$\"Photo$ <\/a>
Photo by Keith Allison<\/a> <\/a><\/small><\/p><\/div>\n
Omar Vizquel got off to a good start toward a HOF plaque, grabbing 37 percent support on his first-ballot year and moving up to 42.8 percent a year ago. \u00a0Vizquel once again earns BBRT’s vote \u2013 and should make his way into the Hall of Fame over time.\u00a0 When he does, it will be more with his glove (eleven Gold Gloves) than his bat.\u00a0 However, voters should be mindful of the fact that he finished his 24-season MLB career just 123 hits short of that milestone 3,000 safeties.<\/p>\n
Vizquel delivered premier defense to the Mariners (1989-1993), Indians (1994-2004), Giants (2005-2008), Rangers (2009), White Sox (2010-2011) and Blue Jays (2012). He was a three-time All Star \u2013 and put together a string of nine straight Gold Gloves at shortstop (1993-2001).<\/p>\n
Omar Vizquel led his league in sacrifice bunts four times.<\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
In the field, Vizquel has the highest career fielding percentage (.9847) among shortstops with at least 500 games at the position.\u00a0 Vizquel is also the all-time leader among shortstops in double plays (1,734, 144 ahead of Ozzie Smith in second place), ranks third at the position for career assists and 11th in putouts. He shares the record (with Cal Ripken, Jr.) for the fewest errors by a shortstop in a season of at least 150 games played (three).<\/p>\n
On offense, Vizquel put up a serviceable .272 career average, with 80 home runs, 951 RBI and 1,445 runs scored. The 1,445 runs put him in the top 100 players all-time (82nd); while his 2,877 hits put him in the top 50 (43rd). He also swiped 404 bases \u2013 topping twenty steals eight times (a high of 42 in 1999) \u2013 putting him at number 72 on the all-time list. Vizquel played in 57 post-season games, hitting .250-0-20.<\/p>\n
Omar Vizquel’s Best Season:<\/strong> In 1999, with the Indians, Vizquel hit a surprising .333, with five home runs, 66 RBI, 112 runs scored and 42 stolen bases – and, of course, won a Gold Glove at shortstop.<\/p>\n
Vizquel would get BBRT\u2019s vote, but the BBWAA voters likely will make him wait a bit longer \u2013 showing a preference for a bit more offense.<\/p>\n
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Jeff Kent – (Second Base\/Third Base\/First Base, 1992-2008) …\u00a0 Seventh year on the ballot, 18.1 percent last year.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
$\"Kemnt\"$ <\/a>BBRT believes Jeff Kent is a deserving candidate, but he has not been getting much support from the writers.\u00a0 Kent holds the all-time MLB record for home runs by a second baseman (351 of his 377 career round trippers were hit while in the lineup at second base). He has a healthy .290 career batting average; his 1,518 RBI are 54th all time; and his 560 doubles 30th.<\/p>\n
\n
Kent was a five-time All Star and the 2000 NL MVP.\u00a0 As primarily a middle infielder, he hit 20 or more home runs in 12 seasons (a high of 37 in 2007) and topped 100 RBI eight times. He hit .276, with nine home runs and 23 RBI in 49 post-season games.<\/p>\n
Jeff Kent has more career runs batted in than such noted Hall of Famers as Mickey Mantle, Billy Williams, Eddie Mathews, Duke Snider and Orlando Cepeda.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Kent has the credentials, but BBRT has a hunch the writers may keep him on the bench \u2013 a couple of Gold Gloves, at this traditionally defense-oriented position, would have really helped his case.\u00a0 Kent played for the Blue Jays (1992), Mets (1992-1996), Indians (1996), Giants (1997-2002), Astros (2003-2004) and Dodgers (2005-2008).<\/p>\n
Jeff Kent\u2019s Best Season:<\/strong> With the Giants in 2000, Kent put up these stats – 159 games; 196 hits; .334 average; 33 home runs; 125 RBI; 114 runs; 12 steals. His performance earned him the NL MVP Award.<\/p>\n
Kent gets BBRT’s vote – and I believe the BBWAA’s support is overdue (but not forthcoming).\u00a0 This is one HOF \u201csnub\u201d that somewhat confuses BBRT.<\/p>\n
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Todd Helton – (First Base, 1997-2013) … Second year on the ballot, 16.5 percent last year. <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
$\"Helton\"$ <\/a>Todd Helton picked up just 16.5 percent of the vote in his first year on the ballot \u2013 probably due to a strong ballot and the fact that he spent his entire 17-year career with the Rockies (playing half his games in hitter-friendly Coors field).\u00a0 Helton, who put up a .316 career average, hit .345 at home and .287 on the road. Despite that home\/road split, Helton\u2019s body of work deserves HOF consideration. He was a five-time All Star, three-time Gold Glover and four-time Silver Slugger. He hit over .300 in 12 seasons \u2013 and won the NL batting crown in 2000 with a .372 average. His 59 doubles that season are the sixth-most all-time. Helton drove in 100 or more runs in five seasons and scored in triple figures six times. His 1,335 walks (36th all-time) indicate the respect he earned at the plate.\u00a0 Helton also ranks fifth in games played at first base, second in career assists at the position, 13^{th<\/sup> in putouts and third in double plays.<\/p>\n}
