Poll: do Baines and/or Smith belong in the Hall?

[Peter_Spaeth]

300 votes as I post. 32 for Baines, 148 for Smith.

[conor912]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

300 votes as I post. 32 for Baines, 148 for Smith.

Ironically right about where the BBWAA had them.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by conor912

Ironically right about where the BBWAA had them.

Or not so ironic. The guys here are a pretty good representation, I would think, of people knowledgeable about the game and appreciative of the Hall.

[barrysloate]

Al Oliver was as good or better than Baines, and most fans barely remember who he was. He hit over .300 eleven times, including nine seasons in a row. 2743 career hits, 529 doubles, over 200 HR's, 1189 runs scored, 1326 RBI's, and he's fallen off the face of the earth.

Maybe Baines stats were somewhat better but he had nearly 1000 more at bats. I'm just a fan of Oliver who thinks the game has forgotten him.

[rats60]

Originally Posted by barrysloate

Al Oliver was as good or better than Baines, and most fans barely remember who he was. He hit over .300 eleven times, including nine seasons in a row. 2743 career hits, 529 doubles, over 200 HR's, 1189 runs scored, 1326 RBI's, and he's fallen off the face of the earth.

Maybe Baines stats were somewhat better but he had nearly 1000 more at bats. I'm just a fan of Oliver who thinks the game has forgotten him.

Real fans of the game know who Al Oliver was. Collusion cost him a shot at 3000 hits. He had an OPS+ 121 just like Baines.

[insidethewrapper]

Baines compared to Kaline ( stats look about the same- that was a surprize to me ):
G Hits HR RBI Bave SLG
Kaline 2834 3007 399 1583 297 480
Baines 2830 2866 384 1628 289 465

[1952boyntoncollector]

If you are long time player and played with 12 of the people on the Veteran committee that vote than you are in

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

Originally Posted by barrysloate

Al Oliver was as good or better than Baines, and most fans barely remember who he was. He hit over .300 eleven times, including nine seasons in a row. 2743 career hits, 529 doubles, over 200 HR's, 1189 runs scored, 1326 RBI's, and he's fallen off the face of the earth.

Maybe Baines stats were somewhat better but he had nearly 1000 more at bats. I'm just a fan of Oliver who thinks the game has forgotten him.

He did an autograph signing for me at a show I ran. What an absolute pleasure to be around. Not just a nice guy, he did everything he could to help out, as autographs didn't sell like we had hoped, traded trivia questions with me all day. Was really one of my hobby memory highlights. We discussed if he had remained with the Pirates his whole career would that have made a difference in HOF balloting. I think it would've had a massive impact. He has higher highs than Baines for sure.

[Peter_Spaeth]

As compared to Baines and Oliver, Dave Parker won an MVP, was 2nd once and 3rd twice I believe. Plus 2 batting titles.