Hall of Famers? Yes or No?

Question

Which of these players are worth being Hall of Famers?

Mike Piazza (.309 avg, 419 HR, 1291 RBI)
Manny Ramirez (.313, 481 HR, 1563 RBI)
Alex Rodriguez (.306, 494 HR, 1433 RBI)
Curt Schilling (213-140, 3.44 ERA, 3081 K)
Derek Jeter (2267 Hits, .318, 256 SB)
Barry Bonds (751 HR, 514 SB, 1972 RBI, 2902 Hits, .299)
Craig Biggio (3013 Hits, 286 HR, 413 SB, 661 Doubles)
Kenny Lofton (.299 avg, 619 SB, 112 3b, 2364 hits)
Reggie Sanders (305 HR, 304 SB, 60 3B)
Steve Finley (304 HR, 320 SB, 124 3B, 2548 Hits)
Roberto Herandez (67-69, 326 SV, 932 K)
Chipper Jones (2026 Hits, 400 Doubles, 372 HR, .305 Avg)
John Smoltz (202-142, 154 SV, 2874 K, 3.27 ERA)
Omar Vizquel (2539 Hits, 374 SB, 84 Errors at SS)
Ichiro Suzuki (1482 Hits, 54 3B, 258 SB)

Answer 1

Mike Piazza (.309 avg, 419 HR, 1291 RBI) -- Yes. Best hitting catcher of all time. Also had a penchant for big hits. I agree, he wasnt a great defender, but a tremendous hitter and very well respected.

Manny Ramirez (.313, 481 HR, 1563 RBI) -- Yes. One of the leading RBI guys of this generation. Add in a career .313 average and good power. His attitude may put some people off, but its hard to argue the numbers.

Alex Rodriguez (.306, 494 HR, 1433 RBI) -- Yes. He already is one. If he retired today, he'd be in the Hall. 10 years from now? Likely 700+ home runs, 2000+ RBIs, 3000+ hits.

Curt Schilling (213-140, 3.44 ERA, 3081 K) No. Post-season heroics may push him their eventually, but its doubtful unless he has another couple years. He's certainly not a first ballot guy.

Derek Jeter (2267 Hits, .318, 256 SB) Yes. Will end up with well over 3000 career hits barring injury. Great defender, good hitter for average. Has led a team to, what, five World Series? Add in one of the top clutch hitters of all time. He's a lock.

Barry Bonds (751 HR, 514 SB, 1972 RBI, 2902 Hits, .299) Yes. There's no evidence he did anything wrong. Assuming he didnt, he's the greatest player since Willie Mays. A-Rod may surpass him one day, but not yet. Power, average, speed, slugging percentage, on base percentage, RBIs. He's done everything. The only problem is he may have done steroids. Until thats proven, he's a lock.

Craig Biggio (3013 Hits, 286 HR, 413 SB, 661 Doubles) Yes. Probably more for the fact that he hit 3000 hits with one team, which is a rarity. But he was also a well rounded player. Also was successful at a number of positions. While 500 home runs may be losing prestige, 3000 hits sure isnt.

Kenny Lofton (.299 avg, 619 SB, 112 3b, 2364 hits) No. It's doubtful. Good career, but he's more of a grinder like Biggio. Problem is, career totals arent high enough.

Reggie Sanders (305 HR, 304 SB, 60 3B) No. Nothing really special about him. Good mix of power and speed but he isnt HOF worthy.

Steve Finley (304 HR, 320 SB, 124 3B, 2548 Hits) - No. Same as Sanders.

Roberto Herandez (67-69, 326 SV, 932 K) - No. He really fairs poorly against his contemporaries -- Rivera, Hoffman, Wagner, etc. Longevity has helped him. Further, most baseball writers (correctly) consider saves to be an irrelevant statistic.

Chipper Jones (2026 Hits, 400 Doubles, 372 HR, .305 Avg) No. If he can stay healthy a few more years and produce, get up around 400 home runs, 2500 hits, than sure. Injuries have hurt his numbers, but he could still reach some big milestones.

John Smoltz (202-142, 154 SV, 2874 K, 3.27 ERA) Yes. Solid career as a starter and dominant record as a closer. One thing about Smoltz though. People argue that his time as a closer cost him 300 wins. I'm not sure of that. He's very injury prone and over those 4 years as closer, he only tossed around 250 innings. 4 years as a starter he'd have done 800. He's already wearing out this year. I think his career would be over if he hadnt become a closer. That being said, still yes. But then again, Bert Blyleven isnt in the Hall.

