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The High Court |
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Deep Thinkers Only... |
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Squatters Rights (And a DH, too) |
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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 8 catchers/designated hitters 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
Julio Franco, PHI-CLE-TEX-CHW-MIL-TB-ATL Javy Lopez, ATL-BAL Mike Piazza, LA-FLA-NYM Jorge Posada, NYY Ivan Rodriguez, TEX-FLA-DET Ruben Sierra, TEX-OAK-NYY-DET-CIN-TOR-CHW-SEA Mike Sweeney, KC Frank Thomas, CHW
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 Mike Piazza (28) – Mike was a 62nd round draft pick that turned himself into the finest hitting catcher of all time. Though he always struggled defensively, he was able to compensate with historic offensive production for a backstop. One of the best right-handed hitters of the past 50 years, regardless of position.
Ivan Rodriguez (28) – You could easily make the argument that Pudge is the best all-around catcher in baseball history. Dominated the game defensively for years, and has always been a strong offensive force. Easily a HOFer.
Frank Thomas (25) – The Big Hurt is stumbling to the end of a remarkable career, but his career numbers are incredible. Never a good defender, Thomas made his mark with the bat, and along the way was able to achieve things that only Ted Williams had been able to do. Those will get him to Cooperstown.
Don’t Wait By The Phone
Julio Franco (0) – A sentimental choice, but his overall resume is lacking. He would need 3 good seasons as a regular to get to 3,000 hits, and that seems unlikely – but he plans on playing until he is 50 so you never know. Once was among the best offensive second basemen to ever play, but that was not enough for us.
Javy Lopez (0) – Outstanding offensive catcher for a long time with some impressive career numbers. Also a fine postseason performer during his Brave days. Injuries seem to be slowing him down, and at the current pace, we think he’ll end up a little short of the Hall.
Jorge Posada (0) – A winner. The Yankees have never failed to be a contender during his reign as catcher. Jorge has also been a solid offensive contributor, but can’t compare with Piazza and Pudge or even Lopez with the bat. If he had been a Gold Glover multiple times, he would warrant a closer look.
Ruben Sierra (0) – Another vagabond like Franco who has managed to compile some really nice stats for his career. A solid run producer who seemed to get old quickly, though he has managed to put up good numbers as a part timer over the last decade.
Mike Sweeney (0) – The knock on him is his durability. At age 32, he seemingly would have several more good years ahead of him. But Sweeney seems too fragile to hang around long enough for Hall-worthy career stats. As a hitter, he’s been among the best in the last 8 years when healthy, though his glove has always been ill.
Voting Results
Tell The Wig who you think belongs in the Hall. Email him at powderedwig@thehighcourtofsports.com.
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Mike Piazza has carved out his spot in Cooperstown by swinging a dangerous bat. Piazza is only eight homers shy of 400 of his career, and he is already the greatest home run hitting catcher of all-time. (SI.com) |
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Pudge is best known as perhaps the best defensive catcher in baseball history. But he has also been a remarkable hitter, carrying a lifetime .306 batting average. (mlb.com) |