Todd Helton is one of only 18 players to reach 400 or more total bases in a season \u2013 and one of only seven players to have multiple 400+ total base campaigns. He is also the only player to collect 100 extra-base hits in two consecutive seasons (2000-2001).<\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Todd Helton\u2019s Best Season:<\/strong> In 2000, Helton won the NL batting crown with a .372 average \u2013 and also led the league in base hits (216), doubles (59), RBI (147), on-base percentage (.463), slugging percentage (.698) and total bases (405).\u00a0 He also scored 138 runs and hit 42 home runs.<\/p>\n
Helton will stay on the ballot and has a chance at entry into the HOF \u2013 he\u2019s just not likely to overcome the Coors Field-bias in the short-term future.<\/p>\n
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Billy Wagner – (LHP 1995-2010) … Fifth year on the ballot, 5.6 percent last year.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
$\"wAGNER\"$ <\/a>Billy Wagner played for the Astros (1995-2003), Phillies (2004-2005), Mets (2006-2009), Red Sox (2009) and Braves (2010). Wagner was a seven-time All Star, who amassed 422 saves (sixth all-time) in a 16-season MLB career.\u00a0 He had nine seasons of 30 or more saves; a career ERA of 2.31; 1,196 career strikeouts in 903 innings; and 47-40 won-lost record.<\/p>\n
Billy Wagner\u2019s Best Season:<\/strong> In 2003, Wagner went 1-4, 1.78 for the Astros, saving 44 games and fanning 105 batters in 86 innings.<\/p>\n
BBWAA voters have been very demanding of relievers (although the recent induction of Mariano Rivera and Trevor Hoffman may be a good sign – but they, of course, both had 600+ saves.) BBRT thinks Wagner belongs in the Hall (based on his 400+ saves) \u2013 and hopes that momentum starts to build.\u00a0 \u00a0(However, the odds are not in Wagner’s favor; he is drifting awfully close to that 5 percent mark.)<\/p>\n
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Andy Pettitte – (LHP\/Starter, 1995-2010, 2012-13) … Second year on the ballot. 9.9 percent last year.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
$\"pett\"$ <\/a>I had to think for a while on this one (and will probably get some push back from readers<\/em>), largely because a major part of Andy Pettitte\u2019s HOF resume was achieved in the post-season. Pettitte holds the MLB post-season marks for most wins (19 \u2026 versus 11 losses), innings pitched (276 2\/3), games started (44) and is second in strikeouts (183). His post-season accomplishments include a 3.81 career ERA and the 2001 American League Championship series MVP Award.<\/p>\n
Pettitte was no slouch in the regular season (Yankees \u2013 1995-2003, 2007-2010, 2012-13) and Astros (2004-06).\u00a0 He finished with 256 wins (153 losses) and a 3.85 ERA. Pettitte won 20 games in two seasons and 14 or more games 12 times \u2013 leading the AL with 21 wins in 1996. The three-time All Star struck out 2,448 batters (45th all-time) in 2,316 innings.<\/p>\n
Andy Pettitte started 30 or more games in a season 12 times, leading his league three times (1997, 2006, 2007.)<\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Pettitte\u2019s post-season numbers, plus 256 regular-season victories and the fact that he had 100+ more career wins than losses secures BBRT\u2019s vote. He still has a long ways to go with the BBWAA voters, however.<\/p>\n
Andy Pettitte\u2019s Best Season:<\/strong> In 1997, following a 21-8 campaign in 1996, Pettitte went 18-7, with a 2.88 ERA (fourth-best in the AL), leading the league in starts with 35, finishing third in innings pitched (240 1\/3) and eighth in strikeouts (166).<\/p>\n
Post-publication note:\u00a0 One of BBRT’s readers has correctly informed me that Pettitte was a PED-user.\u00a0 I found he admitted to briefly using HGH while in recovery from and elbow injury – a couple of years before it was banned.\u00a0 \u00a0 Pettitte was forthcoming, accepting of responsibility and apologetic.\u00a0 Given the circumstances, I’ll stand by this vote (but also continued to “dig” a bit). I thought, in the name of transparency, I should add this information here.<\/em><\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n
TWO PLAYERS WHO WERE VERY CLOSE CALLS\u00a0 …<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n
BUT WOULD GET BBRT’S VOTE (to keep them on the ballot for next year)<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n
Alfonso Soriano \u2013 (2B\/OF, 1999-2014) \u2026 First year on the ballot.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
$\"Sorian\"$ <\/a>Had Alfonso Soriano spent his career as a second baseman (he was moved to the outfield in his eighth season – sixth full season), his path to the Hall of Fame might have been assured.\u00a0 Consider that in five full seasons at the keystone sack (2001-2005), Soriano hit .282, with 159 home runs 461 RBI and 167 stolen bases.\u00a0 I\u2019ll do the math for you. That\u2019s an average campaign of .282, 31.8 home runs, 92.2 RBI and 33.5 steals.\u00a0 Those are HOF numbers for a middle infielder.\u00a0 (Of course, it\u2019s also likely that, had he stayed at 2B, he would have put up some pretty impressive numbers for errors. Soriano led AL second sackers in errors in all five of his full seasons at the position.<\/em>)<\/p>\n
