great article and restorative.
in terms of the Hall, time for MLB to think about the effect of what the Astros reportedly did in terms of amending the record books. except for the money, any community youth baseball league would declare the Astros forfeit the 17 WS to the Dodgers.
Yu Darvish is 100% right that what was reportedly done destroyed not just the integrity of the game, but the reputations and indeed lives and livelihoods of many players. Darvish hurt, Clayton and others likely hurt I suspect.
Manfred needs take a look at sanctions that include stripping Astros of the title and awarding it to the Dodgers. a full investigation that doesn't sweep this under the rug is MANDATORY to restore faith in MLB baseball. enough corruption. we need to restore integrity and that includes rewriting the record books.
got to deal with the history --not just future (which also has to be dealt with, including looking at 2018).
1
No mention in the piece of Giambi's steroid use. Even if was truly in with a shout of getting into the HoF on his numbers (I don't think he really is) that juicing would be the kiss of death.
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None of these players belong in the MLB HOF except Derek Jeter. The focus on players in Los Angeles and New York City markets is disturbing. This is one of the weakest classes in awhile.
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Many fans think of the Hall of Fame as holy. And they argue endlessly over who should get in. But remember that it’s baseball writers who do the voting and God bless them, but they are known to be heavy drinkers and sometimes they have no idea what they are doing.
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The Baseball HOF has become a sadly, watered-down warehouse which justifies its existence every summer by inducting players who have no right to be inducted.Just look at the names on this year's list and, except for Jeter, they are mostly B or B- players.
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Jeter deserves to be in the HOF but only hype will make him unanimous. He can’t touch Mo. Was Jeter ever the best position player on the team in any given year? I know Yankee fans adore him, and they should. I know he had crazy clutch moments in playoffs, but one could credibly argue Mo was better at his position than any player ever and, thereby, deserved unanimity. Jeter better than Ruth, Mays, Gehrig, Aaron? Of course not. He was a great player on a great franchise, but not a legend. Yes, I’m a bitter Met fan.
4
The Baseball Hall of Fame needs Gil Hodges.
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It's Miller Time! (Marvin)
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The Baseball Hall should move to Lake Woebegon, Minnesota where they could legitimately call it "The Hall Of Pretty Good Players."
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If Jeter isn’t a good-looking player in New York City, he’s considered a good player who isn’t HoF-worthy.
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@Half Sour Sixth most hits in the history of baseball.
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I believe I can make an argument that Mo was the best ever at his position and truly deserves his 100% vote. Jeter is an interesting case. Does he belong in the HOF? I believe I can also make a case that he does, given his career. Was he the best ever at his position? No, but that isn't the criteria. The voting for the HOF has changed over the year. Joe D. didn't make it in his first year. By the time he got in he was still at about 88% of the vote. It took him three years. He only received 44% of the vote in his first year. Joe D? So yes, if I were voting I would put Jeter in on my first ballot. As should every writer. Who isn't in the HOF with his stats?
3
So much HOF cache has been lost over the years not so much by players getting in even though many fans think they are marginal, but because for the last half-century objective criteria are enhanced by two more that ought to be irrelevant but often seemingly carry more weight than performance:
1. Whether you played the majority of your career for a coastal franchise.
2. Whether you took proper care throughout your career to cultivate friendly relations with members of the BBWAA.
I have all kinds of respect and admiration for Mr. Kepner, but he may have spent too much time in New York. Even if he were Ruth, Gehrig, DiMaggio, Mantle and Rivera rolled into one, Jeter would not be unanimous. Anyone known as “Mr. Yankee” has enemies in Boston, Philly, LA and places in between. That nickname seals Jeter’s fate. More than a couple will leave him off their ballots.
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@michjas
Jeter doesn't have "enemies" in the sports journalism world.
He is well respected and highly-regarded, as he always treated the media with respect and professionalism.
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@michjas
You're conflating sportswriters with fans. Can't speak for other places the Yankees are hated rivals, but I can say that Boston sportswriters don't operate that way. I expect they'll vote for Jeter unanimously.
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@michjas
His nickname is not relevant to his nomination. The only criteria are his abilities in the field and at the plate. Those criteria must surely put him on the ballot.
I was sitting along the 3rd base line the day when Jeter made his debut. I left the game wondering what all the hype was about. Needless to say, he quickly changed my initial impression.
I loved his entire career, but I don't think he will be unanimous. Mariano, with the exception of the last pitch in 2001, was perfect. Jeter's very good, but not Ozzie Smith-like fielding, will probably have one or two snarky reporters not voting for him the first time around. So instead he gets in with a 99.5% vote.
