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.
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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 0 recs
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 0 recs
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 0 recs
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 0 recs
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 0 recs
Hasn’t he won like 10 Gold Gloves? That’s pretty solid.
by foulpole on Apr 21, 2008 8:18 PM EDT 0 recs
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 0 recs
Or 3000 K's.
Only 3B I can think of off the top of my head is A-Rod, but that’s only because he’s no longer at short.
"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 22, 2008 1:47 PM EDT
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I'm too lazy to ckeck
but I heard once upon a blue moon that there are only like 6 3B in the HOF. I don’t know how true that is, someone more motivated can check it out.
Baseball season, when everything becomes right in the world.
by seton hall snake pit on Apr 22, 2008 4:58 PM EDT 0 recs
13 third baggers in the Hall (3 from the Negro League).
"There are only two seasons: winter and baseball"
-- Bill Veeck
by njjohn on
Apr 22, 2008 5:05 PM EDT
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Protection and Fielding
He probably had the best lineup surrounding him compared to the other 3. Though, he may be the best fielder of the 4 with Grace being very close.
by Orestes Destrade on May 6, 2008 9:13 AM EDT 0 recs
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