Having spent a little more than half of his career in the OF (starting 849 games in the OF and 734 at 2B), Soriano has stiffer competition for a spot in the HOF.\u00a0 Still, BBRT thinks he deserves to qualify for next year’s ballot.<\/p>\n
Soriano was a seven-time All Star (four at 2B, three in the OF) and four-time Silver Slugger.\u00a0\u00a0 He also is one of only four members of the 40-40 Club (forty home runs and forty stolen bases in the same season). In 2006, Soriano hit .277, with 46 home runs and 41 stolen bases. The only other players to record 40-40 seasons are Barry Bonds, Alex Rodriguez and Jose Canseco.\u00a0 Soriano also logged three 30-30 seasons. Overall, he hit 30 or more home runs seven times and stole 30 or more bases five times (leading the AL with 41 in 2002). He also scored 100+ runs in four campaigns and drove in 100+ tallies in four seasons.<\/p>\n
Soriano finished with 2,095 career hits (.270 average), 1,159 RBI and 1,152 runs scored.\u00a0 His 412 career home runs are 54^{th<\/sup> all time and his 924 extra-base hits are 59^{th<\/sup>.\u00a0 He is one of those “on the cusp” Hall of Famers in BBRT’s view – and will have to build some momentum.\u00a0 Again, BBRT believes he deserves to stay on the ballot.<\/p>\n}}
Soriano played for the Yankees (1999-2003, 2013-14)), Rangers (2004-2005), Nationals (2006) and Cubs (2017-13).<\/p>\n
Alfonso Soriano\u2019s Best Season:<\/strong> In 2002 (Yankees), Soriano hit an even .300, leading the AL in hits (209), runs (128) and steals (41). \u00a0He also hit 51 double and 39 home runs, while driving in 102.<\/p>\n
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Bobby Abreu \u2013 (OF, 1996-2012, 2014) \u2026 First year on the ballot.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
$\"abrfeu\"$ <\/a>Bobby Abreu played in 18 MLB seasons. The two-time All Star showed both power and speed, hitting 288 home runs and swiping 400 bases (74th all time). Abreu led his league in games played twice, doubles once (50 in 2002) and triples once. He won a Gold Glove in 2005.<\/p>\n
A solid .291 career hitter (2,470 base hits), Abreu hit .300 or better in six seasons. He hit 20 or more round trippers in 10 campaigns, stole 20 or more bases 12 times (a high of 40 in 2004), drove in 100 or more runs eight times and scored at least 100 runs eight times.\u00a0\u00a0 Abreu also walked 1,476 times \u2013 including 100 or more free passes in eight straight seasons (1999-2006).<\/p>\n
Bobby Abreu\u2019s 1,476 walks are 20th all-time and his 574 double are 25th.<\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Abreu played for the Astros (1996-97, Phillies (1999-2006), Yankees (2006-2008), Angels (2009-1012), Dodgers (2012) and Mets (2014).<\/p>\n
In 20 post-season games, Abreu went 19-for-67 (.284), with one home runs and nine RBI.<\/p>\n
Bobby Abreu\u2019s Best Season:<\/strong> In 2004, as a Phillie, Abreu hit .301, with 30 home runs and forty steals. An All Star that season, he also drove in 105 runs and scored 118.<\/p>\n
Abreu’s 400 steals are an HOF plus. Had he reached 300 home runs, it would have really boosted his prospects. I’d like to see Abreu stay on the ballot.<\/p>\n
——————————THE REST OF THE BALLOT————————————<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
So, with BBRT’s unofficial ballot covered, let’s look at the remainder of candidates \u2013 in alphabetical order.\u00a0 Note: Here you will find a host of players with solid (but perhaps not HOF-level) career numbers and accomplishments.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n
Josh Beckett \u2013 RHP, 2001-2014) \u2026 First year on the ballot.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
Josh Beckett put up a 138-106, 3.38 record in 14 MLB seasons.\u00a0 The three-time all Star led the AL with 20 wins (seven losses) for the Red Sox in 2007, when he finished second in the Cy Young Award voting to C.C. Sabathia (21-7, 2.18).\u00a0 Beckett won 15 or more games in four seasons and fanned 150 or more batters in 11 seasons (a high of 199 in 2009).<\/p>\n
Josh Beckett was a horse in the postseason, going 7-3, 3.07, striking out 99 batters in 93 2\/3 innings and throwing three complete games in 14 appearances (13 starts).<\/span><\/p>\n
Josh Beckett pitched a no-hitter in his final MLB season. On May 25, pitching for the Dodgers, he no-hit the Phillies in a 6-0 win \u2013 walking three and fanning six.<\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Josh Becket played for the Marlins (2001-2005), Red Sox (2006-2012) and Dodgers (2012-2014).<\/p>\n
Josh Beckett\u2019s Best Season:<\/strong> In 2007, Becket let the AL with 20 wins (seven losses), his 3.27 earned run average was sixth in the AL, and his 194 strike outs (in 200 2\/3 innings) seventh. \u00a0That season, he pitched in four post-season games for Boston \u2013 going 4-0, 1.20. He was the MVP of the American League Championship Series, when he started and won two games \u2013 giving up nine hits and just three earned runs, while fanning 18 in 14 innings.<\/p>\n
Beckett had a solid MLB career, but falling short of 150 wins and never reaching 200 strikeouts in a season dims his HOF chances.\u00a0 I really like his post-season accomplishments, however.<\/p>\n
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Heath Bell \u2013 (RHP, 2005-14) \u2026 First year on the ballot.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
