Before this season I would of said no way, but the guy got in-shape and really seems to be playing well. Having one of arguably his best seasons yet. Currently for his career. Hits:1753 Doubles:394 HR:351 RBI:1162 Walks:1110 Career OBP:408 Career OPS: .956 I think he has a realistic shot if he can put up at least 2-3 more All-Star worthy years. What he needs to get to in my opinion is around at least 2200 hits, 425-450 homeruns, and he needs to break 1,400 rbis to even have a legitimate shot. But making it or not, he has been one of the best hitters of his generation.
His 35 years old and need 100 more HR and 700 more hits to have a chance. I don't think his going to make it.
He's one of my favorite players of all time...but, no. One of my qualifications (and one I've heard several voters use frequently) is..."was the player ever considered the best at his position for any given time?" Bagwell...yes. Biggio...yes. Berkman...no. It's not his fault that a majority of his time at 1B coincided with Albert Pujols...but if you compare the numbers, Berkman won't be anywhere near Pujols in the end. He had some great seasons and some average seasons. No real period where he dominated year in and year out. He's only lead the league in something 3 times (doubles twice and rbi once). He's definitely in the Hall of Really Good
surprisingly low totals for someone who was never really injured. very good but not consistent i guess
Also, his ops is the 19th best in the history of baseball. Better than that of Alex Rodriguez, Jeff Bagwell, Ty Cobb, Willie Mays, and other future hall of famers.
THat's only one stat, and it's a total package deal. Berkman is a very good player, but I wouldn't choose him over any of those players.
No HOF, but you have to respect the guy for putting up those numbers during a time when most of his peers were juicing.
Looking at his stats this year...could he win the MVP?! Leads the NL in Home Runs and OPS, 4th in RBIs. Kinda pisses me off that A) he's not in brick red this year and/or B) he didn't do that last year to raise his trade value. But good for him.
I think he's the frontrunner, right now. Berkman, Fielder, and Braun are in the mix. Jose Reyes would be, too, if the Mets weren't Godawful.
I could be "misremembering" on this, but at one time, Lance was on pace to be considered one of the best switch hitters in MLB history (Mickey Mantle being 1st). EDIT: I did "misremember" http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=ycn-8453061 Based on this, he is definitely not sniffing top 5, but maybe top 10?
He has a chance in my opinion. Hits are more important for a Biggio or Molitor type. Berkman walks so much and a walk is almost as good as a single anyways. OPS is really all that matter. You have to remember he didn't really get going until he was 24. Compared to say an Eddie Murray who was up at 21 and had a 500 hit and 70 homer head start on Berkman by the same age. The people saying no are basing that on Berkman's stats right now. If he plays until he's 40 like Winfield and Murray and the like, he will have about 2300 hits and close to 500 home runs. You can't argue with the fact that he has such a high OPS. Much, much higher than a Winfield or Murray. So, there is no doubt that he is greater than either of those two at his greatest, whether he can provide the longevity required for the HOF is the question. We will see over the next five years.
Hall of fame not hall of VERY good. He needs another FIVE seasons of similar production. If he has truly rededicated himself then he has a shot but still an outside one.