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Awards = HOF? Part Seven: The Silver Slugger (Second Base) (MLB)

Awards = HOF?  Part Seven: The Silver Slugger (Second Base) (MLB)
19 Dec
2015
Not in Hall of Fame
We here at Notinhalloffame.com thought it would be fun to take a look at the major awards in North American team sports and see how it translates into Hall of Fame potential.

Needless to say, different awards in different sports yield hall of fame potential.  In basketball, the team sport with the least amount of players on a roster, the dividend for greatness much higher.  In baseball, it is not as much as a great individual season does not have the same impact.

Up next, we are going to take a look at a relatively new award, the Silver Slugger, which is awarded to best offensive player at each position and is voted on by managers and coaches in each Major League Baseball team.

Keep in mind that this award, which has become quite a big deal, is stillrelatively new, only came into existence in 1980.

We just took care of the Catcher and the First Base hole, though the percentages for Hall of Fame probability wasn’t what we (and we wager you) thought would make Cooperstown.

How about Second Base?

It can’t yield less Hall of Famer than the first two?

Let’s find out!



The following are the past MLB players who have won the Silver Slugger at the Second Base position who are eligible for the Baseball Hall of Fame and have been enshrined.



Joe Morgan, Cincinnati Reds (NL: 1982)

16 HR, 73 RBI, .292/.417./.435 Slash Line.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1990.  

Ryne Sandberg, Chicago Cubs (NL: 1984)

19 HR, 84 RBI, .314/.367/.520 Slash Line.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2005.  

Ryne Sandberg, Chicago Cubs (NL: 1985)

26 HR, 83 RBI, .305/.364/.504 Slash Line.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2005.  

Ryne Sandberg, Chicago Cubs (NL: 1988)

19 HR, 69 RBI, .264/.322/.419 Slash Line.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2005.  

Ryne Sandberg, Chicago Cubs (NL: 1989)

30 HR, 76 RBI, .290/.356/.497 Slash Line.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2005.  

Ryne Sandberg, Chicago Cubs (NL: 1990)

40 HR, 100 RBI, .306/.354/.559 Slash Line.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2005.  

Ryne Sandberg, Chicago Cubs (NL: 1991)

26 HR, 100 RBI, .291/.379/.5485 Slash Line.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2005.  

Roberto Alomar, Toronto Blue Jays (AL: 1992)

8 HR, 76 RBI, .310/.405/.427 Slash Line.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2011.

Ryne Sandberg, Chicago Cubs (NL: 1992)

26 HR, 87 RBI, .304/.371/.510 Slash Line.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2005.  

Craig Biggio, Houston Astros (NL: 1994)

6 HR, 56 RBI, .318/.411/.483 Slash Line.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2015.

Craig Biggio, Houston Astros (NL: 1995)

22 HR, 77 RBI, .302/.406/.483 Slash Line.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2015.

Roberto Alomar, Baltimore Orioles (AL: 1996)

22 HR, 94 RBI, .328/.411/.487 Slash Line.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2011.

Craig Biggio, Houston Astros (NL: 1997)

22 HR, 81 RBI, .309/.415/.501 Slash Line.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2015.

Craig Biggio, Houston Astros (NL: 1998)

20 HR, 88 RBI, .325/.403/.503 Slash Line.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2015.

Roberto Alomar, Cleveland Indians (AL: 1999)

24 HR, 120 RBI, .323/.422/.533 Slash Line.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2011.

Roberto Alomar, Cleveland Indians (AL: 2000)

19 HR, 89 RBI, .310/.422/.475 Slash Line.  Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2011.



So far we have four, which is higher than the other positions we looked at thus far.

What about those who didn’t make it?



