February 25Feb 25 This guy had a career batting record that you would have said was pretty good for a pitcher bsck in the day, yet he put up a career war over 40. Normally I'd say 60+ is more along the lines of hofer, but in his case, his value was 99.6% defense because he was a top three defensive player by career war of all time. His best seasons were insane by defensive war. He's practically tied with Brooks Robinson and behind the wizard of Oz, of course. If youre that good at one aspect to such an exceptional degree that should be enough. Even if he hit like a pitcher most of his career. I mean they'd elect the best punter in football. If youre a top 25 or more reliever youre probably in. Top three defensively of all time, top 2 at shortstop, that should be enough to qualify.
February 25Feb 25 If Belanger would ever get in, Honus Wagner would turn over in his urn. Edited February 25Feb 25 by oldsox
February 25Feb 25 15 hours ago, 46DidIt said: This guy had a career batting record that you would have said was pretty good for a pitcher bsck in the day, yet he put up a career war over 40. Normally I'd say 60+ is more along the lines of hofer, but in his case, his value was 99.6% defense because he was a top three defensive player by career war of all time. His best seasons were insane by defensive war. He's practically tied with Brooks Robinson and behind the wizard of Oz, of course. If youre that good at one aspect to such an exceptional degree that should be enough. Even if he hit like a pitcher most of his career. I mean they'd elect the best punter in football. If youre a top 25 or more reliever youre probably in. Top three defensively of all time, top 2 at shortstop, that should be enough to qualify. That's basically the Omar Vizquel argument...or was. What about Paul Blair?
February 25Feb 25 Author 2 minutes ago, caulfield12 said: That's basically the Omar Vizquel argument...or was. What about Paul Blair? Except statistically,Vizquel wasn't on Belanger"s level. Vizquel career high defensive WAR was 2.5. Belanger's was 4.9, which is insane.
February 25Feb 25 https://www.statmuse.com/mlb/ask/most-gold-gloves-not-in-hall-of-fame The problem is most of the voters now didn't watch Belanger play in person and games were hardly available except the weekend national coverage... Secondly, defensive fWAR is a bit trickier to objectify than offensive numbers...especially going from SS to CF/outfield comps. Outof curiosity, what was Garry Maddox putting up in his prime, or Devon White? Some would argue that Jim Edmonds was the best CFer of his generation...for example. Edited February 25Feb 25 by caulfield12
February 25Feb 25 Also think Bill Mazeroski became the gold standard for this type of player making it. Without the 1960 WS game winning homer, he wouldn't have made it either. And Ozzie Smith was a playable offensive weapon for those mid to late 80s Cardinals' teams...just think that Belanger suffers from lack of This Week in Baseball highlights. I
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