Hall of Fame: Who Do You Like in ‘08?
December 26, 2007 by Geoff Young
Filed under Hall of Fame
I’ve been meaning to say something about the Hall of Fame for a while. To help us out, Sean Forman has created nice little reports for batters and pitchers eligible in the current balloting.
Of the new guys, Tim Raines absolutely belongs. Not sure? Several respected analysts have developed a web site that presents a compelling case for Raines. His biggest misfortune, of course, was playing opposite Rickey Henderson for most of his career. That and being buried in Montreal.
Of the holdovers, Bert Blyleven and Goose Gossage deserve enshrinement (and both are long overdue, IMHO). My guess is that one will finally be handed the keys, while the other will be left to wonder what the voters are thinking.
Lee Smith probably belongs as well, but given the reluctance to induct Gossage, that ain’t gonna happen. Alan Trammell? Seems to me if Ryne Sandberg and Ozzie Smith are in, then Trammell should be. Then again, on that basis, you could make a strong case for guys like Bobby Grich and Lou Whitaker.
Ah well, the system is inherently flawed; what are you gonna do? More importantly, who do you think will get in this time? Who do you think should?
Jim Rice
http://www.spymac.com/details/?2317880
One of the things everyone gripes about is how the HOF voters don’t seem to understand statistical arguments and vote guys in based on reputation and the teams they played for. That’s why I’m puzzled that Goose isn’t in, and Rice as well. Goose was absolutely dominant and as a key component of the Reggie era Yankees was on TV a lot. Rice was simply one of the most intimidating hitters of his era. Even in his down years he was still a feared presence. Of course now we look at the low OBP and astronomical GIDP numbers and say he was overrated but is it really fair to judge a guy by today’s standards when he did everything that was asked of him in his era?
Anyway, I vote for Gossage. Does anyone have a convincing argument for why Sutter got in but Goose didn’t?
Raines is so clearly a Hall of Famer that I’m sure he won’t get in on his first try.
Blyleven wouldn’t bother me but when he was playing I don’t think anyone ever thought he was dominant or HOF bound. He was kind of like Barry Zito with 20 seasons under his belt.
Anthony, I’m torn on Rice. He seems like a borderline guy to me, mainly because of his home/road splits. He lost 40+ points of BA and OBP on leaving Fenway throughout his career and 85+ points of SLG. I think he falls into that Andre Dawson/Dale Murphy area. If Rice or Murphy had done anything past in their mid-30s, they’d be mortal locks.
As for Gossage, there are no convincing arguments for putting Sutter in ahead of him. Gossage was better, and he did it first.
Blyleven was Gaylord Perry without the magic of 300 wins. Raines… well, I hope they get this one right, but I’m with you — he’s too obvious; better make him wait a little…