Will Tim Raines ever make the Hall of Fame and if so? when? 2008 is his first year of eligibility, and I?

Question

don't see him making it for at least 3 or 4 tries. Many other players need to get in first, like Goose, Bert, Andre Dawson, Jim Rice, Ron Santo, just to name a few. In 23 seasons from 1979-2002, Raines had, 2,605 hits, 1,571 runs, 430 DB's, 113 3B's (wow), 170 HR, 980 RBI's, 808 SB (wow), 1,330 BB, and .294 BA (wow). Also played on 2 championship yankee teams, 96 and 98. 7 time all star, 1 batting title.

I say yes, what do you say?

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

http://www.baseball-reference.com/r/raineti01.shtml

Answer 1

Ever? I think so. He certainly deserves it.

First ballot, 2008? Gotta doubt it.

Prediction... hmm... oh, 35%. Enough to keep the faith, plenty to fend off fears of relegation.

Answer 2

Raines might have easily made it(not first ballot though) if he had been with the Yankees or Mets his entire career, but he wasn't.
His stats are just shy of making the HOF. That doesn't mean he wasn't a great player, but he was at the top of the list of good players for a relatively short time.
I also believe you shouldn't get in just because you played so many seasons just to pad stats(not saying Raines intentionally did that though).
It's surprising that someone would bring up Mattingly in this question. He might make the HOF strictly because he was a lifelong Yankee. If he played exclusively with any other team, he would fall off the ballot easily. I disagree that he was the best player in baseball for five or six years... maybe a couple, but that is because he was a Yankee.

Answer 3

Two things will keep him out, first his prime years were in Montreal where no one saw him and second the media never forgets someone who admitted doing cocaine on the field of play. Fans are forgiving but writers voting for the HOF are not. He was a good OF that had some great years but was not a HOF type player in my opinion. He was a great base stealer in the time of Vince Coleman and Rickey Henderson, he had some pop but not enough to make you think of him as HOF. He also bounced to much and some of his stats are inflated by staying around too long (extra hits especially)

Answer 4

I loved "Rock" he was a great professional player. But I would put him just under the HOF mark. It seems a lot of people just want to put anyone who had some great years into the hall. It is the Hall of Fame, not the Hall of the really really good.

I personnally believe the standard has lowered for players people think should be in the hall. Or sometimes it's hard not to root for the players we grew up watching and liked to get there.

Answer 5

I don't see Rock making the hall. Very nice numbers but only stolen bases really stand out. 23 season and only 2600 hits hurts him. Triples he ranks 115th. The voters really like the milestones. 3000 hits, 500 homers, 300 wins etc..Too bad they don't have a leadoff man section in the hall otherwise he'd probably be in.

Answer 6

Truthfully, though he was a very good player, I really don't believe that he has the protfolio to be considered for the HOF. Very good player no question, but was only great for about 5-6 yrs.

Answer 7

I doubt he will ever make it. He had some good seasons, but was never one of the top 10 players in baseball, plus he was suspended for cocaine use. Mattingly was baseballs best player for 5 years, and he will never make it either :(

Answer 8

Honestly, yes I do think he belongs in the Hall. And if he had played for a New York or Boston team, he would probably get in quicker.

The stolen bases, triples and batting average should get him in. But will it? I don't know, probably not.

Answer 9

Raines was a good player but not HOF caliber, I don't believe he will ever make it.

Answer 10

Outside chance at best and certainly not in his first year of eligibility. I really don't think so.