tim raines hof or not?

Question

i definetely think he's a hall of famer, the highest percentage of stolen bases in history, he was the nl's version of rickey henderson during that time, and he won a batting tittle and 2t o three rings with the yanks. only thing would hurt him was his involvement with the yayo, during the 80's

Answer 1

Yes, he should be in the Hall of Fame.

Raines was an outstanding player for well over a decade. As you said, he was the most efficient base stealer of all time, and he was a steady run producer (both scoring and driving them in). His career numbers match up quite well against a recent landslide candidate, Tony Gwynn. Sure, Gwynn had the high average, but their OBPs are extremely close (.388 to .385), as are their slugging numbers. I believe that Raines just gets lost in the shuffle because he spent much of his career in Montreal, and because injuries (and Lupus) caused him to fall short of 3,000 hits.

Raines also tends to get lumped in with the other speedsters like Vince Coleman and Otis Nixon, despite the fact that he was obviously a much, much better hitter than either of them. He was also much more efficient once he reached base. If you want to compare him to a HOF speedster, check his numbers against Lou Brock. Even adjusting for era, Raines is the better performer.

As for the comparison to Dawson, Raines was by far the better player. Sure, Dawson had an MVP season and could hit homers, but a .323 OBP doesn't cut it for the Hall even with a closet full of Gold Gloves.

Answer 2

Judging by his SB total alone, he belongs in the Hall.

However, I'm skeptical as to whether he will get in. The stolen base is not nearly as valued in baseball now as it was in Raines's heyday. Plus, voters will look at the fact that he played 23 years but really was only a top player in the mid-'80s to early '90s (he retired after the 2002 season). So he may be viewed to have not produced at a high enough level for long enough, and his numbers may be viewed more as a result of longevity rather than greatness (a la Fred McGriff).

Raines is the only Hall ballot newcomer in '08 who has any chance of ever getting in, so next year's election will say a lot. I don't think he'll get in next year, but if he can pull 20% or so of the vote, he may have a chance some day.

Answer 3

It's going to be close.

Illness, bad teams or not (minus the Yankees), he didn't get 3,000 hits. For better or for worse this is still a magic number.

.294 average is decent, and 5th in stolen bases is certainly good. The 800 stolen base club is exclusive, and he would be the only member NOT to be in, if he's snubbed.

The cocaine will not be forgotten, particularly when he admitted playing while high on it. It's probably enough to keep him out, at least in his early eligibility.

It might help that he's still active in baseball, in AA ball. He cleaned his act up, and was forthcoming about his troubles...

If Mattingly doesn't get in, Raines will have tough sledding too...

Answer 4

Tim Raines was better than average, very good even. But to make the Baseball Hall of Fame you have to be great! He hit lower than .300 and had less than 3000 hits, almost prerequisites to get into the hall. Yes he was a great base stealer, however, you can't be great in just one category to get in. He also hung around a little too long at the end and didn't know when to retire. Yes, Tim Raines was very good, but not HOF material.

Answer 5

Don´t think so.... the cocaine problem is going to be his Achilles Tendon. If you cannot accept McGwire, even if the "steroids" are only allegations, a proven droug addict cannot become a HOF.

And his numbers, aside for the stolen base category are not a HOF numbers either. If Mattingly is not there, Raines did not deserve the honor either.

Answer 6

I watched him from his rookie season onward as a loyal Montreal Expos fan, and I have to say he's not Hall material. As good as he was, he wasn't good enough for long enough; his chances of getting in are about equal to Joe Carter.

I really hope Andre Dawson gets in before 2010.


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Answer 7

he won those rings with the yankees as a part time and very limited player, so that stat is not going to help. We are talking hall of fame..Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Ted Williams, etc.

No, he has no shot at the hall of fame.

Answer 8

Nope. He's another Don Mattingly. Good numbers but not quite enough. I would rather see Mattingly in the HOF.

Answer 9

Yes, He should be. He was the premiere leadoff hitter in the NL for more than a decade. Teams were terrified of him.

Answer 10

Close-no cigar.
5th on SB list, .294 career, 2605 hits. Only close to tops in one category. If he had 3,000, then definately yes.