Best retired players not in the HOF

[KitchenWitch]

1. Bert Blyleven
2. Tony Oliva
3. Jim Kaat
4. Ryne Sandburg

Any more???

[cruadin]

1. I can think of two Red Sox players who should be given serious...

consideration:
Jime Rice & Dwight Evans.

BTW I was very happy last year when Dennis Eckersly was elected to the HOF. He really had two careers as a pitcher, as a starter for both Cleveland and the Red Sox, and then out of the bullpen and as a closer for Oakland when Tony LaRussa was running a West Coast Dynasty out there. Eck definitely deserved the honor.

[JohnKleeb]

2. sanbburg made it in I believe

Oh and I agree with you about Blyeven, I think he was better than Don Sutton, only thing Sutton had was more wins really, but I read that Blyeven played on worse teams than Sutton did.

[CubsFan1982]

3. Ryno's in this summer.

I'd love to go to Cooperstown for the induction ceremony, but I believe that's the same weekend of the College Democrats convention in DC.

As for the other three guys, I'd pick Blyleven out of the whole bunch, cause he's the one I know most about. I'm not familiar with Kaat's numbers or Oliva's career as a hitter.

[JohnKleeb]

4. Kaat was one of the best fielding picthers ever

16 gold gloves is tied for most ever with Brooks Robinson.
http://www.baseball-reference.com/k/kaatji01.shtml
http://www.baseball-reference.com/o/olivato01.shtml

[Steel City Slim]

5. Ron Santo

Of the Chicago Cubs.

[Yupster]

12. Ron Santo

was kind of unlucky.

He was maybe the second best third baseman in baseball history (after Pie Traynor), but igth after him came a golden age of third basemen, so by the time he became eligible, he didn't look as good any more.

All the sudden there was Mike Schmidt and George Brett.

But before him...

He was the best for a long time.

[dajoki]

6. here's two

don mattingly. should have stuck around longer, but went out with dignity. also a class act. and pete rose is probably the best player not in. whether he should be or not could be debated. but i'd vote him in.

[Steel City Slim]

7. Pete Rose

is a no good, low life, lying, scum bag. He was a good ball player who squeezed ever ounce out of his limited talents. If he hadn't bet on baseball he should and would have been elected. But he did bet on baseball. He new the rules against it and he knew the penalty for violating those rules, yet he bet on baseball anyway. And then when he was caught at it he wasn't even man enough to stand up and admit it, he lied about it instead. He is getting EXACTLY what he deserves!!!!

[dajoki]

8. what about todays dopers

yes he is all of that, but he is also the all-time hits leader, not really limited talent. what about the dopers of today? if it is proven that bonds, mcguire, sosa etc. were juiced should they get in? should thier records stand?

[Steel City Slim]

9. NO!!!!

Their records should be deleted.

[dajoki]

10. agree

i agree with that

[KitchenWitch]

11. I agree that the records should be deleted

in cases where it is proven that steroids were used. However, I think it is going to be difficult to prove it for most of the current likely suspects. :(

[bigwillq]

13. Don Mattingly

My fave player of all time.

[Jersey Devil]

14. One of my favs too, but too short a career

After he hurt his back and lost his power he simply was not the player he had been before. Dammit though, wish he could have hung around one more season for a ring.

[bigwillq]

15. That ring part kills me!

And now since he became a coach, the Yanks haven't been able to win.

Maybe he's a curse????:shrug:

[JohnKleeb]

16. That or Mussina

Who I would have loved to seen get kicked around tonight.