[the 'stache]

I'm reading this, and surprised that there is any question about Reggie Jackson and Harmon Killebrew being Hall of Famers. Their career batting averages notwithstanding, both men were titans throughout their careers. Killebrew just mashed, and he did so during what is considered the second dead ball era, which , depending on which writer you talk to, extended either from 1964-1972, or 1963-1976. The first is what I have typically seen mentioned. Killebrew became a full time player in 1959, and his career ended in 1975. During that dead ball era, Killebrew hit 318 home runs, leading the AL in homers three times: 1964 (49), 1967 (44), and 1969 (49). He also hit 39 in 1966, and 41 in 1970. Only Hank Aaron (334) hit more home runs during that period than Killebrew, and he played that entire period in the National League, while Killebrew played in the American League, which was more affected by the era. Killebrew won six home run titles, three RBI titles, and led the league in walks four times. He won one MVP, and finished in the top five five other times. Reggie was a lot like Harmon. Just monstrous power. He didn't lead the league as many times, but there is no doubt the guy was a superstar in his era. Reggie won four home run titles, 1973 (32), 1975 (36), 1980 (41), 1982 (39). Just by comparing Reggie's titles to Harmon's, it's apparent that even though Harmon played in a tough era, there just weren't that many home runs being hit during Reggie's time. Reggie had some other big power years. He hit 47 in 1969, and didn't lead he league because Harmon hit 49. He hit 32 in both 1971 and 1977, and hit 29 home runs three different times, in 1968, 1974 and 1979.

Killebrew hit 573 home runs and drove in 1,584 runs. He walked 1,559 times.
Reggie hit 563 home runs and drove in 1,702 runs. He walked 1,375 times.

Both guys did their fair share of striking out, especially Reggie. But when you look back when they both played, these are the guys that put butts in the seat. There should be no question that both these guys belong, regardless of their batting average. .

Getting back to Keith Hernandez. Yes, he saved x amount of runs during his career. And that may not be a lot more than John Olerud's. But Hernandez revolutionized first base defense. There are more runs that he saved that will never show up in stats because certain plays were never attempted. When Keith Hernandez was on first base, other teams stopped bunting, because he was so aggressive. He would charge home plate, and throw out the runner advancing to second. Or, he would charge the bunter, and throw a strike to third while the pitcher covered first. That just didn't happen before Hernandez came along, at least not with the incredible frequency. And if you had a runner at third, you just didn't try to bunt to Keith's side. He was so accurate throwing the ball, he would get the ball to home before the runner arrived, and his throws put the catcher in perfect position. Hernandez was incredible at scooping pitches out of the dirt. He just did so many things at a high level. I remember on three, maybe four different occasions watching him grab bloop fly ball right inside the first base line, do a somersault, and make a perfect throw to the pitcher covering first base. I mean the guy was incredible to watch. I was never a Keith Hernandez fan, but the times I got to see him play, he always seemed to do something spectacular. And I wasn't used to seeing a first baseman that could move like he did. First basemen were big, lumbering guys who hit home runs, and if you were lucky, they weren't terrible defensively.

Hernandez deserved the eleven straight Gold Gloves he won. He won a couple Silver Sluggers, too. Most of the guys we discussed in the thread I started were pretty much borderline at best for the Hall, but Hernandez is a guy that I feel should have gotten a lot more consideration then he got. The guy was a winner, too. The Cardinals won the World Series with him in 1982. The Mets in 1983 were 68-94, and they hadn't won at least 70 games since 1976. The next year with Hernandez, the Mets go 90-72. In 1985 they add Gary Carter. Dwight Gooden is one of the best two pitchers in baseball. In 1986 they win the World Series.

Hernandez made the players around him better. He was a really good hitter. He was a spectacular fielder, maybe the best to ever play the position, at least in the modern era (with deference to Hal Chase and Fred Tenney.) I don't know if Hernandez is a Hall of Famer. I think he's awfully close. I think he was definitely better than 10% of the BBWAA vote.