Hall Of Fame Debate: Rank ‘Em – Mike Schmidt, Brooks Robinson, Chipper Jones, and George Brett!!!

Hall Of Fame Debate: Rank ‘Em – Mike Schmidt, Brooks Robinson, Chipper Jones, and George Brett!!!

By now, you probably know how this works.  The discussion of best third baseman in the history of the sport is one of the more debated position-related debates between baseball fans.

The reason, I believe, that this discussion has so many varied opinions is that each of these players left huge impacts on the sport – and at one time or another, each of them held the title of ‘Best Third Baseman In Baseball’ for a lengthy time.

So, I will offer up some numbers.  And then offer up my rankings as well.

First, let’s look at the numbers:

	Robinson	Schmidt	Brett	Jones
Total Games	2896	2404	2707	2499
Games at 3B	2870	2212	1692	1992
Batting Average	0.267	0.267	0.305	0.303
On-Base %	0.322	0.380	0.369	0.401
Hits	2848	2234	3154	2726
200-Hit Seasons	0	0	2	0
Batting Titles	0	0	3	1
Home Runs	268	548	317	468
30-HR Seasons	0	13	1	5
HR Titles	0	8	0	0
RBI	1357	1595	1596	1623
100-RBI Seasons	2	9	4	9
30/100 Seasons	0	9	1	5
Stolen Bases	28	174	201	150
All-Star	15	12	13	8
Silver Slugger	-	6	3	2
Gold Glove	16	10	1	0
3B Fielding %	0.971	0.955	0.951	0.954
ROY	0	0	0	0
MVP	1	3	1	1
Postseason	6	6	7	12
WS Titles	2	1	1	1

There is no doubt about it – Each of these players was fantastic, and each of them stands out in a way that the others do not.

So, how do you judge?  When you’re talking apples-to-apples it is easier, but it is still not an easy process.

Because the discussion is about players that were primarily known as third baseman, I think you have to include defensive accomplishments into the conversation.  But, how much should that count?

Time for my decision….

For me, I really tried to take a look at the full career of each player.  Like I mentioned earlier in the post, each of these four elite players stands out in one or more aspects of the game – and these parts of the game are all deemed as important – from Brooks’ defense to Schmidt’s home run prowess to Brett’s batting skills to Chipper’s on-base percentage.

I will say that it is nice to see that each one of these great ballplayers had the chance to hoist a World Series trophy at one time (2 for Brooks) during their careers.

Who do you pick??

How do you pick??

Well, I tried.  And I had to re-do my rankings a few times.  But I think that I have settled in on this as my final list.

So, here is my list, in order:

1 – Mike Schmidt
2 – Brooks Robinson
3 – Chipper Jones
4 – George Brett

This was very tough – but ultimately for me, the defense that Robinson and Schmidt were noted for separated them from the pack.  After that, it was the consistent home runs and run production of Schmidt’s that propelled him to the top spot.  Choosing between Chipper Jones and George Brett for the 3rd and 4th spots was a lot tougher.  While Chipper had a more well-rounded offensive attack, it was Brett that amassed an amazing number of hits and batting championships.  Ultimately, I chose Jones simply due to the number of games he played at third base versus Brett.  If Brett had played 80% of his games at the ‘Hot Corner’ it would have made my decision a lot tougher to make.

And now, I am exhausted.  And if you ask me this same question in a week, I may have different answers to this question.

But I want your rankings on this too.  So, study the numbers and let me know how you’d rank these four legendary third baseman.

Have a great night!!!

Hall Of Fame Debate: Cast Your Vote For Steve Garvey!!!

Hall Of Fame Debate: Cast Your Vote For Steve Garvey!!!

The number of rookie baseball players that debuted in the early part of the 1970′s that are worthy of Hall of Fame consideration is a very small group.  Names like George Foster, Cecil Cooper, Don Baylor and Thurman Munson come to mind.

And you have to throw Steve Garvey into the mix as well.

Garvey made his debut with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1969 and while it took him a few seasons to earn a starting job, when he did he made the best of it!!

