HOF Candidates

[CALSGR8]

Here is an article on YAHOO regarding what this person considers the Top Contenders.  Any thoughts before the announcement on Tuesday?

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=AiPG5Gu7NRovHUc27C1cvwsRvLYF?slug=jp-hofcapsules010508&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

[ronnynat]

Jim Rice and Lee Smith should get in ASAP.

[saltydad]

Jim Rice and Lee Smith should get in ASAP.

I go for Smith and Gossage of those listed.

[NatsAddict]

I'd vote for Gossage.  Heck, I'm from Florida - I'd vote for him three or four times.

[blue911]

Bert

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[CALSGR8]

I'm surprised Mattingly wasn't mentioned.  Hmm. 

[NatsAddict]

I'm surprised Mattingly wasn't mentioned.  Hmm. 

I was a huge Mattingly fan, but think he's at best borderline.  While an excellent fielding 1b, offensively a 1b has to put up HUGE numbers and be dominant for more than 3 years (during which time he hit almost half of his career 222 HR) before a teammate jumped on his back and ruined his career.  If he were a 2b, he'd might already be in.  But, as a 1b simply having a .307 BA  while averaging only 17 HR and 85 RBI, I don't think he'll make it.  His teammate/bad back really hurt his numbers and caused him to retire at 34, doing in his HOF chances.

[tomterp]

Lee Smith?  No way.  He's an accumulator.  Lots of saves, but not such a great pitcher in doing it.

[CALSGR8]

I'd vote for Gossage.  Heck, I'm from Florida - I'd vote for him three or four times.

I hope you don't have any hanging chads!      

Goose has come soo close a few times, I think this time might be his!

[saltydad]

This is an article from the HOF site on my favorite, Donny Baseball. Obviously I disagree that he doesn't make the grade, as the comparison with Kirby Puckett makes clear.

http://web.baseballhalloffame.org/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080103&content_id=5941&vkey=hof_news

[CALSGR8]

This is an article from the HOF site on my favorite, Donny Baseball. Obviously I disagree that he doesn't make the grade, as the comparison with Kirby Puckett makes clear.

http://web.baseballhalloffame.org/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080103&content_id=5941&vkey=hof_news

Great Article!  I disagree with those voters too.  All players go down hill towards the end of their careers to some extent.

I think he's got a few more years to make it though.  Doesn't he?

[tomterp]

Great Article!  I disagree with those voters too.  All players go down hill towards the end of their careers to some extent.

But the key differentiator is not only being a great player, but being a great player for an extended period of time.  Frank Howard was a great player for a few years, but not long enough to make a ripple in HOF voting.  Mattingly, Dale Murphy are two who didn't excel long enough.  Puckett probably was lucky to get in.

[CALSGR8]

Remember Puckett had all those WS homeruns and stuff.  So he was in people's minds as being a winner.  Maybe that has something to do with it.  Although, I haven't looked over his stats vs Mattingly.