MLB HOF Class of 2005

[Bored 0]

Here is a look at next year's likely ballot, with the 15 holdovers who received enough votes to stay on the ballot from last year and the 16 newly eligible players listed above. Player's previously on the ballot are listed in the order they finished in the voting last year and the rest are in alphabetical order. Career rankings are through 2003.

 

Ryne Sandberg - Second Baseman - Philadelphia 1981, Chicago (NL) 1982-97

 

Black Ink: Batting - 14 (159) (Average HOFer ~ 27)

Gray Ink: Batting - 134 (120) (Average HOFer ~ 144)

HOF Standards: Batting - 42.7 (118) (Average HOFer ~ 50)

HOF Monitor: Batting - 157.5 (60) (Likely HOFer > 100)

 

Accomplishments: 1 MVP, 9 Gold Gloves, 10 All-Star selections, 3 times led league in runs, 1 time led league in total bases, 1 time led league in triples, 1 time led league in homeruns.

 

Career Rankings: 93rd in runs, 97th in hits, 85th in total bases.

 

OPS+: 114

 

Most Similar Player: Lou Whitaker

 

Bruce Sutter - Closer - Chicago (NL) 1976-80, St. Louis 1981-84, Atlanta 1985-88

 

Black Ink: Pitching - 15 (135) (Average HOFer ~ 40)

Gray Ink: Pitching - 30 (734) (Average HOFer ~ 185)

HOF Standards: Pitching - 17.0 (325) (Average HOFer ~ 50)

HOF Monitor: Pitching - 91.0 (112) (Likely HOFer > 100)

 

Accomplishments: 1 Cy Young, 4 Rolaids Relief Awards, 6 All-Star selections, 5 times led league in saves.

 

Career rankings: 88th in games, 16th in saves.

 

Most Similar Player: Doug Jones

 

Jim Rice - Left Fielder - Boston 1974-89

 

Black Ink: Batting - 33 (49) (Average HOFer ~ 27)

Gray Ink: Batting - 176 (56) (Average HOFer ~ 144)

HOF Standards: Batting - 42.9 (116) (Average HOFer ~ 50)

HOF Monitor: Batting - 146.5 (75) (Likely HOFer > 100)

 

Accomplishments: 1 MVP, 8 All-Star selections, 2 times led league in slugging, 1 time led league in OPS, 1 time led league in hits, 4 time led league in total bases, 1 time led league in triples, 3 times led league in homeruns, 2 time led league in RBI.

 

Career rankings: 84th in slugging, 98th in runs, 90th in hits, 56th in total bases, 45th in homeruns, 46th in RBI.

 

OPS+: 128

 

Most Similar Player: Orlando Cepeda (HOF)

 

Andre Dawson - Right Fielder/Center Fielder - Montreal 1976-86, Chicago (NL) 1987-92, Boston 1993-94, Florida 1995-96

 

Black Ink: Batting - 11 (199) (Average HOFer ~ 27)

Gray Ink: Batting - 164 (66) (Average HOFer ~ 144)

HOF Standards: Batting - 43.7 (108) (Average HOFer ~ 50)

HOF Monitor: Batting - 118.0 (110) (Likely HOFer > 100)

 

Accomplishments: 1 MVP, ROY, 8 Gold Gloves, 8 All-Star selections, 1 time led league in hits, 2 times led league in total bases, 1 time led league in homeruns, 1 time led league in RBI.

 

Career Rankings: 79th in runs, 43rd in hits, 24th in total bases, 39th in doubles, 29th in homeruns, 28th in RBI.

 

OPS+: 119

 

Most Similar Player: Billy Williams (HOF)

 

Rich Gossage - Closer - Chicago (AL) 1972-76, Pittsburgh 1977, New York (AL) 1978-83 89, San Diego 1984-87, Chicago (NL) 1988, San Francisco 1989, Texas 1991, Oakland 1992-93, Seattle 1994

 

Black Ink: Pitching - 9 (243) (Average HOFer ~ 40)

Gray Ink: Pitching - 41 (570) (Average HOFer ~ 185)

HOF Standards: Pitching - 19.0 (280) (Average HOFer ~ 50)

HOF Monitor: Pitching - 126.0 (58) (Likely HOFer > 100)

 

Accomplishments: 1 Rolaids Relief Award, 9 All-Star selections, 3 times led league in saves.

