Sports Illustrated: Carlos Beltran: Hall of Famer?

Which player would spark a good HOF debate?

Tim Raines? Frank Thomas?

 

Neither should be up for debate.

Any Washington National would be a good one.

 

Debate? You can't be serious. Both belong.

 

I agree, but other than the steroid guys which players merit a debate?

 

Thomas is in for sure. Raines should be - I think we actually have a Tim Raines thread around here somewhere.

Some of the interesting ones:

* Curt Schilling
* Mike Mussina
* Jack Morris
* Lee Smith
* Alan Trammell
* Lou Whittaker
* Fred McGriff
* Edgar Martinez
* Jeff Kent
* Carlos Delgado
* Trevor Hoffman
* Jim Edmonds
* Tim Hudson

A guy who will never get in, but would make a great candidate for the Hall of Very Good, is Kenny Lofton.

 

If Jim Edmonds gets in the HOF, I will never watch baseball again out of general principle.

 

All should be in the Hall of Very Good. However, a good argument for the Hall of Fame could be put in for Jack Morris.

 

Jack Morris would be pretty far down that list for me.

I just can't get past the ERA.

 

How is Kent not in? Never really thought about it because he's the best offensive 2B ever or at least was considered that when he played.

 

I look at that list and see a lot of Hall of Famers, but then again I fall in the large hall category. The definite nos for me are Morris, Smith and Hudson is still going so I'd say no there, but I can see the argument for the others listed.

 

Beltran has had a better HOF career than Earle Combs. He's not had as good a career as Earl Averill. He's not been as good as Jim Edmonds, He's adding to his career now as a corner outfielder. This muddies his image a bit, but if Beltran had not come back from his nadir with the Mets, he would have been finished as a HOF candidate.

 

Answer: The Yankees have gone longer than any other franchise without drafting or signing a Hall of Famer. Most recent one was Mickey Mantle, signed in 1949. Obviously Jeter and Rivera will be inducted immediately after becoming eligible. Mattingly and Fred McGriff also have a decent shot are getting inducted.