5 Year Hall of Famers? Make your case

[rats60]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

Back in the day I loved Garvey, and so did everyone else (as a player anyhow). I still can't really take on board the disparity between his career stats (his baseball reference numbers are really underwhelming; they rank him the 50th best ever at IB which to me is absurd) and my perception of how good he was, and not just for a relatively short period. I guess the lack of walks really hurt some of his metrics.

Dave Parker is also pretty high on that list of disparity between my perception and the numbers.

BB Reference and Fangaphs try to fit everyone into the same formula, but sometimes that formula just fails. Garvey is one of those guys. Those sites over value walks, especially for middle of the line up guys. All Garvey did was expand the strike zone to get more hits, 200+ per season, and drive in runs, 100+ per season.

In theory getting on base and not making outs is good, but not always. Sometimes you need to risk making outs to drive in runs instead of letting them pitch around you and get a weaker hitter out. In the real world, Garvey's approach led to 5 NL Championships and 1 World Championship.

Garvey also gets punished for being a 1st baseman. He went a whole season without making an error, but they claim that his defense was worth less a replacement player. There is no way that someone setting a record for most consecutive errorless games is not better than any average player.

10 time All Star, 4 Gold Gloves, 1 MVP, 2 NLCS MVP, 2 AS MVP, 5 NL Champion, 1 World Champion. That is a lot of Fame, seems to fit in with Hall of Fame a lot better than some that are already there.

[Laxcat]

I always thought Garvey was a lock. Until I met him. He is an effing a-hole. People still vote you in to the Hall and his attitude is a huge part of the reason he will never be in the HOF.

[frankbmd]

Originally Posted by Laxcat

I always thought Garvey was a lock. Until I met him. He is an effing a-hole. People still vote you in to the Hall and his attitude is a huge part of the reason he will never be in the HOF.

Previously I noted that this thread has drifted from its original intent and that that was okay with me, but now another thread is being suggested.

Coming soon to a forum near you,

”The effing a-hole Hall of Fame thread”

[Touch'EmAll]

This guy worth mention. Actually a mild head scratcher why not in HOF. But He was a ROY, a 7 time All-Star, Won one MVP award, 6 times hit 30+ HRs (Led league twice), and Led his league on OPS 4 times! Dick Allen.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by 100backstroke

This guy worth mention. Actually a mild head scratcher why not in HOF. But He was a ROY, a 7 time All-Star, Won one MVP award, 6 times hit 30+ HRs (Led league twice), and Led his league on OPS 4 times! Dick Allen.

He was not well-liked, to put it mildly.

[Kenny Cole]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

He was not well-liked, to put it mildly.

Depends on who you ask. His longest managers, Mauch and Tanner, swore by him, said he was not a clubhouse lawyer, led the team, etc. So did a lot of his teammates. Agreed that a lot of the sportswriters didn't like him because he did things his way. Some people would argue that he is the worst omission in the HOF. I don't have a real informed opinion on that, but I will certainly say that he and Oliva are the worst omissions I can think of from the 60s/70s. They were both studs on the field. I personally think they probably should both be elected.

[rats60]

Originally Posted by Kenny Cole

Depends on who you ask. His longest managers, Mauch and Tanner, swore by him, said he was not a clubhouse lawyer, led the team, etc. So did a lot of his teammates. Agreed that a lot of the sportswriters didn't like him because he did things his way. Some people would argue that he is the worst omission in the HOF. I don't have a real informed opinion on that, but I will certainly say that he and Oliva are the worst omissions I can think of from the 60s/70s. They were both studs on the field. I personally think they probably should both be elected.

They both had short careers. Only 11 seasons with 100+ games. Neither had 2000 hits. Oliva didn't even get to 1000 RBI. Their resumes are typical of players who don't get elected by the BBWAA, but may get elected by a Veteran's Committee.

[Tabe]

Originally Posted by Laxcat

I always thought Garvey was a lock. Until I met him. He is an effing a-hole. People still vote you in to the Hall and his attitude is a huge part of the reason he will never be in the HOF.

I met Garvey a couple years ago at a Spokane Indians game. Actually, met him twice. After one game, he was standing in the concourse behind my seats - no one around. Got a picture with him. Knew he was going to be back the next night (he was being honored by the Indians) so I got the photo of us printed and brought it. My friend & I found Garvey before the game and talked with him for a good 15-20 minutes. He could not have been nicer. Answered all our questions, engaged with us, signed my photo, the whole nine yards.

The best part of the story? My friend wrote to Garvey when Steve was playing for Spokane. Garvey actually wrote him back and my buddy kept the letter all these years. He brought it to show Garvey and Garvey was OVER THE MOON at seeing it. Super-excited, grabbing people to show it to them, etc. Grabbed his camera and took a bunch of pictures of it. Then he signed the letter.

I have no doubt you had the experience you had. But mine with Steve Garvey was very different and so I have that autographed photo hanging on the wall behind me in my office as I type this.