Whether you love or hate Dan LeBatard for what he did, you have to commend him for doing what he felt was the right thing–not for himself, but for the greater good.
On Wednesday it was reported by Deadspin that it was LeBatard who forked over his HOF vote to them in an effort to blast the silliness and political nature of the HOF voting process. Now, 24 hours, and tons of criticism and praise later the Baseball Writers Association of America has weighed in.
The BBWAA Board of Directors has decided to remove Dan Le Batard’s membership for one year, for transferring his Hall of Fame ballot to an entity that has not earned voting status. The punishment is allowed under the organization’s constitution.
In addition, Le Batard will not be allowed to vote on Hall of Fame candidates from this point on.
The BBWAA regards Hall of Fame voting as the ultimate privilege, and any abuse of that privilege is unacceptable.
-BBWAA President La Velle E. Neal III
January 9, 2014
Hard to argue against the BBWAA, and it’s not like LeBatard didn’t see this coming, but just goes to show. In perhaps the ultimate display of irony LeBatard has been essentially suspended by ‘baseball’ before Bonds, Piazza, Clemens…and even A-Rod.
No matter how you feel about LeBatard’s actions, it is the job of journalists to bring attention to issues going on in the world. And as a sports journalist LeBatard succeeded in his mission.