PDA

View Full Version : What would it take to get chronically injured player into HOF like NFL's Sayers?



DTF955
12-27-2007, 01:44 PM
What would you say a player would have to do to merit induction into the Hall of Fame (and this might even go on the HOF board, it's borderline) if he was a chronically injured as the NFL's Gale Sayers.

Gale Sayers, for those who don't know, was a great runner and all-around back, so great he's considered one of the best ever (i.e.: Nobody I've ever heard considers him a bad HOF pick) though he only played 3 full seasons and parts of 4 others - only 2 in each of his last 2 seasons. (The equivalent, then, of just under 5 full seaosons).

I've got a few choices up there' feel free to vote for more than one. this can be what you think they'd have to do, but i think it might be best what you think voters would look at, as I know there are some who are very strict on HOF voting here, and might not think anyone who played like Sayers would merit induction.

The criteria? Well, I'm thinking he plays a few full seasons, parts of others, and can be out after 10 years or not, it's up to you.

Hmmm, just thinking, Dizzy Dean might be an equivalent. I'm not sure, though.

The idea is that, "A player would (or should) need this attribute in order to make it into the Hall if Chronically injured as much as a Sayers."

Of course, I don't have a box for "a player like that should never get in), but really, very few are so strict that they wouldn't allow a guy who was at the high end of every one of those in, and I think the box that they'd have to play well over 10 seasons covers that. (For isntance, a 23-years career adding up to 12-13 full years.)

Captain Cold Nose
12-28-2007, 01:16 PM
History has treated pitchers kinder than everyday players in regards to short careers and HOF election by the writers. Besides Dean, Sandy Koufax was also of HOF-quality for only a handful of seasons. Granted his is a unique case, he got out before the injuries forced him to miss playing time while spending the early years of his career as a young bonus baby who was still learning how to pitch. For an everyday player to make it while having a short career, I would think your last example, having a long career tenure-wise while missing a lot of time but playing exceptionally while healthy would fit.

Paul Molitor missed a lot of time in the first part of his career. He always had the ability, but he kept getting sidelined. As he aged, and was able to play DH health became less an issue.