Comments on: Hall of Fame Futures

By: Kevin

Kevin — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 22:20:22 +0000

Adrian Gonzalez

By: Scott

Scott — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 21:45:38 +0000

As a Yankees fan who watches every game, I can attest that Giambi did indeed scoop balls out of the dirt very well. Even I, a rampant Giambi-hater, could concede that, despite his oafish awkwardness, number 25 made some difficult stabs at first. The only point of difference I would make between Tex and Giambi in this regard is that Giambi’s range for scoops was likely significantly less than Tex’s. I think that a few times over the course of the season Tex stretched and scooped to save a throwing error, which Giambi, with his very limited agility, could not do nearly as well.

By: “Click Click Click Click Click. It’s real easy, man.” « The Fair Base Ballist

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 18:07:58 +0000

[...] Hall of Fame Futures [...]

By: Joel

Joel — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 17:13:43 +0000

I’m turning this exercise into a competition with my friends. But they’ve asked if I can provide some sort of roster of available players.

Does anyone know any sites/search tools that would allow me to find a list of players who fit Joe’s qualifications who have also been picked for an All-Star game (I figure that might narrow the list, slightly)?

By: garrett Hawk

garrett Hawk — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 21:01:51 +0000

In my mind, I have considered Albert Belle to be in the “No Way” category, but a look at his career numbers can be quite revealing. He was about the best hitter of his era. His teammates and coaches always came to his defense when writers layed into him, saying he was a good teammate and serious student of the game.

And Canseco has gone on record as saying that Belle is one of the few sluggers from that era NOT on steroids. Considering that Jose has been about 100% accurate in his steroid allegations, this changes my mind about Belle. (his body type and temper seemed to scream “roid rage.” Maybe not).

Nobody will weep if he’s never inducted, but like Dick Allen, you could say that he was not just a HOF talent, but an upper-tier HOF talent.

By: marc

marc — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 04:21:13 +0000

We all need a time machine to see how these work out.

I think Sabathia’s a lock – he’s going to be piling up wins like mad with the Yankees. I think Mauer is indeed chancy – unless he stops catching (which seems unlikely) – he’s a (bad/chronic) knee injury waiting to happen. Texiera I think will be consistent, and have lots of media exposure. What “consistent” consists of I suppose is the question, but I think he’ll end up being one of those unexciting inductees.

Prince Fielder got no respect for his 2009. He did have one hell of a year. I believe, like Howard, there’s a cliff out there waiting for him to fall off of, but it does illustrate how people look at things. As they said in Bonds’ heyday, the NL MVP, non-Pujols category. IF he matures well, it’s not going to take many seasons for him to be high on this list.

And what about Albert? He seems to have fallen off the earth in these discussions. I think if we seriously start considering “horse’s-ass” as a legitimate negative, things might get pretty slim.

I don’t know if the criteria just made it so, but I can see why there’s only 2 pitchers on the list. Who knows? I think unless a guy is 29 (i.e. half way there), it’s almost impossible to guess. I know he doesn’t fit the standards, but I think Lincecum is god – in ten years? Clueless.

By: Jeff

Jeff — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 04:18:03 +0000

Wright’s home run drop off reminds me of Brett in the 70’s when from ages 24-26 he hit 22, 9, & 23 homers.

By: Ian

Ian — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 22:43:59 +0000

I don’t see Matt Wieters anywhere. Such a shame because the postcards have already been printed!

http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/sports/thetoydepartment/matt-wieters-hof-postcard.jpg

By: Chuck

Chuck — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 16:21:39 +0000

Belle definitely was a great hitter in every way, including his lifetime 143 OPS+, composed of a BA of .295, OBP of .369, and SLG of .564. Too bad about his personality, but then one can say that about a ton or two of other players too.

And his peak? OPS+ of 193 and 177 in ‘94 and ‘95; and in the 144-game ‘95, 50 homers and 52 doubles, which pro-rates to 56 homers and 59 doubles. Ridiculous! Nobody, as I recall, had ever hit 50 of each in a full season, let alone in a season that was only 8/9ths as long as a regular season.

Oliver, however, while a BA of .303 is just dandy, had a mediocre OBP of .344 (just 41 points above his BA) and a lousy SLG of .451, adding up to an OPS+ of only 121 which, while also just dandy, is hardly in the same league as Joey’s.

So, IMHO, Belle’s in and Oliver, along with Rice, is out.

By: Dexter Richardson

Dexter Richardson — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 14:50:17 +0000

What about Albert Belle? His career was cut short by his hip injury. His stats were off the charts, and if he was better liked he would be in the Hall of Fame. What about Al Oliver? Lifetime .300 hitter with over 2700 hits, and he is not in the Hall of Fame. In recent years, there are people being added to the Hall of Fame who pall in comparison to those who have been omitted. The HOF has become way too political. By the way, I don’t think Jim Rice is a HOF.