN." ESPN Radio is located at ESPN headquarters in Bristol, Connecticut...
's Mike and Mike in the Morning
Mike and Mike in the Morning
Mike and Mike in the Morning is an American sports-talk radio show hosted by Mike Golic and Mike Greenberg on ESPN Radio and simulcast on television, normally on ESPN2. If ESPN is broadcasting a live sporting event during the show's timeslot, Sportscenter will air on ESPN2, and the show's...
Ladewski also said that he does not vote for any player on his first year of eligibility. He stated that he believes that no player should go in unanimously because no player, not even the first class consisting of Ty Cobb
Ty Cobb
Tyrus Raymond "Ty" Cobb , nicknamed "The Georgia Peach," was an American Major League Baseball outfielder. He was born in Narrows, Georgia...
, Babe Ruth
Babe Ruth
George Herman Ruth, Jr. , best known as "Babe" Ruth and nicknamed "the Bambino" and "the Sultan of Swat", was an American Major League baseball player from 1914–1935...
, Honus Wagner
Honus Wagner
-Louisville Colonels:Recognizing his talent, Barrow recommended Wagner to the Louisville Colonels. After some hesitation about his awkward figure, Wagner was signed by the Colonels, where he hit .338 in 61 games....
, Christy Mathewson
Christy Mathewson
Christopher "Christy" Mathewson , nicknamed "Big Six", "The Christian Gentleman", or "Matty", was an American Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. He played his entire career in what is known as the dead-ball era...
and Walter Johnson
Walter Johnson
Walter Perry Johnson , nicknamed "Barney" and "The Big Train", was a Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. He played his entire 21-year baseball career for the Washington Senators...
has been voted in unanimously. At least one contributor to ESPN.com
ESPN.com
ESPN.com is the official website of ESPN and a division of ESPN Inc. Since launching in 1995 as ESPNet.SportsZone.com, the website has developed numerous sections including: Page 2, SportsNation, ESPN 3.com, ESPN Motion, My ESPN, ESPN Sports Travel, ESPN Video Games, ESPN Insider, ESPN.com's...
, Jim Caple
Jim Caple
Jim Caple is a columnist and senior writer for ESPN.com. He has worked previously with the Seattle Post-Intelligencer and St. Paul Pioneer Press.Caple attended R.A...
, blasted this stance, saying "Sorry, but the slap in the face came from the narrow-minded writers who refused to vote for [Willie] Mays
Willie Mays
Willie Howard Mays, Jr. is a retired American professional baseball player who played the majority of his major league career with the New York and San Francisco Giants before finishing with the New York Mets. Nicknamed The Say Hey Kid, Mays was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1979, his...
and Hank Aaron in the first place."
"To say the least, I'm disappointed how quickly some of my peers have forgotten perhaps the greatest scandal in baseball history," said Ladewski. "We need to demand more answers about the subject and pay less attention to the Boston Red Sox third-string catcher. Until then, there remains too many questions about an era that tarnished the game forever."