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20. Rafael Palmeiro

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20.  Rafael Palmeiro
  1. General
  2. Awards
  3. Career Stats
  • Born: September 24, 1964 in La Habana, La Cuba
  • Weight: 180 lbs.
  • Height: 6'0"
  • Bats: L
  • Throws: L
  • Debut: September 08, 1986
  • Final Game: August 30, 2005
  • Gold Glove - 1997
  • Gold Glove - 1998
  • Silver Slugger - 1998
  • TSN All-Star - 1998
  • Gold Glove - 1999
  • Silver Slugger - 1999
  • TSN All-Star - 1999
  • TSN Major League Player of the Year - 1999
  • MVP - 1990
  • MVP - 1991
  • MVP - 1993
  • MVP - 1994
  • MVP - 1995
  • MVP - 1996
  • MVP - 1997
  • MVP - 1998
  • MVP - 1999
  • MVP - 2001
 
ABRHHRRBISBAVG
209443326604011383670194 0.288
 

At the time of the infamous steroids trial, Rafael Palmeiro seemed to come off so good.  Of course when you are sitting next to a man who suddenly suffered from amnesia (Mark McGwire), a man who suddenly forgot the English language (Sammy Sosa), and the man who broke the “bro code” (Jose Canseco) a defiant and confident-sounding Rafael Palmeiro could not help but look good.  A few months later, Palmeiro was suspended by Major League Baseball for testing positive for steroids.

Ironically, this could hurt Palmeiro’s chances more than anyone else who testified at Congress.  At that point, he had reached 500 home runs quieter than anyone else ever had and was knocking on the door of 3,000 hits.  Seemingly, anyone else with those numbers would be a celebrated figure beset with endorsements and rabid fans.  Palmeiro had neither as he was playing in the shadow of flashier and more successful power hitters.  As such, he was not regularly in the hunt for MVPs and only appeared in four All-Star games which considering his career numbers was relatively low.  Subsequently, he was rarely with great teams and holds the dubious record of having played the most games without a World Series appearance.

Prior to the steroid stigmatism, Palmeiro had the Hall of Fame locked numbers of 500 Home Runs and 3,000 Hits.  Without the allegations, he may not have even been a lock for first-ballot induction.  With the PED label, a look at his offense showed a huge upswing at age 34.  McGwire may one day be forgiven as might Sosa.  Palmeiro likely won’t.  As unfathomable as it seemed a decade ago, he was almost a one-and-done Hall of Fame candidate, and his years on the ballot fell well short of the maximum, as he fell off after his fourth year.  This could be a sad reality for one of the most consistent offensive performers of his day.

Should Rafael Palmeiro be in the Hall of Fame?

Definitely put him in! - 54.4%
Maybe, but others deserve it first. - 9.7%
Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. - 6%
No opinion. - 0.7%
No way! - 29.2%

The Bullet Points

  • Country of Origin: Havana, Cuba
  • Eligible In: Saturday, 01 January 2011
  • Position: First Base, Outfield
  • Played For: Baltimore Orioles, Chicago Cubs, Texas Rangers
  • Major Accolades and Awards: World Series Rings (None)
    Major League Player of the Year (1) (1999)
    All-Star (4) (1988, 1991, 1998 & 1999)
    Gold Glove (3) (AL) (1997, 1998 & 1999)
    Silver Slugger (2) (AL) (1998 & 1999)
    Edgar Martinez Award (1) (AL) (1999)
    Most Runs Scored (1) (AL) (1993)
    Most Hits (1) (AL) (1990)
    Most Doubles (1) (AL) (1991)
    Most Singles (1) (AL) (1990)
    Most Putouts (3) (AL) (1993, 1996 & 1998)
    Most Putouts by a First Baseman (3) (AL) (1993, 1996 & 1998)
    Most Assists by a First Baseman (6) (AL) (1989, 1992, 1993, 1995, 1996 & 1998)
    Most Double Plays Turned by a First Baseman (2) (AL) (1993 & 1998)
    Most Double Plays Turned by a Leftfielder (1) (AL) (1986)
    Most Total Zone Runs by a First Baseman (2) (AL) (1993 & 1998)
    Highest Range Factor per Game by a First Baseman (1) (AL) (1988)
  • Other Points of Note: Sporting News Major League Player of the Year (1999)
    Top Ten MVP finishes:
    (AL: 1993, 8th), (AL: 1996, 6th) & (AL: 1999, 5th)
    4    Top Ten Finishes (bWAR for Position Players)
    2.   Top Ten Finishes (Offensive bWAR)
    5    Top Ten Finishes (Batting Average)
    7    Top Ten Finishes (Slugging Percentage)
    2    Top Ten Finishes (On Base Percentage)
    7    Top Ten Finishes (OPS)
    6    Top Ten Finishes (OPS+)
    3    Top Ten Finishes (Most Runs Scored)
    5    Top Ten Finishes (Most Hits)
    10  Top Ten Finishes (Total Bases)
    5    Top Ten Finishes (Doubles)
    11  Top Ten Finishes (Most Home Runs)
    9    Top Ten Finishes (Most Runs Batted In)
    7    Top Ten Finishes (Most Walks)
    2.   Top Ten Finishes (Singles)
    10  Top Ten Finishes (Extra Base Hits)
    1    Top Ten Finish (Power-Speed #)
    6    Top Ten Finishes (Win Probability Added)
    2    Top Ten Finishes (Championship Win Probability Added)
  • Notable All Time Rankings: 4.    Double Plays Turned by a First Baseman: 1,782
    8.    Extra Base Hits: 1,192
    8.    Assists by a First Baseman: 1,587
    10.  Sacrifice Flies: 119
    12.  Total Bases: 5,388
    13.  Home Runs: 563
    17.  Total Zone Runs by a First Baseman: 52
    18.  Runs Batted In: 1,835
    20.  Plate Appearances: 12,046
    20.  Games Played: 2,831
    20.  At Bats: 10,472
    20.  Outs Made: 7,858
    21.  Doubles: 585
    22.  Putouts: 18,128
    24.  Putouts by a First Baseman: 17,738
    30.  Hits: 3,020
    30.  Intentional Walks: 172
    33.  Runs Scored: 1,663
    34.  Walks: 1,353 
    45.  Fielding Percentage by a First Basenan: .994
    59.  bWAR for Position Players: 71.6
    62.  Win Probability Added: 43.2
    70.  Offensive bWAR: 67.5
    81.  Slugging Percentage: .515
    82.  Singles: 1,828
    90.  OPS: .885
  • Vote Percentage Received for the Hall of Fame: 2011: 11.0%
    2012: 12.6%
    2013: 8.8%
    2014: 4.4%
  • Should be Inducted As A: Texas Ranger

Should Rafael Palmeiro be in the Hall of Fame?

Definitely put him in! - 54.4%
Maybe, but others deserve it first. - 9.7%
Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. - 6%
No opinion. - 0.7%
No way! - 29.2%

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