3
The Hall of Fame is rapidly losing its stature with the enshrinement of players who by any standard had good careers, not exceptional careers, such as Jack Morris and Harold Baines whose plaques are now on walls that honor Sandy Koufax, Bob Gibson, Tom Seaver, Willie Mays, Roberto Clemente, Mickey Mantle. Why are players such as Morris and Baines being enshrined? Follow the money. Cooperstown is a small hamlet that depends on the summer tourist trade, and the induction ceremony weekend in particular represents a huge percent of their annual revenue. So look for many more good but not great baseball players to be enshrined and diminish the special honor that should be reserved for the great players.
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Jeter's greatness resided in his head and his heart. He had a distinctly unconventional and unphotogenic swing, but amassed 3,465 hits, sixth most all-time. And 280 HR and 1,311 RBI prove he was no punch'n'judy singles hitter. He didn't have great range or a great arm but was consistently rated among the best defensive shortstops in the game, earning 6 Gold Gloves. He wasn't blessed with blazing speed but was the consensus best base runner in the game in his prime. He did all of that with a combination of just average skill sets but other-wordly passion and focus. Derek Jeter was the toughest-minded player I ever saw. And the proof of that are the championships. If God deemed that the future of the universe would hinge on a baseball game between good and evil, there's one certainty for the good guys' roster: Derek Jeter, shortstop.
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Pete Rose should enter the Hall!
6
He can. Just buy a ticket like you and I need to.
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@George & Veronica B
Let's not dig up that dead horse.
Newsflash - Pete Rose is not on the ballet this year! He bet on the game. He violated MLB rules. Game over.
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Chone Figgins? Really!!!! I doubt anyone in Seattle will give him a vote. Only rivals Milton Bradley as a loser in Seattle.
3
I truly felt during his year with the Mets that J.J. was destined not to have a good stint with them, because no one with that last name can succeed in New York.
1
Mariano Rivera has a claim to being the greatest relief pitcher ever - certainly the greatest closer ever. Jeter was a very good player for a long time but has no claim to being the greatest shortstop ever. It is very hard to imagine that he will be elected unanimously. 95% yes.
8
@WZ one doesn't need to be the greatest to enter the Hall of Fame. One needs to be great. Jeter was a great player and a very good person. He should be unanimous! He belongs in the Hall of Fame, period. A no vote says he doesn't belong. That vote would be ignorant and probably cast by a bitter sportscaster who loves to be a spoiler!
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Come down here to Miami and see what he’s done to the Marlins and see why I don’t want him in the Hall of Fame!
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@Elia, A Former New Yorker. NOT RELEVANT!
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Jeter is in for sure.
My vote is for Alfonso Soriano for his home run and stolen base records, his unbelievable speed and overall sportsmanship.
4
Jeeter, Konerko, Soriano. Giambi next time around.
I think that Jeter will get in by topping 95%, but I don’t think he will be unanimous. I am betting that his perceived lack of defensive prowess keeps him from being unanimous I’d be shocked if anyone on this list joins him. Someone will probably be voted in by the Veteran’s Committee, though.
4
Jeter, yes. The others, not so much...
8
If Marvin Miller is not voted in for his accomplishments the Hall will strike out again!
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Jeter was perfect in that he didn’t offend anyone, not, writers, umpires, fans, opposing players, was never thrown out of a game, avoided on field brawls, was always willing to be interviewed, no drugs, PED’s, arrests, scandals. He showed up, was ready to play and never lacked effort.
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@Brendan Varley Jeter is a good citizen. And a model ballplayer. But baseball is entertainment. I could watch Rickey Henderson in a double header and hope for another double header the next day. And I’m from Boston. So if he misbehaves in New York, that’s icing on the cake.
@Brendan Varley
I think you’re overstating things a little. Jeter was an uninspiring interview subject which many writers found frustrating, he spoke a lot but said nothing. I don’t think he endeared himself unlike Mo.
Also every so often an anonymous poll of players revealed he was considered overrated, you might say it was jealousy but Mariano was never on these lists.
Jeter had a remarkable career with astounding moments of success, he’s definitely an HOF just not unanimous. The question is will he surpass Seaver and Griffey Jr in the vote %.
Additionally don’t forget Mariano’s “retirement tour” of road ball parks. He met with all the “little” people behind the scenes prior to receiving the gift from the opponents. Jeter, after watching Mo conduct himself in this fashion just came out for the ceremony then retreated, he gave nothing back, the appearance was he couldn’t be bothered. Then there was the Ford commercial he did, driving to the stadium, walking into Stan’s bar, where the bartender said “we’ve been waiting for you to come” Jete’s reply was “you never invited me”. Who needs an invitation to visit a Bar & Grill.