 

Career Rankings: 8th in games, 13th in saves.

 

Most Similar Player: Rollie Fingers (HOF)

 

Lee Smith - Closer - Chicago (NL) 1980-87, Boston 1988-90, St. Louis 1990-93, New York (AL) 1993, Baltimore 1994, California 1995-96, Cincinnati 1996, Montreal 1997

 

Black Ink: Pitching - 12 (174) (Average HOFer ~ 40)

Gray Ink: Pitching - 48 (497) (Average HOFer ~ 185)

HOF Standards: Pitching - 13.0 (452) (Average HOFer ~ 50)

HOF Monitor: Pitching - 136.0 (47) (Likely HOFer > 100)

 

Accomplishments: 3 Rolaids Relief Awards, 7 All-Star selections, 4 times led league in saves.

 

Career Rankings: 7th in games, 1st in saves.

 

Most Similar Player: Jeff Reardon

 

Bert Blyleven - Starting Pitcher - Minnesota 1970-76 85-88, Texas 1976-77, Pittsburgh 1978-80, Cleveland 1981-85, California 1989-92

 

Black Ink: Pitching - 16 (128) (Average HOFer ~ 40)

Gray Ink: Pitching - 239 (22) (Average HOFer ~ 185)

HOF Standards: Pitching - 50.0 (36) (Average HOFer ~ 50)

HOF Monitor: Pitching - 120.5 (65) (Likely HOFer > 100)

 

Accomplishments: 2 All-Star selections, 1 time led league in strikeout to walk ratio, 1 time led league in strikeouts, 1 time led league in complete games, 3 times led league in shutouts, 1 time led league in ERA+.

 

Career Rankings: 25th in wins, 85th in K/9IP, 5th in strikeouts, 91st in complete games, 9th in shutouts.

 

Most Similar Player: Don Sutton (HOF)

 

Jack Morris - Starting Pitcher - Detroit 1977-90, Minnesota 1991, Toronto 1992-93, Cleveland 1994

 

Black Ink: Pitching - 20 (86) (Average HOFer ~ 40)

Gray Ink: Pitching - 190 (45) (Average HOFer ~ 185)

HOF Standards: Pitching - 39.0 (70) (Average HOFer ~ 50)

HOF Monitor: Pitching - 122.5 (61) (Likely HOFer > 100)

 

Accomplishments: 1 World Series MVP, 5 All-Star selections, 2 times led league in wins, 1 time led league in strikeouts, 1 time led league in complete games, 1 time led league in shutouts.

 

Career Rankings: 38th in wins, 27th in strikeouts.

 

Most Similar Player: Dennis Martinez

 

Steve Garvey - First Baseman - Los Angeles 1969-82, San Diego 1983-87

 

Black Ink: Batting - 12 (182) (Average HOFer ~ 27)

Gray Ink: Batting - 142 (105) (Average HOFer ~ 144)

HOF Standards: Batting - 31.5 (244) (Average HOFer ~ 50)

HOF Monitor: Batting - 130.5 (94) (Likely HOFer > 100)

 

Accomplishments: 1 MVP, 2 NLCS MVP, 4 Gold Gloves, 10 All-Star selections, 2 times led league in hits.

 

Career Rankings: 68th in hits, 71st in total bases, 81st in doubles, 82 in RBI.

 

OPS+: 116

 

Most Similar Player: Al Oliver

 

Tommy John - Starting Pitcher - Cleveland 1963-64, Chicago (AL) 1965-71, Los Angeles 1972-78, New York (AL) 1979-82 86-89, California 1982-85, Oakland 1985

 

Black Ink: Pitching - 8 (271) (Average HOFer ~ 40)

Gray Ink: Pitching - 137 (114) (Average HOFer ~ 185)

HOF Standards: Pitching - 44.0 (50) (Average HOFer ~ 50)

HOF Monitor: Pitching - 111.0 (75) (Likely HOFer > 100)

 

Accomplishments: 4 All-Star selections, 1 time led league in BB/9IP, 3 times led league in shutouts.

