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?

 

No.

 

2. Was he the best player on his team?

 

No. From 1975-82, Win Shares sees Ron Cey as more valuable every single year. And no one is advocating his candidacy. Garvey never led his team in Win Shares.

 

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

 

Briefly. In 1974, Garvey was the best first baseman in baseball. Most years he was eclipsed by American Leaguers such as Rod Carew, Eddie Murray, and John Mayberry. Garvey was the best National League first baseman until 1979, when Keith Hernandez tied for the MVP award.

 

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

 

Yes. Garvey played for five National League championship teams, and one World Series winner. Moreover, his teams won all five divisional series they played, and Garvey hit 356/383/678 in those 22 games. In his postseason career, Garvey hit 338/361/550 in 222 at bats. I do not believe in clutch ability, but clutch performances do happen, and Garvey deserves credit for it.

 

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

 

Yes. Garvey played until he was 38.

 

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

 

No. Ron Santo, Ryne Sandberg, and others are more deserving.

 

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

 

No. Of Garvey's ten most similar players, six are eligible, and only one has made the Hall. None of the other four (Chili Davis, Will Clark, Mark Grace and Paul O'Neill) has better than a marginal chance at making the Hall.

 

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

 

Not really. Garvey scores 12 on the Black Ink test (average HOFer is 27), 142 on the Gray Ink test (average is 142), and 31.5 on the HOF Standards test (average is 50). Most of Garvey's black ink comes from leading the league in games played. Noble, but hardly a way to gain entrance to the Hall. Garvey never finished in the Top Ten of OBP.

 

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

 

Two. First, Garvey won four Gold Gloves. He likely could have won more if not for Keith Hernandez. Second, Garvey played much of his career in Dodger Stadium, a challenging park for hitters.

 

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

 

No. Strong cases can be made for Keith Hernandez, Don Mattingly, and Dick Allen. Hernandez beat Garvey for many Gold Gloves AND frequently finished high in OBP.

 

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

 

Garvey won one MVP award, and finished in the Top 10 five times.

 

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?

 

Garvey played in ten All-Star games. Very few players make that many squads and fail to make the Hall.

 

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

 

Possibly. Garvey never had a GREAT year, but he was consistantly very good.

 

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?

 

Garvey had many clashes with teammates and the press, although he was not always in the wrong. He was considered a good sportsman. Garvey also holds the NL record for consecutive games played, with 1,207.

 

Conclusion: Garvey presents a strong case. A boatload of All-Star appearances, Gold Gloves, and an amazing postseason record. Ultimately, however, I can not endorse him. I question if he would have made so many All-Star teams had he played in the American League. He was not an impact hitter, and does not appear among the leaders in any important career hitting leaderboard. He played great defense, but defense only goes so far at first base. There are a half dozen more qualified candidates at first, and they deserve consideration before Garvey.