Garvey played in the major leagues for 19 seasons.  He is more than likely most well-known for playing in 1,207 consecutive games from 1975-1983.

But, Steve Garvey was a lot more than just an injury-free player.  He was a rock-solid team leader as well!!

Garvey’s career numbers display exactly how well-rounded his offensive output was.

In summary – 2,599 hits, 440 doubles, 272 home runs, .294 batting average, 1,143 runs scored, 1,308 RBI, and 3,941 total bases.  Couple that with a very strong career fielding average of .996 with his four Gold Gloves and you have an anchor on both offense and defense.

Steve Garvey was a 10-time All-Star player.  He amassed six 200-hit seasons during his career, including two seasons in which he led the National League. 

Steve Garvey won the National League MVP Award in 1974.  His numbers from that season are superb – .312 batting average, 200 hits, 32 doubles, 21 home runs, 111 RBI, 95 runs scored and just 66 strikeouts in 685 plate appearances. 

Garvey made it to five postseasons during his career, playing in five World Series match-ups.  He won 1 of the five championships; in 1981 as a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers.  Garvey’s individual success during the playoffs is exceptional.  In 55 postseason games, Garvey collected 75 hits en route to a .338 batting average.  He drove in 31 runs in those 55 contests while also scoring 32 times.  His efforts in the postseason earned him NLCS MVP Awards in both 1978 and 1984.

But are these credentials Hall of Fame worthy?  Do Steve Garvey’s career numbers stack up well against other Hall of Fame first basemen?  Can he compete in a numbers game against other players that starred during his era??

For me, the answer is ‘YES’.  I firmly believe that Steve Garvey is worthy of enshrinement at Cooperstown.  His consistency at the plate and his ability to deliver in the postseason is well above average – and maybe just a tad below elite.  And when compared to the players that debuted in the majors around the same time as Garvey, his numbers hold up, if not stand out, against them.  Before Keith Hernandez took playing defense at first base to a new level, Steve Garvey was the standard for excellence during the mid-1970′s.

Steve Garvey is just one of five former Padres players to have his jersey number retired by the team.

So, you have my vote.

What do you have to say – Cast Your Vote For Steve Garvey’s Hall Of Fame Worthiness Now!!!

Hall Of Fame Debate: Cast Your Vote For Dwight ‘Doc’ Gooden!!!

Hall Of Fame Debate: Cast Your Vote For Dwight ‘Doc’ Gooden!!!

You’re going to think that I am nuts with this one, but that is alright – I can take it.

My passion for baseball began in the mid-1980′s and was in full-stride well before my tenth birthday.  First, I enjoyed playing the sport casually to then playing competitively.  I enjoyed catching a few innings of baseball on television to making sure that I was home for Braves and Mets games on cable.  And I went from thinking that baseball cards were cool to becoming enthralled with them.

In my thirty years of being a pretty devout baseball fan, I have seen some amazingly talented young guys hoist the sport on their backs during their debut season in the big leagues.

From Ken Griffey, Jr. to Hideo Nomo.  From Nomar Garciaparra to Ichiro Suzuki.  And most recently from Mike Trout to Bryce Harper.  All amazing ballplayers and all deserving of the huge amounts of attention sent their way.

But, NO player in my time as a fan has captivated fans, players, and the sport during their rookie seasons at the level that Dwight Gooden did.

At 19-years of age, Dwight Gooden broke into the game of baseball and became the sport’s best player and showcase talent.  He did it in the wildest and most crazed city of them all – New York.  And he smiled and dominated every step of the way.

No other rookies during my time as a fan have appeared on multiple national sports publications, or on the cover of nationwide periodicals like Time Magazine like Dwight Gooden did.

With the exception of Ken Griffey Jr, no player during his rookie season was able to attract new fans to the world of baseball card collecting – but Gooden did.

