Tigers not yet in the Hall of Fame!

[Tigerfan1974]

Let's try this again.
I started a similar thread a while back. I was new and not specific enough I guess.

I am interested in knowing who you think is a Detroit Tiger that is not yet in the Hall but perhaps should be.

My immediate choices are Morris, Trammell, Whitaker, Lolich and Freehan.
As I consider others I will add to my list.

Who do you think???

[racosun]

I think Willie "Don't call me Willie" Hernandez should be there. He had a fantastic career, and is a world champion.

[Captain Cold Nose]

I think Willie "Don't call me Willie" Hernandez should be there. He had a fantastic career, and is a world champion.
Anyone who dumped water on Mitch "I'm almost as special as Rick Reilly" Albom deserves a spot.

[Tigerfan1974]

Anyone who dumped water on Mitch "I'm almost as special as Rick Reilly" Albom deserves a spot.

I like Mitch, he is a good guy. What do you have against Mitch.
With a few more years under him, Mitch could win the Frick Award.

[Captain Cold Nose]

I really don't have anything against him personally (I've seen him in public quite a bit.). I think he writes about himself a bit too much, and has the tendency to put imself above his subject matter. He has been called out a few times for writing stuff that didn't happen, like people being certain places when they weren't.
He's a fine writer. He's not the most ethical of journalists, but he's a fine writer.

[moldyoldie]

As I wrote on the other thread; of all the ex-Tigers, I'd give the most consideration to Jack Morris for inclusion in the Hall of Fame. He was a winner everywhere he played!

The practice of dumping a bucket of ice water on an unsuspecting sportswriter in the lockerroom is boorish beyond belief; it only exemplifies the notion of the "dumb jock". A professional athlete is a citizen first, an athlete second. In the world of entertainment, one must remember that everyone's a critic.

[Brownie31]

I really don't have anything against him personally (I've seen him in public quite a bit.). I think he writes about himself a bit too much, and has the tendency to put imself above his subject matter. He has been called out a few times for writing stuff that didn't happen, like people being certain places when they weren't.
He's a fine writer. He's not the most ethical of journalists, but he's a fine writer.
Isn't the term ethical journalist an oxymoron? Brownie31

[Captain Cold Nose]

Isn't the term ethical journalist an oxymoron? Brownie31
For the most part. There are still some out there who aren't prone to sensationalism. Some.

[Damus/777]

I've been following the team since 1961. I do not feel any former Tiger players since 1961 deserve to be in the Hall except Kaline.

I have not listened to Mitch on WJR radio or read any of his Free Press newspaper articles since he was exposed as a liar. Once I lose the word-trust with a writer/talk show host, there's no sense in listening/reading them anymore.

The same goes for a few Kirk Gibson rumors that he will return to the Tigers TV broadcast booth. That will be the day I turn down the TV sound and listen to Dan & Jim on the radio instead. I cannot trust any of Kirk's player recommendations anymore - because I consider him as a failure as Tigers coach/instructor.

Had Tram had a little more range & more national TV exposure like Ozzie Smith did, He would of made it to Cooperstown. Morris fell just a little short in overall player stats & burned some bridges with the writers.

:atthepc
NostraFucious

[HDH]

Jack Morris has over 250 Ws and nearly 2500 Ks but, the magic number is 300Ws and 3000 Ks unless you're a Cub. Actually, I think Hal Newhouser and Jim Bunning (Phillies-Tiger) have similar qualifications as Earl Whitehill, George Uhle, Hooks Dauss, George Mullin, and Mickey Lolich. They should all be in or all be out.

Rusty Staub had over 2700 Hits but, I don't think he's a HOF player. Whitaker-Trammell belong more than Tinker-Evers-Chance but, will likely not get any consideration. I don't think George Kell's numbers are good enough for enshrinement as a player only. That brings me to Al Kaline. His numbers seem only above average his 1st ten years and below average his remaining years. Certainly not someone I would call an elite player.