Omar Vizquel (2539 Hits, 374 SB, 84 Errors at SS) Yes. He's basically the Ozzie Smith of this generation. Made himself into a fairly good hitter. Best shortstop in the last 20 years (at least) defensively.

Ichiro Suzuki (1482 Hits, 54 3B, 258 SB) Yes. Despite coming over here and starting at an older age than most, he's easily going to finish his career with 2500+ hits and a batting average around .330, barring injuries. Of course, he needs what? 4? 5 more years to qualify. But he's the single-season hits record holder, has 200 or more hits each season, and a career average around .330. If he does 200 hits for the next five years, he finished right around 2500. And he's the kind of guy who can play until he's 45. Those five years will only take him to 39.

Some other guys who are locks at the moment: Tom Glavine (297-197, 3.49 era, 2534 strikeouts; World Series MVP), Ken Griffey, Jr.. (will finish well over 600 home runs), Roger Clemens (350-181, 3.11 era, 4633 strikeouts) and Greg Maddux (340-208, 3.09 era, 3226 strikeouts). Clemens is 45 but Maddux is only 41. He has an outside shot at 400 wins. These guys are all no brainers.

Answer 2

Mike Piazza (.309 avg, 419 HR, 1291 RBI) yes
Manny Ramirez (.313, 481 HR, 1563 RBI)yes
Alex Rodriguez (.306, 494 HR, 1433 RBI)yes
Curt Schilling (213-140, 3.44 ERA, 3081 K)
Derek Jeter (2267 Hits, .318, 256 SB) yes
Barry Bonds(751 HR, 514 SB, 1972 RBI, 2902 Hits, .299)yes
Craig Biggio (3013 Hits, 286 HR, 413 SB, 661 Doubles)yes
Kenny Lofton (.299 avg, 619 SB, 112 3b, 2364 hits)yes
Reggie Sanders (305 HR, 304 SB, 60 3B)
Steve Finley (304 HR, 320 SB, 124 3B, 2548 Hits)yes
Roberto Herandez (67-69, 326 SV, 932 K)
Chipper Jones(2026 Hits, 400 Doubles,372 HR, .305Avg)yes
John Smoltz (202-142, 154 SV, 2874 K, 3.27 ERA)yes
Omar Vizquel (2539 Hits, 374 SB, 84 Errors at SS)
Ichiro Suzuki (1482 Hits, 54 3B, 258 SB) yes

Answer 3

Mike Piazza (.309 avg, 419 HR, 1291 RBI)
Yes (Someone actually said no? Are you kidding me? With an adjusted OPS+ of 144? That's more than enough to make up for any defensive deficiencies.)

Manny Ramirez (.313, 481 HR, 1563 RBI)
Yes

Alex Rodriguez (.306, 494 HR, 1433 RBI)
Yes

Curt Schilling (213-140, 3.44 ERA, 3081 K)
Maybe. Not quite good enough for long enough like most HOF starters, but has a pretty good run in an offensive minded era.

Derek Jeter (2267 Hits, .318, 256 SB)
Yes.

Barry Bonds (751 HR, 514 SB, 1972 RBI, 2902 Hits, .299) Ignoring the steroid issue for now, yes.

Craig Biggio (3013 Hits, 286 HR, 413 SB, 661 Doubles)
Borderline, but yes.

Kenny Lofton (.299 avg, 619 SB, 112 3b, 2364 hits)
No way.

Reggie Sanders (305 HR, 304 SB, 60 3B)
No way.

Steve Finley (304 HR, 320 SB, 124 3B, 2548 Hits)
No way.

Roberto Herandez (67-69, 326 SV, 932 K)
No way

Chipper Jones (2026 Hits, 400 Doubles, 372 HR, .305 Avg)
Five years ago a definite yes, but his injuries have slowed him down to a maybe.

John Smoltz (202-142, 154 SV, 2874 K, 3.27 ERA)
My gut says no (I don't think he was quite great enough as a starter or a reliever) but he has a shot if he gets 3000 Ks.

Omar Vizquel (2539 Hits, 374 SB, 84 Errors at SS)
No. It's very hard to get in mostly on defense unless you're Ozzie Smith.