In his first three seasons of professional baseball, Dwight Gooden won 58 games and lost just 19.  He had an ERA of 2.32 over those three seasons and he struck out 744 men as well.  He literally put the New York Mets on his back and led them to the playoffs, ultimately winning the World Series in 1986, and along the way, he earned the nicknames of ‘Doc’ and ‘Dr. K’ for the manner in which he dissected his opposition.  He was an All-Star, a Rookie Of The Year, A Cy Young Award winner.  And he was on his way to the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Dwight Gooden was impossible to ignore, regardless of the team you were cheering for.  If ‘Doc’ was pitching, it was going to be a show.

We all know about Gooden’s issues that lead to his demise – both on and off of the field.  They have been documented repeatedly and have followed him around well after his playing days ended.

And to be honest, I don’t really care.  Sure, I would love for him to have been squeaky clean – I’d like for all of the athletes that I enjoy watching to be that way.  But, I am a realist – I understand that everyone has demons, and Gooden’s were just played out in the public eye because of his very high-profile job.

Still, his major league baseball career was incredible – 194-112 record, 63.4 win percentage, 3.51 career ERA, 68 complete games, 24 shutouts, 1 no-hitter.  Gooden has a career average of 7.4 strikeouts per nine innings and a K:Walk ratio of 2.40:1.0.

Gooden appeared on the Hall of Fame ballot for the first time in 2006.  He was only named on 17 ballot’s earning him just 3.3% of the vote.  His vote tally of less than 5% of votes cast ensured that he would not be on future Hall of Fame ballots.

But, you know what – I’d vote for him.  I think that Dwight Gooden, and all that he offered baseball, is a good thing for a museum like the Baseball Hall of Fame.  I know from first-hand experience that he changed the landscape of baseball card collecting and he thrilled baseball fans all around the world each and every time he went to the mound during the early parts of his career.

I was  too young to experience and understand what ‘Fernando-Mania’ was all about in 1981.  And I was born right after Fred Lynn dominated the entire American League in 1975.

But, I was around and I have tons of memories of ‘The Birth Of Dr.K’.

And if I had my say, he would have a spot in Cooperstown.  Maybe not on the same wall as Babe Ruth and Henry Aaron and Stan Musial.  But his popularity and the attention that he brought to the sport during his era can certainly rival those gentlemen.

Chime in on Dwight Gooden’s impact on the game.  Does a player like Gooden, or players like Gooden, deserve to have a spot in Cooperstown?

I’m eager to see what you have to say!!!

Hall Of Fame Debate: Rank ‘Em – Joe Torre VS Bobby Cox VS Tony LaRussa

Hall Of Fame Debate: Rank ‘Em – Joe Torre VS Bobby Cox VS Tony LaRussa

I think that it is safe to say that in time the trio of Joe Torre, Bobby Cox, and Tony LaRussa will all be enshrined in the Baseball Hall of Fame.

If I was a betting man, and this was a bet with any kind of odds, I would bet the house on this one.  Each of these managers left an impression on the sport, on the fans of the teams that they coached, and maybe most important – they left impressions on the teams and fans that were battling against them.

I could comfortably state that Torre, Cox, and LaRussa are the cream of the crop as it relates to successful major league managers from their eras.

With that all being said – how easy is it to say which one is better?

It’s not.

Because what the manager does is not measured in numbers.  At least not in any numbers in which they are awarded for good decisions and penalized for bad ones.

But the good ones, the really good ones, seem to get the best out of their best players and the best out of the ones that are lower on the totem pole as well.

Bobby Cox, Joe Torre, and Tony LaRussa can all take great pride in the team and individual successes of the players that the managed as they certainly had a hand in that success.

For tonight’s ‘Hall of Fame Debate’ I am asking for you to give me the order in which these three great coaches should be inducted into the Hall of Fame.  They’re all going to get in – it’s just a matter of time before that happens.

But, who deserves to get in first, second, and third??

While you cannot judge all that a manager does by the numbers his teams put up, it is nice to compare both players and managers in similar categories.

So, here is a side-by-side-by-side comparison of the trio:

	Cox	Torre	LaRussa
Years	30	30	35
Wins	2504	2326	2728
Losses	2001	1997	2365
Win %	0.556	0.538	0.536
100-win seasons	6	4	4
1st place finishes	15	13	11
Last place finishes	4	4	2
Division Championships	15	13	11
League Championships	4	6	6
World Series Titles	1	4	3
Manager Of The Year	4	2	4

*

The numbers stack up pretty well for these three guys, huh?  For me, the only thing that really stands out is how close to a .500 winning percentage each manager is over the course of their careers.  Deemed as uber-successful, they are all very close to 50%.

