It will not take long to take the compiler label off of Perry. He did, however, finish with 265 career losses and a .542 winning percentage. In addition to the wins and strikeouts, he did plan on retiring after his 1979 season in San Diego. When he was traded to the back to the Rangers, he pitched over 200 innings in 1980. After the 1979 season, he was 279-217, going just 35-48 from 1980-1983. in my opinion, Gaylord Perry had HOF numbers after the 1979 season, but the magic numbers stated he needed to win 300. So he did. To me, that is not a compiler.
The bigger issue has been raised because of the players who have not and may not make the Hall of Fame. Players implicated with steroids such as Barry Bonds, Clemens, Sammy Sosa, Mark McGwire and Rafael Palmeiro may never make it into the Hall because they [("cheated")]. Though the extent may never be proven completely, Perry cheated. He doctored the baseball, which is against the rules and gave him an unfair advantage. This is exactly what steroids did for those accused and that is why they are left out of the Hall. To me, it is a double standard. Steroids contribute to the whole body of work, while a doctored baseball may not effect every pitch. And that is how Perry got a way with it. He would always make gestures like he was doctoring the baseball when he wasn't. In fact, he was not caught doctoring a baseball until 1982, when he was pitching for 20 years already. However, there is no denying the fact that he doctored the baseball, which is against the rules. Ask Reggie Jackson. Gaylord Perry gave himself an unfair advantage by doing something that was against the rules. Yes, the steroids players did something that was against the law, both in both cases, there was a non level playing field.
I feel if there is no reason to question whether Perry, a known cheater, should have made the Hall of Fame, there should be no reason to keep the players who did steroids out. We have hit a stage of the game where it is impossible to determine how many players were using and how many were not using. If a steroids player hits a homerun off a steroids pitcher, should it even out? If a steroids pitcher strikes out a steroids hitter, should it be considered a clean strikeout? I think there is some doubt over whether Perry would have been as dominant if he did not cheat. Maybe asking for a recall and to dig out all the spitballers of the 1920s and 1930s (before and after) may be asking to much. But is it such a bad point to question why such a blind eye has been pointed at Gaylord Perry while the players who have used steroids are getting bludgeoned. Especially when that same "blind eye" was in its prime when these players were obviously using and breaking the law.