Lance Berkman HOF potential?

[AmishDave]

If he can stay healthy (which is a monsterous 'if') and have numbers like he did a few years ago (.310/30/110), he has a ...

[youtube:2pu0c4i8]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KX5jNnDMfxA[/youtube:2pu0c4i8]

 

[darocker80]

Berkman is a very good player, but not one that I would consider "elite".

RE: "The best switch hitter" comment...Pete Rose and Eddie Murray also come to mind in addition to Mantle.

and Chipper Jones

yes this.

up and ocming: Pablo "Panda" Sandoval!!!

 

[jgro85]

Lmao, I love how people life to qualify Hall of Fame status by how many MVPs, championships, or All-Star appearances someone has.

 

[17ROCKIES12]

Huge Berkman fan here...
Absolutely no chance. His career totals won't amount to anything amazing, and he was always overshadowed by other players even during his peak.

 

[matfanofold]

Lmao, I love how people life to qualify Hall of Fame status by how many MVPs, championships, or All-Star appearances someone has.

Funny how?

MVP = pretty dominating amongst your peers for that perticular year. Also implys popularity to a degree. Both of which garner HOF votes when placed in context.

AS Appearances = the popularity of an individual player, not always but usually based on how well they play. You know, chicks love the long ball, ect.. And since the Hall of Fame is partly based on how popular a perticular player was/is, I do not see how this is not valid as somewhat of a guage.

Championships = National exposure, accomplishment, achievement, and noteriety. All of which sway voters and popular opinion. All of which help with voting in to the Hall.


What exactly is your take on this?

 

[markakis8]

mark my words. your panda will be hitting below .250 in three years. he does not take care of himself at all and cannot hit like miguel cabrera.

Berkman is a very good player, but not one that I would consider "elite".

RE: "The best switch hitter" comment...Pete Rose and Eddie Murray also come to mind in addition to Mantle.

and Chipper Jones

yes this.

up and ocming: Pablo "Panda" Sandoval!!!

 

[P_Manning 18]

Personally, I think he is going to have to put up another 5-6 years of MVP like numbers to be seriously considered. And since he is 34 now, I just do not see him producing at that level until he is 40. I think he will be lucky to get to 430 HR's. And lets face it, with no MVP's, just a handful of AS appearances, barely a shot at 2000 hits, and a .299 lifetime ba, his only hope to even be considered is 500 HR's. Right now I'd have to say he does not make it.

Your thoughts?

You ask about his HOF potential.... and proceed to give 10 reasons why he wont make it. ::facepalm::

 

[darocker80]

mark my words. your panda will be hitting below .250 in three years. he does not take care of himself at all and cannot hit like miguel cabrera.

Berkman is a very good player, but not one that I would consider "elite".

RE: "The best switch hitter" comment...Pete Rose and Eddie Murray also come to mind in addition to Mantle.

and Chipper Jones

yes this.

up and ocming: Pablo "Panda" Sandoval!!!

alright. i'll quote you. that the runner up and (desrving silver slugger) who is hitting .338 right now will be hitting under .250....

 

[matfanofold]

Personally, I think he is going to have to put up another 5-6 years of MVP like numbers to be seriously considered. And since he is 34 now, I just do not see him producing at that level until he is 40. I think he will be lucky to get to 430 HR's. And lets face it, with no MVP's, just a handful of AS appearances, barely a shot at 2000 hits, and a .299 lifetime ba, his only hope to even be considered is 500 HR's. Right now I'd have to say he does not make it.

Your thoughts?

You ask about his HOF potential.... and proceed to give 10 reasons why he wont make it. ::facepalm::

It's quite funny to me that you asked this question and seemingly are befuddled by this. So allow me to explain. One of my pet peeves here is when someone makes a thread and solely post a link, or ask something pertaining to opinion without giving thiers. And I assure you I will never do that. Do not be confused as to my intention. I asked what others thought than gave my opinion to spurr discussion. I was not, however, looking for others to make my mind up for me. Simply looking for discussion, on a discussion board. Sorry if you feel thats inappropriate.

 

[markakis8]

That's the way it is done. I applaud you.

It's quite funny to me that you asked this question and seemingly are befuddled by this. So allow me to explain. One of my pet peeves here is when someone makes a thread and solely post a link, or ask something pertaining to opinion without giving thiers. And I assure you I will never do that. Do not be confused as to my intention. I asked what others thought than gave my opinion to spurr discussion. I was not, however, looking for others to make my mind up for me. Simply looking for discussion, on a discussion board. Sorry if you feel thats inappropriate.

 

[Mr.Whipple]

His real chance and others who will not get in by the BBWAA, Click the link and its his biggest chance. "The Killer B'ees"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veterans_Committee

 

[tidefan12]

I don't think I've heard his name associated with steroids/hgh. If the voters start sending a message over the next couple years with Bonds, Sheffield, Pudge, Palmeiro, etc, you may see more votes for Lance.

That might be all that gets some of the great 80's era players currently locked out of Cooperstown a shot as well......Dale Murphy, Don Mattingly, etc.

Don't think Berkman is a HOFer. Great player......just not quite Cooperstown caliber.

