Santo elected to HOF

[kmac32]

Awesome. Have met him and his family many times. This is way past due with his career in baseball, announcing and all he did for JDRF. Cubs nation will have a bitter sweet moment as this comes a year too late. Go Cubs go!

I don't mind Santo getting in. There are a ton of others I would put into the hall though. As we have all talked about many time before on the board.

Tony

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by TT40391

I don't mind Santo getting in. There are a ton of others I would put into the hall though. As we have all talked about many time before on the board.

Tony

Tony, it's interesting how many people are adamant about who should and shouldn't be in the HOF, but even more interesting that none of these 'definitive' lists are in agreement.

I remember as a child, having a paperback book that had images of the HOF plaques, and short bios/stats on every HOF'er at that time. Since I was too young to have heard of many of them, it was the 'definitive' list for me - all players listed within became icons, more so each time I read the book. Wish I still had it.

[kmac32]

Just read that Ralph Kiner was the only person on the committee that didn't vote for Santo. He said that he chose to vote that way because he didn't like some of the things Santo said about the 1969 Mets. If this is true, Kiner should never be allowed on another Hall of Fame committee. Votes need to be based on the stats of the player, not political posturing. Grow up Mr. Kiner!!! Leave your personal politics outside of the room!!! At least Ronny was elected in the end.

[Chris-Counts]

I'd take Santo any day over Kiner. What a chump!

[Robextend]

Although arguable, I think Santo is deserving of the election. It is pretty clear he was just about the most dominating 3B in the National League for about a decade both offensively and defensively. His overall numbers don't stack up to some other HOFers, but still deserving. It is a shame he isn't around to see it happen.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Most similar players statistically, according to baseball-reference.com.

There may be a reason he didn't get in on his first 15 or however many tries.

Dale Murphy (875)
Gary Gaetti (875)
Ken Boyer (874)
Ruben Sierra (865)
Chili Davis (865)
Bobby Bonilla (863)
Brian Downing (862)
Graig Nettles (860)
Scott Rolen (857)
Adrian Beltre (855)

[2dueces]

Originally Posted by Robextend

Although arguable, I think Santo is deserving of the election. It is pretty clear he was just about the most dominating 3B in the National League for about a decade both offensively and defensively. His overall numbers don't stack up to some other HOFers, but still deserving. It is a shame he isn't around to see it happen.

I have to disagree. Just because he was the best there was at that time doesn't mean he was the best there was at his position. So his peers were weak during his playing days makes him a HOFer? It shouldnt work that way. He should stack up to the top tier players of all time to merit the hall. The Hall is too watered down to be called the Hall of Fame any more. Should be called the Baseball Museum. It diminishes the careers of the truly great player to let Above Average players in. But Santo isn't the first and won't be the last to be elected with less than impressive numbers. Election to the Hall shouldn't have anything to do with sentiment, it should have everything to do with how he stacks up to Brooks Robinson or Mike Schmidt. JMO.

[refz]

Originally Posted by kmac32

Just read that Ralph Kiner was the only person on the committee that didn't vote for Santo. He said that he chose to vote that way because he didn't like some of the things Santo said about the 1969 Mets. If this is true, Kiner should never be allowed on another Hall of Fame committee. Votes need to be based on the stats of the player, not political posturing. Grow up Mr. Kiner!!! Leave your personal politics outside of the room!!! At least Ronny was elected in the end.

kiner himself doesnt belong, schmuck

[FrankWakefield]

Runscott... Chris asked if anyone could name 10 better third basemen. I said yes I could, and named 12. I was saying that Brett, Robinson, and Schmidt were better than Santo... and they were better.

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by FrankWakefield

Runscott... Chris asked if anyone could name 10 better third basemen. I said yes I could, and named 12. I was saying that Brett, Robinson, and Schmidt were better than Santo... and they were better.

I totally misread your response. Dohhhh!

I've posted too many times today and must go entertain the woman - I'll talk with you guys tomorrow!

[Peter_Spaeth]

Deck the Hall with average players
Colavito, Kaat, fa la la la
Vote em in ignore naysayers
Hodges, Tiant, Blue, la la la la
Don we now Mattingly and Baylor
Oliva, Kluszewski, la la la
Deck the Hall with average players
Santo, Reynolds, Staub, la la la la

[zljones]

Glad I bought his rookie card last year. I just wish he was never a Cub, GO SOX!

[kmac32]

Peter obviously has never met Mr. Santo. And also we need to remember that players are supposed to be compared to players in their own era.

[HercDriver]

I agree - Brooks Robinson and Ron Santo were the best at their position in the AL and NL for at least a decade. Who was better than those two in that time frame? I'll take gamers like Ron Santo and Mark Grace in my HOF any day...

Take Care,
Geno