Who has helped their HOF chances this year?

[mac195]

Jim Thome tops the list. After his injury plagued 2005 season you had to wonder if he was washed up. Turns out he's as good as ever, and looks like he'll cruise to 550+ HRs.

Who else has really improved their chances in 2006?

[EvanAparra]

Frank Thomas, Nomar Garciaparra, Mike Mussina, John Smoltz

[soberdennis]

Jim Thome tops the list. After his injury plagued 2005 season you had to wonder if he was washed up. Turns out he's as good as ever, and looks like he'll cruise to 550+ HRs.

Who else has really improved their chances in 2006?
I think Frank Thomas also proved he wasn't done. But of the two, Thome probably needed more help to get to Cooperstown than Hurt.

[mac195]

Yeah, Frank Thomas also had a big comeback year, but I think he was already a lock.

[mac195]

Frank Thomas, Nomar Garciaparra, Mike Mussina, John Smoltz
Good choices. Nomar still has a ways to go yet though.

[EvanAparra]

Yeah he sure does, but if hes going to make it, he had to shape up this year.

Schilling also has a shot. Although his ERA this year didnt help very much.

[SamtheBravesFan]

Why not Trevor Hoffman?

[mac195]

If Hoffman wasn't a lock before this year, he certainly is now. He might even go first ballot.

[Brian McKenna]

Glavine with every win

[Senor Octobre]

Also, Curt Schilling has had a bit of a comeback year & got a couple of milestones (200 wins and 3000 ks), Chipper Jones has had a solid season in limited play, I'd say Jeter has improved his already great chances with his MVP caliber season, Scott Rolen has had a comeback year. But Jim Thome comes to mind. Frank Thomas has had the better season IMHO but I felt he was roughly a lock anyways.

[mwiggins]

Thomas, Hoffman, Jeter, Smoltz, and Glavine. They aren't all locks now, but they should get more votes now than they would have last year at this time. Jeter and Thomas especially.

[Mike D.]

How about Craig Biggio?

He was probably a lock before this year, but he's continued his march to 3,000 hits. His average has been well below his career mark, but he added 125 his (now 80 short of 3,000), 32 doubles, 20 HR, and 74 runs.

Any kind of decent season next year gives him 3,000+ hits, 650 2b's, and 1800 RS. He's taken a good HOF case and helped cement it.

[RuthMayBond]

There's a LOT of guys who have helped their HOF chances this year, but if you're just talking about guys who are getting close to locks-
Manny Ramirez
Lance Berkman, Jason Giambi, Carlos Delgado, Scott Rolen, Miguel Tejada, Roy Oswalt are still a ways away but keep chugging
Chipper Jones
Vladdy

[mac195]

Of the players mentioned so far...


Glavine, Thomas, Biggio - already locks going into 2006

Jeter, Hoffman - chances already excellent, became sure thing in 2006

Ramirez - remains a near lock, 500th HR will do it for him next year

Mussina, Smoltz, Schilling - chances remain very good

Thome - chances improve from fair to good, may need more than 500 HRs, but will probably get a lot more.

Vlad Guerrero, Chipper Jones, Rolen, Tejada - chances remain good

Garciaparra, Giambi - now a more realistic chance, must sustain comebacks for several more years

[leecemark]

--Do you really think much of Giambi's chances? His rate stats are excellent, but he has alot of negatives working against him. I think he has to get 500 HR just to get consideration.

[mac195]

Agreed, Mark. Giambi's chances are looking better than two years ago, but still not very good.

[Sockeye]

A couple players not mentioned by anyone yet that really helped their chances this season....

Andruw Jones: Another great season, 2 more good years and he'll be a lock

Carlos Delgado: Another big year. Now over 400 home runs at age 34, easily on his way to 500+ home runs and a HOF lock.

[wilkerson_rulz-06]

Garciappara is not HOF material, come on.

[W_Marone]

Frank Thomas, although I'd call him a HOFer before this season anyway.

[EvanAparra]

Garciappara is not HOF material, come on.
Well, not right now of course. But as of 2003 he was well on his way. Injuries really killed his chances.

[STLCards2]

Of all the guys who haven't obtained 'absolute, no-doubters, lock" status (Clemens, Maddux, Johnson, Griffey, Bonds, Piazza, Rivera, A. Rodriguez) by the average writer/voter/analysist, most have had good to very good years...