And now, time for me to divulge my rankings.

First, a little chatter about each guy:

• Cox – you cannot ignore the consecutive seasons in which his Braves teams won their division.  I find it to be one of the most impressive feats in baseball history.
• Torre – he had to manage a ton of egos during his run as the manager of the Yankees. He did it with grace, and it looked like all of his players valued his style.
• LaRussa – he did it twice, with two clubs.  And he did it with the game’s greatest players on his roster both times (Canseco & Pujols).  His bullpen use is highly criticized, but it resulted in a lot of wins.

But who ranks the highest? 

If you had to select the order in three consecutive induction years in which these three former managers would be inducted, what order would you place them in??

Here is my ranking:

1. Tony LaRussa
2. Bobby Cox
3. Joe Torre

When I think back to LaRussa, I never saw him as a ‘losing’ manager.  He took hold of the A’s and Cardinals franchises and took them both to the pinnacle.  I witnessed both Cox and Torre manage losing clubs before they got their ‘breaks’ with the Braves and Yankees.  And while they both had a ton of success, they also had ridiculous lineups – Cox with his Hall of Fame pitching rotation and Torre with his All-World offenses.

For me, LaRussa did the most with the least.  He gets top-billing in my book!!!

How about you?  How would you rank these managers if you had to pick the order in which they entered the Hall of Fame?

Yes, it is splitting hairs as all are deserving – but it is fun nonetheless!!!

Thanks for reading.

Hall Of Fame Debate: Cast Your Vote For Omar Vizquel!!!

Hall Of Fame Debate: Cast Your Vote For Omar Vizquel!!!

Omar Vizquel played his final game in the major leagues on October 3, 2012.  In that game, he collected the last hit of his career as well – #2,877.

Upon his retirement from the sport, I recall a lot of people saying ‘Omar Vizquel, Hall of Famer’ or ‘Certain Hall of Famer, Omar Vizquel’.

Really?  

Omar Vizquel as a Hall of Famer?

I don’t think so.  Not by a long shot.

For me, Omar Vizquel was a fantastic defender and a reliable player.  But that is all.

Yes, he amassed a lot of hits, even more than some current Hall of Famers, but he also played 24 seasons and in 2,968 games.  So, while the total number looks pretty solid, the average of 120 hits a year is a lot closer to average than elite.

As a matter of fact, the lone area in which Vizquel truly excelled was defense.  I have no problem putting his name in the conversation of greatest defensive shortstops in the history of baseball.  He belongs in that conversation way before he belongs in a talk about Hall of Fame certainty.

Vizquel could run (404 stolen bases) and he could score runs (1,445 lifetime runs scored) but he was never really considered as an offensive weapon.  He has a lifetime batting average of .277 and an on-base percentage of .336 – both numbers are far from great. 

Omar Vizquel was a 3-time All-Star and a winner of 11 Gold Glove Awards.

But Omar Vizquel is NOT a Hall of Famer. 

My vote has been cast!!

What about you?  Where does your vote lie – Is Omar Vizquel worthy of Hall of Fame enshrinement or is he just a very good ballplayer with fantastic defensive skills?

Cast your vote now!!!

Hall Of Fame Debate: Luis Aparicio VS Pee Wee Reese VS Dave Concepcion

Hall Of Fame Debate: Luis Aparicio VS Pee Wee Reese VS Dave Concepcion

I am without a doubt a Miami Marlins fan.

But when it comes to the history of the game, the Marlins barely scratch the surface of what has occured in the history of this fine sport.

And when it comes to baseball history, my favorite dynasty is ‘The Big Red Machine’.  The offense that this team was able to deliver was superb and without a chink in their armor – from power to finese to speed and to luck, they had it all.

