Unforgiveable Hall Of Fame Oversight: The Jesse Orosco Story

It is unlikely there will ever be a baseball Hall of Fame vote devoid of controversy. Between hardcore baseball fans, It usually makes for a lively and jovial debate.

This year, however, the results struck of nerve with me, and I refuse to sit idly while an injustice occurs.

As soon as the results were announced, I quickly rushed to the internet to check the numbers. Both Rickey Henderson and Jim Rice obtained the necessary 75 percent for induction into the Hall.

I scanned the list noticing several familiar names along the way—Dawson, Blyleven, Smith, Morris, Raines.

Finally, pulling up the rear was none other than my man, Jesse Orosco.

One stinkin’ vote.

Orosco garnered 0.2 percent of the vote, tragically leaving him 74.8 percent shy of the magical mark.

Now I’m not sure what the former southpaw did to the media, but is it not time to call off the dogs? Haven’t the hordes of Jesseheads—the pitcher’s rabid fan club members—suffered long enough?

The argument could be made that during the span of Orosco’s career from 1979 to 2003, the man simply WAS baseball. Now that argument would certainly be greeted with uproarious laughter and ridicule, but that isn’t the point here.

No official statement was released from the Orosco camp, but rumor has it he expressed shock to even earn a vote. Hearing Orosco’s expectations lowered to that degree due to some misguided media witch hunt saddens me as I’m sure it also saddens the fans of the Mets, Dodgers, Indians, Brewers, Orioles, Cardinals, Padres, Yankees and Twins; the teams for which he so valiantly performed.

For goodness sakes this is the all-time leader in games pitched! Nobody, I mean NOBODY showed up for work quite like Orosco.

I can still remember sitting in an empty Cleveland Municipal Stadium with my father in 1991 watching a 105-loss Indians team. There wasn’t much to cheer for in those days, but nothing was more exciting than seeing that bullpen door swing open, and Orosco’s wonderfully misshapen body emerge with the Tribe trailing by five runs after another Denis Boucher or “Hot” Rod Nichols shelling.

Two or three enemy baserunners would be on base, but if you were lucky, Orosco would throw them the “Uncle Jesse” and get an inning-ending force out at second base.

Those are the memories you hang on to.

The ones not even a Hall of Fame voter can take away.