 

Career Rankings: 24th in wins, 45th in strikeouts, 26th in shutouts.

 

Most Similar Player: Jim Kaat

 

Alan Trammell - Shortstop - Detroit 1977-96

 

Gray Ink: Batting - 48 (492) (Average HOFer ~ 144)

HOF Standards: Batting - 40.4 (138) (Average HOFer ~ 50)

HOF Monitor: Batting - 118.5 (108) (Likely HOFer > 100)

 

Accomplishments: 1 World Series MVP, 4 Gold Gloves, 6 All-Star selections.

 

OPS+: 110

 

Most Similar Player: Barry Larkin

 

Don Mattingly - First Baseman - New York (AL) 1982-95

 

Black Ink: Batting - 23 (83) (Average HOFer ~ 27)

Gray Ink: Batting - 111 (178) (Average HOFer ~ 144)

HOF Standards: Batting - 34.1 (202) (Average HOFer ~ 50)

HOF Monitor: Batting - 133.5 (89) (Likely HOFer > 100)

 

Accomplishments: 1 MVP, 9 Gold Gloves, 6 All-Star selections, 1 time led league in batting average, 1 time led league in slugging, 1 time led league in OPS, 2 times led league in hits, 2 times led league in total bases, 3 times led league in doubles, 1 time led league in RBI, 2 times led league in OPS+.

 

Career Rankings: 78th in doubles.

 

OPS+: 127

 

Most Similar Player: Cecil Cooper

 

Dave Concepcion - Shortstop - Cincinnati 1970-88

 

Gray Ink: Batting - 25 (843) (Average HOFer ~ 144)

HOF Standards: Batting - 29.1 (300) (Average HOFer ~ 50)

HOF Monitor: Batting - 106.5 (130) (Likely HOFer > 100)

 

Accomplishments: 5 Gold Gloves, 9 All-Star selections.

 

OPS+: 88

 

Most Similar Player: Bobby Wallace (HOF)

 

Dave Parker - Right Fielder - Pittsburgh 1973-83, Cincinnati 1984-87, Oakland 1988-89, Milwaukee 1990, California 1991, Toronto 1991

 

Black Ink: Batting - 26 (68) (Average HOFer ~ 27)

Gray Ink: Batting - 145 (95) (Average HOFer ~ 144)

HOF Standards: Batting - 41.1 (130) (Average HOFer ~ 50)

HOF Monitor: Batting - 125.5 (100) (Likely HOFer > 100)

 

Accomplishments: 1 MVP, 3 Gold Gloves, 7 All-Star selections, 2 times led league in batting average, 2 times led league in slugging, 1 time led league in OPS, 1 time led league in hits, 3 times led league in total bases, 2 times led league in doubles, 1 time led league in RBI, 1 time led league in OPS+.

 

Career Rankings: 52nd in hits, 39th in total bases, 29th in doubles, 74th in homeruns, 41st in RBI.

 

OPS+: 121

 

Most Similar Player: Tony Perez (HOF)

 

Dale Murphy - Center Fielder/Right Fielder - Atlanta 1976-90, Philadelphia 1990-92, Colorado 1993

 

Black Ink: Batting - 31 (54) (Average HOFer ~ 27)

Gray Ink: Batting - 147 (87) (Average HOFer ~ 144)

HOF Standards: Batting - 34.3 (199) (Average HOFer ~ 50)

HOF Monitor: Batting - 115.5 (114) (Likely HOFer > 100)

 

Accomplishments: 2 MVP, 5 Gold Gloves, 7 All-Star selections, 2 times led league in slugging, 1 time led league in OPS, 1 time led league in runs, 1 time led league in total bases, 2 times led league in homeruns, 2 times led league in RBI.

 

Career Rankings: 94th in total bases, 38th in homeruns, 97th in RBI.

