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View Full Version : VC '07 Eliminator B


J W
10-02-2006, 11:10 AM
I guess it's time for the third bi-annual Veteran's Committee eliminator here at BBF. The previous two times, Ron Santo took the crown (and likely will until he's finally in Cooperstown)... but it's still fun to go through the process.

With 27 candidates this year the format becomes simple. Nine groups of three will compete for nine (9) spots in the semifinals. The 9 semifinalists will compete for three (3) spots in the finals. Then a winner is determined.

Players were seeded randomly (aka, drawn from a hat). Some groups will therefore be tougher than others... but that never stopped the World Cup. Polls will last for one week, three at a time (to avoid cluttering up the main page).

--- GROUP B ---

Bobby Bonds (http://www.baseball-reference.com/b/bondsbo01.shtml) - OF and DH for the Giants, Yankees, Angels, White Sox, Rangers, Indians, Cardinals, and Cubs. Bonds was an important part of the San Fransisco teams of the late '60s and early '70s. He went on to achieve 3 ASGs, 3 GGs, and finished as high as 3rd in MVP voting (1973). Slugged .471 in his career and stole 461 bases. His most consistent comparable hitter was Dale Murphy (3 seasons).

Roger Maris (http://www.baseball-reference.com/m/marisro01.shtml) - OF for the Indians, Royals, Yankees, and Cardinals. Highly successful Yankee particularly noted for setting the single-season HR record in 1961 (61 HR). He amassed 4 ASGs, 1 GG and back-to-back AL MVPs (1960-61). His career was famously cut short (age 33) due to stress levels from setting the HR record. His most consistent comparable hitter was HOFer Reggie Jackson (3 seasons).

Tony Oliva (http://www.baseball-reference.com/o/olivato01.shtml) - OF and DH for the Twins. Played 15 seasons all with one team. He amassed 8 ASGs, 1 GG, and finished as high as 2nd in MVP voting (twice in 1965 and 1970). He won three batting titles; in 1964 (.323 average), 1965 (.321 average) and 1971 (.337 average). Led the AL in total hits 5 times. He had no consistent comparable hitter (four players w/ 2 seasons).

538280
10-02-2006, 07:02 PM
How can you vote for Oliva? :confused:

They have basically the same OPS+, but Bonds did it in over 1000 more PAs. Bonds also was a great basestealer and baserunner, which gives him another offensive dynamic Oliva didn't have. Bonds is quite clearly the better offensive player, and I'm sure every metric out there would agree. Then there's the longevity, and Bonds spent his entire career in the field and was a very good to great RF when he did. Bobby Bonds is much superior to Tony Oliva.

leecemark
10-02-2006, 07:09 PM
--Bonds might be more deserving than Oliva, but he surely isn't MUCH superior. Oliva was a great player before his knees gave out. Probably a better one than Bonds was at his best. Oliva was also a good character guy who spent his entire career with one team. Bonds was a guy who lots of teams wanted, but then wanted to to get of once they had him.

KCGHOST
10-02-2006, 08:39 PM
My heart wanted Oliva but Bonds has too big an edge in RCAA and WARP3.

honus14
10-05-2006, 02:34 PM
Bonds and Oliva are both old favorites of mine. I used to draft Bobby every chance I could in APBA leagues. I voted for him mostly for old times' sake. I don't really think any of the three of them are upper-shelf candidates right now, though.