Biggio actually only played one full season in CF. He played 1/2 of the next then moved to LF when Beltran was acquired.
Skip did have a decent point about "if you have to think about it, then they most likely don't deserve it." The problem with that philosophy, though, is that Skip is an idiot and knows very little about what he's "thinking about."
Yeah, I don't buy into the whole "if you have to think about it, they don't deserve it" thing. 15 years ago, if you asked someone what the most important individual pitching stat was they'd probably say wins, and the the most important individual batting stat was batting average or RBI. Until this years playoffs, people were saying that Aaron Rodgers wasn't an elite quarterback because he didn't have any playoffs wins, despite the fact that he was only a third year starter and was posting elite numbers. Nothing changed in Rodgers this postseason; he didn't suddenly get a stronger arm or a tighter spiral or get better at reading defenses, the only thing that changed was perception. Anyway, let's keep in mind that Skip Bayless also said that Piazza, the best-hitting catcher in baseball history, isn't a hall of famer. He said that Frank Thomas isn't a hall of famer. He just says stupid things, either to get a reaction or because he's an idiot.
A dead clock is right twice a day. Also, I didn't disagree in the least about saying the Texans wouldn't make the playoffs. The dumbass was right. if he didn't reach 3k hits, he's still in, easily. probably not "first ballot", for those to whom that means something. But the guy is hands down the best 2B of his generation, with ONE -- ONE other 2B in his league. Those two should get in on the first ballot, and I'm not sure any other 2B from the late 90s/early '00s merit consideration. Maybe Kent.
Yeah thats what I get for relying on Baseballreference rather than memory...they said 5 seasons CF...but I guess that just means he played at least one game in CF in 5 seasons. 255 games total at CF so most of a couple seasons. I guess my overarching point is that he was versatile and somewhat egoless. When the greatest SS ever came to Jetahland ARod changed position....which isn't a knock on Jeter. But when Jeff Kent came to Bigbaggyville, Biggio moved to the OF. Which says something about his desire to win and relative lack of ego.
A lack of ego and great character don't qualify someone for HoF, but it's icing on the cake indeed. Bidge, by the numbers and by his general performance (for those who still actually, you know, watch the game) qualifies inarguably for the Hall, even if he were a complete and total dick.
Skip Bayless, Stephen A Smith, and Jemele Hill constitute the original three troll-sketeers of ESPN and sports journalism in general.
Biggio wasn't a great defensive player in reality. For the most part he won his GG's because it is a popularity contest, and Biggio was the best NL 2B. Of course he does deserve bonus points for being a regular starter at C, 2B & CF. That is amazing to even have that kind of ability. From 1993 - 1999, Biggio was a dominate player. I'll list the players that have posted a season with 20HR, 50 Steals & 50 Doubles: Craig Biggio Heck, the only other player in MLB history with 50 steals and doubles in one season was Tris Speaker in 1912. He won the MVP.
I think he'd still have gotten in, that just made him first-ballot. Had he retired two years earlier, his numbers would have been amazingly similar to Roberto Alomar.
Lack of range. He wasn't terrible defensively. He was sure handed. He had below average to average range for most of his career, except for 1997, in which he was amazing in every aspect of the game. I'm sure some of it had to do with switching positions, and then the knee injury and by the time he went to being a regular OF, he had already had the knee injury, and was getting old. I am basing this off statistics. Visually he was better than he was statistically.
Didn't Bill James call Biggio the best player in Baseball or something? Also, I can't see how anyone could think that Jeter is better than Biggio. The only thing Jeter has over Biggio is postseason success. Biggio was a far better fielder, more versatile, had a better combination of speed and power. Biggio is one of the best run producers EVER, no way Jeter gets to biggios total runs or his double's total.
Skip Bayless' opinion means nothing. Guy makes stuff like this for a living I honestly don't care what he says.
jeter plays a tougher position and i think he has more range. biggio does have a better combination of speed and power
and that's where you fail. "Biggio wasn't a great defensive player in reality" may be the strangest thing I've ever read from you. It's just so... dead wrong. Biggio had *great* range in his prime. His defensive metrics from that time may be skewed by the following: - defensive metrics suck, man. honestly. - he played next to a 1B who also had great range. that's going to mess with the numbers - some of the time, he played next to a SS with great range. - he played behind quite a few fly-ball, strikeout type pitchers in Reynolds, Lima, etc. Fewer opportunities will affect those numbers. Statistics have their place; I'm not trying to dismiss them entirely. But you have to use your eyes (assuming you know what you're looking at). And I don't mean seeing highlight reels of Jeter making an acrobatic diving play that AE would have made standing up, either. Bidge's lone defensive weakness was his noodle arm. Beyond that, he had excellent range, soft hands, quick transfer of the ball, turned a great DP, positioned himself well for each hitter, etc. Tagged runners very well receiving all those bullets from Ausmus. Excellent footwork, heady play, and earned every one of those GGs. I think sometimes folks remember the "2B Emeritus" era of his career (thanks MM!) and forget what a gem he was to watch perform on the field earlier.
That whole post-season success part is huge............. Jeter has accomplished so much in the post-season in comparison to Biggio its not even close. Then again, he did play his whole career for the Yankees and was typically surrounded by much greater players.
That's what I'm thinking to. There was a time when the opposing pitchers concentration centered around 2 astros batters, Biggio and Bags. They didn't care about, or worry about, anyone else in the lineup. Jeter was one of 6 or 7 dangerous batters, every year. It makes a whole lot of difference.