That team was front-loaded with mega-talent – Hall Of Famers at C, 1B, 2B, and 3B.  But, they also featured some extremely talented players around them – Ken Griffey Sr., George Foster, and Dave Concepcion.  These three guys all played major roles in the success of the Reds during the mid-1970′s; and it is possible that without them, the team would not have succeeded as they did.

For this week’s ‘Hall Of Fame Debate’, I would like to take a closer look at the career of the shortstop from this squad, Dave Concepion.

And I will compare him to a few Hall of Fame shortstops so we can see how he stacks up…

Sound good?  Great.  On to the numbers!!!

	Concepcion	Aparicio	Reese
Seasons	19	18	16
Games	2,488	2,599	2,166
Batting Average	0.267	0.262	0.269
On-Base	0.322	0.311	0.366
Hits	2,326	2,677	2,170
200-Hit Seasons	0	0	0
150-199 Hit Seasons	7	9	5
Doubles	389	394	330
Triples	48	92	80
Home Runs	101	83	126
Runs Scored	993	1,335	1,338
RBI	950	791	885
Stolen Bases	321	506	232
All-Star	9	10	10
ROY	-	1	-
MVP	-	-	-
Gold Glove	5	8	n/a
Silver Slugger	2	n/a	n/a
Postseasons	5	2	7
WS Titles	2	1	1

*

First, let me state that I know that these three players starred during different eras.  And yes, I also know that Reese missed out on a few seasons while serving in the army.

But, what I am trying to do with this post is shed some light on the career of Dave Concepcion and how he played a significant role for the Reds.  His numbers, or at least many of his numbers, are on par with other Hall Of Fame shortstops.

For me, the fact that Concepcion was able to amass these kinds of numbers while being the 5th or 6th best offensive player on the time is unheard of.  Reese was not a comlementary piece, he was a captain.  And the same goes for Aparicio – he was one of the top two talents on his famous Orioles and White Sox teams.

So, my question for this week’s ‘Hall Of Fame Debates’ is this – Does Dave Concepcion deserve to be mentioned in the same conversation as Luis Aparicio and Pee Wee Reese and if Dave Concepcion was the #1 or #2 guy on the same teams that these two players starred on, do you think that he would be enshrined in Cooperstown.

And since I like to take part in the ‘HOF Debate’, I will cast my vote.

It goes like this:
*Dave Concepcion absolutely deserves to be mentioned in the same breath as these two players.  He was not as dominant as Aparicio when it comes to how Luis was tagged as ‘the best bas stealer’ for a full decade, but when looking at their careers for both individual and team accomplishments, I think that the arguement is strong that he in on par.
* Yes, I feel that if Concepcion had been putting up these numbers on a team that did not boast 4 Hall Of Fame talents, his light would have shined brighter and he would have his bust in bronze at Cooperstown.

Now, it is your turn.  Give me your thoughts, and ‘Thanks’ for reading!!

Hall Of Fame Debate: Cast Your Vote For Jorge Posada!!!

Hall Of Fame Debate: Cast Your Vote For Jorge Posada!!!

While watching a bunch of Spring Training action this season, I noticed that the TV cameras focused in quite a bit on former players either in the stands or in the dugouts of their former teams.

Among the players present in camp was Jorge Posada, the most underappreciated member of the ‘Core Four’ of the New York Yankees.

It was nice to see Jorge visiting with the Yankees, though you have to think that many of the players on the team were unrecognizable to him, and he has not been away from the game for that long…  As a matter of fact, he looks like he can throw on a chest protector and still get it done.

And as usual, my mind drifted to Posada and his career.  And of course, I thought about his eventual Hall of Fame candidacy and wondered if he would be elected.

So, that is tonight’s Hall Of Fame Debate: Cast Your Vote For Jorge Posada!!!

First, a look at his numbers:

Seasons	17
Games	1829
Hits	1664
Doubles	379
Home Runs	275
Batting Average	0.273
On-Base Percentage	0.374
Runs Scored	900
RBI	1065
All-Star	5
Silver Slugger	5
MVP	0
Post Seasons	15
WS Titles	4

*

Jorge Posada put together a fantastic major league baseball career.  For the better part of 15 seasons, Posada anchored the New York Yankees pitching staff with his ability to handle multiple new pitchers every season.

