Pirates are looking to be a fluke in the first half last year, and I can't see them spending alot of money, nor holding on to McCutchen too much longer. Cubs might flirt around 4th place, but more than likely will be a 90+ loss team easily. Look for the Cubbies to try to move Soriano, Dempster, Wood, and whoever else they can possibly exchange for prospects come mid-season

Well my take on the whole thing....

First thoughts are he is a very bitter old man that doesn't appear to have grown one ounce over the last 20 odd years.  Rather he seems to have gotten worse, he is even more bitter and nasty now if that's possible.  Not that I needed this HOF statement to confirm that.

As Monkey said, it seems the fact that he can't control this whole thing is definitely an element in his decision not to be there.  Sounds like he has tried to negotiate with them over who is going, or who gets to play or maybe even who gets inducted. 

I thought this comment was interesting:

the Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony doesn't appear to be somewhere I'm actually wanted or respected.

Maybe it was a big shock for him to come up against someone that actually said "NO" to him for a change. Must be a slap in the face to find out that not everybody bows down at the Rose Altar.  Although just because someone didn't agree with him or bend over to accomodate him it doesn't automatically mean he's not wanted or respected.  But then again when those people you sourround yourself with for years don't have the word "No" in their vocabulary when you want something, it must come as quite a shock when confronted with it.

Another point, who is this "we" he speaks of?  Is he not his own fucking man?

Since then we've listened to fans

Under the circumstances I feel we've been polite, courteous, and open to an amicable solution in our efforts to work something out.

For more than a decade and a half we've endured the double standards

This letter is to help clarify things from my and my camp's perspective

I'm sure it is the Lebeis' and Del no doubt.  This whole "our camp" thing is really divisive.  He speaks like they are waring factions and they all sit around a table and discuss their military strategy for everything.  I'm sure they probably get involved in the decision making these days on when is a good time for him to take a shit.  Why can't he man up and just say "I'.  Take your balls out of your camps purse and be your own man for once, make your own decisions.  The irony of him having a swipe at "the greed of this industry and the ever present seemingly limitless supply of wannabes and unscrupulous, irresponsible media types".  Is he not able to see the greed and conflict of interest of those around him that are sitting on his own gravy train?

I also find these two statement contradictary:

had discussions with the president of the Hall Of Fame,......Under the circumstances I feel we've been polite, courteous, and open to an amicable solution in our efforts to work something out.

Neither I or anyone in my camp has made any requests or demands of the Hall Of Fame. It's their show not mine.

If you haven't made any requests or demands then what is there to "work out".  If you are after an "amicable solution", this implies a solution that is acceptable to both parties.  Therefore it must involve some type of requests or demands from both sides.  So which is it?

I thought this was a swipe at Sorum too:

along with those the Hall for reasons of their own, have chosen to include in "our" induction (that for the record are decisions I don't agree with, support or feel the Hall has any right to make

But if he doesn't feel Sorum should be there then I would have thought by logical extension that it means Dizzy shouldn't be there either.  Nice!

Finally, to refuse to accept his induction altogether is unforgiveable.  That to me is another chance for him to indirectly control/influence the other old guys by basically shitting on their parade.  By all means don't go for whatever petty reasons but seriously, don't fucken refuse the award.  Yes it's his right, but fuck me have some level of graciousness and consideration for others for just once in your life.

I found this curious too:

but from my perspective in regard to both the Hall and a reunion, the ball's never been in our court.

Is he implying the ball is in Slash's court for a reunion???  What does he want him to do?