Baseball
Established in 1936, and currently based in Cooperstown, New York, the Baseball Hall of Fame may be the most prestigious of any Sports Hall of Fame. Although Baseball may have taken a backseat to Football in recent years, there is no doubt that Baseball’s version of the Hall of Fame is by far the most relevant and the most difficult to get enshrined in. At present, a player has to receive seventy five percent of the votes from the Baseball Writers Association of America, which has proven to be no easy task. Failing that, a player could be inducted by the Veterans committee, though few have been inducted this way. Our list will focus on the players only, and although we could easily do a tally focusing on mangers, broadcasters or other vital personnel, as always it is far more enjoyable to discuss the merits of those on the field as oppose to those off of it.Until Then, Let’s get some peanuts and cracker jacks and cast some votes of our own!
Sincerely,
The Not in Hall of Committee.
Cliff Lee was known for his methodical pitching style, but it was an effective one.
We here at Notinhalloffame.com talk every day about those who should be in their respective Halls of Fame. The hottest sports debate in this context might be in baseball. Vern Stephens might have a Hall of Fame case, but before we go there, we can say without question that he is the greatest player who never made the ballot.
A Cleveland Indian for his entire career, Mel Harder debuted for the Tribe in 1928, where he was used in relief in his first two seasons when he was on their main roster and not in the minors.
Johnny Damon came close to getting to the 3,000 Hit mark in his career (2,769) and did have other decent career numbers with 235 Home Runs, 1,139 Runs Batted in, and 408 Stolen Bases. Damon was also a very popular figure who won two World Series (one in Boston and one in New York), but a look at his individual campaigns show that of a statistical compiler, as he never had a top ten MVP season, only made two All-Stars, and only was in the top ten in WAR for Position Players once. Throw in his sub .800 career OPS…
The professional career of Elston Howard began in the Negro Leagues with the Kansas City Monarchs in 1948, but the New York Yankees would sign him in 1950. After two years in the military and two years in the minors, Howard debuted in pinstripes in 1955.
Alvin Dark had an excellent start in baseball, as he was the Rookie of the Year in 1948 with the Boston Braves. He was a huge part of Boston’s surprise run to the World Series (they lost to Cleveland), but he was traded to the New York Giants two years later, which proved beneficial for both sides.
Willie Davis played most of his career with the Los Angeles Dodgers, where he did an excellent job at the top of the order and defensively in Centerfield.
The quick synopsis of Fred “Firpo” Marberry is a Pitcher who was used in a way that was ahead of its time.
The Los Angeles Dodgers were an excellent team in the 1970s and early 80s, and Ron Cey was a part of it.
CLASSIC TOUR AT YANKEE STADIUM
Jan 01, 1970
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TOURS: TRUIST PARK
Jan 01, 1970
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PETCO PARK TOURS
Jan 01, 1970
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BALTIMORE ORIOLES VS. MINNESOTA TWINS
Apr 16, 2024
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A two-time World Series Champion with the Detroit Tigers (the only team he ever played for), Tommy Bridges was a major force in that first championship, winning two games in the Fall Classic. The curveball specialist led the AL in Strikeouts twice and won twenty games three years in a row (1934, 1935 & 1936). Bridges was also a six-time All-Star. Overall, Bridges would have a record of 194-138 with 1,674 Strikeouts.
Many of the early baseball players suffered from an addiction to alcohol, but we have to wonder if any of them had anything on Pete Browning, an Outfielder who once quipped, "I can't hit the ball until I hit the bottle." He hit the bottle a lot, but he also hit the baseball at a high level.
While Jason Giambi is better known for being an inflated PED user, the fact remains that he was a very good hitter who was a former American League MVP. Giambi would go to five consecutive All-Star Games, blasted 440 Home Runs with a .516 career Slugging Percentage over a twenty-year career. He would also show solid plate discipline with three On Base Percentage Titles and retired with a very good 50.4 bWAR.
Sam McDowell had one of the most unimposing, yet correct nicknames. When you hear the name "Sudden" Sam, you aren't sure what to think, but what does a "sudden" Pitcher mean? For McDowell, it is in reference to his rapid delivery and the strong odds that he would strike you out.
Camilo Pascual left Cuba in 1951 at the age of 17, and a year later, he was part of the Washington Senators farm system. Pasucal was impressive, and he made the main roster in Washington in 1954.
Larry Jackson played for some good teams, but never any great ones (he never played in the postseason). As such, Jackson never made the 200 Win club, but his value as an innings eater was essential to the success that many of his teams had.
Cesar Cedeno played the first twelve of his seventeen-year career with the Houston Astros, and it was there where he established himself as one of the best baserunners of the 1970s.
One of the most underrated players in Baseball's history has to be George Uhle, a Pitcher who spent most of his career with the Cleveland Indians and won an even 200 Games.
There was a time when Nomar Garciaparra owned the city of Boston. The “Nomah" chants rocked Fenway, and he was, at one point, one of the most well-known baseball players around in the game.
Historically speaking, one of the most important Pitchers in Latin America is Dennis Martinez, and he was also one of the most tenured.