The Keltner List

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1. Was he ever regarded as the best player in baseball? Did anybody, while he was active, ever suggest that he was the best player in baseball?

 

Ryne Sandberg was never THE best player in baseball for an extended period, but he was the best player in baseball in 1984.

 

2. Was he the best player on his team?

 

Are you kidding me? Sandberg was the best player on the Cubs every year from 1984 to 1992.

 

3. Was he the best player in baseball at his position? Was he the best player in the league at his position?

 

Yes. Sandberg was the best second baseman in baseball from 1984-1992, excepting a handful of seasons in the late 80s.

 

4. Did he have an impact on a number of pennant races?

 

Sandberg hit .333 in August and .327 in September to drive the '89 Cubs to the NL East pennant. He was also MVP on the NL East champion '84 squad.

 

5. Was he good enough that he could play regularly after passing his prime?

 

Yes, he hung on until he was 37.

 

6. Is he the very best baseball player in history who is not in the Hall of Fame?

 

Quite possibly. He could give Ron Santo a run for his money.

 

7. Are most players who have comparable statistics in the Hall of Fame?

 

No. Of his top 10, five are ineligible, and one (Bobby Doerr) is in the Hall. However, three of the other four (Joe Torre, Alan Trammell, Ken Boyer) are strong candidates, and Lou Whitaker got hosed as well.

 

8. Do the player's numbers meet Hall of Fame standards?

 

Yes, Sandberg scores 14 on the Black Ink test, 134 on the Gray Ink test, and 42.7% on the HOF Standards scale. And this is as a second baseman.

 

9. Is there any evidence to suggest that the player was significantly better or worse than is suggested by his statistics?

 

Yes. Sandberg was a great defensive player who won nine Gold Gloves.

 

10. Is he the best player at his position who is eligible for the Hall of Fame?

 

Yes.

 

11. How many MVP-type seasons did he have? Did he ever win an MVP award? If not, how many times was he close?

 

He won the award in 1985, and finished fourth in 1990 and '91.

 

12. How many All-Star-type seasons did he have? How many All-Star games did he play in? Did most of the players who played in this many All-Star games go into the Hall of Fame?

 

Sandberg played in ten consecutive All-Star games from 1984-93. Of all HOF second basemen, only Nellie Fox had more than ten appearances.

 

13. If this man were the best player on his team, would it be likely that the team could win the pennant?

 

Yes, the Cubs won twice with Sandberg as their best player.

 

14. What impact did the player have on baseball history? Was he responsible for any rule changes? Did he introduce any new equipment? Did he change the game in any way?

 

None apparent.

 

15. Did the player uphold the standards of sportsmanship and character that the Hall of Fame, in its written guidelines, instructs us to consider?

 

Yes.

 

Conclusion: It is absolutely inexcusable for Sandberg not to reach the Hall. He was the best second baseman of his decade and he made ten all star teams. His credentials are obvious.