Jeff Bagwell: Hall of Famer?

[jms493]

Wut?

* A – Ernie Banks is not listed at the Hall of Fame as a first baseman, but played half his career at first.[1]
* B – Jackie Robinson is not listed at the Hall of Fame as a first baseman, but started his career at that position.

 

[NAHSTE]

Wish I made the poll public, those who voted no need to show yourselves. Bags was an all around great player. He did it all at a high level for 10-14 years.

 

[Lanteri]

Ehm...

This shouldn't even be that much of a debate.

Career OPS - .948 - 21st all time (9th among 1st basemen, 10th if you count Thome as a 1st baseman and not a DH)
Career HRs - 449 (34th)
Career RBI - 1529 (45th)
Career BBs - 1401 (27th)

162 game average stat line of: .297/.408/.540 34 HR 115 RBI 106 BB 114 R 15 SB

Honestly, a top 25 career OPS alone, in a career in which Bagwell was a dominant offensive player for over 10 years, makes this is a no-brainer. The only possible reasonable way you can vote no on the guy is if there's concrete evidence of steroid usage, either via confession, or proof. Otherwise, you really have no case against him, because his numbers certainly more than warrant it.

 

[SuperKevin]

I voted no and explained why. Honestly I hate making these decisions because my expectations of a Hall of Famer are probably way too high.

 

[SuperKevin]

Surprised to see all the "No's". Bags was the an/the elite first baseman in the NL basically his entire career.

Could that speak to the lack of quality at first base in the NL in the 90s?

 

[FedEx227]

Yeah, he's in no doubt in my world. Career 149 OPS+, that's top notch.

 

[FedEx227]

Could that speak to the lack of quality at first base in the NL in the 90s?

Unfortunately once you let Jim Rice in because "he was one of the more dominant power hitters of his era" (For the record, I don't think he should've gotten in) this argument just doesn't stand anymore.

 

[FirstTimer]

* B – Jackie Robinson is not listed at the Hall of Fame as a first baseman, but started his career at that position.

Still kind of misleading to list him there.

The guy played less than 200 games at 1B didn't he?

 

[NAHSTE]

Could that speak to the lack of quality at first base in the NL in the 90s?

 

[FirstTimer]

Could that speak to the lack of quality at first base in the NL in the 90s?

Just what I can think of here at work..

Fred McGriff
Mark McGwire
John Olerud
Mark Grace
Andres Galarraga
Eric Karros

Nothing like today no doubt but still some very good players. You're dealing with 2-3 fringe HOF'ers in that group.

 

[NAHSTE]

Just what I can think of here at work..

Fred McGriff
Mark McGwire
John Olerud
Mark Grace
Andres Galarraga
Eric Karros

Nothing like today no doubt but still some very good players. You're dealing with 2-3 fringe HOF'ers in that group.

I know you were only thinking of the 90s, but I just wanted to point out that Todd Helton rattled off quite the stretch at the back end of Baggie's prime (starting in 1999).

Not many HOFers, but definitely some quality players at his position. But yeah most of the great 1B in those days were in the AL.

 

[Warner2BruceTD]

Jeff Bagwell would have been a premeir 1B in ANY era, ANY league.

What am I missing?

He won't get in, because I'm sure some of these asshole voters will use the lame "not a first ballot" guy excuse. YOU EITHER ARE A HOF'ER, OR YOU'RE NOT. I hate that shit.

 

[FedEx227]

I'm still interested if they are going to screw Frank Thomas out of a first ballot too.

 

[FirstTimer]

I'm still interested if they are going to screw Frank Thomas out of a first ballot too.

I doubt it.

Frank Thomas is maybe one of the greatest first basemen ever. They guy didn't become a full time DH until 2000 or so. Most of his best seasons were as a full time 1B.

In the early-mid 90's Thomas was in the conversation for the best position player in the game along side Bonds and Junior.

As much BS it is that Larkin didn't get in on the first ballot if Thomas doesn't it will be an absolute travesty.

 

[NAHSTE]

I don't get how Bagwell is not a first ballot though. Can't think of many NL hitters who were better for longer during his day.

Chipper, Barry aaaaand... that's the list.*


(I'm definitely probably forgetting someone.)

 

[FedEx227]

I doubt it.

Frank Thomas is maybe one of the greatest first basemen ever. They guy didn't become a full time DH until 2000 or so. Most of his best seasons were as a full time 1B.

In the early-mid 90's Thomas was in the conversation for the best position player in the game along side Bonds and Junior.

As much BS it is that Larkin didn't get in on the first ballot if Thomas doesn't it will be an absolute travesty.

I totally agree, but between being surly to the media and the perception that he was a "DH" will make things interesting.

They should just bomb the place though if he doesn't make it first ballot.

 

[LiquidLarry2GhostWF]

He was a juicer, but never caught...kudos to him. Welcome to the Hall.

 

[mcstl25]

He was a juicer, but never caught...kudos to him. Welcome to the Hall.

Agreed. Bagwell is one of the guys that slipped through the cracks and never got caught juicing. Gotta wonder how many players will be "rewarded" and end up in the hall because they are better at covering their tracks than McGwire, Bonds, Clemens, etc.

I think he'll probably get in, but not first ballot.

 

[NAHSTE]

Why do people think Bags was juicing, and have no doubt? It's not like he was putting up unreasonable totals, he was around high 30s-low 40s for a few years, nothing unbelievable when you compare it to guys like Sosa, Mark and Barry. Or you saying that was part of his stealth?

 

[LiquidLarry2GhostWF]

Why do people think Bags was juicing, and have no doubt? It's not like he was putting up unreasonable totals, he was around high 30s-low 40s for a few years, nothing unbelievable when you compare it to guys like Sosa, Mark and Barry. Or you saying that was part of his stealth?

Sosa, Big Mac, and Barroid were so overt, it was silly. They flaunted their use.

Others, didn't. Look at Raffy. If he didn't slip up at the end of his career, he would have coasted into the Hall without notice or question.