Tom Glavine - "borderline" HOFer?

[RynoRules]

Was looking at ESPN Insider's Rumor Mill this morning, and it reads that Glavine is likely being shopped by the Mutts. Its also notes that the Mutts don't want his Maddux-like deal for next year (his $10 mill option kicks in if he throws a certain amount of innings), but that a team like the Yanks or Red Sox might be willing to take on this "borderline" Hall of Famer.

 

IMO, Glavine is an HOFer:

 

http://www.baseballreference.com/g/glavito02.shtml

 

As you can see, he has nearly 270 wins, has won 2 "Cys", a WS MVP, and from 1991-2002, was arguably the most consistent left-handed pitcher in baseball, winning 20 games 5 times and never winning less than 15 (sans the strike-shortened 1994 season, during which he was 13-5 and clearly on his way to at least 18 wins). His stats also compare favorably with those of Bob Gibson and Jim Palmer, both HOFers.

 

Thoughts?

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

I think Border-line is right. He could end up in the Bert Blyleven category---very good, not good enough for the voters.

 

Unless he gets 300 wins, he will not be first ballot.

[RynoRules]

Ok. Sorry - I love these HOF discussions, so BUMP.

[glavine93]

Tom Glavine is responsible for sparking my interest in baseball when I was ten, so he has my vote.

[BleedCubbieBlue81]

I don't think he'll need to get 300 to be considered a lock, but he's definitely on the fence right now. His stats are quite impressive, but there's a list of other guys with impressive stats that are still waiting for the call.

 

Personally, I think he's in. His career isn't over yet, he's going to get more wins.

[Wheelimus]

Eh, he's in. With it very likely that 300 wins will not be reached by many pitchers anytime soon, I think that number will start to come down. 250 is more likely.

 

Whether, when that happens, old pitchers who are still waiting to get in will, remains to be seen.

[neely crenshaw]

he is in. 300 clinches it.

did bert blyleven ever win a cy?

he also pitched for about 35 years!lol

[ToupeeOnFire]

If Tom Glavine retires tomorrow, he is an easy "in".

 

One big difference between Glavine and Blyleven is that Blyleven lost 250 games, Glavine only 171. He has a career winning percentage of over .600. Of his contemporaries, only Clemens and Maddux won more games. His ERA+ is superior to a whole lot of pitchers already enshrined. Besides, are there any HOF eligible pitchers who won 20 or more games in a season five times or more who are not in the HOF?

 

IMO, he is an easy first ballot HOFer.

[texascub]

If Tom Glavine retires tomorrow, he is an easy "in".

 

One big difference between Glavine and Blyleven is that Blyleven lost 250 games, Glavine only 171. He has a career winning percentage of over .600. Of his contemporaries, only Clemens and Maddux won more games. His ERA+ is superior to a whole lot of pitchers already enshrined. Besides, are there any HOF eligible pitchers who won 20 or more games in a season five times or more who are not in the HOF?

 

IMO, he is an easy first ballot HOFer.

 

He's actually lost 178 games in his career. Also, while he has produced results somewhat close to Clemens and Maddux he's been nowhere near as dominate. His control hasn't always been great, as apparent by his career 1.31 whip (Clemens has a 1.17 career whip and Maddux has a 1.13 career whip). I think that Glavine will get in but I don't think it will be on his first try.

[Omar]

He probably will be the last pitcher to get 300 in a long time. I dont see Randy Johnson getting in (although I think he'll get into the HOF).

[TruffleShuffle]

He probably will be the last pitcher to get 300 in a long time. I dont see Randy Johnson getting in (although I think he'll get into the HOF).

 

Getting 300 wins you mean? Randy Johnson should be and almost certainly will be a first ballot HOF. 4000 K's, 250 wins and #8 all-time in ERA+. Glavine's ERA+ is only 121, which puts him in the company of Derek Lowe and Jose Rijo. His longevity will work in his favor, but I don't think his career numbers support him being a first-ballot HOF. Ron Santo is more deserving of being in the HOF than Tom Glavine, dammit!

 

EDIT - also noting that while he won 2 Cy Young awards, only the first one was deserved. Maddux deserved to win in 1998, but because writers are entranced by shiny things like 20 wins (Maddux had "only" 18!), Glavine won the award.