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24. Steve Garvey

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24.  Steve Garvey
  1. General
  2. Awards
  3. Career Stats
  • Born: December 22, 1948 in Tampa, FL USA
  • Weight: 192 lbs.
  • Height: 5'10"
  • Bats: R
  • Throws: R
  • Debut: September 01, 1969
  • Final Game: May 23, 1987
  • All-Star Game MVP - 1974
  • Gold Glove - 1974
  • Most Valuable Player - 1974
  • TSN All-Star - 1974
  • Gold Glove - 1975
  • TSN All-Star - 1975
  • Gold Glove - 1976
  • Gold Glove - 1977
  • TSN All-Star - 1977
  • All-Star Game MVP - 1978
  • NLCS MVP - 1978
  • TSN All-Star - 1978
  • Roberto Clemente Award - 1981
  • Lou Gehrig Memorial Award - 1984
  • NLCS MVP - 1984
  • MVP - 1974
  • MVP - 1975
  • MVP - 1976
  • MVP - 1977
  • MVP - 1978
  • MVP - 1979
  • MVP - 1980
  • MVP - 1981
  • MVP - 1984
 
ABRHHRRBISBAVG
17670228651985442616166 0.294
 

The common trend in Baseball Hall of Fame voting is for a solid candidate to get a healthy double-digit vote in his first year of eligibility and watch that number climb slowly as more and more perspective is put on their career.  For Steve Garvey, the more the Hall looked at his career, the more they seemed to talk themselves out of his induction as evidenced by the way his votes were cut in half from his first year (41.6) to (21.1) in his last year.

There is a good chance that if you were a fan of the L.A. Dodgers in the 70’s you were a huge fan of Steve Garvey.  It would be easy to see why as his squeaky clean image and model good looks were combined with a perennial All-Star who hit for a solid average, had moderate power, was great in the clutch, and was the Iron Man of his generation.  Garvey won the 1974 NL MVP, 1978 NLCS MVP, and two All-Star Game MVPs.  Basically, if the camera was on Steve Garvey, he produced.

Perhaps that was the problem.  Garvey was more concerned at times with looking good than playing good, and he would rather swing away than take a deserved walk which did not play well for TV.  Garvey also may have been a four-time Gold Glove recipient at first, but he was a failure at third base.  Garvey may have been an Iron Man playing in a lot of consecutive games but it may have been at the detriment to his team.  Bottom line is that stories of his selfishness have emerged as frequently as stories of his infidelity did after his playing days ceased.

We like to build heroes and tear them down so that we can build them up again.  Steve Garvey may have rejected on his first go around but it is possible that he will be built up again for consideration by the Veteran’s Committee.

Should Steve Garvey be in the Hall of Fame?

Definitely put him in! - 78%
Maybe, but others deserve it first. - 6.6%
Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. - 6.6%
No opinion. - 0.7%
No way! - 8%

The Bullet Points

  • Country of Origin: Tampa, Florida, U.S.A.
  • Eligible In: Friday, 01 January 1993
  • Position: First Base, Third Base
  • Played For: Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres
  • Major Accolades and Awards: World Series Rings (1) (Los Angeles Dodgers, 1981)
    MVP (1) (NL) (1974)
    All-Star (10) (1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1984 & 1985)
    NLCS MVP (2) (1978 & 1984)
    All-Star Game MVP (2) (1974 & 1978)
    Gold Gloves (4) (NL) (1974, 1975, 1976 & 1977)
    Silver Slugger (6) (AL) (1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998 & 2001)
    Roberto Clemente Award (1981)
    Lou Gehrig Memorial Award (1984)
    Most Hits (2) (NL) (1978 & 1980)
    Most Sacrifice Flies (1) (NL) (1984)
    Most Putouts (6) (NL) (1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1977, 1978 & 1985)
    Most Putouts by a First Baseman (6) (NL) (1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1977, 1978 & 1985)
    Most Double Plays Turned by a First Baseman (1) (NL) (1985)
    Highest Range Factor per Game by a First Baseman (2) (NL) (1974 & 1977)
    Highest FIelding Percentage by a First Baseman (5) (NL) (1975, 1976, 1977, 1981 & 1984)
    Most Total Zone Runs by a Third Baseman (1) (NL) (1981)
  • Other Points of Note: Other Top Ten MVP Finishes: (Won the 1974 NL MVP)
    (NL: 1976, 6th), (NL: 1977, 6th), (NL: 1978, 2nd) & (NL: 1980, 6th)
    2 Top Ten Finishes (bWAR for Position Players)
    6 Top Ten Finishes (Batting Average)
    2 Top Ten Finishes (Slugging Percentage)
    1 Top Ten Finish (OPS)
    2 Top Ten Finishes (Runs Scored)
    10 Top Ten Finishes (Most Hits)
    7 Top Ten Finishes (Doubles)
    1 Top Ten Finish (Triples)
    3 Top Ten Finishes (Home Runs)
    7 Top Ten Finishes (Runs Batted In)
    10 Top Ten Finishes (Singles)
    1 Top Ten Finish (Power-Speed #)
    5 Top Ten Finishes (Win Proability Added)
    4 Top Ten Finishes (Championship Win Proability Added)
  • Notable All Time Rankings: 10.     Fielding Percentage by a First Baseman: .996
    12.     Putouts: 19,004
    14.     Putouts by a First Baseman: 18,884
    24.     Double Plays Turned by a First Baseman: 1,498
    52.     Assists by a First Baseman: 1,026
    68.     Sacrifice Flies: 90
    78.     Singles: 1,844
    80.     Outs Made: 6.672
    84.     Hits: 2,599
    85.     At Bats: 8,835
    89.     Range Factor per Game by a First Baseman: 9.65
    100.   Total Bases:  3,941
  • Vote Percentage Received for the Hall of Fame: 1993: 41.6
    1994: 36.4
    1995: 42.6
    1996: 37.2
    1997: 35.3
    1998: 41.2
    1999: 30.2
    2000: 32.1
    2001: 34.2
    2002: 28.4
    2003: 27.8
    2004: 24.3
    2005: 20.5
    2006: 26.0
    2007: 21.1
  • Should be Inducted As A: Los Angeles Dodger

Should Steve Garvey be in the Hall of Fame?

Definitely put him in! - 78%
Maybe, but others deserve it first. - 6.6%
Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. - 6.6%
No opinion. - 0.7%
No way! - 8%

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