The following are the players who have won the Silver Slugger at the Second Base position who are eligible for the Baseball Hall of Fame and have not been selected:



Willie Randolph, New York Yankees (AL: 1980)

7 HR, 46 RBI, .294/.427/.407 Slash Line.  He was on the ballot for one year in 1998 and received 1.1% of the vote.  Ranked #60 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Manny Trillo, Philadelphia Phillies (NL: 1980)

7 HR, 43 RBI, .292/.334/.412 Slash Line.  He was on the ballot for one year in 1995 but did not receive any votes.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com

Bobby Grich, California Angels (AL: 1981)

22 HR, 61 RBI, .271/.377/.408 Slash Line.  He was on the ballot for one year in 1992 and received 2.6% of the vote.  Ranked #31 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Manny Trillo, Philadelphia Phillies (NL: 1981)

6 HR, 36 RBI, .287/.338/.395 Slash Line.  He was on the ballot for one year in 1995 but did not receive any votes.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com

Damaso Garcia, Toronto Blue Jays (AL: 1982)

5 HR, 42 RBI, .310/.338/.399 Slash Line.  He was never on the ballot despite being eligible in 1995.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Johnny Ray, Pittsburgh Pirates (NL: 1982)

5 HR, 53 RBI, .283/.323/.399 Slash Line.  He was on the ballot for one year but did not receive any votes.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Lou Whitaker, Detroit Tigers (AL: 1983)

12 HR, 72 RBI, .320/.380/.457 Slash Line.  He was on the ballot for one year in 2009 and received 2.9% of the vote.  Ranked #10 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Lou Whitaker, Detroit Tigers (AL: 1984)

12 HR, 72 RBI, .320/.380/.457 Slash Line.  He was on the ballot for one year in 2009 and received 2.9% of the vote.  Ranked #10 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Lou Whitaker, Detroit Tigers (AL: 1985)

21 HR, 73 RBI, .279/.362/.456 Slash Line.  He was on the ballot for one year in 2009 and received 2.9% of the vote.  Ranked #10 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Frank White, Kansas City Royals (AL: 1986)

22 HR, 84 RBI, .272/.322/.465 Slash Line.  He was on the ballot for one year in 1996 and received 3.8% of the vote.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Steve Sax, Los Angeles Dodgers (NL: 1986)

6 HR, 56 RBI, .332/.390/.441 Slash Line.  He was on the ballot for one year in 2000 and received 0.2% of the vote.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Lou Whitaker, Detroit Tigers (AL: 1987)

16 HR, 59 RBI, .265/.341/.427 Slash Line.  He was on the ballot for one year in 2009 and received 2.9% of the vote.  Ranked #10 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Juan Samuel, Philadelphia Phillies (NL: 1987)

28 HR, 100 RBI, .272/.335/.502 Slash Line.  He was on the ballot for on year in 2004 and received 0.4% of the vote.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Julio Franco, Cleveland Indians (AL: 1988)

10 HR, 54 RBI, .303/.361/.409 Slash Line.  He was on the ballot for ne year in 2013 and received 1.1% of the vote.  Ranked #94 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Julio Franco, Texas Rangers (AL: 1989)

13 HR, 92 RBI, .316/.386/.462 Slash Line.  He was on the ballot for ne year in 2013 and received 1.1% of the vote.  Ranked #94 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Julio Franco, Texas Rangers (AL: 1990)

11 HR, 69 RBI, .296/.383/.402 Slash Line.  He was on the ballot for ne year in 2013 and received 1.1% of the vote.  Ranked #94 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Julio Franco, Texas Rangers (AL: 1991)

15 HR, 78 RBI, .341/.408/.474 Slash Line.  He was on the ballot for ne year in 2013 and received 1.1% of the vote.  Ranked #94 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Carlos Baerga, Cleveland Indians (AL: 1993)

21 HR, 114 RBI, .321/.355/.486 Slash Line,  He was on the ballot for one year in 2011 however received no votes.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Robby Thompson, San Francisco Giants (NL: 1993)

19 HR, 65 RBI, .312/.375/.496 Slash Line.  He was on the ballot for one year in 2002 but did not receive any votes.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Carlos Baerga, Cleveland Indians (AL: 1994)

19 HR, 80 RBI, .314/.333/.527 Slash Line,  He was on the ballot for one year in 2011 however received no votes.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Chuck Knoblauch, Minnesota Twins (AL: 1995)

11 HR, 63 RBI, .333/.424/.487 Slash Line.  He was on the ballot for one year in 2008 and received 0.2% of the vote.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Eric Young, Los Angeles Dodgers (NL: 1996)

