What NY Yankee should be in the HOF?

[Kenny Cole]

I would be more inclined to say Urban Shocker than Munson or Meusel, but I think that the Yankees are already vastly overrepresented.

[Al C.risafulli]

Last I checked, there were 13 third basemen in the Hall of Fame, and Graig Nettles was a better player than several of them. Nettles played in an era when offensive stats were depressed in general, and he was one of the game's better offensive players. His defense was magnificent, and if his career hadn't overlapped Brooks Robinson's, he would have won far more than one Gold Glove.

Ultimately he gets a raw deal because his career doesn't include the kind of cheap stats that most HOF voters look for (high batting average, number of awards, etc), but statistically, he's one of the best players to ever play his position.

-Al

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by Al C.risafulli

Last I checked, there were 13 third basemen in the Hall of Fame, and Graig Nettles was a better player than several of them. Nettles played in an era when offensive stats were depressed in general, and he was one of the game's better offensive players. His defense was magnificent, and if his career hadn't overlapped Brooks Robinson's, he would have won far more than one Gold Glove.

Ultimately he gets a raw deal because his career doesn't include the kind of cheap stats that most HOF voters look for (high batting average, number of awards, etc), but statistically, he's one of the best players to ever play his position.

-Al

Nettles should get in on the basis of fighting Reggie Jackson at the team's victory party.

[CW]

Originally Posted by Al C.risafulli

Last I checked, there were 13 third basemen in the Hall of Fame, and Graig Nettles was a better player than several of them. Nettles played in an era when offensive stats were depressed in general, and he was one of the game's better offensive players. His defense was magnificent, and if his career hadn't overlapped Brooks Robinson's, he would have won far more than one Gold Glove.

Ultimately he gets a raw deal because his career doesn't include the kind of cheap stats that most HOF voters look for (high batting average, number of awards, etc), but statistically, he's one of the best players to ever play his position.

-Al

He was the man when it came to robbing hitters of shots like this one....

[oldjudge]

Steinbrenner, whether you like him or not, deserves to be in the HOF. As a Yankee fan I appreciate what he did for the team. His sons, on the other hand, are a joke.

[Ronnie73]

My votes are for Don Mattingly and Paul O'Neill. I enjoyed watching them both at bat and on the field.

[cardaholic]

Tommy John.

[HexsHeroes]

.

Not intended as a slam against the Yankees, as it actually is intended for all teams with an above average percentage of the HOF population.

One of my pet peeves is that that some player performances (stats) have been influenced by playing with teams stocked with good/great players. While true the individual ballplayer had to perform, or be gone, having talented ballplayers hitting before and after you does influence the opportunities an opposing pitcher presents to you as a hitter. The opportunities presented defensively are possibly influenced by having quality pitching, and quality pitching likely influenced by having qualify defenders. The 1927 NY Yankees were an outstanding team. But I have to believe that if you had removed the two best hitters and one best pitcher from that team, while they would still have been a very good team, fewer of the remaining very good players would have made it into the HOF. Just my opinion. That is why I have a softspot for outstanding ballplayers who played for less than brilliant teams over a period of years. I feel they may have had less opportunities or ideal situations inwhich to shine, but they shone never the less with what was given them.

Personally, I feel that it is not enough to say that a player was among the best in the league, year in and year out. If that were the case, Jack Morris (among others), would have been in the HOF years ago. For me, if the player evaluated cannot be considered among the top 50% already in the HOF, then it is a no for HOF induction. I realize this completely dismisses the characteristics of the game during the particular era a ballplayer played in, and therefore is a particularly harsh measure, but I believe the HOF is for the greats of the game; not for the above average but not necessarily great. If a ballplayer cannot be considered among the best ever, then HOF is not for him.