Its likely Mitch Album makes the Baseball HOF because writers have the vote and the media feel that they are more important than the players themselves. Generally, they are biased toward Cubs players. Does anyone think Ryne Sandberg was better than Lou Whitaker or Bruce Sutter better than Rich Gossage? I don't!

[Damus/777]

Jack Morris has over 250 Ws and nearly 2500 Ks but, the magic number is 300Ws and 3000 Ks unless you're a Cub. Actually, I think Hal Newhouser and Jim Bunning (Phillies-Tiger) have similar qualifications as Earl Whitehill, George Uhle, Hooks Dauss, George Mullin, and Mickey Lolich. They should all be in or all be out.

Rusty Staub had over 2700 Hits but, I don't think he's a HOF player. Whitaker-Trammell belong more than Tinker-Evers-Chance but, will likely not get any consideration. I don't think George Kell's numbers are good enough for enshrinement as a player only. That brings me to Al Kaline. His numbers seem only above average his 1st ten years and below average his remaining years. Certainly not someone I would call an elite player.

Its likely Mitch Album makes the Baseball HOF because writers have the vote and the media feel that they are more important than the players themselves. Generally, they are biased toward Cubs players. Does anyone think Ryne Sandberg was better than Lou Whitaker or Bruce Sutter better than Rich Gossage? I don't!


I will only reply today to one of your player comparisons, but I think you are short-sighted on both - also Kaline & Kell. I can only mention three major stat differences now - out of several where Sandberg is clearly ahead of Whitaker.

Sandberg had around nine seasons where he finished in the top-10 in hits -- Lou had one.

Ryne had around 8-9 Gold Gloves -- Lou had three.

Ryne averaged right around .300 for 11 consecutive seasons -- think Lou only hit over .300 once in his career.

Gotta run!

:atthepc
NostraFucious

[HDH]

My point is that just because a player spent 5 years as a Cub, shouldn't make him a HOF. In the case of Sandberg, his career totals don't seem so much better than Lou Whitaker's. Also, I always felt Lou was a better player overall.

Regardless of afterthought. During their playing days, there was no GM that would've preferred Sutter over Gossage.

[Gooch]

This is a great question and it illustrates how The Tigers have lacked that one identifiable Cooperstown-bound franchise superstar since, probably, Hank Greenberg.
Although I think Kaline deserved enshrinement, he was a few tiers below his outfield contemporaries like Mantle and Clemente.
Trammell and Morris are both borderline candidates.

[Captain Cold Nose]

This is a great question and it illustrates how The Tigers have lacked that one identifiable Cooperstown-bound franchise superstar since, probably, Hank Greenberg.
Although I think Kaline deserved enshrinement, he was a few tiers below his outfield contemporaries like Mantle and Clemente.
Trammell and Morris are both borderline candidates.
A few tiers below them? How many tiers are there? Remember, Kaline was elected in his first year, which is a slam dunk for the most part.
There are a few good discussions about Kaline/Clemente in the History forum, Gooch. A lot of people actually consider Kaline the better of the two. I think they're close, certainly at the same level. Mantle was Mantle. He's in my personal top ten all-time.
Outside of that, I completely agree with you.

[Gooch]

Kaline was a fine steady player and quite a gentleman from what I understand. Yes, you're right that he was slightly better than Clemente as a defensive right-fielder. But Kaline loses some points with me because of his relative lack of power (he was good for 15 to 20 a year), despite batting in the 3-4-5 positions in the order most of his career. His batting average was good, not great, (though he hit .340 once early on), plus he lacked speed.
I also think Mantle was one of the top six or seven players in history (power, speed, defense, charisma, etc.), so not too many guys are comparable to Mick.
Perhaps I shouldn't even include Mantle as a peer to Al, since Mickey played centerfield.

[tigers527]

- out of several where Sandberg is clearly ahead of Whitaker.

Sandberg had around nine seasons where he finished in the top-10 in hits -- Lou had one.

Ryne had around 8-9 Gold Gloves -- Lou had three.

Ryne averaged right around .300 for 11 consecutive seasons -- think Lou only hit over .300 once in his career.