8 HR, 74 RBI, .324/.393/..421 Slash Line.  He was on the ballot for one year in 2012 and received 0.2% of the vote.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Chuck Knoblauch, Minnesota Twins (AL: 1997)

9 HR, 58 RBI, .291/.390/.411 Slash Line.  He was on the ballot for one year in 2008 and received 0.2% of the vote.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Damion Easley, Detroit Tigers (AL: 1998)

27 HR, 100 RBI, .271/.332/.478 Slash Line.  Despite being eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2014, he was not on the ballot.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Edgardo Alfonzo, New York Mets (NL: 1999)

27 HR, 108 RBI, .304/.385/.502 Slash Line.  Despite being eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2012 he was not on the ballot.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Jeff Kent, San Francisco Giants (NL: 2000)

33 HR, 125 RBI, .334/.424/.596 Slash Line.  Kent is entering his third year on the ballot and received 15.2% in 2014.  Ranked #45 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Bret Boone, Seattle Mariners (AL: 2001)

37 HR, 141 RBI, .331/.372/.547 Slash Line.  He was on the ballot for one year in 2001 and received 0.2% of the vote.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Jeff Kent, San Francisco Giants (NL: 2001)

22 HR, 106 RBI, .298/.369/.507 Slash Line.  Kent is entering his third year on the ballot and received 15.2% in 2014.  Ranked #45 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Jeff Kent, San Francisco Giants (NL: 2002)

37 HR, 108 RBI, .313/.368/.565 Slash Line.  Kent is entering his third year on the ballot and received 15.2% in 2014.  Ranked #45 on Notinhalloffame

Bret Boone, Seattle Mariners (AL: 2003)

35 HR, 117 RBI, .294/.366/.535 Slash Line.  He was on the ballot for one year in 2001 and received 0.2% of the vote.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Jose Vidro, Montreal Expos (NL: 2003)

15 HR, 65 RBI, .310/.397/.470 Slash Line.  He was eligible for the hall in 2014 but was not on the ballot.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Mark Loretta, San Diego Padres (NL: 2004)

16 HR, 76 RBI, .335/.391/.495 Slash Line.  He was eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2015 but was not on the ballot.  Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Jeff Kent, Los Angeles Dodgers (NL: 2005)

29 HR, 105 RBI, .289/.377/.512 Slash Line.  Kent is entering his third year on the ballot and received 15.2% in 2014.  Ranked #45 on Notinhalloffame





The biggest snub in the Baseball Hall of Fame for many is Lou Whitaker who never made it past the first year on the ballot despite having much better sabremetric numbers than many who are in.  A near 75 bWAR and he is a one and done?  Disgusting!

There are few who the sabremetricians have elevated more than Bobby Grich, and his 70.9 bWAR does reflect a man who may have been the most underrated player of his era.  Grich was a previous nominee on a Veteran’s ballot, so there is still some hope here.

It was a shame that Willie Randolph did not receive a more serious look from the voters.  His 65.5 career bWAR is solid and he has a higher JAWS than the average Hall of Fame Second Baseman.  You would think playing in the Bronx would given him a high enough profile to at least make creep to the five percent mark so that he could play on the ballot for another day!

Former NL MVP, Jeff Kent is on pace to be on the ballot for the full ten years…and not get in.

Julio Franco had one of the most unique careers in baseball as he suited up thirty-one years in three professional leagues.  In the majors, he played up until age 48, had over 2,500 Hits, won a Batting Title and had a mid 40’s bWAR.  Sure, he compiled a lot and yes and doesn’t have the necessary stats for the Hall, but damn he should be honored somewhere right?

Chuck Knoblauch is more known for not living up to his contract with the New York Yankees than for what he was doing with the Minnesota Twins.  He has a “better than you think” bWAR of 44.6 and he is a four time World Series Champion.

Frank White had a very good career, which was all spent with the Kansas City Royals where he slapped 2,000 Hits and earned eight Gold Gloves.  He was good, but any batter with an On Base Percentage under .300 should not be in Cooperstown.

Twice an All Star in an eleven year career all with the San Francisco Giants, Robby Thompson did not receive a vote, but was better than many who did receive a few. 

Steve Sax had a good career, with excellent baserunning skills but the miniscule vote tally he received was accurate.  Sax does have two World Series Rings and a guest spot on the Simpsons to make him feel better.

