The Keltner List

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

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?

 

Highly unlikely. Certainly not with DiMaggio, Musial, and Mays as his peers.

 

2. Was he the best player on his team?

 

No. Hodges was never the best player on his team in any year.

 

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

 

A reasonable statement can be made that Hodges was the best first baseman in baseball from 1949-53. His reign ended when Stan Musial moved to first base.

 

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

 

Situational data is unavailable, but Hodges did play regularly for six NL championship teams, and two World Series champions.

 

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

 

Yes.

 

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

 

No.

 

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

 

No. None of Hodges ten most similar players are in the Hall, and all are eligible.

 

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

 

No. Hodges scores only 2 on the Black Ink test, and those were for leading the league in games played.

 

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

 

Hodges won three gold gloves. He also managed the NY Mets to a World Championship in 1969, but its worth noting that none of his other teams won more than 83 games.

 

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

 

Doubtful. I think Don Mattingly, Keith Hernandez, and Dick Allen are on a higher level.

 

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

 

Hodges finished in the top 10 of MVP voting three times, never finishing higher than seventh.

 

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?

 

Hodges played in eight All-Star games, a good number.

 

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

 

In a good season, yes.

 

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. Hodges was one of the most beloved players of his era.

 

Conclusion: Hodges was a very good player, but he's not a HOF-caliber player. He didn't rack up the career totals necessary, and voters of his day did not consider him an extremely valuable player, as evidenced by his MVP votes. Much of Hodges' candidacy is based on sentimentality, rather than statistics.

[MrRant 0]

EDGAR DAMN YOU~!

 

*Shakes fist in great ANGER~!*

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

I'll add him to the hat. I have a list, and players are selected randomly.

[MrRant 0]

*Tears up list IN ANGER~! except for Edgar's name*

[Brett Favre 0]

Is Paul O'Neill on that list? If he is, thankie.

[Beast 0]

Even with Musial at first, Hodges was still probably the best all-around 1st Basemen, counting defense, in the league, except for maybe for Big Klu. I know it's been said that Hodges doesn't have the stats and that he wasn't thought of as a superstar in his day, but he was. Out of all the players in the NL, finishing in the top 10, 3 times is pretty damn good. Also, since the Veterans Committe is now made up of the writers, players, and broadcasters who are already in the Hall of Fame, it's pretty apparent that a majority of his peers believe he should be in, as evidenced by his 60% vote in 2003. I assume he'll either get inducted or get more votes in 2005.

 

And yes he got more votes than Santo in that vote. I know Santo was better, but it looks like Hodges will get in before Santo does.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

All of that adds up to very good. There's a higher standard to achieve to reach the Hall, and I don't see where Hodges qualifies.

[Beast 0]

I agree, he doesn't qualify as a HOF caliber player, but he's gonna get in and I couldn't be happier.