Quote:
Originally Posted by rats60
Bill James has pointed out recently how flawed WAR is. Isn't it time for you to admit it to? Dwight Evans has a negative dWAR. Shouldn't that tell you how flawed it is?
I lived in LA during Garvey's prime. He was better than Reggie Smith. Garvey was the guy who got the big hits, drove in the runs that wins games. 10 time All Star 5 time NL champion, 1 time WS champion, 1 time MVP, 2 time NLCS MVP and 4 time gold glove. Holds NL record for consecutive games without an error. From 1974-1980 averaged 200 hits 100 RBI and .300 BA. Claiming that Smith was better based on a flawed advanced metric is absurd. Glad this Veteran's Committee is willing to think for themselves and elect Jack Morris, ignoring WAR. It is the Hall of Fame not Hall of High WAR or High JAWS.
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Seasons OPS+ from best to worst
Smith 168 162 155 151 150 143 142 137 134 129 127 127 116 100
Garvey 138 134 133 130 130 125 124 122 115 110 109 109 101
And Reggie Smith played nearly half his career as an average center fielder and half his career as an average or slightly above right fielder. Both more demanding defensively than first base (center field far more so).
So Reggie Smith was a better hitter and fielder than Steve Garvey. But somehow Garvey is the better player. Nope.
Oh. And Reggie Smith was a seven time all star who deserved to be there nine time. Garvey was a ten time all star who deserved to be there seven times. Smith won a gold glove in center field. Garvey deserved (maybe) two at first base. Smith was a three time NL champion. One time AL champion. 1 time world champion. Smith deserved the MVP in 1977 while Garvey did not deserve the one that he won.
Career OPS+:
Smith 137
Garvey: 117
Career Win Probability Added:
Smith 42.89 (56th from 1930-present)
Garvey 27.2 (144th from 1930-present)
Adjusted Batting Runs
Smith 358 (92nd all time)
Garvey 167 (340th all time)
Adjusted Batting Wins
Smith 36.5 (tied for 89th all time)
Garvey 16.9 (tied for 342nd all time)