436 Doubles, 479 HR's, 1,570 RBI's, and a .297 career average. Certainly Hall of Fame worth numbers, and when it's all done, he'll probably hit around 600 dingers. The stikes against him are obvious, played during steroid era, admitted to taking the cream (he said he thought it was arthitis cream), has been dogged by steroid allegations via Balco and the Jose Canseco book and others, he is a hard guy to like, ala Barry Bonds, seems to have a very poor attitude and has played for 7 teams which doesn't look good in my opinion. I think he'll get to 3,000 hits, but does that really mean anything anymore? I mean look at Rafael Palmeiro, he got to over 3,000 hits and then got a dirty test, and will he get in? who knows. I think it will take several years for Sheff to get in, but he will have to come clean finally, like Giambi has. And for Palmeiro to get in, he will have to climb out of that hole he's been hiding, shave that beard and for once, tell the truth. The truth always helps.
2007-08-11 03:47:30 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Sports ➔ Baseball
A lock? No, Sheff certainly is not a lock.
Not mentioned was allegations of him sometimes trying (far) less than his best on defense during his youthful Brewers days. That sort of thing never sits well with writers. Steroids, well, at least the intent there is to play better. Tanking throws? That's the opposite.
2007-08-11 03:54:30 · answer #1 · answered by Chipmaker Authentic 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think he should be in even if he retired today. Numbers are overrated, I say just look at the talent. If a guy is one of the most talented players to play the game, which I think Sheff is, then he should be in the HOF.
For example I don't think Craig Biggio belongs there but he might get in because he has the numbers and because of the sentimental value of playing in one city his whole career. He's a career .280 hitter and only once did he have 200 hits in a season but he's scored a lot of runs, has some steals, and got to 3,000 hits.
Also I don't think Sheff has a bad attitude, all he does is answer the questions people ask him and then they get mad when he gives a truthful answer. He speaks his mind but I don't think he has attitude problems. He's a good guy, everyone he plays with says he's a great teammate. The same can't be said about Bonds.
As far as the steroids go I just don't know. He's pretty much always been a 30-40 home run guy and his numbers never really spiked up. He hit 33 at 23 years old and 34 at 36 years old. His career highs came when he hit 42 at age 27 and 43 at 31, both during the prime of his career. I guess I wouldn't be surprised if he did use but the evidence is certainly not as overwhelming as it is in the case of Bonds/Sosa/McGwire
Also with as many times as he's been injured in his career that kind of makes me doubt it as well
EDIT:
I think Bonds should get in too. He was a Hall of Famer even before all the steroid controversy
2007-08-11 05:56:10 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
One of the true greats of his era, vastly underrated based on what some of his skills were (e.g. drawing a lot of walks and rarely striking out), and the fact that he seems to have managed to move from city to city a lot while finding every bad hitters' park in the major leagues. He's one of the guys who is really much better than his numbers.
I just have no idea about how the voters will react to him. He's abrasive, involved in the BALCO trials, and there was the issue with his making errors on purpose to try to force Milwaukee to trade him. I'm guessing that the last of these is the one that causes him the most trouble, partly because it's an excuse for people who dislike him to vote against him, while still allowing them to vote for other steroids guys. To me - it was atrocious, but on the other hand, he was just a young kid at that time, and for all the bad press he gets, he's been a pretty good teammate ever since.
2007-08-11 05:02:33 · answer #3 · answered by Thomas M 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Forget the steroid allegations...
I hope this jerk doesn't get into the hall of fame simply for the way he has FORCED his way around the league!
He forced his way out of playing shortstop for the Brewers almost 20 years ago by saying he didn't want to play there and beginning to throw balls into the stands.
He forced his way out of San Diego, Florida, Los Angeles, and New York as well.
BUT... the man does have impressive numbers, year-in, year-out.
And he did lead the league in the number of times teammates and opponents would call him "Richard... er, I mean DICK."
I don't care about the steroids... BUT I do care about a guy that does his best "Steve Sax" impression on purpose!!!
2007-08-11 06:11:46 · answer #4 · answered by baseballfan 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No steroids people in the hall! Besides, you can't look at numbers of these guys over the last 15 years or so and compare them with the numbers of the old guys before that. There have been too many rule changes to help the offense. You need to shave at least 20 points off of batting average, and about 33% off of home runs and RBIs to be accurate. Besides, Sheffield is a bigot and a total jerk!
2007-08-11 04:04:24 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
He should go in. For some reason, people always say about some guys 'he was a jerk' to explain why he's not in the hall, but stuff like that shouldn't matter. As for steroids, that has already been mishandled to the point that there is no fair way to deal with it than to overlook it. Bonds is going in and McGwire will eventually, and perhaps had the issue been dealt with with integrity by Selig et al to begin with they wouldn't have, but in they go, so why keep anyone but Palmiero (only one caught dead to rights) out? That's like keeping Sandy Koufax out because he once threw a spit ball. His numbers are there and, like Bonds, hate him or not he's had an iconic career. Put him in.
2007-08-11 05:34:11 · answer #6 · answered by Sarrafzedehkhoee 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Palmeiro will NEVER get in. I think the biggest determining factor for Sheffield will be if McGwire gets in and/or Sosa. Sheffield does have HOF worthy numbers, especially when he gets to 500 homers. I would say that Sheffields chance of getting in is about 30%.
2007-08-11 03:56:07 · answer #7 · answered by Busan-man 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
rather. 500 Homeruns, a WS Championship, a .292 basic, 251 stolen bases, a .394 OBP, and he's a hall of Famer in accordance to the hall of repute computer screen and commonplace checks.
2016-10-14 23:28:34 · answer #8 · answered by joleen 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The voters have a tendency to remember things like steroid allegations (McGwire) or bad attitudes (Albert Belle didn't win the 1995 MVP because of his).
I would say maybe eventually but not anytime soon after retirement.
2007-08-11 04:01:50 · answer #9 · answered by ahaslage126 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think if he gets around 525-550 home runs or 3,000 hits then and only then will I consider him a lock.
2007-08-11 03:53:57 · answer #10 · answered by KTM07 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