 

OPS+: 121

 

Most Similar Player: Joe Carter

 

 

 

Jim Abbott - Starting Pitcher - California 1989-92 95-96, New York (AL) 1993-94, Chicago (AL) 1995 98, Milwaukee 1999

 

Gray Ink: Pitching - 28 (791) (Average HOFer ~ 185)

HOF Standards: Pitching - 3.0 (934) (Average HOFer ~ 50)

HOF Monitor: Pitching - 6.0 (1068) (Likely HOFer > 100)

 

Most Similar Player: Jim Deshaies

 

Jeff Blauser - Shortstop - Atlanta 1987-97, Chicago (NL) 1998-99

 

Gray Ink: Batting - 9 (1355) (Average HOFer ~ 144)

HOF Standards: Batting - 23.0 (523) (Average HOFer ~ 50)

HOF Monitor: Batting - 34.0 (492) (Likely HOFer > 100)

 

Accomplishments: 2 All-Star selections.

 

Most Similar Player: Robby Thompson

 

Wade Boggs - Third Baseman - Boston 1982-92, New York (AL) 1993-97, Tampa Bay 1998-99

 

Black Ink: Batting - 37 (39) (Average HOFer ~ 27)

Gray Ink: Batting - 138 (109) (Average HOFer ~ 144)

HOF Standards: Batting - 57.5 (32) (Average HOFer ~ 50)

HOF Monitor: Batting - 268.0 (16) (Likely HOFer > 100)

 

Accomplishments: 2 Gold Gloves, 12 All-Star selections, 5 times led league in batting average, 6 times led league in OBP, 2 times led league in OPS, 2 times led league in runs, 1 time led league in hits, 2 times led league in doubles, 1 time led league in OPS+.

 

Career Rankings: 34th in batting average, 27th in OBP, 54th in runs, 23rd in hits, 60th in total bases, 15th in doubles, 21st in walks.

 

OPS+: 130

 

Most Similar Player: Rod Carew (HOF)

Tom Candiotti - Starting Pitcher - Milwaukee 1983-84, Cleveland 1986-91 99, Toronto 1991, Los Angeles 1992-97, Oakland 1998-99

 

Black Ink: Pitching - 2 (702) (Average HOFer ~ 40)

Gray Ink: Pitching - 62 (375) (Average HOFer ~ 185)

HOF Standards: Pitching - 17.0 (325) (Average HOFer ~ 50)

HOF Monitor: Pitching - 11.5 (806) (Likely HOFer > 100)

 

Accomplishments: 1 time led league in complete games.

 

Career Rankings: 87th in strikeouts.

 

Most Similar Player: Bob Knepper

 

Chili Davis - Designated Hitter/Outfielder - San Francisco 1981-87, California 1988-90 93-96, Minnesota 1991-92, Kansas City 1997, New York (AL) 1998-99

 

Gray Ink: Batting - 45 (523) (Average HOFer ~ 144)

HOF Standards: Batting - 38.0 (156) (Average HOFer ~ 50)

HOF Monitor: Batting - 29.0 (557) (Likely HOFer > 100)

 

Accomplishments: 3 All-Star selections.

 

Career Rankings: 73rd in total bases, 68th in homeruns, 66th in RBI, 50th in walks.

 

OPS+: 121

 

Most Similar Player: Don Baylor

 

Jeff King - Third Baseman/First Baseman - Pittsburgh 1989-96, Kansas City 1997-99

 

Gray Ink: Batting - 11 (1244) (Average HOFer ~ 144)

HOF Standards: Batting - 12.9 (1263) (Average HOFer ~ 50)

HOF Monitor: Batting - 11.0 (998) (Likely HOFer > 100)

 

Most Similar Player: Candy Maldonado

 

Mark Langston - Starting Pitcher - Seattle 1984-89, Montreal 1989, California/Anaheim 1990-97, San Diego 1998, Cleveland 1999

 

Black Ink: Pitching - 12 (174) (Average HOFer ~ 40)

Gray Ink: Pitching - 128 (131) (Average HOFer ~ 185)

HOF Standards: Pitching - 23.0 (210) (Average HOFer ~ 50)

HOF Monitor: Pitching - 64.0 (178) (Likely HOFer > 100)

 

Accomplishments: 7 Gold Gloves, 4 All-Star Selections, 4 times led league in strikeout to walk ratio, 3 times led league in strikeouts.

