Case for the HOF: John Franco

[SportsTop]

The Houston Astros recently designated John Franco for assignment which may ultimately mean the end of his career.

Is his career worthy of election to the Hall of Fame?

Some noteable statistics:

G: 1119 (2nd All-Time)
S: 424 (2nd All-Time)
BS: 39
Save Pct: 92%
ERA: 2.89

Some additional things to consider:

-He is first all-time in saves by a lefty.

-Played in 21 major league seasons.

-He never saved more than 39 games in a season and only three times saved more than 35.

-He was never his era's dominant closer.

-Only two relievers have previously been elected to the HOF (Eckersley and Fingers). Both of which had other mitigating factors in their election.

-He was never on a World Series Champion and only twice made the post-season during the latter part of his career when he was largely ineffective.

[Tha Dynasty]

Re: Case for the HOF: John Franco

I have no idea. I never followed his career but just looking at the stats provided, 2nd all time in Games and Saves is pretty good. I dont know if longevity will play into his election though. But I voted YES

[ab713]

Re: Case for the HOF: John Franco

I'd say negative to this. I watched a lot of mets games and it seemed like he had a lot more then 39 blown saves (even if he didn't, just seemed that way). They always seemed to happen at meaningful times too.

[dce1228]

Re: Case for the HOF: John Franco

I vote no.

His best trait was his longevity, but that was mainly because he had the good fortune of being born left-handed. A good player for a long time, oftentimes great, but no HOF player. Never dominant.

[GregO]

Re: Case for the HOF: John Franco

S: 424 (2nd All-Time)
YES HE SUD BE A HALL OF FAMER, can u imagine if he was a closer longer then he was? He woulda shattered Lee Smith's record

[AugustWest71]

Re: Case for the HOF: John Franco

I wouldn't consider John Franco hall of fame material.

[SportsTop]

Re: Case for the HOF: John Franco

S: 424 (2nd All-Time)
YES HE SUD BE A HALL OF FAMER, can u imagine if he was a closer longer then he was? He woulda shattered Lee Smith's record

Franco was a closer his entire career. If you are referring to his career from '99-'05 then that is a moot point. He was 38 years old in '99 and past his effective prime for a non-strikeout type closer. He never possessed overwhelming speed and relied more on his stuff (screwball) as his out pitch.

Although he is 2nd all-time in saves and 1st amongst lefties, I still don't think he is a Hall of Famer. Lee Smith isn't a Hall of Famer either and he is 1st all-time in saves.

Franco was never the dominant guy at his position in his era. That is what it takes for a guy to be elected that is a bubble-type Hall of Famer. His saves total is a reflection of his longevity and while that is an important factor, it isn't enough to push it over the top to me.

As I said earlier, Eckersley and Fingers are the only two "closers" to be elected to the HOF. Eckersley was a starter with a 20-win season under his belt prior to be converted to a closer and Fingers was a reliever that would come into the game in the 7th inning to finish games and was much more dominant than Franco has ever been. Not to mention that he was on one of the most dominant teams in the history of baseball.

[SPTO]

Re: Case for the HOF: John Franco

He deserves to be in the HOF IMO but as long as Lee Smith is not in there then sadly he won't get him either.

[Alliball]

Re: Case for the HOF: John Franco

If Franco makes it in they should just wave the 5 year waiting period for Rivera and Hoffman.

[Buckaholic]

Re: Case for the HOF: John Franco

He'll most likely make it in.

[SportsTop]

Re: Case for the HOF: John Franco

He'll most likely make it in.

How/why? Where is the precedence for him to make it in. Lee Smith is 1st all-time in saves and was considered the dominant closer over an extended period of time and he hasn't been elected. In fact, Lee Smith hasn't even received over 43% of the vote, let alone the required 75%.

My guess is that Franco won't even sniff the HOF in the regular vote and probably won't make it on the Veteran's ballot 20 years from now either.

[Vince]

Re: Case for the HOF: John Franco

What about Orosco?

[SportsTop]

Re: Case for the HOF: John Franco

What about Orosco?

What about him? He isn't even remotely close to anything resembling a record except for games appeared in by a pitcher. Other than that he was just another average left-handed pitcher.

[Vince]

Re: Case for the HOF: John Franco

I overestimated his save total. He only had 144.

[elicoleman]

Re: Case for the HOF: John Franco

I voted yes.