Chipper an HOFer?

by njjohn on Apr 21, 2008 4:17 PM EDT

Chipper's early surge this year followed by his predictable injury has got me thinking about his career. I've got to admit, last year's huge year (941 OPS, 29 HR) really surprised me. I thought Chipper was fading into the sunset. Instead, Chipper just might be positioning himself at making a run at the Hall.

What do you think? A slam dunk HOF candidate, not yet (but on his way), or not a chance?

Take a look at Chipper’s career numbers (he turns 36 this week, by the way) compared with two HOF 3B and one who will likely end on the outside looking in:

Chipper Jones

2150 hits 392 HR 1317 RBI 134 SB .308 AVG .953 OPS 144 OPS+

George Brett

3154 hits 317 HR 1595 RBI 97 SB .305 AVG .856 OPS 135 OPS+

Mike Schmidt

2234 hits 548 HR 1595 RBI 92 SB .267 AVG .907 OPS 147 OPS+

Mark Grace

2445 hits 173 HR 1146 RBI 70 SB .303 AVG .825 OPS 119 OPS+

It's unlikely Chipper will get the 3,000 hit pass to the HOF. If he had 4 more years in him and gets 182 hits a year (his career average), he will eclipse 2800 hits. But with Chipper’s injury problems he only has 117, 106, 133, 173 hits in the last four seasons. That sort of pace would leave him in the 2500—2600 range.

His HR rate is in the 500 range, though, which bodes well for him. Chipper averages 33 bombs a year (more like 26 in the last four years)… so by the end of 4 years he might be knocking on doorstep of 500.

In the end, I think he'll be remembered as a very similar player to Brett (although Brett had superior bat control)) and Schmidt (although Schmidt had more punch). Furthermore, there hasn't been (as far as I know) any inkling that Chipper was in any way connected to any performance enhancing drugs.

All in all, I think Chipper has a legitimate shot at the hall. For his sake, I hope he stays healthy and is able to put together these type of numbers. Hats off to you, Chipper.

Poll

Is Chipper an HOFer?

No question about it

9 votes

Not yet

11 votes

In his dreams

2 votes

22 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 11 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

When all is said and done...

I think he’s very close right now. A couple more relatively injury-free years and I could see him as a first-ballot type.

by Azreous on Apr 21, 2008 4:27 PM EDT reply actions

Oh for sure

if not first ballot,solid numbers, popular, charismatic

We will meet in Red 3 at the hour of scampering.

by hotclaws on Apr 21, 2008 4:48 PM EDT reply actions

interesting to note that Schmidt and Brett had EXACTLY the same number of RBI…

"There are only two seasons: winter and baseball"
-- Bill Veeck

by njjohn on Apr 21, 2008 5:17 PM EDT reply actions

I think so

Chipper has been the man on a team that year in and year out has been in the playoffs. He has hit for average and power. I think he is better than all of the guys that are knocking on the door right now.

by DiamondbacksWIn on Apr 21, 2008 5:40 PM EDT reply actions

Definitely NOT

a surefire first ballot.

But possibly.

"I was tied to a chair and he had a baseball bat. Pissing him off was the smart thing to do."

by DbacksSkins on Apr 21, 2008 5:58 PM EDT reply actions

Hasn’t he won like 10 Gold Gloves? That’s pretty solid.

by foulpole on Apr 21, 2008 8:18 PM EDT reply actions

If it were up to me

He is in for sure. Very simply, how many third baseman have been more valuable over the course of their career?

He was the best player on a team that won 14 straight division titiles and a world series.

He’s won an MVP

He has numbers that CLEARLY rank him within the top 5 or 6 thirdbaseman all time.

If the voters make any kind of positional adjustment at all in their minds, they HAVE to vote him in. But he could fall short because there are still a lot of voters that seem to think 3000 hits or 500 homers (or 300 wins) are requirements to get in.

by shoewizard on Apr 22, 2008 1:21 PM EDT reply actions