Hall of Famers?

[hatvol96]

The recent talk about whether or not Bonds and others suspected of using performance enhancers should be admitted to Cooperstown got me thinking about the Hall. Here are a list of 10 players who are either already up for voting, will be soon, or are at the end of their careers. How many of these players do you think merit induction?

1. Andre Dawson
2. Jack Morris
3. Lee Smith
4. Tim Raines
5. Harold Baines
6. Barry Larkin
7. Don Mattingly
8. Jim Rice
9. Jeff Bagwell
10. Craig Biggio

[cd12]

You could make an argument for each! Thats why I couldn't vote! However I feel strongly about Dawson,Rice,Mattingly and Smith! Sometimes you have to look past the numbers, I think there is more to it than that!

[therealUT]

Originally Posted by hatvol96

The recent talk about whether or not Bonds and others suspected of using performance enhancers should be admitted to Cooperstown got me thinking about the Hall. Here are a list of 10 players who are either already up for voting, will be soon, or are at the end of their careers. How many of these players do you think merit induction?

1. Andre Dawson
2. Jack Morris
3. Lee Smith
4. Tim Raines
5. Harold Baines
6. Barry Larkin
7. Don Mattingly
8. Jim Rice
9. Jeff Bagwell
10. Craig Biggio

Those are the only two that I think will definitely get in.

[hatvol96]

Originally Posted by therealUT

Those are the only two that I think will definitely get in.

I agree that both should get in, but I have my concerns. Mattingly is already on the ballot and he's not receiving that much support. Larkin should be a no brainer, but I worry that voters may compare his numbers to the new breed of offensive shortstops instead of with his contemporaries. It also hurts Barry that Ozzie Smith won about 4 Gold Gloves on reputation that should have rightfully gone to Larkin.

[hatvol96]

Originally Posted by crimedawg12

You could make an argument for each! Thats why I couldn't vote! However I feel strongly about Dawson,Rice,Mattingly and Smith! Sometimes you have to look past the numbers, I think there is more to it than that!

To me, Raines and Morris are easy choices. Raines was the NL's version of Rickey Henderson. Had he played in a major media market in his prime, he'd be a first ballot inductee. Morris was simply the best, toughest pitcher of his generation. He took the ball in big situations and produced. The fact he treated the media like dirt hurts him the same way it detracts from Rice's candidacy.

[cd12]

Originally Posted by hatvol96

To me, Raines and Morris are easy choices. Raines was the NL's version of Rickey Henderson. Had he played in a major media market in his prime, he'd be a first ballot inductee. Morris was simply the best, toughest pitcher of his generation. He took the ball in big situations and produced. The fact he treated the media like dirt hurts him the same way it detracts from Rice's candidacy.

Yeah, I could find a reason to put em all in! But the whole Pete Rose deal turned me against the process. Kinda like Peyton and the Heis.....well you know, lets not bring that back up!

[hatvol96]

Originally Posted by crimedawg12

Yeah, I could find a reason to put em all in! But the whole Pete Rose deal turned me against the process. Kinda like Peyton and the Heis.....well you know, lets not bring that back up!

Baines is the toughest call for me. I'm still enough of a purist that I at least hesitate to put a pure DH in the Hall.

[jaybird_1981]

Originally Posted by hatvol96

The recent talk about whether or not Bonds and others suspected of using performance enhancers should be admitted to Cooperstown got me thinking about the Hall. Here are a list of 10 players who are either already up for voting, will be soon, or are at the end of their careers. How many of these players do you think merit induction?

1. Andre Dawson
2. Jack Morris
3. Lee Smith
4. Tim Raines
5. Harold Baines
6. Barry Larkin
7. Don Mattingly
8. Jim Rice
9. Jeff Bagwell
10. Craig Biggio

I think you should have Morris, Smith, Larkin, Mattingly, and Rice in out of these guys.

[cd12]

Originally Posted by hatvol96

Baines is the toughest call for me. I'm still enough of a purist that I at least hesitate to put a pure DH in the Hall.

I think those uniforms they wore back then will keep him out! No one wants to see those things again!

[VolinArizona]

Dawson should not be overlooked.

[hatvol96]

Originally Posted by VolinArizona

Dawson should not be overlooked.

I think all the steroid furor should help Dawson and Rice. Look at the numbers they posted in the Pre-Phamaceutical Era.

[tidwell]

Bagwell is an interesting case. Does he get a pass for hitting all of those HRs in the Astro Dome? Very productive player throughout his career.

Biggio becomes a lock when he gets to 3000 hits next year... or will he be the first that doesn't make it on 3000 hits alone?

[hatvol96]

Originally Posted by tidwell

Bagwell is an interesting case. Does he get a pass for hitting all of those HRs in the Astro Dome? Very productive player throughout his career.

Biggio becomes a lock when he gets to 3000 hits next year... or will he be the first that doesn't make it on 3000 hits alone?

I think Biggio's versatility makes him a lock. He's caught, played second and played centerfield. Arguably the most underrated player of his generation.

[GAVol]

It's amazing that it's been this long and Jim Rice is not in. For a period of time, he was probably the most feared hitter in the game.

[hatvol96]

Originally Posted by GAVol

It's amazing that it's been this long and Jim Rice is not in. For a period of time, he was probably the most feared hitter in the game.

Goes to show how little objectivity the voters really have. Rice wasn't media friendly, so they punish him.