But did he do enough on the field to earn himself a spot in Cooperstown??

I would say ‘No’.  While I really like Jorge Posada, and I also value what he did for a pitching staff that seemingly changed every season, I don’t think that he did enough on offensive, routinely, to gain enshrinement.

His power numbers are solid and his batting and on-base numbers are very good too.  But Jorge Posada was never ‘The Guy’ on offense to get his team going.  Sure, he had his moments in which he shined, but with the offense he played on, he was never the leader, just a somewhat reliable part.

Because of where he played, Jorge Posada was cherished – and rightfully so!!  But, if Jorge Posada played in another market, would he be as cherished?  I am not so sure.  Maybe by his home team, but not by the entire sport.  I would put him in a class right below the Hall of Fame, somewhere with Ted Simmons and Lance Parrish.

And now it is your turn. 

Cast your vote for Jorge Posada now!!!

Hall Of Fame Debate: Cast Your Vote For Jim Thome!!!

Hall Of Fame Debate: Cast Your Vote For Jim Thome!!!

As we sit just days before the start of the 2013 baseball season, I like to keep an eye on the list of remaining unsigned free agents to see who might get picked up. 

And while there are some pretty accomplished players on the list, the one player that I am very surprised to see still sitting there is Jim Thome.

Thome is certainly past his prime years, and he has been a part-time player for the last two seasons.  But even at 42, Thome has proved that he still has some pop left in his bat.  In 2011, he competed in 93 games and hit 15 home runs.  And in 2012, he played in 58 games and connected for 8 long-balls. 

To be honest, I am shocked that a team like the Red Sox or Yankees have not reached out to him on a 1-year deal just to add a little more run production and power to their bench.

So, that leads me up to today’s Hall Of Fame Debate: Cast Your Vote For Jim Thome!!!

Over the course of his career, Jim Thome has put up some amazing power and run producing numbers.  As of today, he ranks in 7th place on the all-time list for home runs.  He is 24th in all-time RBI.  And he is tied for 50th on the career list for runs scored.

His power and run production is among the greatest in major league baseball history.  And the company that he keeps on those lists is baseball royalty.

But, does Jim Thome’s name deserve to be mentioned among them?  Some of these players are the greatest of all-time – Aaron, Mays, Frank Robinson, and more.  These players possessed all-around skills that Jim Thome did not have.

Thome connected for 40 or more home runs during six seasons.  And he collected between 30-39 home runs six more times.  He also drove in 100 or more RBI in 9 of his 22 major league seasons. 

For all of the production that Thome offered, he fits into the ‘slugger’ theme very well.  Thome led the league in strikeouts during three separate seasons, and with his lifetime strikeouts tally of 2,548, he ranks in second place, just 49 strikeouts behind the leader, Reggie Jackson.

Thome’s career batting average of .276 is solid, but not outstanding.  He reached the .300 mark just three times during his career, while hitting less than .260 during twelve seasons.

Jim Thome has collected 2,328 hits during the course of his major league career.   When looking at the other hitters from his era that have reached similar power numbers, their total hits are much, much higher than what Thome has been able to achieve.  Ken Griffey, Jr had 2,781 hits, Sammy Sosa has 2,408, and Alex Rodriguez has 2,901.  And like Thome, all of these guys spent a lot of their time batting clean-up.

Jim Thome’s teams made it to the post-season ten times.  They appeared in two World Series match-ups losing both.

Thome is a 5-time All-Star.  He won a Silver Slugger Award in 1996 and finished in the ‘Top 7′ for the MVP award four times with his highest placing of 4th coming in 2003.

So, is Jim Thome Hall of Fame worthy???

For me, the answer is ‘No’.  While Thome has apparently put up these power numbers while doing it ‘clean’, his career was basically built off of the fact that he could hit the ball out of the ballpark – and that for me is just not enough.  His career batting average and hits tally are far from impressive for a 22-year player.  And he was never known for being above average at defense or base running.