Heath Bell appeared in 590 MLB games \u2013 all in relief. The three-time All Star was truly a dominant closer for the Padres from 2009-11, making the All Star team and saving 40 or more games in each of those three campaigns \u2013 and being named NL Reliever of the Year in 2009 and 2010. In 2009, he led the NL with 42 saves. Over his 11-season MLB career, Bell was 38-32, 3.49, with 168 saves. He averaged better than a strikeout per inning \u2013 fanning 637 batters in 628 2\/3 innings.<\/p>\n
Heath Bell\u2019s Best Season:<\/strong> In 2010, Bell went 6-1, with 47 saves.\u00a0 He pitched to a 1.93 earned run average in 70 innings (67 appearance), fanning 86 batters.<\/p>\n
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Barry Bonds – (Outfield, 1986-2007) … Eighth year on the ballot, 59.1 percent a year ago.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
Barry Bonds played for the Pirates (1986-1992) and the Giants (1993-2007). There is no doubt about Bond\u2019s credentials – .298 average, 2,935 hits, MLB-record 762 home runs, 1,996 RBI, MLB-record 2,558 walks. He was also a 14-time All Star; 12-time Silver Slugger Award winner; his league\u2019s MVP a record seven times; and an eight-time Gold Glove winner.\u00a0 In 2001, Bonds hit .328, with an MLB-record 73 home runs and 177 RBI.\u00a0 He drove in 100 or more runs 12 times and also scored 100 or more runs in a dozen seasons.\u00a0 And, I could go on and on.<\/p>\n
Barry Bonds drew an MLB-record 688 intentional walks in his career. Second place?\u00a0 Albert Pujols, with 311. In 2004 alone, Bonds drew a record 120 intentional passes. He led his league in IBB 12 times.<\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Still, there are those PED\u2019s \u2013 an elephant in the room (and on the ballot) that I think will keep Bonds out of the Hall for at least another year (and probably until his final year on the ballot). Eventually, the dam will break and we will see some of the major stars now under a PED cloud take places in the Hall.\u00a0 BBRT is not ready to cast that vote yet \u2013 and I don\u2019t think 75 percent of the BBWAA is either. We can expect Bonds back on the ballot next year (he may top 60 percent this year).<\/p>\n
Barry Bonds’ Best Season:<\/strong> In 2001, Bonds crushed an all-time record 73 home runs, while hitting .328, driving in 137 runs, scoring 129 – all while drawing 177 walks.<\/p>\n
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Eric Chavez \u2013 (3B, 1998-2014) \u2026. First year on the ballot.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
BBRT has a soft spot for player who evidence \u201cleather and lumber\u201d \u2013 and that would include Eric Chavez, who won six Gold Gloves (consecutively, 2001-2006) and popped 260 home runs during his 17 MLB seasons.<\/p>\n
As a defender, Chavez led AL third basemen in assists three times; putouts twice; double plays twice; and fielding percentage twice.<\/p>\n
At the plate, Chavez hit .268 (1,477 career hits), with 260 home runs, 902 RBI. He topped 25 home runs six times (a high of 34 in 2002) and 100 RBI four times (a high of 114 in 2001).<\/p>\n
Eric Chavez\u2019 Best Season:<\/strong> In 2001, Chavez hit .288, with 32 home runs, 114 RBI, 91 runs scored and eight stolen bases \u2013 and picked up his first Gold Glove.<\/p>\n
Chavez\u00a0was a superior defender, with had solid (but not HOF) offensive numbers.<\/p>\n
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Roger Clemens – (RHP\/Starter, 1984-2007) … Eighth year on the ballot, 59.5 percent last year.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
Roger Clemens pitched for the Red Sox (1984-1996), Blue Jays (1997-1998), Yankees (1999-2003, 2007) and Astros (2004-2006).\u00a0 Clemens has Hall-worthy stats:\u00a0 354 wins (ninth all-time), 4,672 strikeouts (third all-time), an MLB-record seven Cy Young Awards and the 1986 AL MVP Award. The eleven-time All Star was a five-time 20-game winner (led the league in wins four times), seven-time ERA leader, five-time league leader in strikeouts, and six-time leader in shutouts.\u00a0 He won the AL pitching Triple Crown (Wins\/ERA\/Strikeouts) three times. \u00a0Clemens also has 12 post-season wins, with 173 strikeouts in 199 post-season innings.<\/p>\n
Roger Clemens shares the record for strikeouts in a nine-inning game (20) with Kerry Wood and Max Scherzer. Clemens is the only pitcher to achieve 20 whiffs in a nine-inning game twice.<\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Roger Clemens’ Best Season:<\/strong> Lots to choose from here. Like 21-6, 1.93 in 1990 \u2013 or 1987, with a 20-9 record, 2.97 ERA, 18 complete games and seven shutouts.\u00a0 I take 1986. Clemens went 24-4. 2.48 and won both the Cy Young (his first) and AL MVP Awards for the Red Sox.\u00a0 He led the AL in wins, winning percentage (.857) and earned run average. He was fifth in innings pitched (254) and second in strikeouts (238).<\/p>\n
Yes, he\u2019s got the numbers (those listed and more), but the PED controversy seems to stand between him and the Hall. Don\u2019t think the BBWAA is ready yet, but he’ll continue on the ballot \u2013 and will likely gain a bit of ground on that 75 percent requirement.<\/p>\n
