Hall Of Fame: Yes Or No?

[SPTO]

Quote: Originally Posted by 55

With career numbers of .277/.403/.556 to go along with 600+ homers he is an absolute lock. Having a career OPS+ of 147 (better than A-Rod) certainly helps as well. I also believe that if the Indians didn't suck in 2002 that he should have been the AL MVP that year. It's still laughable that he finished in 7th. Disgusting. The only way he doesn't get in is if he ends up failing a drug test at some point which is highly unlikely.

Other than the drug test thing I think another factor is the whole DH rigmarole. If the best DH of all time (Martinez) can't get in then it's going to be tough for Thome though he has played in the field off and on even in the later stages of his career.

[55]

Quote: Originally Posted by SPTO

Other than the drug test thing I think another factor is the whole DH rigmarole. If the best DH of all time (Martinez) can't get in then it's going to be tough for Thome though he has played in the field off and on even in the later stages of his career.

Thome played less than one third of his games at DH.

Martinez played around three quarters of his games at DH.

I will always think of Jim Thome as a first baseman even though he did play third for a few years.

[authentic]

Couple to think about...

1. Tommy John

2. Steve Garvey

3. Jeff Bagwell

4. Alan Trammell

5. Tim Raines

6. Pete Rose

7. Shoeless Joe Jackson

Now I know the last two are very controversial. But...is there ever a chance? In my mind, those are some of the best players that are out of baseball that aren't in the HOF. I don't think Shoeless Joe has a chance, but I do think if Pete Rose can somehow get back into baseball, somehow in any way and do something to gain any sort of respect, he'd have a chance. Let's face it, besides his obvious reasons, he'd be in the HOF and probably a first ballot.

[snepp]

Are you asking if you think it will happen, or if it should happen? I'll list what I think should happen.

1. no
2. hell no
3. hell yes
4. yes
5. yes
6/7. undecided, but would lean toward yes

[SPTO]

Quote: Originally Posted by 55

Thome played less than one third of his games at DH. Martinez played around three quarters of his games at DH. I will always think of Jim Thome as a first baseman even though he did play third for a few years.

Thanks, I was under the impression he played more games at DH than he did. In that case I still think he's a HOFer but it's still going to be something like 3rd or 4th ballot.

Quote: Originally Posted by authentic

Couple to think about... 1. Tommy John 2. Steve Garvey 3. Jeff Bagwell 4. Alan Trammell 5. Tim Raines 6. Pete Rose 7. Shoeless Joe Jackson

I'll go with what I think SHOULD happen:

1. no
2. no
3. no
4. yes
5. yes
6. no while he's alive
7. yes


I said no to Rose because he's lied so much about it and then he finally confesses but then he does so in order to sell a stinkin' book! No Mr. Rose you're not really contrite about the issue. Having said that I think he should go in once he's dead and gone because he's done so much on the field that it wold be silly to not include it in the Hall.

As for Shoeless Joe Jackson, there's been some material in recent years that suggests he isn't as tainted as other members of the Black Sox so by that token he should get in. You also have to realize it was a far different era than it is now where baseball was basically their second job and they were ripe for the gangsters' pickings. So much time has passed now that I think his accomplishments should be remembered for all to see.

[TCM]

Quote: Originally Posted by SPTO

Thanks, I was under the impression he played more games at DH than he did. In that case I still think he's a HOFer but it's still going to be something like 3rd or 4th ballot. I'll go with what I think SHOULD happen: 1. no 2. no 3. no 4. yes 5. yes 6. no while he's alive 7. yes I said no to Rose because he's lied so much about it and then he finally confesses but then he does so in order to sell a stinkin' book! No Mr. Rose you're not really contrite about the issue. Having said that I think he should go in once he's dead and gone because he's done so much on the field that it wold be silly to not include it in the Hall. As for Shoeless Joe Jackson, there's been some material in recent years that suggests he isn't as tainted as other members of the Black Sox so by that token he should get in. You also have to realize it was a far different era than it is now where baseball was basically their second job and they were ripe for the gangsters' pickings. So much time has passed now that I think his accomplishments should be remembered for all to see.

No on Bagwell?

[SPTO]

Whoops that should be yes on Bagwell.

My bad

[DrJones]

Quote: Originally Posted by SPTO

I said no to Rose because he's lied so much about it and then he finally confesses but then he does so in order to sell a stinkin' book! No Mr. Rose you're not really contrite about the issue. Having said that I think he should go in once he's dead and gone because he's done so much on the field that it wold be silly to not include it in the Hall. As for Shoeless Joe Jackson, there's been some material in recent years that suggests he isn't as tainted as other members of the Black Sox so by that token he should get in. You also have to realize it was a far different era than it is now where baseball was basically their second job and they were ripe for the gangsters' pickings. So much time has passed now that I think his accomplishments should be remembered for all to see.

It's misleading to say that the Hall of Fame is "forgetting" people who were important to baseball history. The "museum" part of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum takes up about 90% of the floor space, and there were exhibits devoted to Shoeless Joe and Rose (and Bonds, McGwire, etc.) when I was in Cooperstown in 2008. Much more interesting than the HoF plaques themselves.