 

Career Rankings: 33rd in strikeout to walk ratio, 28th in strikeouts.

 

Most Similar Player: Fernando Valenzuela

 

Jack McDowell - Starting Pitcher - Chicago (AL) 1987-94, New York (AL) 1995, Cleveland 1996-97, Anaheim 1998-99

 

Black Ink: Pitching - 13 (158) (Average HOFer ~ 40)

Gray Ink: Pitching - 85 (256) (Average HOFer ~ 185)

HOF Standards: Pitching - 18.0 (300) (Average HOFer ~ 50)

HOF Monitor: Pitching - 36.5 (336) (Likely HOFer > 100)

 

Accomplishments: 1 Cy Young, 3 All-Star Selections, 1 time led league in wins, 3 times led league in complete games, 1 time led league in shutouts.

 

Most Similar Player: Denny McLain

 

Willie McGee - Center Fielder - St. Louis 1982-90 96-99, Oakland 1990, San Francisco 1991-94, Boston 1995

 

Black Ink: Batting - 12 (182) (Average HOFer ~ 27)

Gray Ink: Batting - 56 (426) (Average HOFer ~ 144)

HOF Standards: Batting - 22.9 (545) (Average HOFer ~ 50)

HOF Monitor: Batting - 77.5 (206) (Likely HOFer > 100)

 

Accomplishments: 1 MVP, 3 Gold Gloves, 4 All-Star selections, 2 times led league in batting average, 1 time led league in hits, 1 time led league in triples.

 

Career Rankings: 97th in stolen bases.

 

OPS+: 100

 

Most Similar Player: Hal Chase

 

Brian McRae - Center Fielder - Kansas City 1990-94, Chicago (NL) 1995-97, New York (NL) 1997-99, Colorado 1999, Toronto 1999

 

Black Ink: Batting - 1 (685) (Average HOFer ~ 27)

Gray Ink: Batting - 25 (843) (Average HOFer ~ 144)

HOF Standards: Batting - 11.3 (1426) (Average HOFer ~ 50)

HOF Monitor: Batting - 5.0 (1395) (Likely HOFer > 100)

 

OPS+: 93

 

Most Similar Player: Terry Moore

 

Jeff Montgomery - Closer - Cincinnati 1987, Kansas City 1988-99

 

Black Ink: Pitching - 3 (520) (Average HOFer ~ 40)

Gray Ink: Pitching - 27 (814) (Average HOFer ~ 185)

HOF Monitor: Pitching - 74.0 (150) (Likely HOFer > 100)

 

Accomplishments: 1 Rolaids Relief Award, 3 All-Star selections, 1 time led league in saves.

 

Career Rankings: 63rd in games, 14th in saves.

 

Most Similar Player: Roberto Hernandez

 

Otis Nixon - Center Fielder - New York (AL) 1983, Cleveland 1984-87, Montreal 1988-90, Atlanta 1991-93 99, Boston 1994, Texas 1995, Toronto 1996-97, Los Angeles 1997, Minnesota 1998

 

Gray Ink: Batting - 27 (805) (Average HOFer ~ 144)

HOF Standards: Batting - 15.1 (1015) (Average HOFer ~ 50)

HOF Monitor: Batting - 2.5 (1733) (Likely HOFer > 100)

 

Career Rankings: 15th in stolen bases.

 

OPS+: 77

 

Most Similar Player: Jimmy Slagle

 

Tony Phillips - Second Baseman/Left Fielder/Third Baseman - Oakland 1982-89 99, Detroit 1990-94, California/Anaheim 1995 97, Chicago (AL) 1996-97, Toronto 1998, New York (NL) 1998

 

Black Ink: Batting - 7 (293) (Average HOFer ~ 27)

Gray Ink: Batting - 42 (561) (Average HOFer ~ 144)

HOF Standards: Batting - 32.7 (226) (Average HOFer ~ 50)

HOF Monitor: Batting - 26.5 (595) (Likely HOFer > 100)

 

Accomplishments: 1 time led league in runs, 2 times led league in walks.

