Quote:
Originally Posted by rhettyeakley
Probably has to do with the 77.4 WAR vs 45.2 WAR difference. Keep in mind Mike Trout is only 1 year older than Mookie Betts, so although he has played in more games they are nearly the same age.
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That's pretty much it. Mookie is a fantastic player, but just the difference in their WAR (bear in mind, I don't think that's the end all be all statistic some do), is a pretty good full career, for a lot of decent ballplayers. Trout is already the 5th ranked All-Time Centerfielder on Baseball Reference. Mookie is the 27th ranked Rightfielder.
If Trout retires or gets a career ending injury tomorrow, he's going into the HOF, first ballot. If Mookie dramatically falls off for some reason, he falls into the Don Mattingly, Doc Gooden, Orel Hershiser, Bret Saberhagen, Dick Allen, Albert Belle, Juan Gonzalez, Johan Santana, etc., etc., etc...., territory.
Dominant for a time, but not quite the consistent era defining HOF star you had predicted when you shelled out a lot of dough for their rookie cards. Not to say that Betts can't change that with a couple more MVP's and a long injury free career..............but it's far from a given.