Schilling...good year
Mussina...best year in 3-4 years
Glavine...good year
Smoltz...good year
Biggio...okay year, but pilled up more hits
Thome...very good year
Thomas...best in years
Hoffman...good year
Chipper...injured, but very productive when healthy
Jeter...great year
Ramirez...typical great season
Guerrero...typical great season
I. Rodriguez...good year
A. Jones...very good year
Rolen...very good comeback year
Delgado...very good year
Garciaparra... best season in 3-4 years

The only potetial HOFers (10 or so seasons) that seemed to do nothing to improve their causes were maybe Jeff Kent and Jim Edmonds.

This seemed like a very good year for older veterans.

[Fuzzy Bear]

Garciappara is not HOF material, come on.

Yes, he is. Or, at least, he's in the running. He won't go in if his career ends tomorrow, but he made the All-Star team at 1B, hit for a good BA, and added to his career totals. His career has been truncated, and he might get the Cecil Travis treatment if it ended today, but he helped himself. He re-established himself as a star, and got his career moving in the right direction.

Schilling's season disappointed in the end, but he PROBABLY pushed himself over the line to where he will get in SOMEDAY, if not 1st ballot. He wasn't there last year, so that's a big step.

[Skin & Bones]

Agreed, Mark. Giambi's chances are looking better than two years ago, but still not very good.

Giambi's rates are sick, but I doubt he gets in. I'd probably vote for him, but the steroid issue will hurt his chances. Outside of Bonds, he's the face of this " scandal ".

[Honus Wagner]

if julio franco plays for 3 more years and is a viable player at the age of 50, would he be considered for HOF?

his stats won't be as good as Harold Baines (except SB and BA), but would the uniqueness of his achievement weigh in?

satchel paige had 1 good year at the age of 45+, ryan peaked @ 44...clemens may take a run @ 45

[EvanAparra]

[QUOTE=Fuzzy Bear]Yes, he is. Or, at least, he's in the running. He won't go in if his career ends tomorrow, but he made the All-Star team at 1B, hit for a good BA, and added to his career totals. [QUOTE]

:clapping :clapping :clapping :clapping

[RuthMayBond]

ryan peaked @ 44...If you don't count 1981, '77, AND '87

[mac195]

Nomar already has the great years under his belt. But he needs is to build up some respectable career numbers. If he can stay healthy and productive enough to start at 1B for several more years, I think he'll make the HOF. That's a big "if" though.

[Honus Wagner]

If you don't count 1981, '77, AND '87

i guessed i should have said, ryan stopped being productive @ 44...franco has been productive after 45y.o.

[leecemark]

--Well sort of productive. He has been a fairly usefull part time player for the last 5 years - after being out of the majors for 2 years when he appeared to be washed up way back in 1997. He is having an extremely unusual career, but not a great one.

[Honus Wagner]

--Well sort of productive. He has been a fairly usefull part time player for the last 5 years - after being out of the majors for 2 years when he appeared to be washed up way back in 1997. He is having an extremely unusual career, but not a great one.

many oddities with his career...24 years between appearances @ 3b is plain crazy AND he looked good

Franco is now the second-oldest man to ever play third behind Jimmy Austin, who played game at third at age 49 in 1929. Austin basically retired years before, but as a coach for the Browns he was inserted in blowout games. In the 1929 game, he handled both chances his way.

Here are the oldest prior to Franco to play third:

Player Yr Age POS G
Jimmy Austin 1929 49 3B 1
Jimmy Austin 1926 46 3B 1
Jimmy Austin 1925 45 3B 1
Bobby Wallace 1918 44 3B 1
Bobby Wallace 1917 43 3B 5
Graig Nettles 1988 43 3B 12
Honus Wagner 1917 43 3B 18
Jack Ryan 1912 43 3B 1
Bobby Wallace 1916 42 3B 9
Darrell Evans 1989 42 3B 28
Deacon White 1890 42 3B 64
Graig Nettles 1987 42 3B 40
Jack Saltzgaver 1945 42 3B 1
Jimmie Dykes 1939 42 3B 2
Jimmy Austin 1922 42 3B 9

[Ubiquitous]

I think Jeter did a lot perhaps the most in terms of HoF cases.

I really can't see Glavine's year as a strong case. Sure he got off to a hot start but in 7 or 8 years nobody is going to remember what he did in April or May of 2006. What they will see is that he went 14-6 or so and had around a 4.00 ERA in 2006. In the end that is nothing really to get excited about.

I think Ryan Howard probably had the most raw gain. He is now on the map and will be looked at for awhile now because of his performance.

