If I could vote, I’d pick Billy Wagner for Baseball Hall of Fame induction. This is his 10th and final year on the ballot and last time, he was on a tantalizing 73.8% of the ballots, with 75% required to make it into the Hall. He was a steady relief pitcher. Here’s the case.
I’d also want Andruw Jones (8th year, 61.6% last year), a fabulous defensive centerfielder. Though his offense dropped off precipitously, I’d still pick him. Here’s the case.
In the case of Carlos Beltrán (3rd year, 57.1%), he “established himself as one of the best power-hitting center fielders ever. He ranks fifth all-time in home runs (435) among center fielders (at least 1,000 games played in center). He trails only Willie Mays, Ken Griffey Jr., Mickey Mantle, and Andre Dawson, all of whom are in the Hall of Fame.
“Using the same criteria, Beltrán also ranks fifth in runs batted in, fourth in doubles, 13th in slugging percentage, 17th in OPS, and 13th in isolated power… “
In the narrative, Jimmy Rollins (4th year, 14.8%) “was a four-time Gold Glove Award winner, an MVP, and a member of two pennant-winning teams. In addition, he had 2,455 hits, the 10th most for players who logged 60% of their starts at short; he’s behind Omar Vizquel, 19th-century star Bill Dahlen, and seven Hall of Fame inductees.
As a player who combined extra-base power with speed, he’s the only shortstop in the history of baseball to hit 200 home runs, leg out 100 triples, hit over 500 doubles, and steal at least 400 bases.”
I’ve been pushing Andy Pettitte (7th year, 13.5%) for years. His case is “fairly simple. He won 256 games. There are only five pitchers since 1901 with more than 250 wins who are not in the Hall of Fame.”
I’m on the fence regarding Bobby Abreu and Chase Utley
New on the ballot
I’d also select outfielder Ichiro Suzuki, pitcher CC Sabathia, and infielder Dustin Pedroia, all of whom are described here.
I would not vote for Álex Rodríguez (A-Rod) or Manny Ramírez over performance-enhancing drugs. Next year is Manny’s 10th and last year; maybe then. I’ve declined Francisco Rodríguez (K-Rod) and Omar Vizquel for non-baseball reasons having to do with abuse.
Here are all of the stats for Bobby Abreu, Carlos Beltrán, Mark Buehrle, Carlos González, Curtis Granderson, Félix Hernández, Torii Hunter, Adam Jones, Andruw Jones, Ian Kinsler, Russell Martin, Brian McCann, Dustin Pedroia, Andy Pettitte, Hanley Ramírez, Manny Ramírez, Fernando Rodney, Álex Rodríguez, Francisco Rodríguez, Jimmy Rollins, CC Sabathia, Ichiro Suzuki, Troy Tulowitzki, Chase Utley, Omar Vizquel, Billy Wagner, David Wright, and Ben Zobrist.
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