[tcdyess]

All of them

[cyseymour]

Originally Posted by Al C.risafulli

Last I checked, there were 13 third basemen in the Hall of Fame, and Graig Nettles was a better player than several of them. Nettles played in an era when offensive stats were depressed in general, and he was one of the game's better offensive players. His defense was magnificent, and if his career hadn't overlapped Brooks Robinson's, he would have won far more than one Gold Glove.

Ultimately he gets a raw deal because his career doesn't include the kind of cheap stats that most HOF voters look for (high batting average, number of awards, etc), but statistically, he's one of the best players to ever play his position.

-Al

+1

[D. Bergin]

Originally Posted by Al C.risafulli

Last I checked, there were 13 third basemen in the Hall of Fame, and Graig Nettles was a better player than several of them. Nettles played in an era when offensive stats were depressed in general, and he was one of the game's better offensive players. His defense was magnificent, and if his career hadn't overlapped Brooks Robinson's, he would have won far more than one Gold Glove.

Ultimately he gets a raw deal because his career doesn't include the kind of cheap stats that most HOF voters look for (high batting average, number of awards, etc), but statistically, he's one of the best players to ever play his position.

-Al

I think Buddy Bell had just as much to do with Nettles not winning more Gold Gloves, as Brooksie.

[D. Bergin]

As a Yankee fan, I'm not exactly outraged by anybody not in there. I grew up in my formative years with Donnie Baseball as my favorite Yankee also.

I think I'm a little more annoyed with how easily Kirby Puckett got in with identical stats, rather then miffed that Donnie is not in there.

Never had a problem with Maris or Munson not being in. They are legendary for their own reasons, but I don't think they need the HOF to qualify their careers.

Carl Mays as somebody mentioned already is probably the biggest head-scratcher to me, and he bounced around enough, a lot of fans don't necessarily count him as a "Yankee"...........plus we all know how unlikable he was.

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by D. Bergin

I think Buddy Bell had just as much to do with Nettles not winning more Gold Gloves, as Brooksie.

If kids didn't get very excited over pulling his card when he was playing, he's probably not HOF material (Nettles). But then again - Niekro got in.

Also, awards and a high batting average are sort of a good thing, although I'm not a huge Ichiro fan, as he didn't do much other than sell tickets.

[D. Bergin]

Originally Posted by Runscott

If kids didn't get very excited over pulling his card when he was playing, he's probably not HOF material (Nettles). But then again - Niekro got in.

Also, awards and a high batting average are sort of a good thing, although I'm not a huge Ichiro fan, as he didn't do much other than sell tickets.

I don't know. I remember getting really excited pulling Ron Kittle, Steve Sax and Dave Righetti cards back in the day.

If you would have asked me back in 1984, I would have told you I was sure that Kent Hrbek would be a sure-fire future Hall of Famer.

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by D. Bergin

I don't know. I remember getting really excited pulling Ron Kittle, Steve Sax and Dave Righetti cards back in the day.

If you would have asked me back in 1984, I would have told you I was sure that Kent Hrbek would be a sure-fire future Hall of Famer.

Man, you got excited easily. I can understand, as a kid, getting excited about the 'could haves' that didn't pan out; after all, they were great during the period when you were watching them. For me it was Frank Howard, Sam McDowell, Tony Conigliaro, Don Drysdale - great players when I was watching them.

What I can't understand is the guys getting into the HOF who never excited anyone - Phil Niekro, Don Sutton (for the most part). Sure, you wanted a card of these guys, but it wasn't going to bother you too much if you didn't get one. Guys like Mays, Maris, Aaron and Mantle - you HAD to have them.

[johnmh71]

How about Luis Tiant? He only pitched with the Yanks for a short time, but he does have better stats than 10 pitchers already in there. Catfish has almost identical stats.

[Peter_Spaeth]

I would not vote for Shocker, but (for once) I agree with Kenny that he is the most qualified of the three. Munson was already in decline in terms of power when he died and I don't think his career numbers, even if he hung on for a few more years, would have been worthy of the HOF. Plus, you just can't credit him for what he might have done. Accordingly, he never received more than 15 percent of the vote.

