2006-11-07 05:37:22 · 9 answers · asked by Js_5 5 in Sports ➔ Baseball
I couldn't agree more.
Carter is one of those guys who put together a nice career, then played for a while in a large market where he won the World Series while being very photogenic and freindly, all of which helped him garner a great deal of support after his retirement.
I'm a bit of a snob when it comes to the HOF, and I don't like anyone who causes people to say, "Well, if so and so is in the Hall of Fame, then this guy should be in." Carter, unfortunately, is one of those "so and so" guys who drag down the general level of achievement needed for Hall induction. It's one thing if he'd been voted in by the Veterans Committee, but it's crazy that he was allowed in by the regular group of writers.
Carter was a good catcher who had some decent offensive years, but his low OBP is unimpressive. He obviously had some power, but that was offset by his inability to reach base regularly on anything other than a home run. Carter deserves credit for being one of the best at his position for a while in the NL, but that shouldn't mean a plaque for him in Cooperstown.
2006-11-07 05:47:01 · answer #1 · answered by Craig S 7 · 2⤊ 3⤋
Carter was an 11 time all star. Tough to find an 11 time all star that's eligible for the HOF but not in.
Johnny Bench is the most similar player to Carter, although Bench was distinctly better.
With 324 HRs and 1,255 RBIs Carter was consistently one of the 2 or 3 best catchers in baseball for a long period of time, and for many years, was the best.
He put up good career numbers in the same manner as Yogi Berra...never had monstrous years, the way Bench had, but was just incredibly consistent, and never really got hurt much until the end of his career. Carter consistently caught 130-150 games a year for about 12 years. And his career numbers are very strong for a catcher. He also won 3 gold gloves and was a good defensive catcher as well (not that three gold gloves is a HOF credential, but he was a good two way player for many years).
It could certainly be argued that Carter shouldn't be in the HOF, but I also think that playing on the '86 Mets also helped his chances. It would have been even tougher to make the HOF had he not played for a championship team. Many of his early teams suffered near-misses in terms of division and/or National League titles.
Carter also put his numbers up without the aid of steroids.
2006-11-07 05:52:24 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I'm not sure, Gary Carter had an above average career, and had a few stellar years, but hall of fame worthy? I'm not sure. As a Mets fan though, I'm very happy for him that he is.
2006-11-07 07:40:46 · answer #3 · answered by J-Far 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can't compare Carter with Bench, Fisk and Berra. They were first ballot OHFers. Carter was good. It took him 10 years to get in the HOF,
The baseball page ranks him as the 10th greatest.
2006-11-07 07:10:20 · answer #4 · answered by smitty 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
One of the best catchers of his era, solid defensively and not an easy out yeah he was a bit of a good boy and rah rah guy, also one of the few catchers to lead the league in a major offensive category 106 rbi in 1984 yeah there are more deserving players Tony Oliva, Bert Blyleven, Tommy John, Jim Kaat but it is not an out and out injustice
2006-11-07 06:06:14 · answer #5 · answered by bartleyrose 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Why not? He was good enough, and I am no snob. I think the conditions for getting into the Hall are far too restrictive.
And hurrah for Jack Buck!
2006-11-07 09:00:18 · answer #6 · answered by BroadwayPhil 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Apparently, there were some on the Committee that liked him enough to elect him. He was a good player, not great, but good. After all, he was no Johnny Bench, Carlton Fisk or Yogi Berra.
2006-11-07 05:44:37 · answer #7 · answered by kepjr100 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Consistency - something that Joe Buck needs.
2006-11-07 09:12:30 · answer #8 · answered by Tommy D 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because unlike the tigers he could catch.
2006-11-07 05:39:32 · answer #9 · answered by just curious 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