 

Career Rankings: 99th in runs, 30th in walks.

 

OPS+: 109

 

Most Similar Player: Eddie Yoost

 

Mark Portugal - Starting Pitcher - Minnesota 1985-88, Houston 1989-93, San Francisco 1994-95, Cincinnati 1995-96, Philadelphia 1997-98, Boston 1999

 

Black Ink: Pitching - 4 (434) (Average HOFer ~ 40)

Gray Ink: Pitching - 18 (1070) (Average HOFer ~ 185)

HOF Standards: Pitching - 8.0 (682) (Average HOFer ~ 50)

HOF Monitor: Pitching - 8.0 (949) (Likely HOFer > 100)

 

Most Similar Player: Steve Stone

 

Terry Steinbach - Catcher - Oakland 1986-96, Minnesota 1997-99

 

HOF Standards: Batting - 25.0 (438) (Average HOFer ~ 50)

HOF Monitor: Batting - 47.0 (362) (Likely HOFer > 100)

 

Accomplishments: 3 All-Star selections.

 

OPS+: 102

 

Most Similar Player: Elston Howard

 

Darryl Strawberry - Right Fielder - New York (NL) 1983-90, Los Angeles 1991-93, San Francisco 1994, New York (AL) 1995-99

 

Black Ink: Batting - 7 (293) (Average HOFer ~ 27)

Gray Ink: Batting - 100 (214) (Average HOFer ~ 144)

HOF Standards: Batting - 29.6 (290) (Average HOFer ~ 50)

HOF Monitor: Batting - 56.5 (296) (Likely HOFer > 100)

 

Accomplishments: ROY, 8 All-Star selections, 1 time led league in slugging, 1 time led league in OPS, 1 time led league in homeruns, 1 time led league in OPS+.

 

Career Rankings: 79th in slugging, 78th in homeruns, 83rd in OPS+.

 

OPS+: 138

 

Most Similar Player: Jay Buhner

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

From that group, I'd vote for Ryne Sandberg, Andre Dawson, Bert Blyleven, Alan Trammell, and Wade Boggs.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

I split this topic as I didn't want to derail Crimson's topic, and I felt there's the potential for good debate here.

[Guest Anglesault]

Boggs has to make it. That's the only one I care about.

 

There's no way he doesn't make it, right?

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Boggs has to make it. That's the only one I care about.

 

There's no way he doesn't make it, right?

Its as close to a lock as you can get. .328 career hitter, along with 3,010 career hits. Scores 268 on the HOF Monitor (100 or better indicates a likely HOFer).

[Bored 0]

Boggs is a complete lock for next year. The drama will be if Ryne Sandberg makes it or not next year as I see no one else having a real shot. If Sandberg doesn't make in 2005 he'll definently make it 2006 when there is no viable first ballot picks. 2007 of course is the Gwynn, McGwire, Ripken class and everyone else on the ballot can forget about getting in that year.

[Guest tangerine]

I would say Boggs is a mortal lock and I'msure Sandberg is "in" as well.

 

The drama, for me is too see if a third man can get in there.

[Crimson G 0]

Jim Rice

Dave Parker

Bert Blyleven

Lee Smith

Wade Boggs

Ryne Sandberg

 

All deserve to go in. I see Rice & Boggs going first (stupid East Coast bias!).

[The Czech Republic 0]

Sandberg and Boggs.

[Guest tangerine]

2006 is basically going to the "we weren't THAT great but since no one really great retired in 1999(?), we got in. Save your money for next year" induction ceremony.

[Vern Gagne 0]

Just Boggs next year.

 

Ryne Sandberg in 2006. If his vote total continues up than Bruce Sutter may go in has well.

[Vern Gagne 0]

Sandberg finished 71 votes short, Sutter 79. Sandberg had a huge jump in votes from his 1st and 2nd year. Sutter's been increasing his vote total year by year by about 35 votes.

 

After 2007. 2008 and 2009 aren't very strong. Tim Raines being the only eligible who will be seriously considered. That could be when Blyleven, Dawson, Rice, Gossage, and Sutter if he's not in make their big push.

