Quote:
Originally Posted by sterlingice
I think both Frank Thomas and Edgar Martinez are Hall of Famers.
But I love how you basically use Thomas's defense against him in trying to promote Martinez. His defense is so bad that it helps make up some of the ground on the WAR difference. I don't think anyone really thinks of Thomas as a fielder. But the 13 WAR difference in hitting or 156 vs 147 OPS+ or, if you want to break it down to BWAA levels, 200 homers probably is more the difference.
SI
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How is that different than what I said? Yes, Thomas was better offensively. He also played a bit longer (part of that was incompetence on the part of M's management) and had a much better peak.
But he also was worse defensively and was used in the field more such that his defense was taking away a bit from his offense.
Thomas is the better player. But the difference isn't so stark as to justify the wide gulf in voting totals IMO.