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Adam Dunn – (OF-1B, 2001-2014) \u2026 First year on the ballot.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
Adm Dunn had a great power swing \u2013 putting 462 balls (37^{th<\/sup> all time) out of the park in his 14 MLB seasons \u2013 at one point, (2004-2008), hitting at least forty long balls in five straight seasons.\u00a0\u00a0 Then, of course, there is the other side of the coin.\u00a0 The two-time All Star also struck out 2,379 times (third all time), leading the league in whiffs in four seasons.\u00a0 Over his career, Dunn hit forty or more homers in six seasons and 30 or more in three more.<\/p>\n}
Adam Dunn is one of only 12 MLB players to have six or more 40-HR season.<\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Adam Dunn\u2019s Best Season:<\/strong> In 2004, for the White Sox, Dunn hit .266, with 46 home runs, 102 RBI and 105 runs scored.<\/p>\n
Four-hundred-plus home runs is a good start, but Dunn’s .237 career average ad 2,000+ strikeouts work against him.<\/p>\n
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Chone Figgins (3B\/OF\/2B, 2002-12, 2014) \u2026. First year on the ballot.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
Chone Figgins (almost got my vote just for the name) played for the Angels (2002-2009), Mariners (2010-1012) and Dodgers (2014).\u00a0 He hit for a .276 average, with 35 home runs, 403 RBI and 341 stolen bases in 1,282 games.\u00a0\u00a0 Figgins stole 30 or more bases in seven season \u2013 forty or more in five of those.<\/p>\n
Chone Figgins\u2019 Beat Season:\u00a0<\/strong> In 2005, for the Angels, Chone Figgins hit .290, with a career-high and league-leading 62 stolen bases.\u00a0 He also had 25 doubles, ten triples and eight home runs \u2013 scoring 113 times and driving in 57 runs.<\/p>\n
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Rafael Furcal \u2026 (SS, 2000-2012, 2014) \u2026. First year on the ballot.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
Rafael Furcal, who came up with the Braves, was the 2000 NL Rookie of the year, when he hit .294, scored 87 runs and stole 40 bases in 131 games.\u00a0 In his career, the three-time All Star hit a respectable .282 (1,817 hits), scored 1,063 runs (reaching 100 or more runs scored four times), hit 113 home runs, drove in 587 and stole 314 bases (stealing 25 or more bases seven times).\u00a0 On defense. Furcal led NL shortstops in assists twice, putouts twice and double plays once.<\/p>\n
Furcal played for the Braves (2000-05), Dodgers (2006-11), Cardinals (2011-12) and Marlins (2014).<\/p>\n
Rafael Furcal\u2019s Best Season:<\/strong> In 2006, with the Dodgers, Rafael Furcal hit .300, with 15 home runs, 63 RBI, 113 runs scored and 37 stolen bases. He also led the NL in put outs and double plays at shortstop and was second in assists.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
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Jason Giambi \u2013 (1B\/OF\/DH, 1995-2014) \u2026 First year on the ballot.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
Jason Giambi\u2019s 20-year MLB career is a tribute to his offensive production \u2013 a .277 average to go with 440 home runs and 1,441 RBI. Giambi was a five-time All Star, two-time Silver Slugger and the 2000 AL MVP.\u00a0 In the four seasons from 1999-2001, Giambi was clearly on top of his game (and on top of the plate), hitting .326, with 155 home runs and 502 RBI.\u00a0 While he did strike out 1,572 times, he also walked 1,366 times \u2013 contributing to a healthy .399 career on-base percentage. Giambi led the AL in OBP three times).<\/p>\n
Jason Giambi led the AL in free passes in four seasons \u2013 in strike outs just once.<\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
In his career, Giambi topped 25 home runs in nine seasons (40+ twice), 100 RBI in seven seasons (a high of 137 in 2000) and hit over .300 in four campaigns.<\/p>\n
Giambi\u2019s career can really be divided into two parts. Over his first ten seasons, he went .297-381-944, as compared to .238-159-497 over his final ten campaigns.<\/p>\n
Jason Giambi played for the A\u2019s (1995-2001, 2009), Yankees (2002-2008), Rockies (2009-12) and Indians (2013-14).<\/p>\n
In 45 post-season games, Giambi hit .290, with seven long balls and 19 RBI.<\/p>\n
Jason Giambi\u2019s Best Season:<\/strong> In his 2000 MVP season (for the A’s), Giambi hit .333, with 43 home runs, 137 RBI, 108 runs scored and a league-topping 137 walks (versus 96 strikeouts). Notably, he put up similar numbers the very next season – .342-38-120, with a league-leading 129 walks.<\/p>\n
Giambi is competing at a power-position – still his\u00a0power numbers and on-base percentage may keep him on the ballot for 2012.<\/p>\n
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Raul Ibanez \u2013 OF\/1B, 1996-2014 \u2026 First year on the ballot.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
Raul Ibanez enjoyed a 20-season MLB career – suiting up from age 24 to age 42. He hit a respectable .272 (2,034 base hits) over that time, with 305 home runs, 424 doubles, 1, 207 RBI and 1,055 runs scored.\u00a0 He also played solid defense, leading his league\u2019s left fielders in assists and fielding percentage twice each and putouts once.<\/p>\n