Ichiro Suzuki (1482 Hits, 54 3B, 258 SB)
Remains to be seen. If he could keep playing like he does now for a few more years, then maybe (especially if you consider his Japan league experience too). Plus he actually has to play 10 years in the majors, which he hasn't done yet.

Answer 4

Assuming you mean if they retired right this second

Mike Piazza (.309 avg, 419 HR, 1291 RBI) - Yes
Manny Ramirez (.313, 481 HR, 1563 RBI) - Yes
Alex Rodriguez (.306, 494 HR, 1433 RBI) - Yes
Curt Schilling (213-140, 3.44 ERA, 3081 K) - No
Derek Jeter (2267 Hits, .318, 256 SB) - Not yet
Barry Bonds (751 HR, 514 SB, 1972 RBI, 2902 Hits, .299) - Yes
Craig Biggio (3013 Hits, 286 HR, 413 SB, 661 Doubles) - Yes
Kenny Lofton (.299 avg, 619 SB, 112 3b, 2364 hits) No
Reggie Sanders (305 HR, 304 SB, 60 3B) - No
Steve Finley (304 HR, 320 SB, 124 3B, 2548 Hits) No
Roberto Herandez (67-69, 326 SV, 932 K) - No
Chipper Jones (2026 Hits, 400 Doubles, 372 HR, .305 Avg) - No
John Smoltz (202-142, 154 SV, 2874 K, 3.27 ERA) No
Omar Vizquel (2539 Hits, 374 SB, 84 Errors at SS) - Hmm, I guess if Ozzie gets in, Omar could as well
Ichiro Suzuki (1482 Hits, 54 3B, 258 SB) -No

Answer 5

Mike Piazza (.309 avg, 419 HR, 1291 RBI) Eff Piazza

Manny Ramirez (.313, 481 HR, 1563 RBI) Sox fan but no

Alex Rodriguez (.306, 494 HR, 1433 RBI) Yeah...

Curt Schilling (213-140, 3.44 ERA, 3081 K) Hell yes!

Derek Jeter (2267 Hits, .318, 256 SB) Yes... (Are you on crack?)

Barry Bonds (751 HR, 514 SB, 1972 RBI, 2902 Hits, .299) WTF!?!?!? YES!!!

Craig Biggio (3013 Hits, 286 HR, 413 SB, 661 Doubles) Yes...

Kenny Lofton (.299 avg, 619 SB, 112 3b, 2364 hits) Errr... yeah...

Reggie Sanders (305 HR, 304 SB, 60 3B) Nah...

Steve Finley (304 HR, 320 SB, 124 3B, 2548 Hits) Not in hell...

Roberto Herandez (67-69, 326 SV, 932 K) Heck no...

Chipper Jones (2026 Hits, 400 Doubles, 372 HR, .305 Avg) No, he hasn't done enough in his career yet...

John Smoltz (202-142, 154 SV, 2874 K, 3.27 ERA) If he wins a pennant within the next 3 years, yes for sure, if not, maybe

Omar Vizquel (2539 Hits, 374 SB, 84 Errors at SS) He was Derek Jeter before Jeter was born!!! :)

Ichiro Suzuki (1482 Hits, 54 3B, 258 SB) Yeah...

Answer 6

Mike Piazza - Yes, just because of his position
Manny Ramirez - Eventually (despite the attitude)
Alex Rodriguez - Yes
Curt Schilling - Yes (World Series performance gets him in)
Derek Jeter - Yes, because he plays in NYC.
Barry Bonds - Maybe, depends on how the BALCO situation plays out.
Craig Biggio - Yes, 3000 hits made him a lock
Kenny Lofton - No, never a great player, just a good one
Reggie Sanders - Not even close
Steve Finley - Not even close
Roberto Herandez - Not even close-too inconsistent
Chipper Jones - Needs a few more good seasons to get serious consideration
John Smoltz - Yes
Omar Vizquel - Probably not, close call though
Ichiro Suzuki - Needs several more good seasons

The steroid area will punish HRs so 400 HRs isn't a lock like it used to be. Also, where you play makes a difference (NYC vs Cleveland). For pitchers, there aren't going to be many 300 win pitchers so 250 wins will probably be good enough to get enshrined. Finally, for some reasons Saves don't mean much to the voters.

