What Players Who Are Eligible For The Hall Of Fame That Are Not In, Should Be?
My list includes:
* Luis Tiant - one of the best of his day and his stats are almost identical to Catfish Hunter.
* Ron Santo - one of the best thirdbasemen ever.
* Jim Rice - anyone who thinks this guy doesn't deserve to be in the Hall doesn't know anything about baseball.
* Ted Simmons - The forgotten great catcher, check out his stats if you get a chance.
* Bert Blyleven - If Don Sutton is in, Blyleven should be in. You don't get that many wins by accident.
* Jim Kaat - Actually hurt his chances by playing 5 years too long (as a reliever) but if Blyleven gets in, Kaat has to get in.
* Tommy John - Take a closer look at his stats. His best years are better than a lot of current HOFers best years (Jim Bunning anyone?) and if Blyleven and Kaat get in, you have to put John in.
* Lou Whitaker - This one kills me. One of the best secondbasemen ever - he got screwed.
* Alan Trammel - One of the best shortstops ever.
* Andre Dawson - Should be in already.
* Gil Hodges
Pete Rose, Joe Jackson and Jim Kaat
PETE ROSE
PETE ROSE
pete rose
Santo, Blyleven, Raines, McGwire. In that order.
I utterly reject any sort of “if, then” mandate for induction among the trio of Blyleven, Kaat, John. Bert is not only a distinctly better pitcher than the other two, they only thing they have slightly in common is career win totals, which is a very flimsy basis for demanding a chain reaction among them.
Rice — screw it, I give up. He’s got one year left on the writers ballot, he got over 72% return last time, just give him the plaque already. ANYTHING to silence both the pro- and anti-Jim Ed factions. Trillions of electrons have died in service to the debates surrounding his candidacy.
Dawson doesn’t impress me, but I think he’ll get a plaque in a year or two.
Someone has to be The Best Player Not In The Hall, and once Santo is elected, Hodges inherits the title. And to me, he is a perfect profile for it.
Rose and Jim Rice.
Jim Rice once led the league in triples, with 15! What other slugger can do that?
BRANDON INGE!
Dale Murphy
Shay Given – one of the best goalkeepers
Pete Rose
Dale Murphy. Best player from the 80’s.
Ron Santo…c’mon. Good player, but not hall of fame caliber.
Trammell and Whitaker…dude you must be a Tigers fan. To call Trammell the best shortstop ever is ludicrous….Ozzie Smith, Cal Ripken Jr., Honus Wagner, Robin Yount, Ernie Banks…..all better
Ted Simmons has to be one of the most deserving players who is not in the HOF, but it’s almost impossible for catchers to get inducted. Hopefully the Veterans Committee will make the right decision.
Alan Trammel , Sweet Lou, and Jim Rice.
Pete Rose (paid a price long enough), Joe Jackson (paid his debt by 1930), Bert Blyleven, Ron Santo, Ted Simmons – Yes
Bill Mazeroski, Rabbit Maranville, Phil Rizzuto (player), Joe Morgan, Jim Kaat – NO
I really thought long and hard about Joe Morgan – he had two great MVP years, walked a bunch, and the rest of the resume is very, very average, even for a second baseman of his era. I know he was 5′7″, but Ichiro’s 5′9″…maybe another 300 hits Joe? I want to know how the heck Joe Morgan is so far up the HOF’s butt? Hey Joe – why don’t you help your teammate Pete? Who cares about Feller’s griping?
Maz – good guy – but take away the 1960 home run and where is he? Should we guarantee Bobby Thomson a spot too? Cmon!
Scooter – you played good – sorry not a HOF – definitely a HOF broadcaster and deservedly so – RIP
Kaat – a tough one because I’ve met him – I think he threw too many innings into games and the loss total versus wins keeps him out – you can lose 250 if you win 300 – ask Nolan Ryan.
Steroid users – should have to wait 10 years for eligibility after retirement – then get their 15 years – BBWAA at that point must then only consider stats and nothing else, as the steroid users paid an extra price waiting five additional years. All plaques must mention they used a drug only if they failed a drug test after the bans were put in place (example Manny)
Not a big fan of writers getting their BBWAA HOF voting card after 10 seasons – yes I know players are eligible after playing 10 years, but I think writers need to see a full generation (20 years) to vote more directly and effectively. The veterans committee vote is not as was intended. I suggest that the Veterans committee meet twice a decade only, that way, clearer decisions are made and less arguing and bias occurs.
I agree with most of your picks. Rice finally got it. About time. I am a TIGER fan and believe that if Trammell and Whitaker had played in New York they would have gone in together on Trammell’s first year of eligibility. No Tram was not the best SS ever. Only one of the top 10 to 15. Just like Lou at 2nd. I think it was Kubec who said if you wanted to see how SS was supposed to be played watch Trammell. Compare his offensive stats to any and all other players at his position and he moves up. Same can be said about Whitaker. His offensive statistics are just a step behind Joe Morgan’s. Then compare them to any other post WWII 2nd baseman and you will see where he stands.