Ibanez was a one -time all Star (2009 Phillies).\u00a0 He hit 20 or more home runs in eight seasons, with a high of 34 in 2009. He also drove n 100+ runs in four campaigns and scored 100+ runs in one season.<\/p>\n
Ibanez hit .245, with six home runs and 22 RBI in 44 post-season games.<\/p>\n
Raul Ibanez’ Best Season:<\/strong>\u00a0 In 2006, with the Mariners, Ibanez hit .289, knocked 33 home runs, drove in 123 tallies and scored 103 times.<\/p>\n
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Andruw Jones \u2013 (OF, 1996 -2012) \u2026 Third year on the ballot, 7.5 percent last year.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
Andruw Jones played for the Braves (1996-2007), Dodgers (2008), Rangers (2009), White Sox (2010) and Yankees (2011-2012). In a 17-season career \u2013 primarily patrolling centerfield \u2013 he won ten Gold Gloves (consecutively, 1998-2007). At the plate, he hit .254, with 434 home runs (47^{th<\/sup> all time), 1,289 RBI and 1,204 runs scored. He topped 25 home runs in ten seasons (six over thirty and a league-leading and career-high of 51 in 2005). He scored 100 or more runs four times, drove in 100+ five times and stole twenty or more bases in a season four times.<\/p>\n}
Jones appeared in 76 post-season games, hitting .273, with ten home runs and 34 RBI.<\/p>\n
\n
In the 1996 World Series, Andruw Jones – just 19-years-old – hit .400 (8-for-20) with two home runs and six RBI, becoming the youngest player to hit for the distance in the Fall Classic.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Andrew Jones\u2019 Best Season:<\/strong> In 2005, Jones hit only .263, but led the NL in home runs (51) and RBI (128) \u2013 finishing second in the MVP voting to Albert Pujols (.330-41-117).<\/p>\n
Jones’ ten Gold Gloves work in his favor, but \u2013 over the long haul \u2013 that .254 average (he only hit .300 or better once and over .270 only four times) will dampen his HOF chances. Still, BBRT believe he deserves more support (he’s perilously close to the five percent mark).<\/p>\n
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Paul Konerko \u2013 (1B, 1997-2014) \u2026 First year on the ballot.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
Paul Konerko spent 16 of his 18 MLB seasons as a big bat in the middle of the White Sox lineup. A six-time All Star, Konerko hit .279 (2,340 hits), with 439 home runs (44^{th<\/sup> all time), 1,412 RBI and 1,162 runs scored.\u00a0 Konerko hit 30 or more home runs in seven seasons (40 or more twice), drove in at least 100 runs in four seasons and hit .300 or better four times.<\/p>\n}
He was the MVP of the 2005 AL Championship Series, when he drove in seven runs in five games.\u00a0 In 197 post-season contests, he hit .243, with seven home runs and 17 RBI,<\/p>\n
Konerko played for the Dodgers (1997-98), Reds (1998) and White Sox 1999-2014.<\/p>\n
Paul Konerko\u2019s Best Season:<\/strong> In 2010, for the White Sox, Konerko his .312, with 39 home runs and 111 RBI.<\/p>\n
Like Jason Giambi, his power output gives him a chance to stay on the ballot (listen up, Chicago-area BBWAA members); but long-run, both look to fall short of the HOF.<\/p>\n
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Cliff Lee \u2013 LHP, 2002-2014) \u2026 First year on the ballot.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
Cliff Lee won 143 games (91 losses) in 13 MLB seasons, while putting up a 3.52 earned run average. He was a four-time All Star and the 2008 American League Cy Young Award winner.\u00a0 Over his career, he led his league in wins, earned run average and complete game once each and shutouts and innings pitched twice each. He also led the NL in strikeouts-to-walks ratio three times and finished in the top ten in his league in the category in six seasons.\u00a0 In addition, between 2008 and 2012, he allowed his league’s fewest walks per nine farms four times, was second once and fourth once.<\/p>\n
In 328 games (324 starts), Lee notched 29 complete games and 12 shutouts, He pitched 2,156 2\/3 innings, fanning 1, 824 batters.<\/p>\n
Lee was solid in the post-season, going 7-3, 2.52 in 11 starts (three complete games).<\/p>\n
Lee pitched for the Indians (2002-09), Phillies (2009, 2011-14), Mariners (2010) and Rangers (2010).<\/p>\n
Cliff Lee\u2019s Best Season:<\/strong> In his 2008 Cy Young Award season (Indians), Cliff Lee led the AL in wins (22, with just three losses); winning percentage (.880); earned run average (2.54); and shutouts (2). He fanned 170 batters in 223 1\/3 innings, walking just 34 (a league-low 1.37 walks per nine innings).<\/p>\n
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Carlos Pena \u2013 (1B, 2001-14) \u2026 First year on the ballot.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
Carlos Pena hit 286 round trippers in his 14 MLB seasons.\u00a0 He collected 1,146 hits (for a .232 career average), drove in 818 runs; and scored 745 times. He hit 30 or more home runs in a season three times, leading the AL with 39 in 2009 (his career-high was 46 in 2007). The one-time All Star was also a one-time Gold Glover.\u00a0 Pena hit .269, with four home runs and 14 RBI in 19 post season games.<\/p>\n
Although Carlos Pena played only 40 of his 1,493 games with the Rangers, he played his first (September 5, 2001) and last (July 12, 2014) MLB games in a Rangers’ uniform.<\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Pena played for the Rangers (2001. 2014), A\u2019s (2002), Tigers (2002-2005), Red Sox (2006), Rays (2007-2010, 2012), Cubs (2011), Astros (2013) and Royals (2013).<\/p>\n