Jim Thome was a monster slugger – and that is it.  He has a lot of contemporaries that did just what he did for other teams, but some of them did quite a bit more in other parts of the game and those are the ones that deserve consideration for enshrinement.

I may be in the minority with this, but I find Thome to be an extremely good 1-dimensional player.  And that is not Hall of Fame-esque.

Now give me your opinion – Is Jim Thome worthy of Hall of Fame enshrinement??

Hall Of Fame Debate: Cast Your Vote For Gary Sheffield!!!

Hall Of Fame Debate: Cast Your Vote For Gary Sheffield!!!

The list of baseball players that debuted during the 1988 and 1989 baseball seasons that went on to have fantastic careers is a lengthy one; very lengthy!

And among that list of players is Gary Antonian Sheffield.

And unlike most of the players that emerged from the rookie crops of 1988 and 1989, few had the same amount of weight on their shoulders that Gary Sheffield did.  You see, Gary Sheffield’s uncle, Dwight Gooden, made his major league debut five years prior and his impact on the sport was instant and game-changing.

Did Sheffield live up to the hype and attention put upon him as a result of his family tree?  Sure, you could say so.

But, while Gary Sheffield had a very solid 22-season career, he was at no time the phenom that many expected he would become.  He never quite took the crown away from his famous uncle…

So, tonight I ask you to cast your vote for Gary Sheffield – Is he a Hall of Famer or is he not??

A few numbers from Sheffield’s lengthy career:

• 22 seasons, 8 teams
• 2,689 hits
• 467 doubles
• 509 home runs
• 1,636 runs scored
• 1,637 RBI
• 253 stolen bases
• .292 batting average
• .393 on-base percentage
• 1992 batting champion
• 9-time All-Star
• 5-time Silver Slugger
• (3) Top 3 MVP finishes
• Member of 1997 World Series Champions

There is no doubting that Gary Sheffield had a superb baseball career.  His numbers are top-notch, and at times they could be called staggering.

Sheffield’s 1996 baseball season as a member of the Florida Marlins could easily be tagged as the greatest offensive season in Marlins’ history.  And the 2004-06 stretch that Sheffield had with the Yankees was spectacular.

In addition to what can be called a high batting average for a guy that repeatedly belted 30+ home runs a season, Sheffield also proved to be a smart base runner with his 253 career swipes.

Sheffield had 8 seasons of at least 30 home runs and 100 RBI – and that cannot be ignored.  The fact that it happened over the span of 18 seasons shows that Sheff was a dependable and durable teammate.

What also cannot be ignored is that Gary Sheffield’s power numbers spiked sharply while in the twilight of his career.  Yes, he hit for power prior to his 30th birthday, but 38% of his career home runs came during the season in which he turned 32 years old.

Personally, when I think of Gary Sheffield my head goes to Marlins and Yankees – as these are the teams in which he left the most memorable impacts on my viewing of him as a player.  And those seasons were spectacular, for sure.

But is that enough to gain election into the Hall of Fame?  What effect, if any, does the steroid era have on this?  How does being teammates and friends of players that were also in the middle of the PED mess effect Sheffield’s status?

Let me say this – I would not at all be surprised if Gary Sheffield was involved with steroids, PEDS, etc.  It was a part of the game while he was at his best, and that makes it a relevant point when discussing his worthyness for entry into the Hall of Fame.  But, like others, Sheffield did a lot while relatively small-statured during the first decade of his career.  He was an accomplished hitter and good base runner.

As for the Hall of Fame?

I have to go with ‘Yes’.  I don’t feel as strongly about Sheffield as I do other future eligibles, but you cannot deny what he did on the field.  I think that the biggest knocks against Sheffield are that he (1) played for too many teams during his career (2) was not able step up and be ‘the reason’ that the Yankees won a title while with the team.

Still, the run production is sold, and the hitting is much better than the average or above average ‘slugger’.  For the peak years of his career, Sheffiled was a constant MVP threat and he was one of the best hitting outfielders in the game.  And when looking at his competition for that tag, it is very impressive.

