Baseball Hall of Fame

[dlgood]

Today, MLB announced this year's Hall of Fame class:

1. Andre Dawson

Much like last year (Jim Rice) Dawson was a very good player with a great career, but a player who wouldn't have made my list. Both were sluggers who put up nice first order stats, didn't get on base nearly enough, were overrated because of Home Run totals and favorable park effects - and who were actually less valuable then their less splashy but more well rounded outfield teammates. (Dwight Evans and Tim Raines)

Well, what's done is done. It does show that the revolution in baseball analysis still hasn't quite made it through to the old men who vote on the hall. That said, here's my ballot:

1. Roberto Alomar
2. Bert Blyleven
3. Barry Larkin
4. Edgar Martinez
5. Tim Raines
6. Alan Trammel

Blyleven and Alomar are probably locks to get in next year. Jack Morris and Mark McGwire might have a shot next year. Raines and Trammel continue to be criminally underrated. Of course, if any of these gents really want in, they'd better get cracking for 2011 and 2012 balloting. Because starting with 2013, the really big stars come up (Biggio, Clemens, Piazza) and they all go to the back of the line...

Comments

[mamculuna.livejournal.com]

I really loved Andre in the Cubs' 1989 season. He was such a cool steady guy, and they really haven't done much better since then. The crowds used to stand up and bow when he'd come on. I know personality doesn't make a great player, but I think he helped make a team.

[dlgood.livejournal.com]

Indeed, I do think that's a large part of what got him in. From all I've read, Dawson is a great guy, a wonderful teammate, and a fine leader. I wouldn't have voted for him (Getting on base is the most important thing a hitter can do, and Dawson's .323 On-Base-Average is the worst of any Hall of Famer by far) but there were other strong considerations and he slots in with a number of players already in the Hall.

[cactuswatcher.livejournal.com]

I didn't mean to come in behind you and shoot down your guy. ;o)

But, Cardinal fans do look at the world differently. LOL

[mamculuna.livejournal.com]

Well, there is that! And statistics don't lie--even in 89, we were often disappointed--yet when he did come through, the feeling was a lot different from when Sosa hit one over the bleachers. He was sort of the opposite kind of player--or at least that's how he was perceived.