 

[predatorkj]

Eh...honestly if he played until he was 40 I'd say yes. But I really don't think he will play that long. He doesn't seem to be motivated to do so. Berkman is very crabby. I think he is a hell of a ball player but he will never be a leader like Bags or Biggio. And the bad thing too is that a good portion of his career was spent playing with those two so honestly he hasn't been the face(or part of the face) of the franchise for very long. Since maybe 2006 at the earliest. That may not mean a lot to most people but I think it will eventually factor in somewhere. And if he can't stay healthy, which I don't expect him to do, then he has no chance in hell. I'd say as of right now(just my opinion) he has about a 20% chance.

 

[donrusscrusademan]

led the league 3 times- 2 in doubles and once in rbi

compare to my guy Edgar Martinez (to whom everyone thinks wont get in) has led the league 12 times.

so will Berkman lead the league in something 9 more times, or just play a long time and increase the numbers? not sure.

 

[matfanofold]

led the league 3 times- 2 in doubles and once in rbi

compare to my guy Edgar Martinez (to whom everyone thinks wont get in) has led the league 12 times.

so will Berkman lead the league in something 9 more times, or just play a long time and increase the numbers? not sure.

I hate to say this because I know there is a fine line between longevity and stat padding, but I just think Edgar missed any real chance by a few more years. If he were able to hang around long enough to get 2500+ hits, ~400 HR's and retain that sweet .310+ ba, he would of atleast had a valid argument for the hall. But as it stands, no one is really looking to enshrine a ~2200 hit, ~300 HR player, who never really gained the kind of popularity that pushes people over the edge. A good ball player? Absolutely! A great MLB career? Definitely! A HOF'er? No.

I brought up Berkman because I do believe it's actually possible for him, slim but possible. If he can by some chance get to 2000+ hits, ~450 HR's and approach 1500 RBI's while retaining that ~.300 Ba, add a few AS appearances and get honorable mentions in a couple more MVP discussions, he has a legitimate chance.

Edgar, since his totals and accomplishments are done and final, are easy to critique.

 

[MOFNY]

I think Edgar deserves to be in. He is a step above Berkman, and that is saying a lot.

 

[matfanofold]

I think Edgar deserves to be in. He is a step above Berkman, and that is saying a lot.

I agree that Edgar should get consideration before Berkman, right now. But being a step ahead of Berkman, right now, is still 3 steps away from consideration for the hall.

 

[MOFNY]

I think Edgar deserves to be in. He is a step above Berkman, and that is saying a lot.

I agree that Edgar should get consideration before Berkman, right now. But being a step ahead of Berkman, right now, is still 3 steps away from consideration for the hall.

Maybe I phrased that incorrectly. I feel Berkman is highly underrated, and I think Edgar should get into the HOF. Maybe I downplayed Edgar's career by comparing him to Berkman.

 

[donrusscrusademan]

led the league 3 times- 2 in doubles and once in rbi

compare to my guy Edgar Martinez (to whom everyone thinks wont get in) has led the league 12 times.

so will Berkman lead the league in something 9 more times, or just play a long time and increase the numbers? not sure.

I hate to say this because I know there is a fine line between longevity and stat padding, but I just think Edgar missed any real chance by a few more years. If he were able to hang around long enough to get 2500+ hits, ~400 HR's and retain that sweet .310+ ba, he would of atleast had a valid argument for the hall. But as it stands, no one is really looking to enshrine a ~2200 hit, ~300 HR player, who never really gained the kind of popularity that pushes people over the edge. A good ball player? Absolutely! A great MLB career? Definitely! A HOF'er? No.

I brought up Berkman because I do believe it's actually possible for him, slim but possible. If he can by some chance get to 2000+ hits, ~450 HR's and approach 1500 RBI's while retaining that ~.300 Ba, add a few AS appearances and get honorable mentions in a couple more MVP discussions, he has a legitimate chance.

Edgar, since his totals and accomplishments are done and final, are easy to critique.

yeah, his overall games played was very low. he was destroying the ball in the minors but they didnt let him up until a few years later but then he tore his hamstring bad enough that he needed to DH the rest of his career. only a few years after that his eye disorder would strike.. yet he has some crazy good seasons with it (00 and 01) before being forced to retire. from 95 to 01 he was probably the most complete righthanded bat in the league, and thats saying something

the worst excuse for him not getting in by voters is the whole DH thing. I would be that over the era he played in (roid years) 70+% of the good players (the big sluggers) had a negative UZR.

 

[kdailey4315]

Berkman is my 2nd favorite player all time behind Jeff Bagwell and while I think he is arguably the best switch hitter in history (Mickey Mantle included), he has no shot at making it to the HOF. He doesn't have the drive to play well into his 40s like many fringe HOFers do.

WOW!

Check out the numbers. batting average, obp, slugging. Berkman was robbed of a ton of HRs because of the HUGE CF in Minute Maid Park and RBIs because he was on terrible offensive teams.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/playe ... mi01.shtml

http://www.baseball-reference.com/playe ... la01.shtml

Even the HRs aren't that far off

Mantle HR every 15.11 ABs
Berkman HR every 16.78 ABs

And if Mantle didn't drink himself to death how better would his numbers have been? Stick to numbers and not useless what ifs and excuses.