Gotta run!

:atthepc
NostraFucious

Whitakers OBP was nearly 20 points higher then Sandbergs. Whitaker scored more runs and had more RBIs as well. I bring up the OBP cause I only wish that right now we had a player that has an OBP 90 points higher then their batting avg.

[tigers527]

1. Jack Morris....had he not been so gruff he would already be in. Which might be off topic but the Baseball Writers cabal are a bunch of grudge holding asses. I know Morris' ERA is higher than any current HOF pitcher. He often while leading a game was a here it is hit it pitcher.

2. Lou Whitaker....especially after Sandberg got in.

3. David Wells...I know not a long time tiger. Put his name on the wall of the COPA dont make a statue. He's like the boisterous Morris consistant and a winner everywhere he pitched. Plus he had perfect game with a raging hangover. Almost as impressive as Doc Willis' no hitter on acid.

NOT TRAMMELL....nothing personal he had too few full seasons. Plagued by injuries put his solid year # to about 3 way too few for HOF. His numbers though pretty good aren't HOF. Just ask yourself if he's in is Bill Buckner?

[Captain Cold Nose]

1. Jack Morris....had he not been so gruff he would already be in. Which might be off topic but the Baseball Writers cabal are a bunch of grudge holding asses. I know Morris' ERA is higher than any current HOF pitcher. He often while leading a game was a here it is hit it pitcher.

2. Lou Whitaker....especially after Sandberg got in.

3. David Wells...I know not a long time tiger. Put his name on the wall of the COPA dont make a statue. He's like the boisterous Morris consistant and a winner everywhere he pitched. Plus he had perfect game with a raging hangover. Almost as impressive as Doc Willis' no hitter on acid.

NOT TRAMMELL....nothing personal he had too few full seasons. Plagued by injuries put his solid year # to about 3 way too few for HOF. His numbers though pretty good aren't HOF. Just ask yourself if he's in is Bill Buckner?
Wells? For what? He was a good pitcher. He is not a HOF-caliber pitcher. And he was in Detroit what, all of two years? There are so many players deserving of honors as a Tiger than Wells. Mike Henneman is more worthy of his name on the wall at Copa.
Your other two choices are questionable as HOF'ers by at least popular candidates around the site.

[tigers527]

Wells? For what? He was a good pitcher. He is not a HOF-caliber pitcher. And he was in Detroit what, all of two years? There are so many players deserving of honors as a Tiger than Wells. Mike Henneman is more worthy of his name on the wall at Copa.
Your other two choices are questionable as HOF'ers by at least popular candidates around the site.

First off the wall @ Copa has the names of the HOFers that wore a Tiger uniform for a significant length of time (Wells spent 3 years here). Henneman might be a better fan choice, so should the paint his name over Hennie Manush?

And if...big if, Wells can win say 30 more games his career numbers and Jack Morris' career numbers would be very simular. It looks like he wont. He has said this is his last year. Still he is the current 3rd active pitcher in wins.

[Captain Cold Nose]

I am well aware of what is on the walls at Copa. And in no way do I advocate the removal of any of those names. Wells's time in a Detroit uniform was hardly significant. I can think of many, many pitchers who deserve to be honored by the team far more than Wells and his three-year stint during a time the Tigers certainly don't have much to be proud of.
Third in wins currently hardly means third best.

[tigers527]

I am well aware of what is on the walls at Copa. And in no way do I advocate the removal of any of those names. Wells's time in a Detroit uniform was hardly significant. I can think of many, many pitchers who deserve to be honored by the team far more than Wells and his three-year stint during a time the Tigers certainly don't have much to be proud of.
Third in wins currently hardly means third best.
Tochee....I dont think Wells is going to get there anyway (HOF that is). I just one day want to say I saw that guy. Either as a statue or if not life long tiger on the wall.

[JohnGelnarFan]

Does Denny McLain have a special exhibit in the hall of fame for his 31 win season? He sure was good for us in Washington.....:grouchy