PS I think we romanticize him because he was a Yankee, had a tough personality, and died prematurely. But he ended up with just over 100 HR and 1500 hits. That just doesn't get you into the Hall.

[Jlighter]

Urban Shocker should get in for his name alone.

I think Mattingly could be considered, not winning a championship really hurts him.

[Batter67up]

Meusel, Maris, and Munson are all good choices.

[triwak]

Originally Posted by Jlighter

I think Mattingly could be considered, not winning a championship really hurts him.

I kind of agree about Mattingly. Borderline. Appears the writers won't do it, but someday the Vet's committee might.

[Iron Horse]

Donnie baseball, Mr. Mattingly belongs in the Hall. He could do it all and for a span of 5-6 years he was amongst the best hitters in either league. A class act, great hitter, and lets not forget his glove work at first. If it wasn't for his back who knows...
I will put a vote in for Nettles as well.

[Al C.risafulli]

Nettles should get in on the basis of fighting Reggie Jackson at the team's victory party.

That was THE BEST.

BTW, compare Mattingly's career numbers with Kirby Puckett's.

-Al

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by Al C.risafulli

That was THE BEST.

BTW, compare Mattingly's career numbers with Kirby Puckett's.

-Al

Mattingly started younger and had a second half of his career where he was a shadow of his former self, Puckett was cut down in his prime, I think that's the difference even though the stats are pretty similar.

[T206Fan]

Can Elston Howard get a little love for the hall?

12 time allstar
2 gold gloves
1 mvp
4 World series titles

[packs]

I think Mattingly is a HOFer too. I feel like a real HOFer was the best player in the game at some point in their career. There are plenty of HOFers who never were. But Mattingly was that player. That makes him a HOFer in my opinion even if he didn't hit the milestone numbers. For example, Puckett and Sandberg were never the best player in the league but they both got in.

I don't think saying Mattingly was a shadow of his former self is true. His 1992 and 1993 seasons were decent years and he was playing really well in 1994 before the strike. The guy was still the best first baseman in the league and he hit 417 his only time around October.

I also think Carl Mays is a HOFer but I'm not sure if he's really considered a Yankee. Although he did have his best seasons with the Yankees.

Of the recently retired Yankees I think Bernie Williams and Jorge Posada are HOFers too. Ichiro wears 51 because of Bernie. That tells you something.

[Jlighter]

Originally Posted by T206Fan

Can Elston Howard get a little love for the hall?

12 time allstar
2 gold gloves
1 mvp
4 World series titles

Pretty sure it's 6 World Series.

His stats really don't help, but the historical context of being the first black Yankee gives him a big bump.

[Nashvol]

George Steinbrenner

[SteveMitchell]

Originally Posted by T206Fan

Can Elston Howard get a little love for the hall?

12 time allstar
2 gold gloves
1 mvp
4 World series titles

I'm impressed with Howard's numbers and have long believed Shocker should be in the Hall of Fame. Munson always impressed me by his drive - including what appeared to be quick feet on the bases. I might go for Thurman if I studied his record more closely but right now, I'm on the fence regarding his candidacy.

[Jlighter]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

I would not vote for Shocker, but (for once) I agree with Kenny that he is the most qualified of the three. Munson was already in decline in terms of power when he died and I don't think his career numbers, even if he hung on for a few more years, would have been worthy of the HOF. Plus, you just can't credit him for what he might have done. Accordingly, he never received more than 15 percent of the vote.

PS I think we romanticize him because he was a Yankee, had a tough personality, and died prematurely. But he ended up with just over 100 HR and 1500 hits. That just doesn't get you into the Hall.

Valid points. His Postseason numbers are outstanding though.

[kmac32]

Carl Mays

[t206blogcom]

My vote is for Roger Maris.

[E93]

Let's have a Yankee moratorium for 25 years.
JimB