With a bWAR of 22.6 and a PED cloud, Bret Boone was lucky that fractional percentage he did get.

Three All Star appearances should get you on the ballot if you played long enough right?  Not for Jose Vidro and his sub 20 bWAR.

For a couple of years, Carlos Baerga was muttered in the same breath as Roberto Alomar, but he tailed off sharply and had bWAR under 20.

Damion Easley did make a 20 bWAR, but not the ballot.  He wouldn’t have gotten a vote anyway.

Edgardo Alfonzo actually had a bWAR of 28.7 and over 1,500 Hits over hos twelve year career, but was deemed unworthy of a spot on the ballot.

Eric Young had a memorable career, once leading the NL in Stolen Bases, and another in Triples, but we have another whose bWAR was below 20.

Juan Samuel had a decent fourteen year career but the three time All Star also led the National League in Strikeouts four times and had a bWAR under 20.

Mark Loretta also had a very good career, which spanned 15 seasons but his bWAR was below 20 and that did him no favor in getting him onto the ballot.

Manny Trillo had a decent career but his barely two digit bWAR works with his lack of votes for the Hall of Fame.

Johnny Ray did make the ballot, but without a vote, which was not incorrect.

Damaso Garcia was lucky to win that Silver Slugger (Grich probably should have), but his overall bWAR of 7.1 shows a player who had a few good years and nothing more. 



Let’s update our tally shall we?



Award in Question

Percentage of recipients who have entered the HOF

Percentage of recipients by year who have entered the HOF.

NBA MVP

100 %

100 %

NHL Norris

90.5 %

96.4 %

NHL Lady Byng

63.8%

76.0 %

NFL Super Bowl MVP

60.6%

64.9 %

MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (Catcher)

20.0%

22.5 %

MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (Second Base)

16.7%

32.7 %

MLB (NL/AL) Silver Slugger (First Base)

13.6%

14.3 %

MLB (NL/AL) Rookie of the Year

13.3%

13.3 %





So who is up next?



The following are the players who have won the Silver Slugger at the Second Base position who have retired but have not met the mandatory years out of the game to qualify:



Alfonso Soriano, New York Yankees (AL: 2002)

39 HR, 102 RBI, .300/.332/.547 Slash Line.  Soriano will be eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2020.

Alfonso Soriano, Texas Rangers (AL: 2004)

28 HR, 91 RBI, .280/.324/.484 Slash Line.  Soriano will be eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2020.

Alfonso Soriano, Texas Rangers (AL: 2005)

36 HR, 104 RBI, .268/.309/.512 Slash Line.  Soriano will be eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2020.

Placido Polanco, Detroit Tigers (AL: 2007)

9 HR, 67 RBI, .341/.388/.458 Slash Line.  Polanco will be eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2019.





Alfonso Soriano may have over 2,000 Hits and 400 Home Runs but his poor defense and On Base Percentage won’t get him there.

Placido Polanco is probably better than you think.  He had over 2,000 Hits and a BWAR of 41.3, but he will be lucky to obtain one percent of the vote.



The following are the players who have won the Silver Slugger at the Second Base position who are still active baseball players:



Robinson Cano, New York Yankees (AL: 2006)

15 HR, 78 RBI, .342/.365/.525 Slash Line.  Currently with the Seattle Mariners, 33 Years Old.

Chase Utley, Philadelphia Phillies (NL: 2006)

32 HR, 102 RBI, .309/.379/.527 Slash Line.  Currently with the Los Angeles Dodgers, 37 Years Old.

Chase Utley, Philadelphia Phillies (NL: 2007)

22 HR, 103 RBI, .332/.410/.566 Slash Line.  Currently with the Los Angeles Dodgers, 37 Years Old.

Dustin Pedroia, Boston Red Sox (AL: 2008)

17 HR, 83 RBI, .326/.376/.493 Slash Line.  Currently with the Boston Red Sox.  32 Years Old.

Chase Utley, Philadelphia Phillies (NL: 2008)

33 HR, 104 RBI, .292/.380/.535 Slash Line.  Currently with the Los Angeles Dodgers, 37 Years Old.

Aaron Hill, Toronto Blue Jays (AL: 2009)

