Who's missing from the HOF?

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Posted By: jay behrens

I am torn between the 'supernovas' like Koufax and 'career' players, that play for 20+ years and post outstanding career numbers, but never dominated in a season.

If Gary CArter doesn't belong, then what catcher from his era does? He was unquestionably the best catcher in the game during the 1980s. From the late 70s to early 80s there was no more feared hitter than Jim Rice. If Koufax gets in for 5 great years, then Rice shouldn't have a problem getting in. He was just as dominate a hitter for 5 years as Koufaz was a pitcher.

The argument against players like Neikro and Sutton isn't real good either, claiming that they hung on to rack up magic numbers. The only problem with that claim is that you cannot jsut decide to hang around and rack up magic numbers. You still need to have the ability to win a roster spot. As great as Koufax may have been for 5 years, he couldn't sustain even a mediocre career before then and was incapable of playing beyond his best years.

I am sure that there a lot of above average players that would like to hang on for 20+ years to rack up magic numbers, but it takes more than being just an above average player to do that. Career records are based on longevity. And you don't hang around for an extended period of time by being an average or even above average player.

The other big disparity is that the HOF is overloaded with big bats that couldn't field to save their life, yet almost no one is in based on their defensive prowess. The rare exceptions are Maz and Ozzie Smith, and it took way too long to get Maz in there.

Jay