So, yes, I give my vote to Gary Sheffield.  How about you???

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Hall Of Fame Debate: PICK ONE: Ryne Sandberg OR Jeff Kent

Hall Of Fame Debate: PICK ONE: Ryne Sandberg OR Jeff Kent

For the first time, Jeff Kent will appear on the Hall of Fame ballot in 2014.  And while we still have more than eight months to wait to see who ultimately is elected among the new/repeat players in that group, this week we will focus on the career of Jeff Kent.

And as I like to do, I will compare Kent to a player that I feel he matches up well against.  This time around, that player is former Cubs’ second baseman and Hall of Famer, Ryne Sandberg.

Like Sandberg, Kent was tops among second baseman during his playing days, so this should be a fun comparison.

Let’s get right down to it.  Here is a side-by-side:

	Kent	Sandberg
Seasons	17	16
Games	2,298	2,164
On-Base %	0.356	0.344
Batting Average	0.29	0.285
Hits	2,461	2,386
200-hit seasons	0	1
150-hit seasons	7	9
Doubles	560	403
Triples	47	76
Home Runs	377	282
40+ HR seasons	0	1
30-39 HR seasons	3	1
RBI	1,518	1,061
100-RBI seasons	8	2
30 HR / 100 RBI seasons	3	1
Runs scored	1,320	1,318
Stolen bases	94	344
All-Star	5	10
Gold Glove	0	9
Silver Slugger	4	7
MVP	1	1
Postseasons	7	2
World Series appearances	1	0
World Series wins	0	0

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When looking at these numbers, there are quite a few similarities in their career totals.  And there are some drastic differences too.

Sandberg was a more accomplished base stealer, defender, and appears to have been a more popular player based on his 10 All-Star Game selections.

Kent was the greater slugger and run producer of the duo – easily out-distancing himself from Sandberg in home runs and run production.  Kent also appeared in the playoffs seven times compared to Sandberg’s two times.

So, that takes me to this week’s ‘Hall of Fame Debate’, and it is two-fold – (1)If you had to choose the better player based on his career accomplishments, who would you choose? (2) Is Jeff Kent worthy of Hall of Fame induction?

For me, when comparing the two, I can go back and forth quite a bit.  While their on-base and hitting numbers are eerily similar, there are major parts of their offensive game that are not.  Sandberg was much faster on the base paths than Kent, easily outpacing Kent’s career stolen bases by a ratio of more than 5:1.  The same could be said for Kent’s power production – his doubles, home run, and run production is much stronger than what Sandberg offered.  This could have a lot to do with where the player spent his prime years in the batting order on his team, but with the numbers so far apart, it is clear that Kent was more of a threat to drive the ball and knock in runs than Sandberg.

After careful, and exhaustive review, I believe that the better all-around player was Ryne Sandberg.  His base stealing and defense separate him from Kent, and those two parts of the game are simply impossible to ignore.  If I wanted one player at the plate with a man on second in a tied game, I would select Kent every time, but as far as what the player provided to his team, Sandberg was simply able to offer more due to his base running ability and defensive skills.

And now onto the conversation about Kent’s Hall of Fame future…

When I think about the greatest second baseman of the last 40 years, Jeff Kent’s name certainly creeps into the conversation.  And to be honest – there are not that many standout players for that position.  I believe that they all take a back seat to Joe Morgan, but after that you can say that Sandberg or Roberto Alomar or Jeff Kent is next.  And at some point in the near future, the name of Robinson Cano may be part of that conversation too.

Ultimately, I think that Jeff Kent will gain Hall of Fame induction, and I am on board with that.  He had a very solid 17-season career that included 7 playoff appearances.  He took certain aspects of offense to another level that no other second baseman has, and that should be recognized.

While not someone who I would select on his ‘First Ballot’, I endorse Jeff Kent for Hall of Fame induction!!!

What do you think?  Who is the more accomplished player – Jeff Kent OR Ryne Sandberg?  And while you’re at it, tell me if you feel that Jeff Kent is worthy of Hall of Fame induction.

Thanks for reading.  Have a great night!!