Why isn't Roger Maris in the Hall of Fame? Roger only played 12 years in the league from 1957-1968, but his

Question

1961 season where he hit 61 HR's to break the Babe's record should've put him in on that achievement alone, and come on people, this was 1961, long before steroids even existed in sports. He finished his short career with, 1,325 hits, 275 HR's, 851 RBI's and .260 career. My logic is, if they let the Scooter in, Phil Rizzuto, you have to let Rog in.

I believe his number is retired by the Yankees, and he has a monument in centerfield.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/m/marisro01.shtml

First off Thomas, that was probably the stupidest comment I have ever heard, relating to Roger's hair loss to possible steroid use, are you an serious or just crazy? Watch the movie called 61, it clearly showed how the stress of the home run chase made him lose hair, which can happen. Buy a clue dude. That was so idiotic.

Chipmaker, first off, Rose DOES DESERVE TO BE IN THE HALL, he's served 18 years already and has come clean. And if I want to start another thread regarding it, I will, this is a free country.

Bigjohnb - says, Rizzuto got in because he was a Yankee. SO WAS ROGER MARIS...For the love of Christ, he played his best years in NY. I can't believe some of these comments. Roger has a MONUMENT IN CENTER FIELD AT YANKEE STADIUM. Read a book once in awhile. Read Wikipedia.com Get a clue, know your history and facts before posting.

Answer 1

The Hall of Fame is supposed to house the great players of baseball. Roger Maris is one of them. Besides being a smart ballplayer and a 2 time MVP, he held THE record in sport for longer than anyone else. He has as many years as Sandy Koufax and Jackie Robinson, so time in service isn't the issue. The issue is that the writers are in love with large numbers. They have lost the feel for the game that the Hall requires. 1961 alone, all by itself, is reason enough for his inclusion but his World Series MVP at the end of his career for St. Louis should have sealed the deal. It's a shame that greatness takes a back seat to longevity alone.

Answer 2

Chris33,I understand your frustration, But I don't think the 61HR'S alone should get him in .That would be like saying Orel Hirshiser(can't spell) should be in for breaking the scoreless inning streak record when he pitch for the Dodgers.There has always been a great debate on this subject.Phil Rizzuto got voted in by the veterans committee and it took a long time(I think he was in his 60's when he got in).Roger played about 7 more years more after Rizzuto retired and went into the broadcast booth.Ralph Kiner who hit 50 or more HR"s three straight seasons and had more then any player in the 10 years he played,Also got voted in by the veterans committee when he was in his 60's. ,So maybe Roger will get in someday.Or perhaps it is a popularity contest .Nobody was more well liked then Gil Hodges and his name comes up alot and he is not in,So who knows.Dave Kingman had over 400 carreer HR's ,Should he be in?One other thing,Some say Maris would not have been as good a hitter if he did not have Micky Mantle batting behind him.
It is really A tough call.

Answer 3

He was really only great for a very short period of time. He won the MVP twice in a row (1960 and '61), but that was really the extent of his achievements. Look at his overall numbers: if you were asked "would a guy with a .260 lifetime average, 1325 hits, and 275 home runs be one of the game's all-time greats?" it would be difficult to answer "yes". 1325 is fewer hits than any position player elected to the Hall, and only a couple players (all known for defense at critical positions) are in with a lower batting average.

Your comparison with Rizzuto is somewhat silly - though they had about the same length career and Maris had more home runs, Phil managed a batting average 13 points hitter and accumulated 263 more hits besides playing at shortstop where, if they had existed at the time, he would have won a couple Gold Gloves.

Answer 4

Other than his 61 home run season, Maris really didn't have a Hall of Fame career. He did win 2 MVPs, but nothing else stands out. He only hit 100 RBIs three times, and was only nominated to 4 All-Star games. For comparison, Jermaine Dye, who has similar career stats through 12 seasons, will probably never make the HOF. He was even a World Series MVP. Unfortunately, I don't think Maris has the career credentials for the HOF.

Answer 5

He was a good player, but had only one great season. And even then, he shouldn't have won the MVP - Mantle had a much better overall season. A guy with such a short career needs to stand out a lot more. He really doesn't have anything except the home run records that separates him from a LOT of other guys.

Also, steroids did exist in sports in the early 1960's - it just wasn't a media circus like it is now. And, for what it's worth, Maris had a one-time spike in power numbers accompanied by dramatic hair loss. What would the writers say about a guy like that now?

Just to respond to you:

1. Steroids did exist and were used in sports in 1961. Steroids were widely used by weightlifters by the early 1960's. For obvious reasons, it's not well known whether this was isolated to weightlifting or caught on in other sports.

2. Maris was never tested for steroids. It could be that his hair fell out because of stress, or it could be because of steroids. Baldness is a known side effect of steroid usage.

3. I don't believe it's likely that Maris used steroids - I think he just had a freak good year. But in the present day era of people trying to guess who's on the juice, a player with a huge power spike who also showed one of the side effects of steroid usage in a dramatic way would certainly draw accusations.

Answer 6

I'm not going to argue you're point on Rizzuto, but I'm not convinced Maris should be in.

His overall numbers aren't that great when you average them out over the course of 12 years. 110 hits per year, about 23 homers, and about 71 RBI. Not exactly great numbers. A .260 batting average isn't good either.

He had the one great year where he hit 61 homers, but one great year doesn't automatically gain you entry into the Hall.

There are a lot of players that had better career numbers then Maris that aren't in the Hall.

Answer 7

The Hall's guidelines for election specifically exclude "automatic" memberships for one impressive feat.

Maris didn't have that impressive a career; had two great seasons, in which he won two AL MVPs, and a few other good ones, and along with his All-Star selections and retired jersey, that really is the right amount of honoraria for him. Maris was a good player, yes, but his enduring notoriety rests upon that one number in his playing record. If he'd finished with 59 homers, he wouldn't be nearly so celebrated. He does have his own museum, which is more than most players of yore do.

Maris was not a Hall-class player. He managed to grab one brass ring in his seasons.

Rizzuto was a poor choice, engineered by friends and teammates on the now-abolished version of the Veterans Committee. The "if A is in, B should be too" argument, which is ancient, exhausted, and long overdue to be retired, is only ever used to promote poor judgments and lower the overall quality of the Hall, and that really isn't in the greater best interests.

Please, and I am asking nicely, do not continue this theme of yours to Pete Rose. There is a very specific and well-known reason why he isn't in the Hall and it does not need further belaboring or more worthless (if slightly amusing) counterargumentation.

Answer 8

I think he should be in also but when you break down his numbers, he's really not what you would consider a Hall of Famer. Most power hitters going into the Hall will have at least 1200 RBI and 400 homers just to be considered. His career .260 average really hurts him too. Unless you're known for your defense, that will never get you in. On the other hand, Maris did win 2 MVPs and break the greatest record in sports.

Answer 9

Rizzuto and Maris played different positions.

Yes there are a LOT of outfielders in the H-o-F, but that does NOT make it easy. Roger is mentioned in the Hall and featured there. He is a two time MVP and was the center of a legendary season and pursuit. He had two GREAT seasons which rightfully won him that award!

But his CAREER numbers are not worthy of hall enshrinement. He is not the only player to "suffer" such a fate. There is no shame in where he stands in baseball's history.

Answer 10

Rizzuto got in because he was a Yankee. No other reason, a above average shortstop. A better choice would be Maury Wills. He changed the game. He surely would be there already but he spent nine years in the minors.