[Guest FrigidSoul]

Blylevan not being in the Hall is a crime.

 

Boggs and Sandberg should be locks. 2006 I hope to see Blylevan and Jim Rice in there.

[phoenixrising 0]

Boggs for sure in 2005. I think Sandberg will be voted in as well. And hopefully Ron Santo on the Veteran's Committee ballot.

 

I think Sandberg will get in, if not next year then after 2007. I wouldn't be surprised if a couple of the relievers (Sutter and Gossage probably) sneaking in next year or in 2006. Dawson and/or Rice could get voted in in 2006 due to the lack of top candidates (IIRC the top newcomer for 2006 would be Will Clark, who is borderline HOF at best). Blyleven is getting a nice little following, I think he'll eventually be voted in as well, maybe in 2006.

 

I think Parker is HOF worthy but his cocaine abuse might keep him out for a long time the same way Orlando Cepeda's drug arrest kept him out of the Hall for 20 years.

[Vern Gagne 0]

Blyleven would have to get close to a 200 vote increase the next 2 years to make it in 2006. The media didn't like Blyleven, and they'll make him wait until his eligibility is almost up.

[Guest Posada20]

Boggs has to make it. That's the only one I care about.

 

There's no way he doesn't make it, right?

Only one you care about? You are not a Yankee Fan if you don't care about Don Mattingly.

[Precious Roy 0]

Damn right!

 

Mattingly should be in!

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

All deserve to go in. I see Rice & Boggs going first (stupid East Coast bias!).

 

Given that Rice has missed induction since 1994, I doubt he's going in. I can't see endorsing an outfielder who's only 84th in slugging, and not in the top 100 in OBP. And that's after you account for the inflation he got from playing in Fenway Park.

 

Here's some examples. In 1977, Rice hit 39 home runs, leading the American League. He hit 27 at home, and 12 on the road. He slugged .683 at Fenway, and .509 on the road. In 1978, he had his MVP season, hitting 46 home runs. He hit 28 of those at home. In Fenway that season, Rice hit 361/416/690. On the road, he hit 269/325/512. His HOF candidacy is just an illusion of Fenway Park.

[Beast 0]

Boggs is a lock, deservingly so, but like most of you, I want Sandberg and Blyleven in as soon as possible. Sutter, I don't see as ever making it in, unless he is inducted by the Veterans Committe, which probably won't happen since they've made it harder to get in. I'm more interested with the Committe's votes for 2005, especially since no one made it in 2003, and now we have to wait every other year for elections from them. Hodges finished first last time, and I'd love to see him get in, but I do realize that from his stats alone, he is not as worthy as Santo, among others. However, the 1969 Mets World Title, has to add something to his accomplishments. Plus, if the actual players of the hall, (i.e. the people who vote for the Veterans Committe), thought of him as the best person elgible, that's gotta say something.

 

So 2005, my hopes -

 

HOF - Boggs, Sandberg, Blyleven

Veterans - Hodges

[KanadianKrusty 0]

I'd really like Boggs, Sandberg and Dawson to get in, though I'm not holding my breath for Dawson.

[Crimson G 0]

All deserve to go in. I see Rice & Boggs going first (stupid East Coast bias!).

 

Given that Rice has missed induction since 1994, I doubt he's going in. I can't see endorsing an outfielder who's only 84th in slugging, and not in the top 100 in OBP. And that's after you account for the inflation he got from playing in Fenway Park.

 

Here's some examples. In 1977, Rice hit 39 home runs, leading the American League. He hit 27 at home, and 12 on the road. He slugged .683 at Fenway, and .509 on the road. In 1978, he had his MVP season, hitting 46 home runs. He hit 28 of those at home. In Fenway that season, Rice hit 361/416/690. On the road, he hit 269/325/512. His HOF candidacy is just an illusion of Fenway Park.

The guy was still an MVP and put up pretty impressive career numbers. I say that's deservant to get into the Hall of Fame. Plus, you don't see other guys numbers inflated as much as you seem to think of Rice's due to their stays at Fenway Park.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Sutter, I don't see as ever making it in, unless he is inducted by the Veterans Committe, which probably won't happen since they've made it harder to get in.