36 HR, 108 RBI, .286/.330/.499 Slash Line.  Currently with the Arizona Diamondbacks. 33 Years Old.

Chase Utley, Philadelphia Phillies (NL: 2009)

31 HR, 93 RBI, .282/.397/.508 Slash Line.  Currently with the Los Angeles Dodgers, 37 Years Old.

Robinson Cano, New York Yankees (AL: 2010)

29 HR, 109 RBI, .319/.381/.534 Slash Line.  Currently with the Seattle Mariners, 33 Years Old.

Dan Uggla, Florida Marlins (NL: 2010)

33 HR, 105 RBI, .287/.369/.508 Slash Line.  Currently with the Washington Nationals.  35 Years Old.

Robinson Cano, New York Yankees (AL: 2011)

28 HR, 118 RBI, .302/.349/.533 Slash Line.  Currently with the Seattle Mariners, 33 Years Old.

Brandon Phillips, Cincinnati Reds (NL: 2011)

18 HR, 82 RBI, .300/.353/.457 Slash Line.  Currently with the Cincinnati Reds.  34 Years Old.

Robinson Cano, New York Yankees (AL: 2012)

33 HR, 94 RBI, .313/.379/.550 Slash Line.  Currently with the Seattle Mariners, 33 Years Old.

Aaron Hill, Arizona Diamondbacks (NL: 2012)

26 HR, 85 RBI, .302/.360/.522 Slash Line.  Currently with the Arizona Diamondbacks. 33 Years Old.

Robinson Cano, New York Yankees (AL: 2013)

27 HR, 107 RBI, .314/.383/.516 Slash Line.  Currently with the Seattle Mariners, 33 Years Old.

Matt Carpenter, St. Louis Cardinals (NL: 2013)

11 HR, 78 RBI, .318/.392/.481 Slash Line.  Currently with the St. Louis Cardinals, 30 Years Old.

Jose Altuve, Houston Astros (AL: 2014)

7 HR, 59 RBI, .341/.377/.453 Slash Line.  Currently with the Houston Astros.  26 Years Old.

Neil Walker, Pittsburgh Pirates (NL: 2014)

23 HR, 76 RBI, .271/.342/.467 Slash Line.  Currently with the New York Mets.  30 Years Old.

Jose Altuve, Houston Astros (AL: 2015)

15 HR, 66 RBI, .313/.353/.459 Slash Line.  Currently with the Houston Astros.  26 Years Old.

Dee Gordon, Miami Marlins (NL: 2015)

4 HR, 46 RBI, .333/.359/.418 Slash Line.  Currently with the Miami Marlins. 27 Years Old.





Chase Utley has already passed the 60 bWAR mark and has built a very solid Hall of Fame case right now.

Robinson Cano isn’t the same player as he was, but he should still have some years to pad his statistics and make a significant Hall of Fame run. 

The most intriguing player here has to be Dustin Pedroia, a former MVP, four time Gold Glove winner and two time World Series Champion.  With his bWAR currently in the mid-40’s, he has work to do, but already has done enough to earn a few votes.  As we know, a few votes don’t cut it!

Aaron Hill will go down in baseball history with a good career, but not a Hall of Fame one.

The same will be said for Brandon Phillips, who is on pace for 2,000 Hits and possibility for a 40 bWAR, but that won’t be enough.

Dan Uggla has three All Star appearances and ZERO chances for the Hall of Fame.

We like Matt Carpenter a lot but his late start in the majors (and he as already 30) does not a bright picture paint. 

While Neil Walker landed his Silver Slugger recently, we feel confident stating that he is not Cooperstown bound.

Dee Gordon may already have two All Stars under his belt, but he still doesn’t have a two digit bWAR.

As for Jose Altuve, the future hasn’t been written yet, though we are very interested to see where his career goes!



So what’s up next? 

Catcher down, First Base down. As is Second Base.  Let’s continue along the diamond and we will continue that at Shortstop. 

Look for that soon and as always we thank you for your support!

Last modified on Monday, 21 November 2016 18:37
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Kirk Buchner, "The Committee Chairman", is the owner and operator of the site.  Kirk can be contacted at [email protected] .

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