One other thing Refman: You also have to remember that its not just Alomar and Biggio. Jeff Kent is making a strong case for himself. When his career is over, he will be THE BEST power hitting 2nd baseman in the history of baseball. That is a major accomplishment and it will not be overlooked when is career is done. He has played 600 less games than Alomar and Biggio, but has more than 30 home runs than both. As of now, he has more than 100 RBI's than Biggio too. Kent will also achieve the 2000 hit plateau. He has also showed no signs of slowing down. He has 4-5 more good years in him. At that time, he will be equal with Biggio in terms of "stats". The only concern for Kent is his health. Biggio is still the better player, but, if Kent keeps up his tear, he may be able to even things up with Biggio. At that point, it is very doubtfull that all three 2nd baseman become hall of famers. Once again, it could happen, but its not a sure thing.
Coming from Houston, I think we're all a little biased by saying he's a sure thing, even though I would like to think that. The national media might be swayed otherwise though, given his lack of success in the playoffs and failure to play in a World Series. Overall though, I think Bags is about an 85% bet to be in the Hall. The only ways he can guarantee himself a sure thing would be to pass the 500 HR milestone(365 now) or to reach or win a World Series. Assuming Bagwell plays out the 5 years left on his contract, he would need about 25 HR a year to get to 500. Hopefully he can do that.
With respect to Biggio, remember that his credentials include being an All-Star catcher who made the move to 2nd base and became an all-star there as well. That is one thing in his favor. Here are Biggio's numbers through last year: Avg. - .291 HRs - 180 Hits - 2149 Runs - 1305 RBI - 811 SBs - 365 Here is Player X (9 Gold Gloves, 1 MVP) Avg - .285 HRs - 282 Hits - 2386 Runs - 1318 RBI - 1061 SB - 344 Player X was described as a sure Hall of Famer during his playing days and I believe becomes eligible next year. Biggio should catch him in Hits and already has caught him in runs. If Player X gets in, Biggio will probably get in.
You cant compare stats of players, specially when they play in different eras. Its important to look at how a player compares to other players of his "era".
Kent may become the 2nd baseman with the most HRs, but he has a ways to go to catch Rogers Hornsby in slugging percentage (Kent is at .498, Hornsby finished at .564). Kent is also getting to the age where he may not catch Hornsby in HRs. He is around 70 behind him. He'll need close to 3 years to catch him.
As DaDakota correctly pointed out, Player X is Ryne Sandberg. He and Biggio played in the NL at the same time for 10 seasons. I would consider them from the same "era".
Ryne Sandberg and Craig Biggio are not in the same era. Both of them werent in their primes when they played. Ryne Sandberg did not have any competition. Sandberg is getting into the hall because of his work during the 80's. Biggio would get in because of his work in the 90's.
rezdawg-- You're killin me over here!!!! When I talk about the postseason I don't assume that Bagwell needs a numbers boost. It would, however, make his case stronger if he could do something to erase the label of postseason choke artist. You have to understand that the label will hurt him when people think about his career. If you don't see that then you are not as smart as I thought.
Postseason choke artist - see bonds. Or Mantle. If you are good enough, then there is no need to worry about such stats. Bagwell will get in regardless of his postseason performance.
By the way, don't you mean that Kent will become the "best power hitting 2nd baseman" of his era? You certainly can't compare Kent's HRs in his era to other 2nd basemen.
I just can't see Jeff Kent getting in. Kent may have some great numbers, but people don't get a buzz when talking about him. There's nothing special about him. At least with Biggio there seems to be a buzz. Bagwell is a lock. He would make it today if he retired.
I'm not saying that Bags isn't going to get in, all I am saying is that he's not a shoe in. He is not a first ballot guy IMHO. Remember that there were voters who did not vote for Nolan Ryan on the first ballot.
to this point and time, name a better NL first baseman, and i don't mean just current players... helton may eventually nudge past him, but colorado players should always be graded on a very generous curve; i'd love to see helton try and swat 35+ dingers playing half his games inside the dome.
Bagwell is getting in, 100%. His stats destroy Tony Perez's...and Bagwell still has some playing years left. I dunno about first ballot, tho.
The only reason there seems to be a buzz around Biggio is because we are in Houston. Outside of Texas, there is no buzz aound Biggio.
He is on pace to hit more homeruns than any other second baseman in the history of the game. So, yes, that would mean that he is by far and away the best power hitter of the era.
