Is the Hall what it used to be?
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by Stix11
Back then, there were certain "shoe in stats" that would make you a guaranteed Famer. For instance, 300 wins, or 500 home runs. But is it still that way? With the recent jump in power hitting, is 500 home runs as big of an accomplishment as it used to be? The players today play in 162 games a year, and face saturated pitching in home run heaven ballparks like Minute Maid. It is still a big deal to hit a long ball, but now that every game seems to be the host of a Home Run Derby, is the Hall of Fame still guaranteed for the "500 Club"?
Not only do you have steroids to blame for the spike in the long balls, but you also have guys like David Ortiz, and Jim Thome. People like Frank Thomas and Mike Piazza, who should have retired, but thanks to the DH, can play another five years because they don't have to play a position. That brings up an interesting topic itself . . .
Should a career DH be allowed into the Hall of Fame?
When I think about this question, I immediately answer with, why should a guy who only played half the game be put in a place of honor with men who mastered both sides of the game. Guys like Willy Mays and Ted Williams. But when you step back and look at it, if you say no to that answer, then all of the pitchers who spent the majority of their careers in the American League would be out. So now, guys like Roger Clemens, Randy Johnson, Miriano Rivera, have a chance of not making it in, because they only played half the game.
On another note, there are guys that did play both offense and defense, but were only known because of one or the other. Ozzie Smith was, arguably, the best shortstop of all time, but one clutch World Series home run does not a Hall of Fame hitter make. So, the question remains, is the Hall of Fame becoming saturated with guys that don't really deserve to be there? Should they steepen the qualifications one must achieve for entrance? I don't know about you, but if Albert Belle makes it in to the Hall, I will boycott the ballot
I couldn't agree with you more, Stix. Under no circumstances should a DH receive consideration, although one, Paul Molitor, has been elected. Jim Thome, while he has spent more time in the field than at DH and who has reached the 500 homer mark is not a HOFer. He qualifies in your first argument of taking advantage of the era, and while no fault of his own, still doesn't make him a better player. Frank Thomas, on the other hand, has played primarily as a DH for the majority of his career and should not receive consideration regardless of where he ends up stats wise. Same, too for Harold Baines, who received 5.3% of the ballots last year in likely his final season on the ballot.
Shortstop is arguably the most important defensive position on the field, and throughout history is considered a defensive position. What Alex Rodriguez and Cal Ripken Jr and some others have done offensively, despite their impressiveness, is still considered an exception to the rule. I do consider Ozzie a Hall of Famer, I do not consider Omar Vizquel to be one, however.