1
Jason Giambi has two claims to fame, that is, other than being Jason’s brother. First, in the 2000 ALCS, he was on second representing the tying or winning run. The A’s got a hit, Giambi rounds third, heads for home and is going to score standing up because the throw home is wide. But there is Jeter, the shortstop, backing up the play and tagging him out. Of course, if Giambi has slid, he would have been safe and the myth belt of Derek Jeter would have lost a notch.
Giambi’s second claim to fame came three years later when he was one of two free agents that newly minted Red Sox GM, the 29 year old Theo Epstein, plucked off the waiver wire in the team’s quest to fill the hole left when Mo Vaughn signed with the Mets. The other free agent? David Ortiz.
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@Greg a Jeter did not tag out Giambi. He backhanded a toss to Jorge Posada who tagged Giambi out. Secondly, Jason Giambi cannot be Jason Giambi's brother.
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@Greg The baserunner was Jeremy Giambi, not Jason. Jeter did not tag Giambi; he flipped the ball to the catcher, who tagged Giambi.
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.....and it is one of the greatest playoff plays ever. Jeter was in the right place at the right time and knew exactly what to do. And there is a long list of similar clutch moves he made, both as hitter and fielder. That is the definition of greatness—coming through in the clutch, consistently.
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Jeter!!
Maybe Soriano eventually
1
Wow. I read the list of eligible players and thought "why did they even write this article"?
It's Derek Jeter alone, no one else is even in the discussion. Maybe a vote or two here and there for a Giambi or Soriano, but to make the Hall of Fame requires enough of a resume that the writer doesn't have to write "Well, he had a famous moment or two".
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Here are some others you might want to consider:
Choo Choo Coleman
Marvelous Marc Throneberry
Eddie Gaedel
Tatum O’Neal
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@Von Jones
I would add Madonna. She kept A-Rod’s mojo going and was in a baseball movie.
2
Nice list of anecdotes but I think the Raul Ibanez playoff game for the Yankees when he hit the game tying and later game winning home run should've been mentioned.
8
Great article! I really enjoyed the quick summaries of all the players, even if most will not make the Hall. It reminds me of why we like baseball and baseball writing.
14
Other than Jeter, no one on this list with the exception of Soriano is even a borderline Hall of Famer.
There may be a lot of Jeter haters but he's got the numbers, the Championship hardware, always played hard and never disgraced the game.
It would be fitting that he enters Cooperstown as the only inductee. He is one of the all time great Yankees and I feel fortunate to have watched him play his entire career on the biggest stage.
33
@Emile deVere Your Yankee fanboyism is showing. Soriano is not close to even borderline. Jeter is a lock (though still vastly overrated). Bobby Abreu is borderline but, with a number of strong candidates returning from previous ballots, Abreu doesn't get in and may fall off the ballot.
5
@Emile deVere - I know people don't like them, including me, but Bonds and Clemens were both better than Jeter. Keep in mind that there is no definitive proof that Jeter didn't take steroids.
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@Randy
Of course I'm a Yankee fan. We win our championships without cheating!
2
The most impressive Derek Jeter stat IMHO is the list of players who've ever had more hits than him:
Pete Rose
Ty Cobb
Stan Musial
Tris Speaker
Hank Aaron
And that's it.
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@Rick that is impressive but some players missed time because of ww2 or being drafted
4
@brupic Ted Williams played 19 seasons (Jeter played 20) and missed three for WWII. He finished with 2654 career hits. Credit him with 194/year for those three years (which is the most he ever hit in a season) and he's still 229 behind Jeter. Ted Williams.
6
Adam Dunn will never go to the HOF but we loved him in DC when the Nats were new to us and struggling. Hit some monstrous home runs, drew a ton of walks, did his best to field.
7
I get the impression that a lot of these players were simply in the right place at the right time. If there's ever a Hall of Fame for fans being in the right place at the right time, please consider me. I was at Dodger Stadium on June 1, 1962, for a game between the Angels and the Yankees, where Marilyn Monroe, accompanied by Joe DiMaggio, threw out the first pitch. It was her birthday, and her last public appearance before her death two months later. The only problem is that I was in the concourse when she pitched the ball, so I missed the whole thing. I guess that means I don't get a vote.
2
Jeter has a well-deserved fan base but he is not beloved. I doubt that he'll get into The Hall unanimously.
12
Yeah, Jeets!
8
Reading player career summaries: What a wonder walk down Memory Lane, and reminder who quickly time flies.
7
Based upon the list, I suspect Jeter will be the lone entry.
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