 

I don't understand the Sutter love. He only pitched for twelve seasons, and he was above-average in eight of those. He had a great peak, but what separates him from other closers, such as Dan Quisenberry, Jeff Montgomery, or even John Franco?

 

As for the veterans' committee, first off I don't think Hodges deserves the Hall. In an 18-year career, he never finished higher than 7th in the MVP vote. NONE of his most similar players are in the Hall. As for the '69 Mets, sure he deserves a little credit, but the team finished third the next two seasons. He wasn't a great manager. Good perhaps, but good doesn't make the Hall.

 

I'm not sure this new veterans' committee will elect anyone, quite honestly. They'll likely need to revamp the system in the near-future.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

The guy was still an MVP and put up pretty impressive career numbers. I say that's deservant to get into the Hall of Fame. Plus, you don't see other guys numbers inflated as much as you seem to think of Rice's due to their stays at Fenway Park.

 

You most certainly do. Take a look at the Sox' Home and Away splits for 1975-79.....

 

1975

H 281/353/445

A 269/335/391

 

1976

H 288/348/449

A 238/301/355

 

1977

H 300/367/516

A 264/325/417

 

1978

H 291/362/475

A 244/310/375

 

1979

H 306/368/521

A 261/321/395

[Crimson G 0]

The guy was still an MVP and put up pretty impressive career numbers. I say that's deservant to get into the Hall of Fame. Plus, you don't see other guys numbers inflated as much as you seem to think of Rice's due to their stays at Fenway Park.

 

You most certainly do. Take a look at the Sox' Home and Away splits for 1975-79.....

 

1975

H 281/353/445

A 269/335/391

 

1976

H 288/348/449

A 238/301/355

 

1977

H 300/367/516

A 264/325/417

 

1978

H 291/362/475

A 244/310/375

 

1979

H 306/368/521

A 261/321/395

Home Field Advantage?

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Teams benefit from home field, but rarely to that degree. Its often forgotten, but Fenway Park in the 70s had the highest park factors for offense in the American League.

[Vern Gagne 0]

Sutter, I don't see as ever making it in, unless he is inducted by the Veterans Committe, which probably won't happen since they've made it harder to get in.

 

I don't understand the Sutter love. He only pitched for twelve seasons, and he was above-average in eight of those. He had a great peak, but what separates him from other closers, such as Dan Quisenberry, Jeff Montgomery, or even John Franco?

 

 

 

I'm not sure this new veterans' committee will elect anyone, quite honestly. They'll likely need to revamp the system in the near-future.

I'm not sure why Sutter is so much more popular than Gossage. Maybe the creation of the split-finger fastball?

 

Sutter's last year eligible is 2008. He'll probably have to wait for the veterans committee.

 

I agree. I also don't think anyone listed on the veterans committe is really deserving. These are good players..guys like Tony Olivia could of been great but injuries happen. You can't vote by what might have been.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

I'm not sure why Sutter is so much more popular than Gossage. Maybe the creation of the split-finger fastball?

 

Sutter popularized the pitch, but by his own account he didn't invent it.

 

I agree. I also don't think anyone listed on the veterans committe is really deserving. These are good players..guys like Tony Olivia could of been great but injuries happen. You can't vote by what might have been.

 

I really think Ron Santo deserves the Hall. His career numbers are deserving when you account for the fact that he played during the second dead ball era. I've also heard an interesting case for Minnie Minoso, that he very likely would have HOF numbers if not for the color line (he debuted in 1949 at the age of 26).

[Bored 0]

I'll tell you why Sutter receives more votes than Gossage and that is the baseball writers like bright and shiny things. Sutter has four Rolaids Relief Awards, Gossage just one. Sutter led his league in saves five times, Gossage just three. Sutter won a Cy Young, Gossage didn't.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

What's odd is that looking through the voting results, Sutter and Gossage were fairly close in voting a few years ago, but Sutter gets alot more support nowadays. I think there's no question Gossage is better than Sutter.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

BTW, you can check out historical HOF voting records here.....

 

http://www.baseballhalloffame.org/history/...ing/default.htm