Answer 7

Mike Piazza (.309 avg, 419 HR, 1291 RBI) No
Manny Ramirez (.313, 481 HR, 1563 RBI) Yes
Alex Rodriguez (.306, 494 HR, 1433 RBI) Yes
Curt Schilling (213-140, 3.44 ERA, 3081 K) Maybe
Derek Jeter (2267 Hits, .318, 256 SB) Yes
Barry Bonds (751 HR, 514 SB, 1972 RBI, 2902 Hits, .299) Yes
Craig Biggio (3013 Hits, 286 HR, 413 SB, 661 Doubles) Yes
Kenny Lofton (.299 avg, 619 SB, 112 3b, 2364 hits) Yes
Reggie Sanders (305 HR, 304 SB, 60 3B) Yes
Steve Finley (304 HR, 320 SB, 124 3B, 2548 Hits) Yes
Roberto Herandez (67-69, 326 SV, 932 K) Yes
Chipper Jones (2026 Hits, 400 Doubles, 372 HR, .305 Avg) Yes
John Smoltz (202-142, 154 SV, 2874 K, 3.27 ERA) No
Omar Vizquel (2539 Hits, 374 SB, 84 Errors at SS) No
Ichiro Suzuki (1482 Hits, 54 3B, 258 SB) Yes

Answer 8

Piazza is a lock, those numbers for a catcher are unreal.
Manny is in along with Papi Ortiz.
A Rod is going in too.
Schilling will go mostly cause of the bloody sock thing and the WS with Arizona that he and Randy Johnson, also going, won single handedly.
Jeter will go cause he is the team captain of a 4 time WS winner.
Bonds is a tough one. I say yes, but the voters may say no cause of roids.
Biggio should go. While 500 HRs isn't what it used to be, 3000 hits will always be a big deal.
Lofton, doubt it. Some players will take more than just numbers to get in. Lofton has just numbers, and not overly impressive ones at that.
Sanders, same as Lofton.
Finley, possible if he plays long enough to get to 3000 hits.
Hernandez, no. If the all time saves leader isn't even in the HOF, he won't go.
Chipper, hard call. He had 2 good years. I say no.
Smoltz, definite. He's in along with Glavine and Maddox. Smoltz helped build the Braves and even showed his teamwork as he went to the bullpen.
Vizquel, probably only cause of defense, but hey, that got the Wizard of Oz in didn't it.
Suzuki, too early to tell but I'd say unless he falls completely apart soon he's a lock. Only player to ever win both Rookie of year and League MVP same year. Easily will get 3000 hits. May even be the one to break Ricky Henderson's stolen base mark. Though that one is gonna be hard.

Answer 9

Piazza - Yes, on the first ballot. THe best offensive catcher in MLB history

Ramirez - Yes, his numbers will be too good and he has been a solid producer on good teams

A Rod - First ballot

Schilling - based on career wins and ERA no, but he has been a big game pitcher for several years. But I will say no unless he hits 250 wins, which I doubt he will

Derek Jeter - first ballot assuming his career continues as is

Bonds - first ballot barring irreversible facts about steroids

Craig Biggio - I think 3,000 gets him in, but he may not be a frist balloter

Lofton - very good player, but not HOF caliber

Sanders - liked him as a Cardinal, but no he is not HOF material

Finley - same as Sanders

Roberto Hernandez - absolutely not

Chipper Jones - assuming he has a few more productive years in him than yes - he will have good numbers for a third baseman and was a face of a successful franchise

John Smoltz - yes, because he was also a face of a successful franchise and will have solid numbrs

Vizquel - he gets so much love on Yahoo Answers, but no. The comparisons to Ozzie Smith aren't accurate because the position was different when Ozzie played. Vizquel's peers were Jeter, Garciaparra, ARod, Tejada, and now all the great ones in the NL and he isn't in that league.

Suzuki - assuming his career continues as is - a first balloter

Answer 10

every one but
John Smoltz (202-142, 154 SV, 2874 K, 3.27 ERA)
Omar Vizquel (2539 Hits, 374 SB, 84 Errors at SS)
Kenny Lofton (.299 avg, 619 SB, 112 3b, 2364 hits)
Reggie Sanders (305 HR, 304 SB, 60 3B)
Steve Finley (304 HR, 320 SB, 124 3B, 2548 Hits)
Roberto Herandez (67-69, 326 SV, 932 K)