Best Players by Position NOT in the Baseball Hall of Fame
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by Joebook
Let me begin by saying that I don't believe that all of these players should be inducted. These are simply the best players at their position that aren't enshrined.
I will not include players who are retired, but not yet eligible. I'd like to give the player a chance to be passed on before putting him here.
I also will not include Pete Rose, because he signed a lifetime ban from baseball and I think he should shut up and honor that. Fodder for another topic?
These are the best by position not in Cooperstown --
C -- Ted Simmons -- He was solid as a rock behind the plate for the Cardinals in the 70s, and became one of the best offensive catchers in history. He finished with almost 2500 hits and 1400 RBI, and hit .269 or better in every full season between 1971-83. Simmons racked up 483 career doubles, and ranks 15th all-time with 188 intentional walks. Simmons was an All-Star eight times and deserves a spot in the Hall of Fame.
1B -- Steve Garvey -- I'm a big fan of Garvey's consistency with periods of brilliance. He hit .280 or better 13 times, and finished his career with 2599 hits. Garvey was an All-Star ten times, won four Gold Gloves and was the MVP of the NLCS in 1978 and 1984. The 1974 NL MVP also reached 200+ hits six times. Garvey was a career .338 hitter in the playoffs, including a .417 mark in the 1981 World Series. He deserves to be honored in Cooperstown.
2B -- Frank White -- I'm sure this pick will be argued, but White was the best defensive 2B in many years, and had a good enough bat to stay in the lineup. He drew comparisons to Ozzie Smith, although he wasn't as consistent with the lumber. Nevertheless, he made it to 2000 hits and won eight Gold Gloves. White was a member of the 1985 World Series Champion KC Royals, in which he hit .250 with a home run and six RBI. I don't think White belongs in the Hall, but he was a fantastic ballplayer.
SS -- Alan Trammell -- Trammell was a grinder, in the truest form of the word. He put up great career numbers without having many spectacular seasons. He was also a four-time Gold Glove winner at short, and formed a great double play combination with Lou Whitaker. Trammell finished with 2365 hits and was named the 1984 World Series MVP after hitting .450 with six RBI. He accrued 236 stolen bases to go with his six All-Star games. He's a borderline HOF player.
3B -- Ron Santo -- It's easy to pick Santo, who receives more pub for a Hall of Fame push than anyone I've seen, but I had a hard time finding someone better. In fact, I think he was a better player than Brooks Robinson. Santo was in the All-Star game nine times and owns five Gold Gloves. His career ended at age 34 with 2254 hits and 342 home runs, and deserves his spot in the Hall. It might take some time, but he'll get there.
OF -- Jim Rice -- He was simply one of the most feared hitters of his time. For every 162 games he played, his averages were 30 HR and 113 RBI. Rice was the 1978 AL MVP who led the league in home runs three times, total bases four times and RBI twice. He played in eight All-Star games and hit .280 or better 12 times. His 1978 season remains one of the top offensive seasons in history. He belongs in the Hall of Fame.
OF -- Andre Dawson -- Hawk was a five-tool player who excelled in the field to complement his tremendous bat. He finished with 2774 hits, 438 home runs and 314 steals, and won eight Gold Gloves to go with his eight All-Star appearances. He's the only player to win an MVP award on a last place team, capturing the title in 1987 with the Cubs. Dawson was the rare combination of speed and power that so few players had. He deserves an induction speech.
OF -- Albert Belle -- I know that I've already opened this can of worms, but find a better hitter that isn't in the Hall. Belle was devastating during his ten full seasons, averaging 40 HR and 130 RBI for every 162 games played. Had he kept his health, he would have easily cleared 500 HR and 500 doubles. Belle was the premier right-handed power hitter of the 90s, and hit six HR in 18 career postseason games. I'm one of the few that believes Albert belongs in the Hall of Fame
SP -- Jim Kaat -- He pitched in 25 different seasons and compiled 283 wins. What's most impressive about Kaat is that he won 16 consecutive Gold Gloves on the mound. Kaat was never a dominant pitcher, but he was effective well into his 40s and ranks 29th all-time in wins. His 3.45 ERA isn't great, but he deserves to be on this list because of his superior fielding and above average pitching. He's a borderline HOF player who should be recognized as an excellent player.
SP -- Bert Blyleven -- Bert's another guy who had a long, successful career. He wasn't a dominant arm for many years, but his longevity led to 287 wins and 3701 strikeouts. He ranks ninth all-time in shutouts and games started, and posted a 5-1 record with a 2.47 ERA in eight postseason appearances. Blyleven is another borderline HOF player, and I think he'll eventually get in.
SP -- Ron Guidry -- There are probably pitchers who had longer, more full careers, but Guidry was the best in the business during the late 70s and early 80s. His 1978 season ranks among the best in history, and he was awarded the Cy Young award that season. Guidry twice led the league in wins, and was 5-2 in the postseason, 3-1 with a 1.69 ERA in the World Series. Guidry won't get in the Hall, but he was a dominant force during his time.
RP -- Lee Smith -- He's the all-time leader in saves, and he's not in the Hall? Smith averaged almost a strikeout per inning for his career, and appeared in seven All-Star games. He ranked in the top three in saves nine times, and has finished more games than anyone in history. Smith absolutely belongs in Cooperstown, and he should get there soon.
Source
Date
Tue 07/25/06, 4:22 pm EST
