2007-05-07 16:05:19 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Sports ➔ Baseball
Bernie has the comparable numbers to get in, like you said, but he did it so quietly. A lot of people are going to attribute these numbers to the protection he had behind him also.
Bottom of the line, if he gets in (which he should), he should be recognized for his post-season leadership and record amount of homers. NOBODY has mentioned that so far, which is a complete discredit to his entire career. When did he come up big? WHEN THEY NEEDED THE RINGS. Bernie showed up everyday and produced, but come October, Bernie was the BEST player, and the only one you knew would come through EVERY time.
Bernie=HOF, but maybe not in the first ballot.
2007-05-08 04:41:58 · answer #1 · answered by bballfan23 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Bernie Williams had a wonderful career, but it's pretty debatable whether or not it was a Hall of Fame career. If I had a vote, I'd say 'no', but it's close.
Numbers in baseball can be a tricky thing. They can be bent and manipulated to back up most any argument. It's true some of Williams' numbers are bigger than Puckett's. It's also true he played 4 more seasons and about 300 more games. Williams was surrounded by superior players his entire career which provided him more opportunity. Puckett was forced into retirement while still playing at a high level. He never had the 5 year stretch most good players have at the end of their career which ends up padding their numbers a bit.
Bernie Williams: Terrific ballplayer, plays a nice guitar, classy guy, but not a Hall of Famer.
2007-05-08 09:53:43 · answer #2 · answered by blueyeznj 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No.
They do have some similar numbers, and allowing that Williams played equivalent of three seasons more than Puckett did, he's got bigger career totals.
Puckett got in for a couple of non-stat reasons:
a. two championships in tiny li'l ole outback of Minneapolis -- where it isn't expected they'll win. In Noo Yawk, winning is the minimum standard.
b. Puck gave good quote.
c. Puck had a signature moment, game-winning (walk-off! hey, everyone who asks, THIS was a walk-off) HR in Game 6 of the 1991 World Series. (Box: http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1991/B10260MIN1991.htm) It's only one play in a long career, but it was supremely high-profile, and Bernie can't touch that.
d. He was just so gosh-darn cute.
I can fully understand why Puckett got elected, and it wasn't unfair, but I don't consider him to have been a very good choice. Kirby's plaque, however, doesn't mean that Bernie gets one. Good player for a long time with a worthy selection of honoraria, but was never the star during the winning years and doesn't command a lot of attention outside NYC.
The voters could see otherwise and open the door for him, and that wouldn't bother me. I just don't think it will happen. So, no.
2007-05-08 00:26:19 · answer #3 · answered by Chipmaker Authentic 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I woudl have to say no, in part because I don't think Kirby Puckett should be there either.
I think the answer to your question lies in this: How significant is Williams if he had not played for the high-profile Yankees, and on those great teams specifically?
2007-05-07 23:17:03 · answer #4 · answered by pl_retep 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Bernie has more of a chance of getting in then PETE ROSE does.....!!!! Bernie was a LONG STANDING good player for the Yankees.....to offer him NOTHING but managership of one of their FARM TEAMS is an insult to him.... So a player gets old----Roger is 45 and look what they are paying HIM to be a Yankee again with NO real guarantee he will produce.....Bernie for MANY MANY YEARS produced and deserves a shot at the hall of fame. he also should have deserved a job with the MAJORS as a YANKEE coach or something---not a minor league contract....
2007-05-07 23:30:02 · answer #5 · answered by LittleBarb 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, because even though it's mainly numbers that get you in, it's the association with winning that can push a guy over the top in a case like his. He was also scandal-free, which is remarkable for being in the Bronx all those years. It's kind of weird not seeing him out there anymore. If he ever does get into the Hall, it will be a while.
2007-05-07 23:57:03 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
no he wasn't has good has Puckett. remember Puckett had to retire because of an injury, while Bernie stayed on four to five years past his prime just patting his numbers.
2007-05-07 23:17:30 · answer #7 · answered by Dodgerblue 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Bernie was a very good player but he will never be elected into the HOF.
2007-05-08 12:10:55 · answer #8 · answered by ronald g 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the answer is no
when pucket got his numbers they were in the top 10 year in and year out. Williams is a solid gamer with alittle above average numbers. He has no chance at the hall.......sry if you hope he gets in because i do like him.
2007-05-07 23:16:04 · answer #9 · answered by DANNY A 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would say yes because of the four rings, but it's a close call.
2007-05-07 23:09:03 · answer #10 · answered by Stephen L 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