Will Jim Rice ever get in the Hall of Fame? 16 year career with the Boston Red Sox - 1974-1989, 2,452 hits?

Question

382 HR's, 1,451 RBI's and .298 BA. Pretty darn good numbers, dominating. AL MVP 1978, 8 time all-star.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/r/riceji01.shtml

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Rice

Answer 1

He is one who should have made it by now. It is a shame he hasn't yet. Every time it looks like it could be his year, some other shoo-in gets elected; example Gwynn and Ripken. If he doesn't make in by the writers, I know for sure he will get in by the Veterans Committee.

Answer 2

Really good numbers, yes. Great all-time numbers, no.

Rice's big problem is that his career kind of fizzled out at the end. He faded out rather quickly and didn't post numbers like 500 homers that rank with the legends of the game. He needed two or three more really big years to have a clear case.

There's no question he was great for that 10-12 year period, but longevity is important too. He might make it someday, but he's not a clear yes.

Answer 3

I compare Jim Rice to Dale Murphy. They both had nice careers and pretty darn good numbers, but not great (and not HOF worthy). The Hall of Fame is for the greatest players in the history of the game, not the very good ones.

Answer 4

The one thing you fail to mention about Jim Rice is that numbers aside... he was one of THE most feared and respected hitters of his era!

Sometimes you have to look beyond sheer numbers. That is SUPPOSEDLY why Baseball writers do the voting, they watch the game and players on a daily basis and allegedly see the impact a player has on the game, past the numbers.

Answer 5

I believe He should be in Cooperstown I hope its Next Year GO RED SOX, team of Ted Williams, Carl Yaztermski, and Jim Rice.

Answer 6

Certainly should be in. Next year's going to be rather thin, so if he's ever going to make it, it'll be then.