Richie Allen and Dave Parker.

[darwinbulldog]

Any predictions of who may appear on the 2027 ballot?

[lumberjack]

For a while, Don Mattingly WAS Lou Gehrig, but his body broke down. Even a hurt Don Mattingly could still play, but....The Hall is about longevity (otherwise Bird Fidrych, Pete Reiser and Joe Wood may have made it in.

Cracker Schalk, as a catcher, recorded a putout at every based and averaged
100 assists a year (or one per game played, if you like), during his career. This is inconceivable in modern baseball. My point here bein', you can't compare areas.

Maz could turn a DP in his sleep (and, yes, he probably disrupted Ralph Terry's sleep as well). The DP part is what he got paid for and what got him to Cooperstown.

Killebrew, I never really got, but he hit homers and he did it well, which is exactly what they asked of him.

I stand corrected on Dick Allen being a questionable team player, but in his prime years he never lasted long in any one city. Every time he was traded, it was for players of lesser value (Tommy John is no exception as he hadn't pitched winning baseball for years, McCarver was past his prime and Willie Montanez had a total of two official MLB at bats).

Was Dick Allen really hated that much by front offices?

There are examples of guys who could play, but couldn't stick anywhere. Not many examples, but there are a few. Hornsby, top of the list, Alex Johnson, Billy Martin, even Lou Novikoff (MLB actually used a guy with one arm rather than give a contract to Lou Novikoff.

[clydepepper]

Even though he didn't want it if he wasn't around, Luis Tiant, Jr. should have gotten in.


Sorry they let you down Luis.


.

[darwinbulldog]

Originally Posted by lumberjack

For a while, Don Mattingly WAS Lou Gehrig, but his body broke down.

Wow, sounds like a real bad break for [checks notes] Don Mattingly?

[rats60]

Originally Posted by darwinbulldog

Any predictions of who may appear on the 2027 ballot?

Buster Posey and Jon Lester are the strongest candidates. In 2026 it is Ryan Braun and Cole Hamels. Jones strongest competition from returning candidates are Carlos Beltan and CC Sabathia if they don't get in this year. I can see two 2 player classes of Jones, Sabathia, Beltran and Posey for 2026 and 2027.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by rats60

Buster Posey and Jon Lester are the strongest candidates. In 2026 it is Ryan Braun and Cole Hamels. Jones strongest competition from returning candidates are Carlos Beltan and CC Sabathia if they don't get in this year. I can see two 2 player classes of Jones, Sabathia, Beltran and Posey for 2026 and 2027.

I don't see Lester, Braun or Hamels as HOFers off the top of my head. The other three should make it, and I suppose Jones might get over the top as well especially with not strong competition.

[egri]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

I don't see Lester, Braun or Hamels as HOFers off the top of my head. The other three should make it, and I suppose Jones might get over the top as well especially with not strong competition.

I think Lester has a stronger Veteran's Committee case (or whatever they're calling it nowadays). We're not going to see another 200-game winner for a while, and has a strong narrative; cancer wipes out half his rookie year, he comes back to win the World Series the following year, then throws a no-hitter the year after, and later was a part of the 2013 team that won after the Boston Marathon bombing, then goes to Chicago and helps them win.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by egri

I think Lester has a stronger Veteran's Committee case (or whatever they're calling it nowadays). We're not going to see another 200-game winner for a while, and has a strong narrative; cancer wipes out half his rookie year, he comes back to win the World Series the following year, then throws a no-hitter the year after, and later was a part of the 2013 team that won after the Boston Marathon bombing, then goes to Chicago and helps them win.

Wainwright also won exactly 200. Not sure he feels like a HOFer to me either, but maybe.

[packs]

I don’t think Lester makes it. He’s in the Tim Hudson class for me. Not appreciated enough but also I don’t think HOF worthy.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by packs

I don’t think Lester makes it. He’s in the Tim Hudson class for me. Not appreciated enough but also I don’t think HOF worthy.

A lot of pitchers feel like that to me. David Wells, Frank Tanana, Dennis Martinez, Kevin Brown, Billy Pierce. All with more wins I believe.

[KJA]

Originally Posted by packs

I don’t think Lester makes it. He’s in the Tim Hudson class for me. Not appreciated enough but also I don’t think HOF worthy.

I think if he gets in then it will be his postseason record that pushed him over the edge. But he is more of an Veterans Committee if he gets in but he should at least stick around on the ballot like Buehrle has.

[darwinbulldog]

Originally Posted by rats60

Buster Posey and Jon Lester are the strongest candidates. In 2026 it is Ryan Braun and Cole Hamels. Jones strongest competition from returning candidates are Carlos Beltan and CC Sabathia if they don't get in this year. I can see two 2 player classes of Jones, Sabathia, Beltran and Posey for 2026 and 2027.

I was thinking more like Luis Tiant and Rick Reuschel, but yeah, I guess Cole Hamels et al. will also be on a 2027 ballot.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by darwinbulldog

I was thinking more like Luis Tiant and Rick Reuschel, but yeah, I guess Cole Hamels et al. will also be on a 2027 ballot.

Tiant may end up being Thurman Munson and Steve Garvey, just destined not to make it? I think Reuschel has a Bobby Grich problem -- yeah, we see your WAR and it easily qualifies you, but we just don't think you were all that great.

[rats60]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

Tiant may end up being Thurman Munson and Steve Garvey, just destined not to make it? I think Reuschel has a Bobby Grich problem -- yeah, we see your WAR and it easily qualifies you, but we just don't think you were all that great.

The problem is there is nothing besides WAR that says he has a case for HOF. 214 wins, 3.37 ERA = 114 ERA+, 26 shutouts, 2015 Ks, 1.275 WHIP, 5.1 K/9, 3x AS, 0.63 Cy Young shares. That is why he received 2 votes on a ballot with Sutton, Niekro, Kaat and John finishing in the top 10 and Tiant 15th.