Brad

From Matthew's list, the only ones I consider automatic would be Gossage and Sutter because they revolutionized the position. The others are nice players, very good players, but not HOF. It should be special and hard to get in and only in there for the very great, not just the very good. And believe there are a lot of very good in there. I know that Rice, Blyleven, Dawson will probably get in. I just don't think they should. Looking at the present players, would you mention Pedro and Roger with Blyleven and Morris. Not a chance. Roger and Pedro are automatic. You don't have to think twice about it. That we're having this debate about the others shows they shouldn't get in.

Where's Flipper?

Dan, Your being harsh doesn't bother me but, yes, there are a lot of people in the Hall who don't qualify to be there. We're in agreement there. Was Don Sutton a great pitcher? Good, not Hall-wothy. I'm not big on these statistical compliations or Bill James types but from 1948 or 1949 to 1957 Gil had the numbers in that era. His career tailed off after that. Did you ever see him play? I did and he was a great first baseman. A prototype. Like I said I can make a case for Rice. He was good but not great in my book. Look, you're going to push your candidates as a Sox fan and me as a New York fan and that's what being a fan is all about. Would you care about Rice if you weren't a Sox fan and I about Gil if I weren't from New York, the mecca of Baseball? I doubt it.

Sidney Bechet's music is well worth the extra 5 bucks. You'll be enjoying that music for the rest of your life. The extra cost is not enough to stop me from buying a set.

This is a great album, a hit from Water Records. "Say it loud, I love jazz and I'm proud!"

I guess we can't look forward to any more threads demanding that the Gigolo be reissued.

How could a mistake like that be made. It's very terrible. There's no way you'd ever get me to go down there.

The one guy who belongs in but is not eligible except through the Veterans Committee is Gil Hodges. His stats for a certains span are incredible and he was a rock solid first baseman in his time. If that isn't enough, what he did for the Mets shouldn't be glossed over although that technically doesn't count in voting him as a player. To me, the guys who should get in the Hall are those who when you think of them blow you away and leave your mind as no brainers. As examples, guys like Mays, Ruth, Seaver, Gibson and their like are no brainers. Yaz was a no brainer. All the guys mentioned in Rosenthal's column are no brainers. However, none of the guys you mention are in that category. I can make cases for Rice and Parker, who was a feared hitter, but not the other guys. They just don't deserve to be in the Hall.

I think the Chu Berry will be spectacular. It may not be to everybody's taste but he was a major influence on Bird.

Obviously the Blue Note Mosaic like box set is a must. Go is of course my favorite. The SteepleChase material is very nice, especially the Dexter in Radioland series, especially Love for Sale. Besides the MPS A Day in Copenhagen, which is truly excellent, True Blue on Xanadu if really fine. A rare one is Dexter Goes to School. One I wasn't particularly fond of was Dex and Ben Webster. Just didn't seem to mesh but it may be worthyof a re-listen. Yes, it's hard to have too much Dex. BTW, Dex's wife posted here once.

I'll bet Mosaic would take it back and send you the Stitt or you could hold it and sell it on ebay when it finally goes OOP.

This ain't gonna come as a big shock but the Bechet (not sure I'm going to get it) and the Mulligan (positive that I am) are up for preorder on the Mosaic site, January release date.

I have no issue with the price increase. For what you're getting, it's still one heck of a bargain. I like the packaging but I'm not buying these for the packaging so no biggie there.

I actually don't have this one but it sounds like something I might be interested in. The one that I have that is OOP which I love is the Master Jazz Piano. That is worth its weight in gold.

I would be disinclined to buy these although I would certainly like to see what else they're coming out with.

The only thing I can say is that I have an Arcam and love it.

Next fall. Oh, what a bummer but I'm so excited about this. What a great set this is going to be!

I clearly agree with Dan. Once you're gone from my team, you're history and if you go the enemy, you're worse so I would have no sympathy for Damon. It's the team you root for, not the player.

Not exactly jazz but WKCR (www.wkcr.org) is now having their annual Bach festival, running straight through January 2.

Great avatar. Watch out Suzy.

Huh?

Reading about this is making me cry. I think it would make Bird howl...with laughter.

Disc 3 of the Basie Verve Set. Awesome.

Why take it down? I'm jewish and love Santa

Tippin' the Scales is great also although that's one of the worst covers ever.