Jose, Can You See Hall Is Out of Reach?

God love Jose Canseco!

He blows off the fans, he blows off the media and then, when he realizes his career is on the downside, he starts campaigning for the Hall of Fame like it’s a Heisman Trophy bid.

In your May 17 article, there are some clues why this man-child will never make it:

* “ . . . he reestablished his career with the Toronto Blue Jays in 1998 . . . “ An on-again, off-again career marred by injuries followed by one good year does not make a Hall of Fame entry.

* “ . . . I could easily play until I’m 45. The question is, will I want to?” Jose, the question always has been whether you want to. Ask Ernie Banks if he ever had to decide to play baseball.

* In response to a question about mounting a challenge to McGwire’s home run record: “I’d probably just stop hitting them. That would be a story wouldn’t it?” Yeah, it would, Jose. A story about quitting. Real Hall of Fame stuff there.

Jose must’ve looked up one day and realized that while he was out partying and crashing cars, Mark McGwire was quietly working his way to the Hall of Fame. Canseco must’ve thought that since he too was a Bash Brother, he deserved it. It’s nothing but sibling jealousy.

If having a couple of good home run seasons gets you into the Hall of Fame, I’m voting for Dave Kingman.

DENNIS SCHROEDER

Lake Forest