Ortiz and his dramatics probably gained a lot this year as well.

[mac195]

Howard is in his first full season, and will turn 27 in a couple months. He'll have his work cut out for him building a HOF career after this late a start.

[EvanAparra]

Ortiz has a LONG way to go as well.. However, the 2004 postseason will push him through if his stats dont match up.

[Fuzzy Bear]

I think Jeter did a lot perhaps the most in terms of HoF cases.

I really can't see Glavine's year as a strong case. Sure he got off to a hot start but in 7 or 8 years nobody is going to remember what he did in April or May of 2006. What they will see is that he went 14-6 or so and had around a 4.00 ERA in 2006. In the end that is nothing really to get excited about.

I think Ryan Howard probably had the most raw gain. He is now on the map and will be looked at for awhile now because of his performance.

Ortiz and his dramatics probably gained a lot this year as well.

Glavine's already in.

Ryan Howard, despite his late start, has had the kind of year which will keep him talked about as a candidate if he plays 10 years and has the kind of career one would expect from a talented power hitter. His 2006 campaign puts him on the HOF map for sure, but he's a long way from cinching it.

[Fuzzy Bear]

Omar Vizquel has helped himself a lot. He's hitting .302 now, and if he keeps his BA over .300 for the year, it will be a big plus for him.

Viz has 2,469 hits at this writing; he pushed himself forward a lot this year. His batting stats are not out of line with a number of shortstops whose primary attribute was defense.

I don't know if Vizquel will ever make the HOF, or if he can do enough at this late juncture to cinch his election, but he'll be a candidate now. And not a ridiculous one. He's played more games at shortstop than anyone in baseball history.

[STLCards2]

I think Jeter did a lot perhaps the most in terms of HoF cases.

I really can't see Glavine's year as a strong case. Sure he got off to a hot start but in 7 or 8 years nobody is going to remember what he did in April or May of 2006. What they will see is that he went 14-6 or so and had around a 4.00 ERA in 2006. In the end that is nothing really to get excited about.

I think Ryan Howard probably had the most raw gain. He is now on the map and will be looked at for awhile now because of his performance.

Ortiz and his dramatics probably gained a lot this year as well.

I will agree that Glavine's season is nothing to write home about, but every team in baseball would love a 15-6 pitcher, with 200 IP and an ERA+ over 110. Not bad for a 41 year old! Not bad for anybody. Just another above average season in a long line of them for Glavine. When the average 41-year old is commentating on ESPN or in severe decline, any above-average season has got to be viewed as help for HOF chances.

Also, with one more win, Glavine will have 290, which may be significant, since there is a grand total of 0 post-1900 pitchers with 290 wins who aren't in Cooperstown. Again, my comments are not on desevidness of the Hall, but based on what the voters like. I have acctualy heard a few future voters who were once on the fence about Glavine change their minds this season. He probably would have made it in anyway, but my point is: every extra win does look good to voters. An above-average (not great)season looks very good to voters who may have not been sold on Glavine's credentials.

[mac195]

Vizquel will finish with a career that is remarkably similar to that of fellow Venezuelan and HOFer, Luis Aparicio. Luis got in pretty easily 20 years ago, but the standard for what a shortstop is expected to contribute offensively has been raised so much since then that Visquel may never get in.

[Fuzzy Bear]

Ortiz has a LONG way to go as well.. However, the 2004 postseason will push him through if his stats dont match up.

Ortiz has a long way to go, tis true. But this season pushes him forward; this season, in conjunction with his other Red Sox seasons, makes him a serious candidate.

[SamtheBravesFan]

Trevor Hoffman just helped himself a lot by setting the all-time saves record. :)

[Ubiquitous]

hasn't seemed to help Lee Smith much.

[J W]

Hoffman's 500th save will probably help his chances a lot more, and it looks like he'll blow past that mark... he SHOULD be just fine, but we'll see.

[Brad Harris]

Now over 400 home runs at age 34, easily on his way to 500+ home runs and a HOF lock.

Not to diminish Delgado's incredible skills or career, but there aren't very many guys who've hit 100+ home runs from age 35 on. In fact, only 38 had ever done that. Just goes to show how fast the end can come when you're past your prime.

[john1972]

Not to diminish Delgado's incredible skills or career, but there aren't very many guys who've hit 100+ home runs from age 35 on. In fact, only 38 had ever done that. Just goes to show how fast the end can come when you're past your prime.

Considering how rare this feat is, it kinda makes you wonder when someone like Craig Biggio has in fact accomplished this.

