...if Wagner dominated like he did in Houston. I also recall he didn't get along with the New York media esp with the Enter the Sandman controversy
Berkman was a good and even great defensive first baseman, but putting him in CF where he face planted on the hill hurt his reputation. There is also a false perception that MMP could be as offense friendly as Coors. Plus, his (sarcastic) bragging about lack of work ethic may have turned off the old school crowd that saw him as a John Kruk of his generation. Imo... Oswalt and Berkman should have lasted just as long on the ballot as Sheffield.
I'm still not understanding how Joe Mauer is 1st ballot deserving. Hope Wagner gets it next year. Really thought he'd get over the line this time. He'll likely be it until Altuve or others from this current era start becoming eligible.
I guess they need more Catchers in the hall? Sheffield vs. Mauer Hits HR RBI R AVG OPS 2689 509 1676 1636 .292 .907 2123 143 923 1018 .306 .827 Sheffield had 8 seasons with over 100 RBI, 7 seasons w/ 100+ runs. 253 career SB. 9 time all-star. Mauer has 0 seasons w 100 RBI or 100 runs. 52 career SB. 6 time all-star. Yet Mauer is a first ballot HOF and Sheffield falls short on his 10th try?
Playing the position of Catcher is a bit different than playing the position of Sheffield. I get what you're saying, though.
Sheffield was caught up in PED's. He was on the Mitchell report, and has other smoke. More deserving HOFer's than him have been left out for the same reason, fair or unfair. Catchers don't play as many games, naturally his cumulative stats don't look great, but this is probably a better gauge of why Mauer got in. 9th highest WAR for a catcher, and 5th highest 7 year peak. All of the guys ahead of him are in, and a few who are behind him in both. https://www.baseball-reference.com/leaders/jaws_C.shtml WAR isn't the be all end all, but I think that list is a pretty good approximation all time great catchers. I don't believe in that first ballot nonsense, if he should be in he should be in.
I couldn't remember if he was named in the Mitchell report. Makes sense. He didn't receive quite the same treatment as Bonds, ARod and Manny, but it was enough to keep him out of the hall, no less. I understand about Catchers. 9th highest WAR all-time is certainly deserving of the Hall, but the numbers don't really jump out at you other than of course hits & avg. Only 3 gold gloves, 6X AS.
Looking through all time WAR for Catchers currently not in the Hall....who is deserving? Posey 45 WAR- a lock Molina 45 WAR- for sure Sal Perez- 42 WAR (current) Anybody historically that deserves to be inducted?
I don't know about deserves, but given that he died in the middle of his career, and was a Yankee lifer I'm shocked Thurman Munson never got elected, or even came close.
No understands: just things I've seen I've already said he deserves the HOF The Leyritz HRs will kill me forever, whatever you say.
For sure. Yadi actually has more hits & HR than Mauer, but it's those 9 gold gloves that easily get him in.
