Let's talk about Hall of Fame candidates who have been "neglected"

[abothebear]

The kicker is a bad analogy. That is a distinct part of the game requiring distinct skills. A better one would be a two-minute drill quarterback.

[abothebear]

A two minute drill quarterback who only comes into the game when there is a lead. He specializes in ball control and clock management. If only there were players like that to elect into the football hall!

[perezfan]

Originally Posted by abothebear

A two minute drill quarterback who only comes into the game when there is a lead. He specializes in ball control and clock management. If only there were players like that to elect into the football hall!

Yes. Far better analogy.

[packs]

Well, football and baseball are entirely different sports I was thinking of a player whose job it is to come in at the end and win the game on one play as close to simulating a 9th inning man as possible. I came up with the kicker. But you get the idea.

[abothebear]

Why is the finishing the 9th inning different for the pitcher than everyone else? 8 defenders are in the game to finish the ninth. As are the batter and any base runners. All are in the game to finish it as the winner. Yet only the pitcher gets a statistic for it. Bottom of the 9th inning game winning RBIs should be an equivalent stat. And what about a defensive metric for 9th inning putouts in the winning cause?

[packs]

Game winning RBI is a stat. Hitting with RISP is a stat. Runners left on base is a stat.

I think you know why the pitcher gets a save even if you don't agree with the importance of a closer.

[abothebear]

Originally Posted by packs

Game winning RBI is a stat. Hitting with RISP is a stat. Runners left on base is a stat.

I know those are all stats. But none of them are specific to the ninth inning (with good reason). And none of them get someone into the hall of fame (with good reason). If the 9th inning matters more, shouldn't there be ninth inning specific statistics (and be highly valued) for players on the field trying to bring their team to the victorious conclusion? Throwing the guy out from deep shortstop in the 9th surely must be more significant and require equal or more ability than the same throw in the 3rd.