Sutton’s In, but Not Without a Fight

Ross Newhan and a Times headline writer suggest that former Dodger Don Sutton was “snubbed” by members of the Baseball Writers Assn. of America when they did not elect him to the Hall of Fame during his first four years of eligibility. I suggest the writers were overly generous in electing him at all. Granted, Sutton is fifth in strikeouts and his 324 wins place him in a tie for 12th. But he also ranks seventh in losses with 256. He’s No. 16 in runs allowed, No. 10 in hits allowed and only three other pitchers have given up more home runs.

Sutton never had a dominating season, like Dwight Gooden, nor a magical one, like Fernando Valenzuela, yet it’s unlikely that either of those two will join him in Cooperstown.

Election in first year of eligibility should be reserved for those who dominated their eras. Think Koufax, Gibson, Marichal, Seaver. Sutton was simply a plodder who had a long career.

Tommy Lasorda? Phil Niekro? Don Sutton? I suggest they rename it the Hall of Mediocrity.

MICHAEL HAWKINS, Woodland Hills

*

The second-best thing that could ever happen to Don Sutton was when he was elected to the Hall of Fame. The best thing that could happen to him would be a new hairdo.

DAN JENSEN, San Clemente