[brett]

Amazingly, Hoffmann has a shot at the Cy Young this year-by default. The only starter who can possibly win it is Webb, and if he goes 16-8? I would still vote for Webb. IP and ERA mean the most, but some voters just won't go for a starter with 16 wins and Hoffmann looks great on paper.

Hoffman's 500th save will probably help his chances a lot more, and it looks like he'll blow past that mark... he SHOULD be just fine, but we'll see.

[brett]

Delgado is today's version of Fred McGriff. Yes he has 3-4 monster seasons, but McGriff was a legit MVP candidate a few times as well-'89 and '92.

Not to diminish Delgado's incredible skills or career, but there aren't very many guys who've hit 100+ home runs from age 35 on. In fact, only 38 had ever done that. Just goes to show how fast the end can come when you're past your prime.

[buckoneill4HOF]

sadly, Buck Oneill

[Fuzzy Bear]

Alfonso Soriano has helped his chances a lot this year. He was predicted to be a bust, moving to the lousy hitter's park in Washington. Instead, he had his best STATISTICAL season, ever, and by a lot. He set career highs in OBP and HRs.

The only thing that offsets this is the move to LF. Even at that, the negatives associated with Soriano's position shift are buffeted by his performance and by his role in the lineup; the role of a power hitting leadoff man. While the move to LF truncates Soriano's career somewhat, it also quieted the critics of his defense. Soriano's chances of going into the HOF rest on the perception that he is a greater version of Bobby Bonds, and he moved in that direction a great deal this year. He's not there, but he's quieted a lot of critics while moving in the right direction.

[nyykan_t]

Mussina. His 197.3 IP, 15-7 with 3.51 ERA, 128 ERA+ season will likely make the Yankees give him a 2 years contract, which can possibly give him 30 or more wins and over .600 winning percentage in the next two years. The only question is whether he can stay healthy or not, and he has also showed that he can be healthy again this year.

This rebound year really help his HOF chance, or I should say that this year make him have a real chance again.

[ChrisLDuncan]

Frank Thomas, Nomar Garciaparra, Mike Mussina, John Smoltz
Agreed, Jim Thome helped his case. A-Rod got 450+ dingers so that pretty much guarentees his chances. If Jeter wins the MVP it adds to his resume. I also think that Glavine helped his chances too. But the biggest guy that helped his chance is TREVOR HOFFMAN.

[Brad Harris]

By playing well enough to warrant coming back in 2007, Craig Biggio put himself in a position where the neanderthals on the BBWAA won't be able to ignore him any longer.

Consider his career totals now:
1,776 runs scored (18th all-time)
2,930 hits (tied for 31st all-time)
637 doubles (9th all-time)

Consider where he could finish after one more season:
Runs scored - 84 runs could net him 12th place all-time
Hits - 70 would place him in the 3,000 hit club
Doubles - 29 would net him 5th place all-time

He's also just 6 hits-by-pitch away from breaking Hughie Jenning's all-time record of 287.

Biggio was already a Hall-of-Famer. It's just that he was able to position himself for "automatic" induction with this season's boost.

[Ytown Tribe fan]

It is an absolute travesty that Buck O'Neil is not already enshrined in Cooperstown. He was okay with it right to the end, but no one else in KC is okay with it.


Frank Thomas was probably already headed for Cooperstown. He's a mortal lock now.

Jeff Kent is still a fringe candidate, I suppose, although 500 doubles sure looks good along with about 350 homers. He may get some consideration along the line.

Julio Franco would have to actually retire before he could be inducted. Maybe next decade.

Lil Omar Vizquel may just make it as well, and this year really edged him up the list of all-time shortstops in several categories. He gets to 2500 hits, he should eventually get in.

[CROM]

id have to say john smoltz..

[ChrisLDuncan]

It is an absolute travesty that Buck O'Neil is not already enshrined in Cooperstown. He was okay with it right to the end, but no one else in KC is okay with it.


Frank Thomas was probably already headed for Cooperstown. He's a mortal lock now.

Jeff Kent is still a fringe candidate, I suppose, although 500 doubles sure looks good along with about 350 homers. He may get some consideration along the line.

Julio Franco would have to actually retire before he could be inducted. Maybe next decade.

Lil Omar Vizquel may just make it as well, and this year really edged him up the list of all-time shortstops in several categories. He gets to 2500 hits, he should eventually get in.

