Lee Smith and Harold Baines elected to Baseball Hall of Fame
Dec 10, 2018 20:12:28 GMT
Rufus-T likes this
Post by TheGoodMan19 on Dec 10, 2018 20:12:28 GMT
Baines will be looked on in 20 years as one of the most unfortunate HOFers ever. Hall of Longevity, yes. Hall of Consistent, yes. Hall of Fame, no. OK, 2866 hits, 384 HRs and a .289 BA are very nice numbers. But he played for 1000 years. I don't think he owned a glove after age 28. 22 year career and only six AS games, four top 20 MVP votes (none after age 26) and one Silver Slugger. Not the mark of one of the elite players in baseball history.
Smith is less black and white. Was he ever THE closer in baseball, no. Well maybe. Led his league is saves four time, three after age 33. Four top five finishes in the Cy voting, three after age 33. Seven all-star games, five after age 33. I always think of him in the Cubs pinstripes, but he was at his best after he left Chicago. Not sure if was ever in the Eckersley/Fingers/Gossage level of a closer. The guy who, when he came into the game, the other team said "OH shit, game over". That's what I would say makes a HOF closer.
Smith is less black and white. Was he ever THE closer in baseball, no. Well maybe. Led his league is saves four time, three after age 33. Four top five finishes in the Cy voting, three after age 33. Seven all-star games, five after age 33. I always think of him in the Cubs pinstripes, but he was at his best after he left Chicago. Not sure if was ever in the Eckersley/Fingers/Gossage level of a closer. The guy who, when he came into the game, the other team said "OH shit, game over". That's what I would say makes a HOF closer.