HOF debate: Vladimir Guerrero

[markakis8]

Anybody that thinks Vlad is not getting in the HOF needs to study baseball a little harder. He did everything at a HOF level for a very long time except his defense which he kind of made up for it with his arm.

The question isn't whether he's a HOFer, the question is whether he will be 1st ballot or 2nd. Because it definitely won't take more than 2 years.

 

[markakis8]

Just for fun, 162 game average - Vlad vs. Belle:

Runs: 100 | 103
Hits: 195 | 182
2B: 36 | 41
3B: 3 | 2
HR: 34 | 40
RBI: 113 | 130
BA: .323 | .295
OBP: .390 | .369
SLG: .553 | .564
OPS: .931 | .933

If Belle was loved like Koufax or Puckett, he would be in already and possibly a couple MVPs. Instead he chose to break people's noses, throw baseballs at reporters, and run down kids with his truck :lol:

 

[MansGame]

If Belle was loved like Koufax or Puckett, he would be in already and possibly a couple MVPs. Instead he chose to break people's noses, throw baseballs at reporters, and run down kids with his truck :lol:

This guy?! Doing those things?! :lol:

 

[chompsmcgee]

Vladdy would most definitely have my vote. In his more youthful years he was close to a 40/40 guy with .300+ ability and one of the strongest arms in the game. Hidden away in Montreal, he wasn't fully appreciated until coming to Anaheim and playing in post-seasons on the big stage. By then the wear and tear of playing on the Olympic Stadium "turf" had taken its toll, but he was still a master with the bat. For a right-handed hitter to rake for high average and plus power for as long as he did while being clean throughout the steroid era is impressive, if not under-appreciated. Plus, dude could hit a ball an inch off the dirt into the 2nd deck; there was virtually no safe way to attack him.

Vlad was a dominating hitter, an MVP, 9x All-Star, 8x Silver Slugger, and once boasted plus speed and a big-time arm. 4 plus tools developed into a 16-year productive career as one of the best hitters of his era. Without steroids (presumably). 'Nuff said.

 

[Kennesawsportscards]

Same failed argument made for Mattingly (however, I would consider Mattingly seriously)..

If Mattingly gets in then Will Clark should be in the Hall as well. Statistically Clark is better.

 

[matfanofold]

If Mattingly gets in then Will Clark should be in the Hall as well. Statistically Clark is better.

Although Clark may have had better career totals, Mattingly was the face of baseball, the hobby, and professional sports in general for 6 or so years. Clark was a touted RC that gained popularity and notoriety that was not even close to the level of popularity Mattingly had. In fact in my 30 years in the hobby I have never seen any single player dominate the face of the sport and hobby for as long and consistently as Mattingly did. Having said that, Mattingly would most definitely get the popularity/fame vote over Clark in spades. And in the real world, popularity/fame has almost as much to do with the voting process as stats.

 

[Gwynn545]

Vlad is a hall of famer!

Vlad was so good His brother Wilton is in HOF consideration by association!

OMG!!! Too Funny!!!!!:lol::lol::lol:

 

[MansGame]

OMG!!! Too Funny!!!!!:lol::lol::lol:

+1


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Looking for Albert Belle cards! PM me!

 

[Kennesawsportscards]

Although Clark may have had better career totals, Mattingly was the face of baseball, the hobby, and professional sports in general for 6 or so years. Clark was a touted RC that gained popularity and notoriety that was not even close to the level of popularity Mattingly had. In fact in my 30 years in the hobby I have never seen any single player dominate the face of the sport and hobby for as long and consistently as Mattingly did. Having said that, Mattingly would most definitely get the popularity/fame vote over Clark in spades. And in the real world, popularity/fame has almost as much to do with the voting process as stats.

Cannot argue with that. Not taking anything away from Don but would personally rather have Clark on my team over Mattingly. If only Clark were a Yankee.......

 

[nappyd]

If Belle was loved like Koufax or Puckett, he would be in already and possibly a couple MVPs. Instead he chose to break people's noses, throw baseballs at reporters, and run down kids with his truck :lol:

Agree if belle had been more likeable and had his career cut short he'd be more popular

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Freedom Card Board mobile app

 

[RStadlerASU22]

Although Clark may have had better career totals, Mattingly was the face of baseball, the hobby, and professional sports in general for 6 or so years. Clark was a touted RC that gained popularity and notoriety that was not even close to the level of popularity Mattingly had. In fact in my 30 years in the hobby I have never seen any single player dominate the face of the sport and hobby for as long and consistently as Mattingly did. Having said that, Mattingly would most definitely get the popularity/fame vote over Clark in spades. And in the real world, popularity/fame has almost as much to do with the voting process as stats.

As one of the biggest Clark fans there are , when I've looked at his career, too many off years to be HOF. Out of his 16 years , 6 were not good enough for a HOF career. Needed another 70 hrs and 200 RBIs in those years, IMO

Ryan

 

[sportscardtheory]

Just wanted to add, Guerrero is the only player in baseball history not in the Hall of Fame, other than Pete Rose and Harold Baines, inactive players who will surely make the HOF and players with ties to PEDs, to have over 4,500 career total bases.

 

[Austin]

As one of the biggest Clark fans there are , when I've looked at his career, too many off years to be HOF. Out of his 16 years , 6 were not good enough for a HOF career. Needed another 70 hrs and 200 RBIs in those years, IMO
Ryan

Why did Will Clark retire anyway at age 36?
He hit well over .300 in his final season and had hit over .300 in his final four seasons
He and Ryne Sandberg were two players who I thought retired too young.

 

[RStadlerASU22]

Why did Will Clark retire anyway at age 36?
He hit well over .300 in his final season and had hit over .300 in his final four seasons
He and Ryne Sandberg were two players who I thought retired too young.

IMO he didn't want to deal w injuries again. His Baltimore years were miserable and if he could have stayed in St Louis maybe it would have been worth it. But McGwire was there Pujols coming and no DH there.

Ryan

 

[cards01fan]

I hated Clark til he came to stl, then I loved him being on the Cardinals.

 

[RStadlerASU22]

I hated Clark til he came to stl, then I loved him being on the Cardinals.

As long as you loved him at the end your good w me

Ryan

 

[uniquebaseballcards]

Although Clark may have had better career totals, Mattingly was the face of baseball, the hobby, and professional sports in general for 6 or so years. Clark was a touted RC that gained popularity and notoriety that was not even close to the level of popularity Mattingly had. In fact in my 30 years in the hobby I have never seen any single player dominate the face of the sport and hobby for as long and consistently as Mattingly did. Having said that, Mattingly would most definitely get the popularity/fame vote over Clark in spades. And in the real world, popularity/fame has almost as much to do with the voting process as stats.

True without a doubt, I'm thinking Clark himself would agree. This is just one of those things that one has to go beyond stats and just experience first-hand to understand.

But I couldn't get too upset if both eventually got in one day.

 

[RogerMarisCollector61]

I don't think Mattingly or Clark should ever be elected to the hall personally.

 

[cards01fan]

As long as you loved him at the end your good w me

Ryan

Lol

 

[RStadlerASU22]

I don't think Mattingly or Clark should ever be elected to the hall personally.

Let me clarify I'm pro Clark , but not Pro Clark HOF. Wish he could redo 6 years at full health, oh well

Ryan