Who was the best baseball player with most accomplishments eligible for, but not yet in hall of fame?

Question

Who was the best baseball player with most accomplishments eligible for, but not yet in hall of fame?

Answer 1

Tim Raines, he was a great player and I'm hoping he gets in soon.



[Pete Rose is NOT eligible for the Hall of Fame]

Answer 2

For me, it's Ron Santo. (although I would also agree on Blyleven, Andre Dawson and maybe Jack Morris.)



When he retired, he was number 2 on the list for home runs by a third baseman (further down now, but the stats should be looked at in the era in which they were achieved, not when compared to the current era of small ballparks, pitchers who aren't allowed to throw inside, and "chemical enhancement".)

In addition, he was a nine-time All-Star, and won 5 Gold Gloves.

Compare his stats to Brooks Robinson, and you will be amazed. I will agree that Robinson was the better third baseman defensively, but I don't think the difference in fielding ability is enough to make up for the fact that Santo was a much better hitter.



Unfortunately, Santo has a few strikes against him.

First, the current Veterans Committee seems to be in no hurry to induct anyone. My thought is that they feel their accomplishments will be somehow diminished by having more players in the Hall.

Secondly, Santo was not all that well liked by most of the players he played against. Certainly his famous heel clicking didn't make him any friends, and I think he actually felt that he shouldn't be friendly with the other team.

Finally, I believe Santo has been unfairly hurt by the lack of success of the Cubs during his career. I think perhaps the voters feel it would be very tough to have another member of those 1960's and early 70's Cubs in the Hall when they never won a division, pennant or World Series. (Banks, Williams and Jenkins are in all ready) I guess they can't fathom the idea of 4 teammates all being in the Hall without at least some history of winning.



Quick note to some of the above comments - Bonds is NOT eligible for the Hall yet. Providing he does not make a comeback, he will be eligible in 2013.

Mike Mussina also has not been retired long enough. He will be eligible in 2014.

And sorry, but Pete Rose is not eligible either. And probably never will be.

Answer 3

Mike Mussina.



He is a very underrated pitcher. He won so many Gold Gloves with the Orioles and Yankees. Throughout his tenure in Baltimore, he's the one that kept the O's news-relevant. In his 7 year stint with the Yankees, he was the ace for quite a while, never complained for more money, accepting what he was offered, pitched a near-perfect game (1 strike away, then gave up a single) against the rival Red Sox at Fenway Park, and held the Yankees together by winning 20 games in the one year they didn't make the playoffs. He deserved a ring, yet the Yankees went 0-2 in the World Series when he was in pinstripes. He had a borderline Hall of Fame career, but I don't think that's good enough. I think he deserves induction.

Answer 4

I even have loads of fav gamers that throughout all probability won't make the hall. merely on the grounds which you do not make the hall does not recommend you're actually not worth or should not be respected. I hear people say that and it bugs me, so what in case you probably did not make the hall you will have a heck of a occupation! i admire Brian Roberts, i'm not formally an Os fan or something (i do like staring at them ^^) yet he's a large leadoff hitter, continuously been consistent and an staggering 2d baseman!! He looks respectful and giving :)

Answer 5

Jack Morris.



He was the winningest pitcher of the 80s and won WS with three different teams. He had an all-time iconic moment when he pitched a 10 inning shut out in game 7 for the Twins in 1991.



But, he is criticized for having a high ERA. It's one of the strangest stats I know of, but he consistently had a higher ERA than the rest of his pitching staff, throughout his career, even though he won the most games. I don't know how to explain it. Did the team always hit better when he pitched? Did he just know how to reserve his strength and allow 4 runs if his team scored 5, and shut them out when his team only scored 1? It's weird.



I think another thing that hurts him is he did pitch on 3 teams , mainly, and they were Detroit, Minnesota and Toronto. Not exactly media capitals.

Answer 6

There are quite a few. The final way for a ballplayer to make it to the Hall is to please the writers. The writers are shameless bandwagoners, grudge holders, and petty old women types. To keep Ron Santo out or Bert Blyleven, or Tommy John, or a dozen or so others out can only mean that these players either failed the swimsuit competition or did not show proper servility when they played.

Answer 7

Good thing you required eligibility. This means that any answers including "Pete Rose" can be ignored, as well as those many recent players who have not yet reached their period of eligibility.



Which brings us, quickly, to Ron Santo, Bert Blyleven, Tim Raines, and Mark McGwire, and pretty much in that order, though I wouldn't quibble too much about it. Worthiness is worthiness.

Answer 8

Blyleven, Santo and Hodges. Bonds has not retired yet so he is not eligible - steroids or not.

Answer 9

Barry Bonds, despite the steroids thing. He has to retire first though.

Answer 10

Pete Rose

Answer 11

Ichiro

Answer 12

bert blylevin

or barry bonds but he took steroids

so thats why