Post by Colin WilliamPost by tom dunneHe's probably the best defensive outfielder in baseball history.
Maybe a tie with Clemente, but Andruw played the more important
position. The more that people (and by people I mean Hall voters)
begin to understand defensive metrics, the stronger his case will
get. He's also still just 33 and has his power, so if he can hang on
in the AL for another five years or so, he's got a slim chance at 500
homers. I think he's worthy without that, but a slam dunk with them,
as long as voters don't focus on his early decline.
HoF voters (and commentators in general) seem to underrate those who
peak early and are then mediocre in their 30s - I'm thinking McGriff as
a Hall case and Griffey and Frank Thomas as other general examples.
Chipper will likely face a reputation for fragility despite having been
iron for the first half of his career.
I don't know if anyone will underrate Thomas or Griffey, they're both
likely first-ballot guys. If Thomas doesn't get in right away, it'll
be over his time as DH rather than his very early peak.
Griffey is a slam dunk first ballot, I can't imagine otherwise. With
600+ homers and 10 Gold Gloves on top of his legend in Seattle, I
think he'll get in with a Nolan Ryan-esque percentage. Looking back
at his career, the injuries are such a shame - he lost two full
seasons during his age 31-35 seasons. Give him his career home run
rate over an extra 300 games and he's got 701 homers.
Post by Colin WilliamAndruw's defensive prowess won't be forgotten, and it might even be
magnified by hindsight, but the second half of his career will be strong
in memory, and not viewed well.
Yeah, I can see him struggling to get in. Even with his offensive
plummet, I just think his defense isn't properly appreciated.
Griffey's 10 Gold Gloves in center are exactly as many as Andruw has,
but Junior wasn't even close to the defender that Jones was.