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The High Court |
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Deep Thinkers Only... |
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First-Sack Sluggers |
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Who Will Hear the Hall’s Call?
The members of the High Court have studied the evidence and are ready to tell you which of these 7 first basemen will someday hear the Hall of Fame calling.
The Voting Ground Rules
1) Vote for as many as you consider Hall-worthy 2) Only current players were considered 3) The nominees must have at least 10 years of ML experience 4) Tell us who will get there – not just your opinion on a player. 5) Majority will rule (2/3 vote gets a player in)
The Nominees
Jeff Bagwell, HOU Carlos Delgado, TOR-FLA Jason Giambi, OAK-NYY Tino Martinez, SEA-NYY-STL-TB John Olerud, TOR-NYM-SEA-NYY-BOS Rafael Palmeiro, CHC-TEX-BAL Jim Thome, CLE-PHI
Career Statistical Comparisons (courtesy www.baseball-reference.com)
Who’s In?/Who’s Out? Votes in parenthesis Note: Players were ranked in order of most deserving. The rankings were then assigned a point value 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1.
Get The Plaque Ready Jeff Bagwell (29) – Despite career numbers that fall below Palmeiro in some key areas, Baggy gets the nod for a Hall of Fame career spent in one place. Perhaps Raffy’s controversial summer has caused a slip, but there is little doubt in the mind of our judges that Bagwell is among the best to ever play 1st base. Injuries have just about ended his career, but the numbers are impressive as is. Over 200 stolen bases is a testament to his all-around offensive prowess.
Rafael Palmeiro (27) – Only a few weeks ago, this was the biggest issue concerning Raffy – but then the steroids scandal. Our judges are not happy with Mr. Palmeiro, but we are willing to recognize his numbers however inflated they might be due to the juice. Until we can get a clear picture concerning the whole steroids issue, we have to vote him in on sheer numbers.
Jim Thome (22) – An extremely powerful hitter who has filled up HR, BB and K columns throughout his career. At age 34, we are banking on him recovering from his injury-riddled 2005 long enough to clear 500 HR, 2000 hits and 1350 RBI. He might have to wait a while, but we think those will get him in.
Carlos Delgado (14) – Similar career path as Thome, but without the injuries. Carlos has never had strong line-ups around him, and thus, has no postseason AB’s so far. If he can string together another 5 years of Delgado-like numbers, we think he can eventually reach Cooperstown, but reaching the playoffs and doing well would make it a lot easier to vote him in.
Give Him A Tour
Jason Giambi (9) – Impressive numbers, but the consensus of our panel was that Jason won’t be able to generate enough career stats to get himself to the Hall. Postseason numbers have been good, but not great, and he seems to be an old 34 already.
Don’t Wait By The Phone
Tino Martinez (0) – Nice career. Impressive totals compiled mostly under the radar except for some key Yankee years. Can’t reach the level of production needed to be a Hall of Fame first baseman though. And it’s not even very close.
John Olerud (0) – Very good defender, plus a very solid hitter. Made a run a .400 deep into the 1993 season as a Blue Jay, but Oley has always languished in the shadows of his teammates. He would have to reach 3000 hits (nearly 800 more) to make it with his pedestrian power numbers. And we can’t see that happening at his age (37).
Voting Results
Tell The Powdered Wig what you think at powderedwig@thehighcourtofsports.com. |
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We can only wonder what sort of numbers Bagwell might have put up had he not spent part of his prime in the cavernous Astrodome. Despite the possibility that a chronic shoulder injury could end his career early, Bags deserves the Hall’s call. He has been a true professional and a great teammate. (mlb.com) |
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The term “country strong” suits Thome perfectly. The big slugger must find a way to cure an ailing back, but if he can, 600 home runs may be in his future. (mlb.com) |
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From the High Court Hall of Fame…
Infield of Dreams...Join The Powdered Wig as he explores which stars of the infield (at 2B, SS, and 3B) can expect a plaque in Cooperstown.
First-Sack Sluggers...Bagwell? Palmeiro? Giambi? Join The Powdered Wig to see which veteran first basemen get a ticket to the Hall of Fame.
The Lion King...The Chief Justice presents the Hall of Fame case of Ted Simmons, one of the best hitting catchers in the history of the game.
Squatters Rights...The Powdered Wig examines the careers of catchers and designated hitters with a chance at Cooperstown. Find out who The High Court voted in. |