Carlos Pena\u2019s Best Season:<\/strong> In 2007, for Tampa Bay, Pena raked at a .282 pace, popping 46 home runs and driving in 121 tallies (all career highs).<\/p>\n
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Brad Penny \u2013 (RHP, 2000-2012, 2014) \u2026 First year on the ballot.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
Primarily a starting pitcher (349 MLB games, 319 starts), Brad Penny went 121-101, 4.29 over 14 MLB seasons. Penny was a two-time All Star and led the NL in wins (for the Dodgers) with 16 (nine losses) in 2006.\u00a0 Penny won at least 15 games in just two seasons (16 each in 2007 and 2007, his two All Star campaigns.)\u00a0 In nine post-season appearances, he went 3-2, 7.66.<\/p>\n
Penny pitched for the Marlins (2000-2004), Dodgers (2004-2008), Red Sox (2009), Giants (2009, 2012), Cardinals (2010), Tigers (2011) and Marlins (2014).<\/p>\n
Brad Penny\u2019s Best Season:<\/strong> As a Dodger in 2007, Brad Penny went 16-4, leading the NL in winning percentage (.800), finishing fifth in wins and third in earned run average (3.03).<\/p>\n
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J.J. Putz \u2013 RHP, 2003-2014) \u2026 First year on the ballot.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
J.J. Putz made 572 relief appearance in his 14 MLB seasons, notching 37 wins (33 losses) and 189 saves, while putting up a 3.08 earned run average. The one-time All Star and 2007 Reliever of the Year saved 30 or more games four times, including a high of 45 for the 2011 Diamondbacks.<\/p>\n
J.J. Putz\u2019 Best Season:<\/strong> In 2007, Putz appeared in 68 games for the Mariners, going 6-1, 1.38 with 40 saves. \u00a0In 71 2\/3 innings, he fanned 82 batters and walked just 13.<\/p>\n
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Manny Ramirez – (Outfield, 1993-2011) \u2013 Fourth year on the ballot, 22.8 percent last year.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
Manny Ramirez played 19 MLB seasons, collecting 2,574 hits, a .312 batting average, 555 home runs (15th all-time) and 1,831 RBI (19th all-time). Ramirez was a 12-time All Star and led the AL in average (2002), home runs (2004) and RBI (1999) once each.\u00a0 Ramirez won nine Silver Slugger Awards, including eight consecutive (1999-2006), hit .285 with 29 home runs in 111 post-season games and was the 2004 World Series MVP.\u00a0 He hit 30 or more home runs in twelve seasons (five of 40+), scored 100 or more runs six times, hit .300 or better in 11 seasons and topped 100 RBI 12 times.<\/p>\n
Manny Ramirez\u2019 29 post-season home runs are first all-time, while his 78 post-season RBI rank second. In addition, he is the all-time post-season leader in walks (72), and ranks third in post-season hits (117) and runs scored (67).<\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
In 111 post-season games, Ramirez hit .285, with 29 home runs and 78 RBI.<\/p>\n
Ramirez clearly put up HOF-caliber numbers, but two PED-related suspensions continue to hurt his chances. Not this year, but he’ll be back for another shot.\u00a0 Ramirez played for the Indians (1993-2000), Red Sox (2001-2008), Dodgers 2009-2010) and Rays (2011).<\/p>\n
Manny Ramirez\u2019 Best Season:<\/strong> In 1999, with Cleveland, Ramirez hit .333, with 44 home runs and 165 RBI (14th most in a season all-time) in 140 games.<\/p>\n
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Brian Roberts \u2013 (2B\/SS, 2001-14) \u2026. First year on the ballot.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
Brian Roberts was a two-tine All Star, who spent 13 of his 14 MLB season with the Orioles.\u00a0 Although he played more than 100 games in only seven seasons, he was a doubles machine, banging out 367 two-baggers – hitting 50 or more doubles in three seasons (leading the AL twice).\u00a0 The speed that enabled Roberts to deliver all those doubles also contributed to his 285 stolen bases. He stole 20+ bases seven times, leading the AL with a career-high 50 steals in 2007 (being caught just seven times ).<\/p>\n
Roberts hit .276 over his MLB career (1,527 hits), with 97 home runs, 542 RBI and 850 runs scored.\u00a0 He scored 100+ runs in four campaigns.<\/p>\n
Brian Roberts’ Best Season:<\/strong> in 2005, Brian Roberts hit .314, with 18 home runs and 73 RBI. He also scored 92 runs, stole 45 bases in 52 attempts, and knocked 45 doubles and seven triples. That season, he finished second in the AL among second basemen in assists, fifth in putouts and third in double plays.<\/p>\n
BBRT always liked Roberts’ ability to use his speed to change a game, but seven season of 100+ games is just not enough.<\/p>\n
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Scott Rolen – (Third Base, 1996-2012) … Third year on the ballot, 17.2 percent last year.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
