Is Rafael Palmeiro a first ballot Hall of Famer?

[ZMovieman]

First ballot? No. Will he eventually get in? Yes. Does he deserve it? More so than some, I guess. What do you guys think? How long will it take him, if ever, to get in?

 

On a side note, it feels for the most part that the entrants in the HOF are more or less "really good" players, not "great" players. Well, except for Sandberg and Boggs of course...

[sweetpeteman]

First ballot? No. Will he eventually get in? Yes. Does he deserve it? More so than some, I guess. What do you guys think? How long will it take him, if ever, to get in?

 

On a side note, it feels for the most part that the entrants in the HOF are more or less "really good" players, not "great" players. Well, except for Sandberg and Boggs of course...

 

I'm sorry, but WHAT? Of course he is. only 4 players have ever had 3000 hits and 500 homeruns... what, his batting average not high enough for you? He was a 1st ballot in 2003 with 500 homers. To even think that he won't get in first ballot is incredibly naive.

[ZMovieman]

It's not naive. Check all the sites that praise him online. They mention it's a real possiblity. He is a player that has been very good for a very long time, thus his numbers are gaudy. But does he demand attention with every at-bat or on the field play like a Hall of Famer? No. Besides, I'm not arguing that he isn't Hall worthy. I'm simply stating that he isn't first ballot.

 

I don't appreciate being called naive for a sound opinion either. You are entitled to your own. Don't attack me.

[sweetpeteman]

A 3000 hit, 500 homer guy isnt a first ballot hall of famer? then who is?

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

3000 hits and 500 HRs make him a first ballot lock. Both of those numbers are considered to be automatic keys to enshrinement. Getting both, gurantees it on the first ballot.

[Roast]

It's not naive. Check all the sites that praise him online. They mention it's a real possiblity. He is a player that has been very good for a very long time, thus his numbers are gaudy. But does he demand attention with every at-bat or on the field play like a Hall of Famer? No. Besides, I'm not arguing that he isn't Hall worthy. I'm simply stating that he isn't first ballot.

 

I don't appreciate being called naive for a sound opinion either. You are entitled to your own. Don't attack me.

 

Oh come on. Only three other guys in the history of baseball have done what he has. Those guys are hank aaron, willie mays, and eddie murray. If you dont get in as a first ballot guy, when you are grouped with names like that, the hall should be forever destroyed.

[Derwood]

If he plays next year and gets 600 HR, he will join just Mays and Aaron with those stats. Crazy.

[ZMovieman]

My point is this: should he be in? Yes. I'm not saying otherwise. But just in his career span, I think it's feasible to rattle off names of many players who were a more intimidating presence. On numbers, absolutely in. I guess it just has more to do with lack of hype around him that could affect his getting in first ballot.

 

I'm not alone in my thinking either. Check ESPN and Sportsline.

[Derwood]

I didn't know that "being an intimidating presence at the plate" was a criteria for getting into the Hall...

[erik316wttn]

It's not naive. Check all the sites that praise him online. They mention it's a real possiblity. He is a player that has been very good for a very long time, thus his numbers are gaudy. But does he demand attention with every at-bat or on the field play like a Hall of Famer? No. Besides, I'm not arguing that he isn't Hall worthy. I'm simply stating that he isn't first ballot.

 

I don't appreciate being called naive for a sound opinion either. You are entitled to your own. Don't attack me.

 

Just because he compiled his numbers quietly, without the media attention of a Mays or an Aaron doesn't mean he's not Hall worthy.

 

He's been consistent nearly every year of his career. Just because he hasn't had a whole career of mind-blowing, gaudy numbers, or even a stretch of 4 or 5 years that way like Sammy had, doesn't mean he's not worthy either. He's just put up very good (but not great) numbers every single year. Consistency breeds winning.

 

3,000 hits and 500 homers is enough to do it, IMO, I don't care who you are or how much media attention you got or didn't get over your career.

[wekse]

without a doubt, yes.

[MadDog07]

My point is this: should he be in?

 

Hank Aaron never had more than 40 HR's in a season, and what made him the best HR hitter who ever played is the fact that he had consistency over the span of his career. Even though Raffy is more famous for his Viagra ads than his baseball career, he's managed to consistently maintain being a good player, without getting injured...something most players can never do. There'll even be first ballad players that didn't do nearly what Raffy did, it's just that Raffy's been on some bad teams.

[MadDog07]

My point is this: should he be in?

 

Hank Aaron never had more than 40 HR's in a season, and what made him the best HR hitter who ever played is the fact that he had consistency over the span of his career. Even though Raffy is more famous for his Viagra ads than his baseball career, he's managed to consistently maintain being a good player, without getting injured...something most players can never do. There'll even be first ballad players that didn't do nearly what Raffy did, it's just that Raffy's been on some bad teams.

[cubsfaninfla]

Yes, he has had a great career, and should be in on the first ballot....

[ZMovieman]

Bump. Just curious if opinions are changing. I frankly can't make up my mind on it. Wondering about everyone else.

[Omar]

It's hard to believe that someone like Pete Rose, who had 4,000 hits isnt getting into the HOF just because he gambled, but someone like Big Mac, Raffy, and Bonds will get into the HOF despite the fact that they took steroids.

 

Summary: Pete Rose: over 4,000 hits + Gambling = No HOF

 

Bonds/Big Mac/Raffy + Roids = HOF

[CardsFanInChiTown]

I voted yes before. I pretty sure he won't be now.

[Sammy Who]

I don't know about 1st-ballot, but he deserves to be there. He's Cuban and the Cubs gave up on him too early. It would be a kick in the face to Castro, and to Tribune. You'd kill 2 birds w/ one stone.