husky
Magistrate
Posts: 2,188
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Post by husky on Dec 29, 2009 18:39:21 GMT -5
Well, one of my favorite players (Edgar Martinez) becomes eligible for the HOF this year. One problem for him though, besides his back-of-the-card stats being not too impressive, is that he spent most of his career as a DH. Now, the voters have become more open to the concept of the DH it seems, having voted in players who spent a good chunk of time at DH (Paul Molitor, Jim Rice) but who knows if they will vote in someone who spent most of his career at DH. What are your thoughts?
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Post by BTB07 on Dec 29, 2009 18:53:43 GMT -5
I would say he shouldn't be in the Hall of Fame, but it is close. He was on some really good Mariners teams, but was never the best player on his team.
He didn't dominate the era. I am a guy that thinks the standards still have to be very tough to keep the Hall of Fame very special (the one in Canton is verging on losing importance b/c 6 get in/year).
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husky
Magistrate
Posts: 2,188
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Post by husky on Dec 30, 2009 11:34:38 GMT -5
Actually, Martinez was the best player on the 1995 team that made the LCS, ( www.baseball-reference.com/teams/SEA/1995.shtml ) but you're correct, most years Junior was the best player on those teams. However, he did lead the team in OBP 12 times. Whether he dominated the era is a tough point to argue, but if you look at stats like OPS, they compare very favorably to a lot of other sure-fire HOFers.
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Post by IrishNY on Dec 30, 2009 12:03:32 GMT -5
I think Edgar should probably get in...not on the first ballot but he deserves some serious consideration and I don't think he should be penalized b/c he didn't play in the field. If prolific relievers are worthy of the HOF, a prolific hitter who was an RBI machine deserves it. He could also set the bar for all DH's and whether they deserve to be in...
that said, I think it should take a few years before he actually makes it...
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Post by tophb21 on Dec 30, 2009 19:31:44 GMT -5
IrishNY does make a solid point. We've had defensive specialists from the '60's get in, (Bill Mazeroski), so I don't see the issue with offensive specialists getting in. I see both sides of the debate, but I may lean towards giving him a serious look.
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Post by tophb21 on Dec 30, 2009 19:34:44 GMT -5
With further look at his numbers, I don't think his numbers over the long haul are quite good enough to get him in. I'm not opposed to a DH getting the nod, but he doesn't have the typical power numbers, total number of hits, or even high enough average (not that .312 is bad, just not stellar for an offensive specialist).
Sorry, but with further review, I say not in.
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Post by BTB07 on Dec 30, 2009 19:38:36 GMT -5
I don't think he has the overall numbers to get in, but it is very close. I certainly don't see him getting in easily, or on the first ballot.
He did play under 600 games in the field in 16 seasons, so he was certainly considered only as a DH (many of those games he played at third were just to get his bat in the lineup).
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Post by tophb21 on Dec 30, 2009 19:46:54 GMT -5
I hear ya BTB. He has just over 300 career HR's, just over 1200 RBI's. Those aren't real good for an 18 year veteran DH. Great guy, but not good enough numbers for me.
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husky
Magistrate
Posts: 2,188
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Post by husky on Dec 30, 2009 19:56:25 GMT -5
With further look at his numbers, I don't think his numbers over the long haul are quite good enough to get him in. I'm not opposed to a DH getting the nod, but he doesn't have the typical power numbers, total number of hits, or even high enough average (not that .312 is bad, just not stellar for an offensive specialist). Sorry, but with further review, I say not in. Total # of hits were suppressed because he drew a TON of walks, but given the era he played in, the power numbers will likely hurt his chances.
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Post by IrishNY on Dec 31, 2009 12:26:34 GMT -5
I hear ya BTB. He has just over 300 career HR's, just over 1200 RBI's. Those aren't real good for an 18 year veteran DH. Great guy, but not good enough numbers for me. Yea, I hadn't checked the numbers. That's critical and from what I see he doesn't have the numbers to justify a place in the HOF.
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