Jeff Kent as an offensive second basemen may be somewhere near the top of the list (behind Rogers Hornsby)

Vizquel will get in on his D alone

[hudsonharden]

Frank Thomas was probably already headed for Cooperstown. He's a mortal lock now.



Especially after the multi-homer game, including one of the unflappable Johan Santana.

[Fuzzy Bear]

It is hard to see how any NL starting pitcher helped themselves a whole lot this year, given the low Wins totals. Maybe Smoltz, although his season may not look impressive in 10 years when he'll be retired and the voters will be looking at the raw stats alone, without putting them into context.

[brett]

I agree with Kent, although he looked to be dropping off. If he reachers 1500 RBI his place can not be doubted by any thinking person (even as much as RBI are overvalued. Those who know what he's worth, know he gets in. Those who don't know his value will put him in for 1500 RBIs).

Jeff Kent as an offensive second basemen may be somewhere near the top of the list (behind Rogers Hornsby)

Vizquel will get in on his D alone

[538280]

Jeff Kent as an offensive second basemen may be somewhere near the top of the list (behind Rogers Hornsby)


How is Jeff Kent ANYWHERE NEAR the offensive player that Joe Morgan was. Just looking at something as simple as OPS+, Morgan is ahead 132 to 126, in much more PA. And OPS+ wil severly underrate an offensive player like Morgan who gets much of it from the "O" in OPS+, and also contributes a lot on the basepaths. There's also Collins and Lajoie who have OPS+ almost 20 points higher each. Then there's Carew, and arguably Gehringer, Alomar, Biggio, and Grich are better too. Kent is a player who will probably be overrated historically (much like Gehringer, actually) because of the inflated offensive stats of his era. He still will be a legit HOFer though.

[STLCards2]

It is hard to see how any NL starting pitcher helped themselves a whole lot this year, given the low Wins totals. Maybe Smoltz, although his season may not look impressive in 10 years when he'll be retired and the voters will be looking at the raw stats alone, without putting them into context.

In isolation, 15-16 wins don't look that good to voters, but when those wins put you up to 290 wins, or over 200, or near 250 wuns, it does have a big impact on future voters. I have heard this year several future voters who were not going to vote for Glavine, but will now since he got to 290 wins. I have also heard several say they wouldn't vote for Smoltz or Schilling unless they got 200 wins. Schiling is past, and Smoltz is 7 away. I have heard many say Mussina won't get in with anything less than 275 wins. The 15 this year helped. All of these 4 "borderline" guys (I wouldn't consider Glavine borderline, but many do) have helped their case by adding on counting stats. (all 4 remain pretty darn good for old guys...unlike R. Johnson)

[Goooooo]

Aramis Ramirez

[STLCards2]

Aramis Ramirez

I guess you could make a somewhat logical case than anybody with a productive year "helped get them closer to the HOF." Technicaly, Uggla, Ramirez, Johnson, Verlnader, Liriano, Paplebon, Duncan, etc. all were helped out this year too.

I think the thread was intended for those who were borderline cases before the season started.

[ChrisLDuncan]

How is Jeff Kent ANYWHERE NEAR the offensive player that Joe Morgan was. Just looking at something as simple as OPS+, Morgan is ahead 132 to 126, in much more PA. And OPS+ wil severly underrate an offensive player like Morgan who gets much of it from the "O" in OPS+, and also contributes a lot on the basepaths. There's also Collins and Lajoie who have OPS+ almost 20 points higher each. Then there's Carew, and arguably Gehringer, Alomar, Biggio, and Grich are better too. Kent is a player who will probably be overrated historically (much like Gehringer, actually) because of the inflated offensive stats of his era. He still will be a legit HOFer though.

I said near the top, I agree Joe Morgan is IMO the best 2 bagger ever, but power wise I would argue that Jeff Kent is probably the best.

[The Commissioner]

I'd say that Lofton helped his chances. 32 SB and a .301 BA, helping the Dodgers into the playoffs. He may still not be a Hall of Famer in most people's eyes, but that had to aid his chances.

[Honus Wagner]

non-players:
jim leyland if he gets to WS

[Fuzzy Bear]

I'd say that Lofton helped his chances. 32 SB and a .301 BA, helping the Dodgers into the playoffs. He may still not be a Hall of Famer in most people's eyes, but that had to aid his chances.

He has, yes. Lofton's problem is that he has a truncated career; his truly great years followed by years where he struggled. His late-in-life resurgance is absent the power he once had. Still, he's over .300 lifetime, and that makes some difference.