Armando Benitez

[Cowtipper]

Over the course of his 15 year career, Armando Benitez had 289 career saves, a 3.13 ERA, and 946 strikeouts in just 779 innings of work. he was an All-Star twice, in 2003 and 2004, and in 2001 he won the NL Rolaids Relief Award.

In 2004, Benitez led the league in saves. He is sixth among active pitchers on that list (he technically is still active) and 23rd all-time. He led the league in games finished in 2000, and is fifth on the active list in that category. He is 29th all-time in games finished as well.

According to the Baseball Reference similarity scores, Benitez is statistically similar to the following players: Rod Beck, Jeff Montgomery, Troy Percival, Robb Nen, Tom Henke, Jason Isringhausen, John Wetteland, Ugueth Urbina, Todd Worrell and Randy Myers.

The Baseball Page ranks him as the 36th best reliever of all time, ahead of Steve Bedrosian, Willie Hernandez and Jeff Russell but behind Rod Beck, Doug Jones and Roy Face.

So, what do you think about Armando Benitez? Will he be a Hall of Famer when he becomes eligible? Did he ever have Hall of Fame potential?

PS: This thread is semi-dedicated to nerfan because he mentioned Benitez at one point earlier.

[Greg Maddux's Biggest Fan]

Ummmmm, no comment :D

[Cougar]

What's with the invisible dedication?

Benitez: An arsonist among firemen. Stats don't tell the story here, at all.

I suppose I could have checked "had HOF potential", but potential includes a minimum amount of poise, so, "No".

There are 50 better cases among retired relievers. I could name 25 or so instantly; after that I'd need to work a bit.

[PVNICK]

I bet Benitez would fare better in a "blind taste test" b/c he has had some high profile bumbles that made his name mud with many (most, all) fans of his teams.

[Brooklyn]

I can't believe this poll was started my a Mets fan.

[Cougar]

I bet Benitez would fare better in a "blind taste test" b/c he has had some high profile bumbles that made his name mud with many (most, all) fans of his teams.

Actually, I'm certain you are correct about this.

[KCGHOST]

I can't believe this poll was started my a Mets fan.

Yeah, I was going to say "What say you, Mets fans??".

[SteveJRogers]

I bet Benitez would fare better in a "blind taste test" b/c he has had some high profile bumbles that made his name mud with many (most, all) fans of his teams.

I see your point, but I don't think we are at that level yet in terms of closers getting into the Hall.

[Captain Cold Nose]

With the possible exception of Urbina, I'd take every one of his listed comps over him. Some very comfortably.

[Cowtipper]

I can't believe this poll was started my a Mets fan.

I tried writing it with an unbiased viewpoint. Heaven knows I wouldn't vote for the guy.

[Cougar]

I tried writing it with an unbiased viewpoint. Heaven knows I wouldn't vote for the guy.

This is kind of like a Fred Merkle poll. Sure, his career had high points, but it was all about the Boner.

[EricAnno]

Sure, his career had high points, but it was all about the Boner.

Are you talking about Merkle? Or John Holmes?

Man...it's a good thing I don't believe in a Hell...:pray:

Wait...

[Fuzzy Bear]

Relievers with better cases:

Sparky Lyle
Lindy McDaniel
Dan Quisenberry
Jeff Reardon
Jose Mesa (yes, Jose Mesa)
Steve Bedrosian
Wilbur Wood
Firpo Marberry

If Armando Benitez makes the HOF, we would have to induct every reliever that ever won the Rolaids award to be fair.

[CircleChange11]

This is kind of like a Fred Merkle poll. Sure, his career had high points, but it was all about the Boner.

I think you just named his biography.