Scott Rolen played for the Phillies (1996-2002), Cardinals (2002-2007), Blue Jays (2008-2009) and Reds (2009-2012). The seven-time All Star (including in two of his final three seasons) flashed leather and lumber, collecting eight Gold Gloves (one Silver Slugger) and rapping 316 home runs. He finished with a .281 average, 316 home runs, 1,287 RBI, 1,211 runs scored and 188 stolen bases. Rolen hit 25 or more home runs seven times, with a high of 34 in 2005.\u00a0 He also put up five 100+ RBI seasons, scored 100+ runs in two campaigns and reached double digits in steals five times. He was the NL Rookie of the Year in 1997 (.283-21-92, with 16 steals).<\/p>\n
Scott Rolen\u2019s Best Season:<\/strong> In 2004, with the Cardinals, Rolen hit career highs in average, home runs and RBI (.314-34-124) and won a Gold Glove.<\/p>\n
Those Gold Gloves should keep Rolen on the ballot.\u00a0 \u00a0If only he had reached 200 steals or 400 home runs.<\/p>\n
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Gary Sheffield … (Outfield\/Designated Hitter\/Third Base\/Shortstop, 1988-2009) … Sixth year on the ballot, 13.6 percent last year.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
Gary Sheffield played for the Brewers (1988-1991), Padres (1992-1993), Marlins (1993-19998), Dodgers (1998-2001), Braves (2002-2003), Yankees (2004-2006), Tigers (2008) and Mets (2009).\u00a0 Sheffield was a nine-time All Star (in 22 MLB seasons) and five-time Silver Slugger Award winner. He launched 509 career home runs (26th all time) and topped 30 home runs in a season eight times (a high of 43 in 2000). He also maintained a .292 career average (hit .300+ in eight seasons); and collected 1,676 RBI (30th all-time).\u00a0 Sheffield won the 1992 NL batting title (.330); topped 100 RBI eight times; and scored 100 or more runs in a season seven times.<\/p>\n
Gary Sheffield is one of only four players to hit MLB home runs as teenagers and in their 40\u2019s. The others are Ty Cobb, Rusty Staub and Alex Rodriguez.<\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Gary Sheffield\u2019s Best Season:<\/strong> In 1996 (Marlins), Sheffield hit .314, with 42 home runs, 120 RBI, 188 runs scored and 16 steals.<\/p>\n
Sheffield has the offensive numbers, but defensive questions and the shadow of PEDs are likely to keep him on the outside looking in for now.<\/p>\n
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Sammy Sosa – (Outfield, 1989-2007) … Eighth year on the ballot, 8.5 percent last year.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
Sammy Sosa played for the Rangers (1989, 2007), White Sox (1989-1991), Cubs (1992-2004) and Orioles (2005).\u00a0 Sosa hit 609 home runs (9th all-time) in 18 MLB seasons \u2013 winning two HR titles, topping sixty three times and also hitting 50 one year.\u00a0 In the four seasons from 1998 to 2001, Sosa averaged 60 home runs and 149 RBI per season. His career numbers include a .273 average, 1,667 RBI (31st all-time), 1,475 runs scored and 234 stolen bases (a high of 36 steals in 1993). Sosa was the 1998 NL MVP (Cubs), led his league in home runs twice, runs scored three times and RBI twice.<\/p>\n
Sammy Sosa has the most 60-home run seasons in MLB history with three \u2013 yet he did not lead the league in home runs in any of them. In 1998, he hit 66 home runs (Mark McGwire hit 70); in 1999, Sosa launched 63 (McGwire had 65); and, in 2001, he hit 64 (Barry Bonds hit 73).\u00a0 Talk about unfortunate timing.\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Sammy Sosa\u2019s Best Season:<\/strong> In 1998 (Cubs), Sosa hit .308, with 66 home runs, a league-leading 158 RBI and a league-leading 134 runs scored \u2013 and even tossed in 18 stolen bases.<\/p>\n
Sosa played in 15 post-season contests, hitting .245-2-7.<\/p>\n
Why is the seven-time All Star not in the Hall?\u00a0 The PED shadow continues to cloud his chances.<\/p>\n
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Jose Valverde \u2013 (RHP, 2003-14) \u2026. First year on the ballot.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
Jose Valverde spent his 14-year MLB career coming out of the bullpen (626 appearances, zero starts).\u00a0 He finished with a 27-33 record, with a 3.27 earned run average and, most important, 286 saves (ranking 32^{nd<\/sup> all time). \u00a0\u00a0Valverde was a three-time All Star, who also led his league in saves three times \u2013 topping 40 saves in each of those seasons. \u00a0\u00a0Over his career Valverde fanned 692 batters in 630 1\/3 innings.<\/p>\n}
Jose Valverde\u2019s Best Season:\u00a0<\/strong> In 2011, with the Tigers, Valverde went 2-4, 2,24 with a league-leading 49 saves.\u00a0 He also led the AL in appearances (70) and games finished.<\/p>\n
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Again, to vote in Baseball Roundtable’s unofficial Fan Baseball Hall of Fame Ballot, click here.<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Primary Resources: National Baseball Hall of Fame; Baseball-Reference.com; Baseball-Almanac.com<\/em><\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
BBRT\u2019s Baseball Hall of Fame 2020 Debate Season is officially open!\u00a0 The Baseball Writers Association of America (BBWAA) 2020 Hall of Fame ballots were distributed early this week and the results will be announced in January, with the honorees inducted on July 21. This year\u2019s traditional ballot includes 14 holdovers from last year, along with […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":11226,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[11,9,5],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\n\n\t\n