Top 25 Worst MLB HOFER’S

[Exhibitman]

I don't like the WAR average stat as the sole benchmark either. It definitely has its uses: Milt Pappas always complained that he had basically the same record as Don Drysdale, but his WAR is only 2/3 of Drysdale's. It does matter how you get to a record, not just getting there. That said, the methodology hammers defensive players and players who did not meet the mould of what the position 'should' be. How do you say Maz was the Babe Ruth of 2nd basemen, yet label him a bad choice? Or Pie Traynor, whose sin appears to be light hitting? Or Aparicio, who was both a pioneering Latin American player (1st Venezuelan in the HOF) and a tremendous shortstop? My favorite example of this position bias is Mark Grace. His WAR is 46.7 (better than quite a few HOFers), four Gold Gloves, lifetime batting average .303. His sin is that he was a singles hitter at a position where players are 'supposed to be' boppers.

Maybe we need a tiered system like Japanese HOF? Achieving specific statistical milestones gets a player into the HOF automatically, but the inner circle takes an actual vote and is reserved for the players who pass that layer of screening.

[bbcard1]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

I don't like the WAR average stat as the sole benchmark either.

I agree. I usually say...if he's got a 50 WAR, he would have a closer look. If he has a 60, he really needs a better look. If he has a 70, the voters probably messed up.

The list of eligible players who do not have steroid or gambling issues and have a WAR over 70 is short: Schilling, Jim McCormick (1800s pitcher), Bill Dahlen, Lou Whitaker, Bobby Grich, and Scott Rolen. Carlos Beltran become eligible next year and will be a difficult case. I may have missed somebody. BTW, Rick Reuschel I pretty close at 69.5.

I also think there is a flukey thing with WAR and the 1970s era...some of the players seem really light.